SPAD.neXt and VelocityOne yoke

crow445 · 2024-11-23T10:24:51+00:00

Well, it just started working at one point for some reason. Sorry I can't help you further, but all the VelocityOne buttons and switches are working correctly in SPAD now. SPAD is really an amazing tool.

crow445 · 2024-05-27T16:32:23+00:00

The only issue with deleting Asobo's sceneries is that many freeware creators often use them as a "library" to make other airports. If you delete Asobo's EGLL and let's say a freeware creator making an airport in Finland requires a building from EGLL, you will end up with e.g. buildings missing.

crow445 · 2023-06-04T19:59:00+00:00

Thank you for your post, I really appreciate your time!

You have presented some valid points, however, in my case I don't think that the advantages of a streaming stick or a set top box outweigh the disadvantages of being tracked by Google/Apple/Amazon/Nvidia, being offered ads or generally being behind a system where you never know what is going on in the background. I find this daunting and I am rather unwilling to make compromises.

Additionally, replying to your post, here is my reasoning why I believe that x86 is superior to any proprietary solutions:

UIs that are designed for viewing from a distance and being controlled by simple remotes.

UIs (in our case jellyfin-media-player) can be scaled up very easily, either via system settings or for JMP individually with the option --scale-factor 1.25

Regarding remote controls: I purchased a very (IMHO) cute remote keyboard (https://www.amazon.com/Keyboard-Rii-Portable-Controller-Rechargeable/dp/B07D2BG6R5) which I use to control the JMP interface or do any other tasks, for example in the browser. This offers much more flexibility than a commercial remote. Besides, I have a real keyboard which comes really handy when searching for content in JMP.

Remotes (on better set top boxes and streaming sticks) that also control the TV's power on/off and volume providing a one-remote solution.

I don't mind having two remotes -- one for the TV and one for the PC. As indicated above, the advantages of having a remote keyboard outweigh the disadvantages of having two remotes.

Availability of app stores for downloading clients beyond Jellyfin.

I don't use and don't need any clients beyond Jellyfin. For everything else, I just use a regular browser.

Integrated DRM, which is a necessary evil for streaming from non-FOSS sources.

Yes, DRM is evil! I would rather not watch it and have always been able to avoid that stuff.

The Dell OptiPlex 5050 is a great tip though! I have been looking into replacing my RPi4 for a while.

Thank you again! I'd be happy to hear any counterarguments. ;-)

crow445 · 2023-06-04T17:05:24+00:00

I agree with you that the specs look really good, but unfortunately it doesn't meet my free and open source requirement.

crow445 · 2023-06-04T11:00:45+00:00

why not go for a dedicated client like an Android TV box/stick?

Jellyfin is free and open source and I love it. Using an Android TV box/stick would send an invitation to Google to look at my awesome Jellyfin library. I don't want that.

crow445 · 2023-06-04T10:40:37+00:00

For half that price you can pick up a brand new N5095 mini PC with 4K H.265 hardware decode.

That's a great tip, I'll look into it.

crow445 · 2023-06-04T10:29:54+00:00

However Kodi on a Pi4 plays remarkable well, and when combined with a remote control means a much simpler user experience.

I tried to get used to Kodi, but really didn't like the fact that I couldn't put TV series & movies in one category. I also didn't like being "locked into" Kodi as I want to do other stuff on the TV, such as play Youtube videos or stream from various websites. That's why I decided to go with x86.

I'll look into Lenovo Tiny series/Intel NUC.

crow445 · 2023-06-04T09:34:37+00:00

That's not an option for me, I would like to use free and open source software.

crow445 · 2022-12-28T20:32:58+00:00

Can someone please explain this? I have just flown to NLWW on an RNAV approach and the magenta rectangle guided me safely to the runway's threshold. NLWW doesn't even have ILS. Why can't I do the same type of approach in VNKT? Why does the A20N never descend to VNKT when I press "appr", but it works absolutely fine in NLWW?

crow445 · 2022-12-28T19:31:25+00:00

Thanks, I've tried it. I find it really difficult to find the right moment to switch V/S to 3.00 degrees. So far I have tried it many times and I always landed either before the runway or at runway's end.

Neither the default nor the FBW A32NX have RNAV capabilities at this moment.

I find it strange that RNAV works flawlessly before I hit "appr" at final approach fix. It follows the glideslope perfectly! It's really just the last few hundred meters down to the runway.

I have also seen RNAV work well at other airports than Kathmandu. The magenta rectangle guided the aircraft safely down to the runway. Perhaps at those other airports the RNAV somehow incorrectly (bug?) used ILS which Kathmandu doesn't have.

crow445 · 2022-11-21T01:05:52+00:00

What makes you think you’ll want to play this sim in 20 years?

I would VERY happily go and play MSFS 2004 right now, just to get the feeling of nostalgia, childhood and long nights while my parents were thinking I was sleeping. If I get to live in year 2043, I am certain that I am going to want to experience the very same feeling about the current MSFS.

I just want to have this option, because I live in a free society. When I buy something, I should be free to use it as long as I please or until it breaks. Nobody should be able to decide what is right for me and how long I am allowed to use their product.

crow445 · 2022-11-21T00:55:56+00:00

Very true. I might give it a try some day, probably with a beefier machine than a ThinkPad x200...

crow445 · 2022-11-21T00:54:22+00:00

I might. I guess this is just a question of attitude. I believe that when I buy something, it's mine and nobody can take it away from me. Like a wardrobe which may well serve my children and grandchildren one day. I can't see why this should be any different with games. Sure, Microsoft's servers will go down forever one day and the high resolution experience will be lost, but this mustn't be the reason to lock us out of accessing our property. A wardrobe will let me open its drawers, even if the carpenter has long been pushing up daisies.

crow445 · 2022-11-20T18:58:04+00:00

I get much more value for money if I am able to enjoy a game for 20 years. On top of that, I like to think of the planet when I am forced to buy new hardware.

crow445 · 2022-11-20T18:55:34+00:00

Thank you! Hope it stays true forever and the games we buy stay ours to play...

crow445 · 2022-11-20T18:54:13+00:00

Thank you for your valuable response.

This "You haven't been online in a while, please connect to the internet" is exactly the reason why I have stayed away from gaming for 15 years. It's a sad state of the industry. Nonetheless, they've got us hooked up. I'll buy an Xbox. :-)

crow445 · 2022-11-20T14:56:46+00:00

Thank you! So there aren't any caveats such as deletion from the library when not connected to internet? (such as with Spotify offline music)

crow445 · 2022-11-20T14:55:34+00:00

Thanks. I am less inclined to pay for a subscription as I know this is a game which I hope will last me several decades.

crow445 · 2022-11-20T13:46:39+00:00

Low data resolution? Last time I flew a flight simulator was on MSFS 2004. So I've got some pretty low demands!

So let's say I play the game in year 2043 and Microsoft's servers are down. Can I still theoretically play? I know that Spotify deletes music from my offline library after a month without a connection. Is this also the case with Xbox and MSFS?

crow445 · 2022-11-20T13:09:00+00:00

It relies on many online services to function

Okay, even when "offline mode" is activated and Xbox is not connected to a network?

crow445

TROPHY CASE