Rough mental design finally settled on - will it work?

[Guest goon]

Hi all,I've been wanting to build something to add to the realism of my sim for some time, and now I have amassed 4 GoFlight modules, a CH Yoke and Throttle quadrant and a cobbled together rudder pedal set up I am ready to get going.My problem is that I fly lots of different aircraft, and my PC is not dedicated to FS (Sarah uses it for work, etc). So I had settled on making a centre console style thing, to house the GoFLight and throttle. Placed by the chair, it could easily be pushed under the desk when not in use. Then I got to thinking of the old machine in my cellar, and how it could be used. I'm thinking of building a small monitor in to the top of the console, with a touch pad and mini keyboard, and using it to display FMC's or GPS or whatever is relevant to the type of aircraft I'm currently enjoying.The main question is one of WideView (which I have a very limited experience of from some years ago). The spare PC is a PII 450, plenty of RAM (can't remember how much)but NO 3D card. As WideView requires a whole install of FS, I'm wondering whether this has the power to display the instruments or not. Anyone have a similar set up they can share tips from?Cheers,Gareth Evans

[Guest PoRrEkE]

Wideview will work for instrument if (and only if) you use FS2002. Then WV is even freeware. However the new version for FS9 does not support instruments anymore. Use of 1 pc and a PCI card is much more convenient for such things.

[Guest goon]

Damn. Wasn't aware it had changed. It would be much more convenient if I didn't want to operate the second machines display with it's own keyboard / mouse.Is there an alternative?

[Roel_Wessels]

Ofcourse there is always an alternative. Though I'm not an expert, I know of certain software that can help you out with things like a FMS or GPS. Some are payware, some are freeware. They are connected to the main (i.e. the one that Sarah works on ;-)) computer via an IP/TCP network, but run on the other computer. I think you may have heard of the FSUIPC/WideClient combination, if not visit (www.schiratti.com/dowson)Some of the programs for FMS and autopilot are:Project Magenta (http://www.schiratti.com/)FreeFD (website down contact me for a copy)Flightdeck Software (http://www.flightdecksoftware.com)These programs will run a single copy of the program (no need of running FS) on your PII computer, so that will be an advantage. Furthermore will they usually not require a 3D card.This is in no way a complete view of the alternatives, but it will get you started. Give it a try. All mentioned software is freeware, except for Project Magenta, but for this there is a demo version.Good luck and feel free to ask questions,Kind regards,Roel WesselsThe Netherlands.http://bev02.adsl.utwente.nl/vliegvrienden/

[Guest goon]

Interesting stuff Roel, thanks for replying. The centre console display I had in mind was hopefully going to display the FMC of the PMDG 737, or the PSS Airbus, or whatever instruments I chose from the aircraft I was using at the time. I assume the FMC's in the link above won't interface with the mentioned aircraft directly?I'm now thinking of setting it up as third monitor on my system. However I had thought of building a mini keyboard in to it as well, to operate the FMC. This is obviously not going to work on a multi monitor set up, unless there is a way of running two keyboards on one machine and having it know the difference between the two. It has just occurred to me that it would be sufficient to have one keyboard on the centre console do everything for FS though, and switch to a desk top one when the PC is being used for something else.More research and planning is needed, and it turns out that this is half of the fun of this project so far!Thanks again,Gareth Evans

[Roel_Wessels]

>I assume the FMC's in the link above won't interface with the>mentioned aircraft directly?No, you're right. You will have to use their autopilot systems for example. The PDMG 737 is not very flexible to the homebuilder, it's a shame.>I'm now thinking of setting it up as third monitor on my>system. However I had thought of building a mini keyboard in>to it as well, to operate the FMC. This is obviously not going>to work on a multi monitor set up, unless there is a way of>running two keyboards on one machine and having it know the>difference between the two. It has just occurred to me that it>would be sufficient to have one keyboard on the centre console>do everything for FS though, and switch to a desk top one when>the PC is being used for something else.Have a look at www.nicokaan.nl , he has made the sort of setup that you might want to check out.>>More research and planning is needed, and it turns out that>this is half of the fun of this project so far!Yep! :-)Roel.

[Guest goon]

Very impressive stuff there. Way more ambitious than what I plan though. Hopefully I'm going to get the vast majority of the work done over Christmas. I'll post pics here when I get any progress.Cheers,Gareth Evans