FAQ: What is TradeIP.com and how do I use it?
Getting online with Multiplayer flight

What is TradeIP.com?

TradeIP.com is a website where users of multiplayer flight simulators can find other people to fly with over the Internet.

What is this multiplayer thing, anyway?

Multiplayer is a feature built into many popular games and sims that lets the user see other players in real time. For example, in Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 or Flight Simulator 2000 this allows you to fly formation with other planes, watch other planes take off and land, play follow-the-leader, or anything else you can think of.

How does multiplay work?

Most multiplayer sessions use the Internet to connect two or more computers together via a common IP (Internet Protocol) address. Every time you log onto the Internet, your Internet Service Provider's computer automatically assigns you a unique IP address that stays the same for as long as you remain connected. If you are running Flight Simulator 98, you can open a Multiplayer session and have other people connect to you by typing in your IP address, or you can connect to someone else's computer by entering their IP address when prompted for it.

I have Microsoft Flight Simulator 98/2000 running. How do I use Multiplayer?

It's actually quite easy, and can be done in a few simple steps. Go here to read our tutorial and look at some screen shots.

I know how to use FS98 Multiplayer. How do I find out the IP address of a multiplayer session so I can connect?

That's where TradeIP.com comes in. You can use our flight boards to let other people know about your multiplayer session, or quickly locate active sessions so you can get up flying fast.

What is a flight board and how do I use it?

The Flight Boards are similar to bulletin boards you may have seen on various websites. Each Flight Board is geared toward a different flight sim or combat sim, and contains recent text messages left by users who are hosting a Multiplayer session. Each message, or post, contains an IP address that will let you connect to that session, as well as details that will let you decide which session looks the most interesting to you. If you'd rather host your own session, the Flight Board is where you can post details about your flight so others can connect to you.

We've tried to keep the Flight Board simple so you can get up flying quickly. At the same time, we've left room for people to share details about their flight so people with similar interests can find the type of flight that appeals to them the most.

To find a session...

Go to the TradeIP.com menu and select the Flight Board for the sim you have running. Scroll down the Flight Board and scan the messages to see the "Active ones" Indecated by the small green box that is lit "". Once you find a likely session, copy the IP address into the Windows clipboard or write it down. Then go back to your sim, activate the Multiplayer feature and enter the IP address when prompted. That's it!

To post a session...

If you already have a Multiplayer session running and want to get others to connect to your session, you can post the session on the Flight Board by Clicking the icon at the top that indicates "Post New Flight". Feel free to type a description of your flight in the space provided, then just click the "Post Flight" button - your IP address is entered in automatically. It's done...

Optional Settings:

To make the Flight Boards more useful, we've added some optional settings you can select to let people match up more closely with your system speed and level of experience. These are guidelines only - people may still connect if their settings or preferences do not match yours.

IP Address: In most cases your IP address will already correctly entered in this box. If not, you can enter it in by hand. To find out your IP address, select the Windows Start Menu (bottom left of your screen on the Windows taskbar), select Run, and type in winipcfg. This will show you your IP address.

Speed: Select your modem speed or method of Internet access here.

Level: The level of skill or experience you want for the session.

Coms: How you wish to communicate with others. Select No Voice - Type Only if you want to use the Chat window to communicate. Otherwise select your favorite voice communication program and make sure it is running.

Planes:

• Select FS98 Default if you only wish to fly using the standard FS98 aircraft.
  
  Select Any Aircraft if you have no preferences about aircraft types. Remember, however, that you will likely encounter planes that look or fly strangely - Cessnas taxiing 20 feet in the air, or flying by at very high speeds. This is because the other player is flying a third-party or add-on plane that you do not have installed in Flight Sim. Since there are thousands of add-on planes available, the chance you will have the same plane installed can be slim.
  
  Select Zplanes if you have Zplanes installed in Flight Sim. ZPlanes are collections of aircraft that can be installed all in one operation, and come in various flavors - small props, twins and light jets, or large airliners, etc. If two people have the same ZPlanes set installed, they will always see the actual aircraft that the other player is flying..
  
  Select Small Prop, or any one of the other available categories, to narrow down the range of planes you will be flying in your session. You can also be more specific in the Flight Description box by typing in the name and filename of the aircraft you will be flying. Try a popular aircraft such as the Piper Seneca or B-2 bomber, depending on your tastes. This will let people with similar interests know that they will be able to see the same aircraft as the one you have loaded.

Select No ATC if you will not be providing Air Traffic Control for the session. Use one of the other selections if you plan to provide ATC for the other players.

Select Open Flight if you have not set a password in your sim's Multiplayer settings. This will allow anyone to join. If you have already set a password for your session, you will have to have let your flying friends know what it is in advance.

Select a simple Deactivation Password based on your callsign or other easy-to-remember combination. When you end your multiplayer session, go back to the Flight Board and click the "deactivate" link on your posted session, enter in the password. This will show other users that the session is no longer active, and will save people time by not attempting to connect to an inactive session. While your session is active, the light square beside it will be illuminated on the Flight Board.

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