As some people maybe do not now that there is a development of the LINDA NGX module, I make this little announcement here. Version 1.3 is currently released. This version is a interim update which is working with VRinsight MCP Combo 1 and 2!And of course with all other HID Devices, meaning Joysticks!!! Thanks to PMDG we could now synchronise the MCP Combo displays with the NGX.BUT: 1.3. is just a quick testing version for the displays, issues are known and would be solved as soon as possible. Beside this, there are many new functions implemented. For further informations about LINDA and other supported aircraft please visit the LINDA forum here on AVSIM Here is a list of LINDA functions for the NGX:

Guenter, you guys ROCK! I love LINDA.

I've seen LINDA mentioned a lot but I don't really get how is it better then what we had before, or what can it do that couldn't be done before? As I understand it still uses FSUIPC registered. I can already use FSUIPC to assign a hardware switch to a virtual switch by clicking with the mouse on it and finding the memory offset. And I already have VRInsight MCP Combo and it has it own profiles already programmed. What does LINDA add to the table? It must be something big - it seems it's all the rage now.

I've seen LINDA mentioned a lot but I don't really get how is it better then what we had before, or what can it do that couldn't be done before? As I understand it still uses FSUIPC registered. I can already use FSUIPC to assign a hardware switch to a virtual switch by clicking with the mouse on it and finding the memory offset. And I already have VRInsight MCP Combo and it has it own profiles already programmed. What does LINDA add to the table? It must be something big - it seems it's all the rage now.

I do not use LINDA, but from what I can see: The LUNDA guys have already found most of those offsets, that you would be hard pushed to find yourself. A lot of them are new to the PMDG, and are not part of the current FSUIPC version. With FSUIPC you only have a 1:1 relationship between an offset and a controller button. LINDA allows you to program logical relationships and sequences. I am sure the LINDA guys can add many more good reasons to use LINDA

I do not use LINDA, but from what I can see: The LUNDA guys have already found most of those offsets, that you would be hard pushed to find yourself. A lot of them are new to the PMDG, and are not part of the current FSUIPC version. With FSUIPC you only have a 1:1 relationship between an offset and a controller button. LINDA allows you to program logical relationships and sequences. I am sure the LINDA guys can add many more good reasons to use LINDA

Aha. Thanks Geoff. So it's taking the hard work from finding the offsets. I also have a home cockpit built and adding more switches day by day. I don't know how does LINDA compare to the to-be-seen SDK. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

I don't know how does LINDA compare to the to-be-seen SDK.

Sorry, I do not understand this sentence (german native) ... I hope I could explain maybe a bit difficult things easy: FSUIPC makes it possible to use the LUA programming language in FSX.With this possibility, you can nearly do everything you want.Disadvantage is, that it is relatively complicated to gather the LUA variables for each addon, write the scripts and assign them with FSUIPC to your hardware. LINDA has the goal to act as an plattform where hunting after LUA variables and writing and modifying LUA scripts becomes a lot easier.And also the assigning is much more comfortable as you just press abutton, click on a drop down list and choose a function you want. As you own a MCP Combo, you will have much more advantages with LINDA then with SerialFP:You can assign 3 modes to the EFIS, MCP and USER Buttons part, means you can assign normal EFIS functions to EFIS part AND e.g lights AND maybe some functions for AivlaSofts EFB if you like. Simply toggle through all 3 modes. The display are much more improved as now several switch states could be shown in the MCP Combo Display and as example for the NGX you will have a gear and flap indicator in the display.

- not very professional, but it shows a bit what could be done. Beside this, simply test it, it is freewareI bet you will say afterwards everything is easier

GREAT! Thanks a LOT.

With FSUIPC you only have a 1:1 relationship between an offset and a controller button. LINDA allows you to program logical relationships and sequences.

Geoff, Actually, with FSUIPC you can also program sequences of controls that can be activated with the one controller button (or, and this cannot be done with LINDA or at least not as yet, with a key command). It's done via a Lua script and I've used the feature to make a few enhancements to my enjoyment of the NGX (such as turning the landing lights off one after the other instead of all at once ). BTW this is not to criticise the great work done by Günter and his LINDA team : they have created a most useful tool !

Fantastic workGreatly appreciatedThank you

Guenter, you guys ROCK! I love LINDA.

+1

by Günter and his LINDA team

a slight correction here: Artem and his team ("team" means me) thanks guys for the warm words!

Sorry, I do not understand this sentence (german native) ...

Wonderful. Thanks for the very detailed reply. Looking forward to testing it when I get to the home-pit. I am also curious how much support will we have with MCP Combo when the PMDG SDK is released. Because then theoretically it should function identically to the one in the virtual cockpit, including the screens from the MCP showing what we set.

Guenter, May I make a suggestion? For those of us that are not going to build a hardware based simulator, perhaps you can write a quick tutorial on how we would actually program a sequence of LINDA commands/functions and assign this sequence to a joystick button. For example, since we do not have another pilot sitting beside us, automating a sequence of switch settings/adjustments would be very helpful. An example might be: landing and turning off the runway - landing lights off, strobes off, APU start etc.. I did got to your dedicated LINDA web site and did do some reading but ... It would be great to have a simplified specific NGX step-by-step example. LINDA looks extremely powerful and a great tool if you could "bring it to the masses".

I am also curious how much support will we have with MCP Combo when the PMDG SDK is released. Because then theoretically it should function identically to the one in the virtual cockpit, including the screens from the MCP showing what we set.

that is currently already possible and implemented in the NGX module 1.3.But there are a few issues which we have to wait for Artem to iron them out... takes a few weeks

May I make a suggestion?

Do I understand you right? you want to make with one button press a complete switching sequence? There is already implemented a bit of that as example with the fuel switches: there you can switch pumps 1 and 2 together, meaning with one joystick button. If you want to switch now all lights here is an example (tutorial) - (choose in LINDA setup "developer mode") - choose the NGX as current aircraft - open from "joysticks" or "combo" the assigning menu and choose PMDG 737 NGX and then "Edit module" you see now the complete functions of the NGX in the LINDA editor. - go now to "lights, external"- you will find now the functions likefunction NGX_TAXI_on () make a new function and copy in all single lights functions, e.g. function NGX_all_lights_on ()NGX_TAXI_on () NGX_LOGO_on ()NGX_NAV_strobe ()NGX_BEACON_on () NGX_WING_on ()NGX_WHEEL_WELL_on () end this you can do with any function you like - just combine them to whatever you want. But we are here starting to get into the LUA code, and this couldn't be explained by a few words.I tried to explain some easy basics, but please try learn a bit about LUA if you want to do further programming. For specific questions you can ask anytime in the LINDA forum.