Author: jettojig

Kerbal Space Program for steam released!

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Kerbal Space Program has just been released on steam for OSX, Windows and Linux! It is currently £18.99 as part of the Steam Early Access program, and is available here for those too lazy to scroll down.

Here is the official forum post about it:

Hi,

Very good news today! After many months of preparation, KSP is now available on Steam!

We’re very fortunate also in that we’re one of the very first games to be released as a Steam Early Access title. We’ve been working closely with Valve recently to make sure the release went as smoothly as possible, and their new Early Access category is just perfect for us. We’re all very happy here!

So, I think we should probably have a little Q&A here, to clear up what will likely be the most frequent questions:

Q: If I’ve already bought the game on the KSP Store, can I switch over to Steam?
A: The answer to that is Yes, but not right now. We are going to set up a system on our store where you’ll be able to get a Steam key for KSP provided you already have purchased the game. However, we are still working on the exact details of this feature, so it’ll likely be a while until that’s set up. We’ll of course let you know when that becomes available.

Q: What platforms are supported on the Steam version?
A: KSP is available on Steam for all three platforms (Win, Mac and Linux), and the Demo is also available on all of them as well.

Q: What is this Early Access thing you speak of?
A: I think Valve can explain it better than we can.

Q: Is this in any way related to the 0.19 update being smaller than usual?
A: You’ve probably figured out already this is one of the main reasons we cut the 0.19 update short. We wanted KSP to look its best for the release, so we decided to get the reentry fx, animations and all the other features out in time for it. The shorter update cycle worked out nicely for us though, so we’ll try to maintain that flow for future releases as much as possible. The patcher should also be ready by then.

Q: Speaking of patcher then, how does that work with Steam?
A: Steam has its own update system, so for the steam version of the game, we’ve turned off all version-tracking features in KSP. The Steam version will update automatically when we publish new builds, so it all happens without the need of any external tools. The patcher will only be used for the KSP Store-bought version of the game.

A new animated short was also released to celebrate the occasion!

Anyway, that is all from me for now!
Safe flying,
Jiggyb2

A quick look at AirlineSim

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So I recently discovered a neat little airline management game called AirlineSim. I’ve always loved games like this, even though I am admittedly awful; never get me to run a business! Anyway, I thought I’d do a little (hah, yeah right) blog post to show off the game.

Obviously, the first thing to do in an airline management game is to get hold of some ‘planes. The list of aircraft you can choose from is wonderful, and so there is no problem there! Below is the list of types available in the ‘Idlewild’ gameworld, although I am aware of there being slight differences in the aircraft offered depending on which gameworld is joined. For most of these aircraft types there are at least 2 different models, each with different characteristics.

Airbus Industrie
A300 | A310 | A318 / A319 | A320 / A321 | A330 | A340 | A380
Antonov
AN-38 | AN-72 / AN-74 | AN-124 | AN140 | AN148
AVIC II
Xian Y-7
Avions Transport Regional – ATR
ATR 42 | ATR 72
BAE Systems – British Aerospace
Jetstream 31/32 | Jetstream 41 | Avro RJ70/85/100
Boeing
717 | 737-300/400/500 | 737-600/700/800/900 | 747-400 | 747-8 | 757-200/300 | 767-200/300/400 | 777-200/300 | 787
Bombardier
Dash 8 | Canadair Regional Jets
Britten-Norman
Islander / Trislander
Cessna
208 Caravan
Embraer
EMB 120 | ERJ 135/140/145 | EMB 170/175/190/195
Fairchild
Metro III / Metro 23
Fairchild Dornier
Do 228 | Do 328 / Do328JET
Fokker
F50 | F70/100
Ilyushin
IL-114 | IL-76 | IL-86 / IL-96
LET
410
McDonnell Douglas
MD-80 | MD-90 | MD-11
Pilatus
PC-12
PZL
AN-28
Raytheon
1900 Airliner
RUAG
DO228NG
Saab
340 / 2000
Sukhoi
Superjet
Tupolev
TU-154 | TU-204/214
Viking
DHC-6

Since trawling through a long list of aircraft can be difficult, especially when trying to decide on which aircraft is best for your needs, there are, of course, several different comparison tools available. The most simple, below, simply compares specifications in a neat, simple table.

I just compared some CRJ-XXXERs as an example

Along with this, you can also compare the profitability of different aircraft along a route, as displayed below:

I just realised I could have had better aircraft than my E145, but they had more seats than I wanted

Alternatively, you may just want to look at a single aircraft model’s page, which will look a bit like this:

Buying aircraft is a pretty interesting experience. There are quite a few options available; You can buy a new aircraft in its entirety, you can buy it with a loan from a bank, or you can lease it from a leasing company; alternatively, you can get a used aircraft with the same options.

Once you have a fleet building up (probably only one or two aircraft at first), it is a good idea to start preparing to make timetabling arrangements. Since these cannot be done until an aircraft has been manufactured (which usually takes a few hours for small aircraft), the only option is to open offices, which allow you to make routes to airports you have an office in.
I may as well show a list of some of the offices I have. There are so many since my business strategy is to fly lots of places, infrequently.

Eventually, however, you will be able to build up timetables like the one below:

Having done this, provided everything is set up correctly (there are many things I haven’t mentioned for brevity’s sake), it is a matter of checking every once in a while to ensure everything is going smoothly, with people booking flights with your airline, like they are here:

Ok so these are just my busiest flights. Must hide how awful I really am!

I love the fact that I can simply create myself a realistic airline and compete against other people’s airlines from around the globe. I also had an excuse to use my pile of Jetto logos somewhere other than my website, which was nice. Maybe I’ll design a livery (not for X-Plane) for Jetto Airlines next, since I’m sad and appear to e overly attached to my fictional fledgeling airline. Anyway, I’m running off topic, so here is a small snapshot of my route network, if anyone is interested!

AirlineSim can be played here, there is an (approximate) 2-week trial period before you need to purchase more credits to continue playing. Fortunately, they’re dirt cheap, with 100 credits costing £3; enough to last about 1 month.

P.S. You can view the information page for either of my airlines from different worlds just by clicking the signatures at the bottom!


Jetto Airlines

Videos I love #5 – Hadfield’s Space Kitchen

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SO then, it is March, and time for another VIL!
This month’s is Chris Hadfield’s Space Kitchen; I love it because the friendly nature of this chef is so much nicer than the usual lot you see on TV. Oh, and did I mention that he’s in SPACE? Yeah.

On another related note, there is now a VIL playlist on Youtube so you can see every video in one convenient location. Or, use the sidebar and click on the ‘Videos I love’ category (or just click here)!

Safe flying,
Jiggyb2

Adventures in KSP 0.19

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So then, 24 hours after 0.19  was released, here is a short series of images showing my first adventures; So far, re-entry, rovers and the new scenery is AMAZING!

First up, I had to take a peek at the re-entry. I used the MCC-1d (which can be found on this site) for my first run, as I designed the craft in part to look really cool while re-entering, without just being a single capsule. My design work, thankfully, paid off it seems!

Kerbals LOVE EVAs!
First up, while waiting to fall back to Kerbin I thought I may as well EVA out and take a look at the new facial animations. They’re pretty cool, so much better than the constantly-bored look we’re all used to!


Right then, back to business. Here we are skimming across the very upper reaches of the atmosphere, already pitched up for re-entry; no flames sighted yet.

The glow is by the (closed) solar panel, lost folks!
Is it just me or does anyone else see a faint red glow? Is it starting!?


Oh, yes it is! And it looks pretty good too…

I was so excited at this point.
Wow, this is awesome!


I’m really streaking back to Kerbin now.


This was about as bright as things got. The MCC-1d had definitely lived up to its expectations of being awesome at re-entry.

Only a few fiery wisps here
Next up, let’s try a quickly thrown-together spaceplane. Things were alright here, didn’t quite come in ‘hot’ enough to get particularly pronounced heat effects though 😦


Fortunately, things looked more exciting from below!

And finally, I had a play with a rover and looked at the new launch area.

I call it 'Dover The Rover'
My little test rover. I may have over-esimated the wheelbase of this fella’, but he has a funny face! I was quite excited about the new, giant radial battery, which I couldn’t remember having been mentioned before.


I had a little nosey around the new ‘pad. I like it a lot! Especially the grates to channel exhausts; looks much, much better than the old one. I do miss the old tower slightly, though not the horrible yellow thing at the top.


I liked the new ‘pad so much, I decided to look at my rover from another perspective; under the grille. Sadly, Kerbals can’t enter, but the camera has no problem moving right underneath.

Well then, That looks like everything from me today. I’ll be back soon with more interesting items from KSP, the internet and beyond, but for now, as always, safe flying!
Jiggyb2

KSP 0.19 released!

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That was fast, and highly unexpected! KSP 0.19 adds (according to the original forum post):
* Linux Support:
There is now a native Linux version of KSP! Official support for Ubuntu 12.04, but it should work on most distributions.

* Atmospheric Effects:
Watch your spacecraft flare up as they re-enter the atmosphere, and produce vapor trails during high-speed flight.

* New Kerbal Animations:
The Kerbals got a massive overhaul on their facial expressions! The new Expressions system uses the new Mecanim animation engine from Unity, giving Kerbals a lot more expressiveness. Watch their faces distort in total panic or gleeful joy, now also when you’re out on EVA.

* Rover Wheels:
Drive across the surface of other worlds with the new rover wheel parts, which are steerable and self-powered. Construct anything from tiny unmanned rovers, to exploration buggies, to huge mobile contraptions.

* Graphical and Scenery Improvements
We’ve got a New Launchpad model at KSC, with 100% less launch tower, a new Runway, and much improved night-time lighting, making for greatly improved visuals, especially at night.

* More New Parts
We’ve added several new parts for general construction. Featuring panels, girders, and a lot more!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I’ll be adding some screenshots in a follow-up post tomorrow!

Safe flying,
jiggyb2

Website Updates!

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Hi there!

This is just a short post to say that I’ve finally gotten off my bum and finished adding download links, images and descriptions to every X-Plane livery! Now everything should be nice and easy to view and download. UPDATE: The X-Plane section is now complete for the moment! go check it out here!

Now everything is nearly done, here is a nice image of the SSKSS, which is also nearing completion!

Safe flying,
Jiggyb2

Computer Specs

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So, I thought I may as well show off my current computer specs, since I plan on buying a much more powerful one soon anyway (which I will also mention in this post). So, without further ado, I own a 13″ macbook from late 2010. The specs (or at least as much as I could find about them) are as follows:

  • 2.4GHz Intel core 2 duo CPU
  • 2Gb RAM
  • NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256Mb Graphics card
  • 250Gb HDD
  • 500Gb External Hard Drive
  • 1280×800 13″ screen
  • Mac OSX 10.8.2

As you can probably tell, I’m pretty stuck performance-wise; exactly why I’m desperate for a better machine! So, here is what I’m thinking:

  • CoolerMaster Elite 371 case
  • Quad-core Intel i5 3570K 3.4GHz CPU
  • 2x 4Gb RAM (1333MHz)
  • 2GB Gainward GT 640 Graphics Card
  • 18.5″ Widescreen Monitor
  • Windows 8 Standard (64-Bit)

All I need to do now is finance the thing. at £573.64 it isn’t cheap, for me. It will, however, run most things at pretty decent settings; particularly X-Plane, which should be good to go once I install the windows copy and find a way to transfer all the old custom scenery. That will be fun.
What are your thoughts?

Safe flying,
Jiggyb2

I’m Back!

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Hello there!
After a rather dull January exams season, revision is finished with for the most part, and I can get back to doing what I enjoy most! So, to celebrate, I have released the first 0.18.2 ready Jetto craft, the MCC-1d! More information and download here. No mods necessary!

Since I now have a big chunk of time free, I will be continuing to fill in this site, so expect to see many of the empty pages that plague this site being filled up soon!

Safe flying,
Jiggyb2