Microsoft has launched it's answer to google earth and it is GREAT, here's a few screenshots i took







So far these citys have been rendered in 3d, you can also check out the rest of the world only it's not in 3D, but the quality is much better than Google Earth IMO


Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
Fort Worth
Houston
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Philadelphia
Phoenix
San Francisco
San Jose
Seattle


Anyway if your interested you can get it here

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=b862ddd9-943b-4299-9080-922cb6e07e46&displaylang=en

Toker-67
 



 
 
 
 
 

Thankyou EcoDragon, indeed the user manual is on the disc as a pdf, as to the graphics i have everything set to the highest and it looks ok, but from the screenshots of the game i have seen it could look a whole lot better, my card should be able to handle it, 3rd one down in this linkhttp://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Nvidia_AGP_Graphics_Cards.htmlthe rest of my system is in this sigI have been having a go at the single missions and i am able to take off, i might look like a drunk hippo when i do, but at least i can get airborn.Shooting anything down and landing are a different story, but i am amazed at how different the planes feel to fly, some of them i was doing twists and turns and generally chucking em about, but try it in others and you end up in an out of control spinning spiral, it's great stuff and i think i will really enjoy this sim.As soon as TX-Cuda gets his rig sorted, it would be great if we could hook up, i have teamspeak and a mic so thats cool, Cuda was able to set up a server that i could connect to, and i know he's ready to get flying again.Anyway's thanx for all your tips and the warm welcomeTokerEDIT: Damn Cuda you must have been typing that as i was lol

Firstly i would like to start by saying hello all, i am brand new to this game and to flight sims in general (although i played pilot wings. and G police back in the day)
I have just picked up the IL2 Complete edition and i have a few questions so here we go.....

1. Were there meant to be instructions included in the box ? all i got was a 8 page fold out control's guide and a disk, no instruction booklet.

2.I also purchased a Saitek Cyborg evo joystick and i dont know what controls to map to it (what are the main controls i will be using all the time while i am flying)

3.Whats with the map, it's huge and it take's up nearly a quater of my screen (is there anyway to make it smaller ?)

4.My graphic's card is not supported on the list and when i click custom i get a box with all kinds of settings that i dont understand, i should be able to play at relatively high settings, so how do i set it up so all settings are maxed ? (also no 1280x1024 mode)

5.Where is the best place to start in the game ? single missions, pilot carear, or build my own missions (although i have no clue how to do this)

6.So many planes to choose from, what would be a good choice for a noob like me ? (something easy to fly)

7.If i click on mutiplayer nothing happens there are no servers listed ?

8.The version of the game i have is supposed to include Forgotten Battles, ACE Expansion pack and pacific fighters, but there is no mention of 3 different game types to choose from (are they all combined ?)

9. Do i need to patch the version i have ?

Sorry if these are noobie questions, but i really want to get the most out of the game, any help you can give will be much apreciated thanks.
And blame TX-Cuda cos he's the one who sent me here lol

Toker-67