Alpha build spam email warning

[Carlosx 48]

Well, already tested. It's legit. The links will convert to the Flighsimulator page.
No clue why they are using that.

[JRBarrett 3,074]

4 hours ago, Carlosx said:

Why would Microsoft send mails via sparkpost.com ?

Sparkpost.com is not a scam. It is a large email services provider for individuals and businesses. Like any major email provider, they will occasionally have bad actors establish accounts only for the purpose of sending out spam. A responsible provider will boot spammer accounts as soon as they become aware of them.

I am not sure if I still have my alpha invite from a few weeks ago, but if so, I will check the headers to see if MS was using Sparkpost.com to send out the invitation.

For those who do have the Alpha installer in their XBox Live account, I don’t think you will be able to access the Insider forums until you have actually installed the simulator and run it for the first time.

[Carlosx 48]

3 minutes ago, JRBarrett said:

For those who do have the Alpha installer in their XBox Live account, I don’t think you will be able to access the Insider forums until you have actually installed the simulator and run it for the first time.

I already have over an hour of ingame flying, but still no access to the forum.

Maybe you have to complete proper starts, proper landings etc?

Edited July 25, 2020 by Carlosx

[JRBarrett 3,074]

22 minutes ago, Carlosx said:

I already have over an hour of ingame flying, but still no access to the forum.

Maybe you have to complete proper starts, proper landings etc?

No, none of that should be necessary. Once I had installed the sim and successfully loaded an aircraft at an airport, then closed the sim, I found that I then had access to the Alpha test forums.

If you had to previously logged into the forum with your XBox Live credentials prior to installing and running the sim for the first time, you may need to fully log out then log back in.

Also, you might want to clear the cache on whatever browser you have been using to access the forum.

 

[nandrews 4]

From my current perspective (as I kicked off this partcular thread) I feel the need to. I was and in a way still am suspicious of that domain.

But logging in to XBox Insider Hub and refreshing it about three hours ago. I found my Alpha offer was valid and it was showing in Insider Content. After going through the steps I find that it's available to install from my Microsoft Store account in the My Library section!

So I am cleasring the decks in preparation to install it.

This matter shouldn't be bothering me at this time, but I do wonder. I have pre-ordered the full version last week. But now I am on the Alpha does that mean I get the full version free on release, or at any rate some kind of discount?

[greggerm 312]

10 minutes ago, nandrews said:

This matter shouldn't be bothering me at this time, but I do wonder. I have pre-ordered the full version last week. But now I am on the Alpha does that mean I get the full version free on release, or at any rate some kind of discount?

 

No sir - you have volunteered to test the software. Your "compensation" is being able to use the software in advance of the general release.

Edited July 25, 2020 by greggerm

[Carlosx 48]

42 minutes ago, JRBarrett said:

If you had to previously logged into the forum with your XBox Live credentials prior to installing and running the sim for the first time, you may need to fully log out then log back in.

Also, you might want to clear the cache on whatever browser you have been using to access the forum.

Thanks, that worked!

[nandrews 4]

Yes I understand, no hard feelings. Of course the Alpha is not without conditions, inc' not divulging and accepting any bugs present aswell as feeding those back to the team. But as you say at the same time we get an early look at the product.
I have asked MS Store online and they have escalated the inquiry.

[JRBarrett 3,074]

2 hours ago, nandrews said:

From my current perspective (as I kicked off this partcular thread) I feel the need to. I was and in a way still am suspicious of that domain.

But logging in to XBox Insider Hub and refreshing it about three hours ago. I found my Alpha offer was valid and it was showing in Insider Content. After going through the steps I find that it's available to install from my Microsoft Store account in the My Library section!

So I am cleasring the decks in preparation to install it.

This matter shouldn't be bothering me at this time, but I do wonder. I have pre-ordered the full version last week. But now I am on the Alpha does that mean I get the full version free on release, or at any rate some kind of discount?

Just checked my original alpha invitation email from three weeks ago, and it was indeed routed through sparkpost.com

There is nothing dodgy about sparkpost. They are a major provider of email marketing services for large businesses, which is probably why MS uses them.

[nandrews 4]

I am part way thru' installing (just on the large base file now).

Is there a manual included with this, that I will be able to read, either online or off?

Or is it all guided and tutorial driven.

I prefer to be able to read about something before doing it and also as a reference if I need to relearn something later.

 

[carbonbasedlifeform 179]

For those of you who got an invite after you pre-ordered, how long did it take to get an invitation? I only pre-ordered because some people said they got an invite soon after.

[Vindeballe 60]

14 hours ago, Carlosx said:

I already have over an hour of ingame flying, but still no access to the forum.

Maybe you have to complete proper starts, proper landings etc?

For me it took 4 days from starting the alpha till the forum access was active.

[johnbla 31]

I have not pre-ordered but I got an invite the other day. However, it still has not showed up in my Xbox Insider Hub. BTY, there is no option for me to log on in the Hub. Is that normal or did you guys log on and found the alpha there? Thanks in advance.

[MaVe64 414]

It would be nice of Microsoft 😎, if you signed up for the alpha and also pre ordered, you get access to the beta. It's all based on the same email address so they are able to filter the addresses out.

Edited July 26, 2020 by MaVe64

[nandrews 4]

Could anyone else who has the Alpha say where I can post problems or at least read up the known problems.

I'm stuck in tutorial one, because I can't hand back to the instructor (Ctrl+Alt+X). For me that key combo just brings up a small grid over the cursor position!

 

Thanks