FSHost version 2.1
Multiplayer server program for MS Flight Simulator 2002
Copyright 2002 Russell Gilbert ("OzzieYank" online)
Email: fshost@chocolatesoftware.com
Homepage: http://www.chocolatesoftware.com/fshost
Platform: Windows 95 and up
License: Freeware/PostcardWare (see below)
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DESCRIPTION:
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FSHost is a Windows-based server program for FS2002 multiplayer games that can be
used in place of the server built into the game itself. It adds lots of new features,
and since it uses very few system resources, it's perfect for unattended public
servers as well as individuals hosting a game that they're also playing in.
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FEATURES:
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- Unlimited pilots and observers (as opposed to a limit of 16 in FS2002). Specific
limits can also be set.
- Kick players from the game.
- Ban players by name or IP address, for a specific time or "forever".
- Banned Words list for rejecting player names.
- Web Interface. View players and session status in a web browser. Three access
levels: Public (for viewing current session status, players, aircraft, etc.),
Admin (with a username and password, to change specific settings remotely), and
Owner (full control of your server via the web).
- Custom User Web Pages. Create your own HTML pages to show info about your server.
- Flight Plans for ATC sessions. Players enter plans from the chat window, and
controllers can open (approve), close, edit, and delete. All event times are shown,
including total Flight Time for the plan.
- Custom Chat Commands. Create custom commands that players can type in the chat
window to receive back a private message. Built-in commands include current
player/aircraft list, session info, help, etc. Create other commands to display
the current weather, runway info, etc.
- Automatic aircraft announcements to the chat window when a player changes
planes. ("OzzieYank is flying the Cessna Skyhawk 172SP"). Works for default and
3rd-party aircraft.
- Automatic private welcome message sent to players when they first connect.
Customize to include information about your server.
- Automated announcements. Send any message to the chat window every few minutes
(your web address, game info, etc.).
- Change all session settings (name, comments, password, player limits) while the
game is in progress. Unlike in FS2002, all changes take effect immediately.
- Set date and time for all players.
- Log window showing all server activity, such as players being added and removed,
ban rejections, flight plans filed, aircraft changes, etc.
- Chat window showing the same chat messages that players see inside FS2002. Send
messages to all players, or just one.
- Player list showing player names, player types, aircraft names, and time connected.
- Sounds for various events on the server.
- Run Multiple Copies of FSHost. Each copy of FSHost can have its own settings, so
you can have several types of sessions on the same machine (beginners, ATC,
free flight, etc.)
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INSTALLATION AND STARTUP:
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- Extract the download file (FSHost21.zip) to any directory. (For example:
"C:\Program Files\FSHost" would be fine)
- Go to the directory you extracted the files to, and run the program (FSHost21.exe).
- The server will start automatically. You're now hosting a game, and the log
window will show your current IP address that others should connect to.
- To make a shortcut on the desktop, right-click the program, select "Copy", then
right-click on the Desktop and select "Paste Shortcut". Then, to be sure it's
created correctly, right-click the shortcut, select "Properties", and verify that
the "Start in" box contains the directory where you extracted the files.
- If you want to join the game yourself as a player, start FS2002 and connect to
FSHost as though you were connecting to someone else's game. Leave the IP address
field blank, click Search, and it should find FSHost running on your own machine.
(Detailed instructions: If you're at the starting screen, click Multiplayer, then
"Open multiplayer session", leave the IP address field blank, then click Search,
then Join. If you're already in the plane, go to Flights / Multiplayer / Connect,
leave the IP address field blank, then click Search, then Join.)
- For more detailed help, please see the online Help file, at the web site:
http://www.chocolatesoftware.com/fshost
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SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
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- Windows 95 and up.
- DirectX 6 and up.
- Does NOT require FS2002 to be installed if you just want to host without playing.
- Very low server resources required. Uses about 6MB of memory, and about 5-10% CPU,
depending on the machine.
- Supports TCP/IP (for internet and LAN games) and IPX (for LAN games).
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PRICE AND LICENSING:
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- Free!
- FSHost is PostcardWare!
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WHAT IS POSTCARDWARE?
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"PostcardWare is freeware that requires only that the user send the software provider
a postcard as a form of payment. The idea is to humanize the transaction, remind the
user that someone else shared something freely, and remind the provider that someone
is actually using the creation."
--www.whatis.com
If this program made your day, then you can make my day by mailing me a postcard from
wherever you live. You can write anything you want on the postcard, or nothing at all.
I'll put it on my refrigerator, and then when my friends come over, I'll say,
"Look, there's somebody living there that's using my program!" How cool would
that be? :-) I get no money of any kind for this program, but I get a big smile on
my face whenever I open my mailbox and find a postcard. It makes all the hard work
worthwhile.
You can send your postcard to:
Russell Gilbert
116/308 Pitt St.
Sydney, NSW, 2000
Australia
All rights reserved. THIS WORK MAY NOT BE SOLD FOR PROFIT, NOR MAY IT BE INCORPORATED
INTO A COMMERCIAL WORK without prior written permission from the author. Any
modification of this work, or the preparation of derivative works based upon this
work, for commercial use or private, is strictly forbidden without prior written
permission from the author. This copyright statement pertains to the FSHost program
executable and all files included with the executable in the download package.
Information is subject to change without notice. This work is distributed WITHOUT ANY
WARRANTY and without any implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
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WANT TO PUT FSHOST ON YOUR WEB SITE?
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You're welcome to distribute FSHost from your web site, as long as you:
- Do not modify or rename the zip file or any of its contents in any way.
- Run the program occasionally and let it automatically check at startup to see if
there's a new version available. There's nothing worse than having old versions of
a program floating around the web :-) If you do put it on your web site, let me
know and I'll send you an email when I release a new version.
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CONTACT INFO:
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Have a question or an idea for a new feature? Send an email to
fshost@chocolatesoftware.com and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.
Also, please take a look at the online help file, with lots of details and
screenshots of the program: http://www.chocolatesoftware.com/fshost
Thanks -- enjoy the program, and don't forget to send me a postcard! :-)
