 ELITE PLUS: PLANETSIDE
 version 2.00 build 042
 release date: October 26, 2005
 copyright: Mic Healey 2000-2005

 A. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

 Windows 98 through XP (for default)
 (Can be re-configured for DOS under FLY.147 as detailed below.
 Not recommended for newer platforms.)


 B. NEWS:

 There has been some serious and wonderous changes in the FST (Flight Sim
 Toolkit) world as of late and a new quite stable "drop in" engine
 replacement for the FLY.EXE file has been created for FST built sims! 

 This is H-U-G-E news as these once "near dead" sims needing specific old
 CPUs, DOS versions, & Soundblasters - will now run on most all newer
 Win98 thru WinXP platforms... without trouble! Yippee.
 
 With the above in mind, I have revamped Ep2 (beginning with ver. 2.00),
 updating it to include the newest fst engine. The new flight engine
 adds many cool and fun improvements that will greatly increase your
 enjoyment within the sim; including such things as an advanced auto-pilot
 with terrain following ability (such as the Tornado has). 

 If you have downloaded Ep2 before, just to find it would not run on your
 system or there was no decent sound - you should be quite happy with
 ver. 2.00.  Also, many long standing goofs in the FST flight engine
 have now been addressed. Wonderful.

 However, up front I must give a great bow of gratitude, appreciation, and
 repect to Dave Daniels, who is the genius behind figuring out the
 original FST's FLY.EXE code and fixing the engine to work for newer
 platforms, as well as correcting so many long standing and annoying flaws
 in the program's design.  Further, Dave Daniels has continued to do even
 more, greatly improving many aspects of the original engine.  The
 intermediate result (he's still working on it) - is a much finer program
 than the FST world of users ever had in the past. Finally, I must mention
 the outstanding efforts of Adrian Brown and the Yahoo FST Group in
 general for helping keep the dream alive!

 With the "kudo's" out of the way, lets get you flying!

 C. STARTING THE PROGRAM:

 Start the program as in version one, type: EP2 or click on the icon in
 the directory.  (FST users know they can also go right for FLY.EXE as
 well - but this will by pass any front end that the program gets, later).

 Clicking Ep2 (or typing Ep2 at the DOS prompt under MS-DOS w/ver 1.10
 changes as below, gives you the "Splash" screen w/sound and takes you into
 the cockpit.

 First you must start your engines by pressing the "E" key. (Notice your
 throttle will jump up to idle at 25%)

 I have taken the liberty of already saving and including preferences
 file (MENU.CFG) which will allow for mouse controlled flight.  If you are
 okay with that, use the keyboard number keys (1 thru 0) to power up and
 take off.  See if you can make an orbit of the base. Flying by a mouse is a
 bit tricky. If you start to get messed up - hit the AutoStab key "A" and
 the craft should level out.  Under AutoStab (Auto-Pilot), you can also
 alter your auto-pilot's heading by using the "," key for left and the
 "." key for right.  This also provides rudder and ground steering control
 within the sim.

 D. MENU OPTIONS:

 Hitting the ESC key will take you to the main Configuration Menu.  From
 here you can adjust many items as Dave Daniels has totally rebuilt this
 part.  If you wish to fly with the Joystick, you can select it here -
 however, I have had some problems with Joystick flight under WIN98, so I
 have set a default to mouse at present.  You can also select the keyboard
 as flight control.

 To help educate you on the Menu and Controls, Dave has compiled an
 excellent HTML document on the subject which you will find in this
 directory called: COMMAND.HTM. Please bring it up and study it.
 However, as the FLY.EXE engine has continued to be rapidly upgraded
 lately - not all the latest changes are listed (but it is pretty close).

 Files associated with COMMAND.HTM
 COND.PNG
 CONTROLS.PNG
 DISPLAY.PNG
 HUD.PNG
 LEAVE.PNG
 MAP.PNG
 MENU.PNG
 SIM.PNG
 STICKPOS.PNG

 Dave's includes README notations with every upgrade of FLY.EXE. Dave has
 made note of many new features. Below I have listed I few I don't think
 are included in this issue of COMMAND.HTM.

 "CTRL+TAB" keys: allows you to change the viewpoint to another aircraft.
 This only works if the aircraft is within 8 km. It is not possible to
 control this aircraft, you can only view from it.  Your own aircraft
 continues to fly while you are doing this.

 "ALT+H" keys: This will display the HUD for computer controlled aircraft.
 "P" Padlock view will follow computer aircraft's target, if it has one.
 "INSET" key: Turns on Afterburner.



 E. REVERTING THE PROGRAM FOR USE UNDER DOS:

 Note: If you want to use this program under DOS, Win98, OS/2, or whatever
 - with the older version of FLY.EXE that I originally included with the
 package - FLY.EXE ver. 1.47, it is included in the directory, renamed
 "FLY.147".  You can use it by renaming the current FLY.EXE, FLY.323. Then
 rename FLY.147, FLY.EXE. FINALLY rename EP2.EXE, EP2.REG; then rename
 EP2.OLD EP2.EXE. Start the program by clicking on EP2 or typing EP2
 at the command prompt.  By doing this you go back to ver 1.10 as well as
 all the goofs in the old flight engine.  You will have to do the reverse
 order above to get back to ver 2.00 (or above).
  
 F: ORIGINAL NOTATIONS

 Below is the original documentation from first release. It is of course
 superceeded above as noted.  Sections VIII, IX, and X still apply to
 Ep2 ver. 2.00 and above.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 ELITE PLUS: PLANETSIDE
 version 1.10 build 040
 release date: March 02, 2001
 copyright: Mic Healey 2000,2001
 mic@planetmic.com

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
      -Table of Contents-

       I.  What can you do with this sim
       II. Development Notes
      III. System Requirements
       IV. Starting the Simulation
        V. Known Problems
       VI. Do's & Don'ts
      VII. Simulation Controls
     VIII. Legal Matters
       IX. License & Terms of Distribution
        X. FST *.FSD Shape Files Copyright
       XI. Credits

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 I.  WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH THIS SIM

 <<Comment>>

 Well, I decide to just release what I have done so far.  - So users can  
 check the progress and see it is indeed real!  So here you go.  It's not
 much, but its a taste.  Take some time to check out the shapes at the base,
 that's where a lot of the time as been spent!  I'm not too sure how much
 more I'm going to do with it unless I get a bit more response.  Also, there
 is a serious problem with getting sound on a variety of new platforms,
 (there is no sound setup, its all auto-detected, you'll get great digital
  sounds or crappy PC speaker - don't blame me, that's FST's goofy EXE file.
 There may be a resolution on this down the road - I'm working on it, along
 with others.

 So, the state of the sim:

 Right now...  Take off, fly around - look at the scenery.  Try to get back
 to the runway and land safely.  When you land on the runway you are refueled
 and rearmed.  You can use the map feature CRTL+M to navigate.  Currently
 Sector One, a 50 km x 50 km area of terrain has been made, but you can fly
 well beyond this if you like.  Get the feel of the craft, do some nifty
 flight maneuvers.  Enjoy.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 II.  DEVELOPMENT NOTES

 This is the initial release of an FST (Flight Sim Toolkit) based simulation.
 It is by no means a finished product.

 FST sims like to:

   (1) Run from DOS and or the DOS prompt within WIN95/98
   (2) Will supply digital sounds for -true- Soundblaster cards only
       (others will get default synth sounds only).
   (3) Have a variety of rather unique but obscure bugs.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 III.  SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

  (SVGA 640*480 256 Colour VESA) 
  Minimum System 486DX66 with 2Mb of RAM
  Hard Disk with enough free disk space
  Local or PCI video BUS with VESA SVGA CARD or Vesa driver loaded
  capable of 640*480 256 colours
  Keyboard/Mouse/Joystick control (Joystick recommended)
  Game supports PC Speaker Sound
  Soundblaster Card support or "100%" Creative Labs compatible sound card.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 IV.  STARTING THE SIMULATION

  You may start Elite Plus: Planetside, by simply typing EP2 at the DOS
  prompt via command line:

  This sim is designed for SVGA 640*480 256 Colour VESA mode.

      To start, type:   EP2 (and press Enter).  

 If you cannot run in SVGA you may need a VESA driver (if on a older DOS
 system). 

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 V.  KNOWN PROBLEMS

  (1) Sound:

      You will get great digital sound on a -Soundblaster- card with
      a DOS 6.22 system.  You -may- get digital sound with a Soundblaster
      card under WIN95/98.  If not, you will get PC speaker sounds - nowhere
      near as good, sorry.  The sound support in FST sims has always been
      a weak link... but that's what your CD player is for.

 (2) Non-Intel Processors:

      FST sims sometimes do not like NON-INTEL processors.  If the
      simulation fails to run in all modes this can be the cause.
      Solution - none. Sorry.

 (3) Memory Issues:

   Message: Previously installed software is neither DPMI or VCPI compatible.
   And game will not load. Cause: EMM386 loaded with NOEMS or NOVCPI switch.
   If you are using EMM386 use EMM386 RAM. This will still provide access to
   UMB's and extended memory. Backup your AUTOEXEC.BAT AND CONFIG.SYS Files
   BEFORE you start modifying them. See your DOS/WIN95/98 manual for further
   details about modifying these files, and EMM386 switches.

 (4) USB Digital Joystick Does Not Work with Sim:

   That's right.  These new jobbers only work under WIN98.  You need
   a standard analog 15 pin stick for FST sims.  The program accesses
   the hardware directly, so the joystick does not even need to be
   active under WIN98.

 (5) Joystick Calibration is Hinky:

   Under Windows 98, the joystick calibration routine - accessible by
   pressing the ESC key to bring up the simulation menu or directly
   by pressing ALT+C sometimes jumps ahead of itself.  You may have
   to do it carefully - and a couple of times.  Its a good idea to
   calibrate the joystick each time you enter the simulation or
   sometimes after a crash.  If you get a hiccup half way through the
   routine, just do it again until it sticks.  This does not seem to
   be much of a concern under DOS 6.22. 
 
 (6) Shape Bleed-Thru

   When in the simulation, certain shapes from certain angles will burn
   or bleed through other polygon parts they should not.  While every
   attempt has been made to minimize this when the FSD shapes were created,
   it is an unfortuate problem with FST.  We just have to live with it,
   sorry.


 (7) FST SIMS just won't run on my system:

   Sometimes the Gods frown on a system.  FST will not run at all, only
   the Gods know why you were cursed in this fashion.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 VI.  DO'S AND DON'TS:

   (1) Do run the game from DOS.  Pure DOS is best, but the DOS prompt from
       within WIN98 seems stable...

   (2) Do use the prefect system if you have one lying around...
        The perfect system -was- what FST was designed for in 1994:
           486 DX4-100
           Vesa 2 meg video card with Tseng ET4000 chipset
           Soundbaster 16 ASP
           CH Joystick
        (Okay, maybe not perfect - but it ran FST sims well...)

    (3) Do use a Joystick rather than the keyboard or mouse. Trying to fly
        a craft with such realistic handling qualities as this with the
        keyboard or mouse is more work than fun - trust me.
    
    (4) Sometimes, FST sims seem to leave a kernal of garbage in memory or
        something.  Therefore, after playing for a while, and or starting
        the program numerous times, it is reccommended that you do close down
        all your programs and reboot your system.  This will remove anything
        left in memory.

    (5) Don't whine to me about the lack of textures.  The FST tools used to
        program Ep2 do not support textures.  However, the good news is that
        a new version of FST Tools is in the works.  When released, Ep2 will
        be greatly upgraded...  However, then it will only be able run on
        the fastest new platforms.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 VII.  SIMULATION CONTROLS:

   The keys used are listed below. (I recommend you print these out.)
   Also an EXE file key display called KEYS.EXE. You can type KEYS
   before you launch the sim for a quick review of controls.

        Escape Key  activates pull down menu for configuring program
        Q turns engine sound on off. 
        E turns engine on/off 
        1 to 0 Throttle controls  (36% to 100% power in prop aircraft)
        (1 to 6 normal power 7 to 0 Afterburner Zone 1-4 in jets) 
        + - fine throttle control (On top number row)
        W Wheel brakes. 
        B Air brakes. 
        G landing gear up/down 
        S Flaps 10 to 30 degrees 
        / ADF beacon scan up (Waypoints for Navigation around the World) 
        ? ADF beacon scan down. (Waypoints for Navigation around the World)
        Space bar Fires weapon (Or joystick button 1) 
        Backspace or Joystick button 2 selects weapon . 
        F Drop flares 
        F1 through F10 are view keys. 
        F4 toggles between full cockpit display and Heads up only
        Shift F1 is the rear view. F7 F8 look around F9 look down F10 look up
        F2 look left F3 look right F5 look back left F6 look back right
        ALT V restores full cockpit view from any other view.
        ALT X quits the game.
        NUM PAD + - Elevator trim (V1.45 on only)
        CTRL M In flight map (V1.45 on only)
        P Pause game (Padlock View V1.45 on)
        CTRL P Pause game V1.45 on
        Be sure to calibrate your joystick the first time you run the game.
        Game options can be saved as default.

     External view keys are as follows:
        V external track view (F1-F10 then rotates view.)
        O Fly past view
        ALT M missile view
        ALT V return to cockpit
        ALT T produces a version number/frame rate/objects active/memory used.
        ALT S reduces shading of world objects (Increases frame rate.)
        ALT G screen grab
        CTRL S Increases shading.
        HINT: Use the F4 key option when in dogfights, you see more sky!
        NB: You must turn off the engine (E Key) after landing to re-arm
        and refuel

  For easy reference to the keys, simply type KEYS at the DOS prompt
  before running a simulation. This will produce a graphical display
  of the keyboard, and the keys used.
  
  A note on the padlock view Pressing P in flight will lock
  your visual view onto the nearest enemy air target, provided they are in
  visual range. Pressing P again will return your view to the cockpit.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 VIII.  LEGAL MATTERS: 

  The author accepts no liability for any damage, either direct or
  consequential, no matter how it comes down. By installing or running 
  this software you agree to these conditions. 

  The author disclaims all warranties as to this software, whether express
  or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of
  merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose.  All copyright
  is held and acknowledged by those having rightful claim.
  
  By installing the software, you agree to all of the terms and conditions in
  this document.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 IX.  LICENSE & TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION:

     You -as the end user- are given one single exclusive users license.
     You have absolutely no right what so ever to distribute, covey, sell,
     or post on a website.  You must not modify and or utilize any of these
     files without the expressed written permission by the author.
 
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 X.  FST *.FSD FILE SHAPE FILES COPYRIGHT:

     All custom designed and or created *.FSD shape files within this
     application are held under exclusive copyright to the author.  No
     user may utilize, modify, incorporate, export, and or use in any
     fashion or manner outside of this program - any of these files without
     the explicit written consent of the author and posession of a license
     code number.  Utilization of any custom *.FSD shape file within the
     confines of another FST simulation, like FST simulation software, or
     converted for use with another application is expressively forbidden
     and will be considered willful copyright infringement subject
     to punitive damages.

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 XI.  CREDITS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

  Special Thanks to:

        Ian Bell & David Braben for the creation of Elite Plus.
        Frontier Developments, Ltd. for the creation of Frontier Elite II.
        (This sim is in tribute to the above.)

        SIMIS Software for the development of Flight Sim Toolkit, a
        DOMARK release.

        Ray Purvis: for all the help years back with FST and this Doc,
                    also, KEYS.EXE

        Rob Sharrock:  for is undaunting dedication to FE2 and his frequent
                       patronage to the Pilot's Lounge.

        Stephen Zattini: For being one of the long time - Elite Faithful.

    Right On Commanders!
