Marco van Oostende wrote:
>
> Hmm, becomes a bit off-topic here... sorry in advance.
> I use the program since the early 80's, version FS2 back then, using an
> Apple II (long, long ago). Even though it is sold by Microsoft, the
> flight engine itself is originally written and maintained by SubLogic
> until version 5. I have to admit that I feel recent versions to fly less
> natural. Stuff in the earlier versions that needs accurate settings did
> not show as good as they do now, but were much easier to use as it does
> now. But then, as long as it looks good, it sells better. And yes,
> recent versions do crash on my system. Most of the time after a 'short'
> flight between let's say Oslo and Mallorca, 10 minutes before landing
> :-( The program itself is very good for getting basic knowledge on
> flying though.
>
> Regs, Marco
Marco,
Just to give you and the other folks an ideal of how programming was
done "back then": I am holding a phamphlet marked "Animation Package,
Microcomputer 3D Graphics, Load&Go Manual" for the AppleII (Assembly
Language - 16K minimum), from SubLogic, Box V, Savoy, IL, 61874. The
"Technical Manual" was even more detailed.
It describes the 3-D engine that subLogic used to power the "Saturn
Navigator" and later the FS2 flight simulator programs. These two
documents came with the program. The assembler portion was for the 6502
cpu, of course. I purchased my Apple computer in the fall of 1978 (the
first sold in the state of Nebraska) and later upgraded it to a II+ with
floating point Apple Basic+. I used that subLogic engine and the 3-D
positional data from the nearest 500 stars, to create a local universe
simulation in which I could fly around in. I was teaching at the time
and it stunned the kids who were watching Star Trek reruns to see the
stars of space "move" the way they appeared to move from the bridge of
the Enterprise. When they flew to the belt of Orian they realized that
the star patterns in the sky were familiar only from a certain point of
view, as one of the belt stars sailed past the "window", leaving only
two.
The point I want to make is this: I could write that software (and
share it freely, as I did) because subLogic included the source code
with the documentation. How times have changed. Maybe, they will
change back.
--
JLK
Linux, because it's STABLE, the source code is included, the price is
right.
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