Frequently Asked Questions Version 0.02
By DeadPhrog
Edited by Josh Horowitz (falcon@ucla.edu)
Stunt Island Filmmaker's Association
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What's SIFA, anyway?
2. Ok, so what's Stunt Island?
3. So who's in charge of this thing and who started it?
4. I'm into SI, but why should I join SIFA?
5. So how do I join SIFA?
6. Ok, now I'm a member, how does this mailing list work?
7. You know, I got this FAQ, but I found something wrong or outdated in it.
Who do I inform?
8. Another thing about this mailing list, is it listserv or something like
that?
9. Ok, I've made the BEST SI film ever, how do I get it to you SIFA
guys?
10. Uh, how exactly DO I "zip" something?
11. What are the general rules of conduct for the SIFA list?
12. So, just how DO I get off this list?
13. I've got a complaint about someone on the list, what do I do?
14. Hey! Why isn't so-and-so answering their mail?!
15 through 20 - How NOT to write messages on the list.
1. What do I need to run SI?
2. Wait! I have DOS 6.2/Windows 95! Can I still run SI?
3. Ok., so what is the recommended setup for SI on my computer?
4. Ok, I got SI to run. Why can I fly with the mouse?! This is so
weird...
5. Hey, I bought SI used, and there's no instruction manual. Has anyone typed
it up so I can just download it?
6. There's no map either...
7. I bought SI years ago and I lost disk number X. I deleted it off my hard
drive...
8. I can't find SI for sale anywhere! How am I going to find it?!
9. How many different aircraft are there in this package?
10. Hey! You sound like you work for Disney and are selling this thing!
11. Ok then, is SIFA sponsored by Disney?
12. What's this I hear about communications with Adrian Stephens?
13. Where can I find SI films other people have made?
14. I need help doing such and such...
15. Now what's this I hear about a SI object editor...
1. What's SIFA, anyway?
SIFA, the Stunt Island Filmmaker's Association, is a club devoted to Disney's Stunt Island program, and to making films with it.
2. Ok, so what's Stunt Island?
Stunt Island is a program, which Disney calls, "The stunt flying and fimling simulation." The basic idea is that SI (Stunt Island) is a flight sim, but with one main difference: You create your own movies with it! It isn't brand new, so its graphics are a bit out of date, but it IS 3D, and it IS a great sim. While Disney is no longer selling SI, it can still be found at many mail order places, and is still in some stores. (Check in the bargian bins.)
3. So who's in charge of this thing and who started it?
I, DeadPhrog am head of SIFA, and I also started it. We currently have several web pages, a mailing list, and will have a news letter, eventually. Now we have a FAQ, and we attempt to get together in IRC once a week.
4. I'm into SI, but why should I join SIFA?
Because you'll have the advantage of being able to talk to REAL people about SI, and we share our ideas, work on projects together, and generally have a good time.
5. So how do I join SIFA?
You simply send an email, to me, DeadPhrog at deadphrog@sinewave.com asking to join us. It's that simple.
6. Ok, now I'm a member, how does this mailing list work?
Ok, first you need to create a new nickname, addition to your address book, or whatever your email program calls it. In it you'll put the full list of address you recieve when you join SIFA. (When you join, you'll have gotten a message welcoming you to SIFA, which somewhere contains the updated list of SIFA members.) Once you have the nickname (probably called SIFA, SIFA mailing list, or some other easy to remember name) created, simply place all of the names in it. For example, in Eudora Light, go to the Special menu (alt+s) and click on Make nickname. (Or just hit ctrl-K.) A dialog box will open. In the field where it says "What do you wish to call it?" type in the name, such as SIFA, and check the box that says "Put it on the recipiant list", (click on the box.) No go to the Window menu, and click on Nicknames. Scroll through the list on nicknames until you find the name (such as SIFA) and click on that. The field on the right, "Address(es)" will be empty. That's where you put the list of address. You can either type in the addresses one by one, or simply highlight the list from the welcome message and Copy it. Then go back the Nicknames window, and Paste it in the Address(es) field. Sometimes the list of addresses gets messed up going from the email to the Nicknanmes, so go through and make sure each address takes a full line, and only one address is on each line. If all this has worked (it should) you can now post messages to the list. To do that, go to the the Message menu and click New message (ctrl+n) or click on New message to, and select "SIFA" (or whatever you called you SIFA nickname.) You're all set to type your message and mail it! To respond to a message you received from the SIFA list, open the message, read it (IMPORTANT! Reading the message first will keep you from being flamed! :) ,) and click the Reply button, go to the Message menu and click Reply To, and then select SIFA (or whatever you called it) and reply to the message. Alternatively, once the message is open, go to the Message menu, choose Reply, and once the new window opens, delete the text in the To: field and type in SIFA (or whatever you called the group.) The other way is to simply hit crtl+r from the old message. That's it!
7. You know, I got this FAQ, but I found something wrong or outdated in it. Who do I inform?
Me, DeadPhrog. Email deadphrog@sinewave.com and just tell me.
8. Another thing about this mailing list, is it listserv or something like that?
No, this mailing list is NOT listserv, deadphrog@sinewave.com is my actual address, and know that when sending email there you are talking to a real person. I have to manually add the new names to the list, and send the updated list to all the members.
9. Ok, I've made the BEST SI film ever, how do I get it to you SIFA guys?
Well, the best way is to send it to the ML, and to do that simply attach it to a message to the list. Make sure, though, that anything you send to the list is compressed as a .ZIP file.
10. Uh, how exactly DO I "zip" something?
You either get a copy of PKZIP, or a copy of WinZip and follow the respective program's directions. You can find both programs on the Internet, simply search for them.
11. What are the general rules of conduct for the SIFA list?
Always use good netiquette, no flames, trim replies to message, but do quote from the message you are responding to, just don't quote more than neccessary. Yes, you CAN lurk if you like, but if you don't at least read the messages, don't stay on the list. Generally just act mature about it and you shouldn't have any problems.
12. So, just how DO I get off this list?
Just send me email, deadphrog@sinewave.com, asking to be removed.
13. I've got a complaint about someone on the list, what do I do?
Just email me, deadphrog@sinewave.com, explaining the situation and what's going on. DON'T flame anyone or you're likely to be the one kicked off the list. Be calm and civil about it.
14. Hey! Why isn't so-and-so answering their mail?!
We all have lives, and it make take a bit to get your mail answered. I personally sometimes get behind on my mail because of school or other reasons. Just be patient.
15. "Huh, huh, I'm a Troll and I just flamed your puny little mailing list 'cause everyone knows Microsoft Flight Simulator is the best sim there is!!!!!!!!!"
Do the above and you will probably be flamed by everyone on the list, plus you will be booted from SIFA, banned, and generally made to look stupid.
16. "Im a sx year old on amrica online i thnk stnt islnd is relly neet i mad a movy with a parashooting dud raping a duk how do i get snt isld to let me cheat/make me rich/shw me nude peopls or hide a virus in it??!?!?!>!?!?!?!!?!!111111/.///111/1///111//"
The above is NOT a good message to the SIFA list. DON'T ask stupid questions, DON'T use improper gammer, DON'T try to hide viruses in it or other such blather, DO capatalize, DO TRY to use correct spelling, DO punctuate, and PLEASE, don't add 800 ? or ! marks. Plus if you do the above, we'll probably tell Mommy and Daddy on you.
17. "Want to know how to make quick, easy, money on the Internet? Then..."
Do this and you will be, kicked, booted, flamed, banned, and made to look stupid as well. Plus we'll probably complain to your ISP.
18. "This chain letter has circled the world eighteen million times, it was the dying wish of a boy with cancer. If you break this chain one of your loved ones will die of cancer. Madonna and Bill Clinton have both added to this chain..."
Do this and it's the same thing, flamed, booted, banned, and we'll complain to your ISP. And no, you wont die of cancer if you don't continue the chain.
19. "I thought this would be important to you guys. The FCC announced another outbreak of the "Good Times" email virus. Make sure you don't download any mail with the subject "Good Times"...
Same thing, flames, bans, complaints to your ISP. Good Times is a hoax, and if we wanted to know about all these viruses we'd be on the Virus Announcement Mailing List. Don't do it here.
20. "Hey! Star Trek 19 is coming out tommorrow along with the new Star Wars Trilogy!"
Ok, ok, we wont flame, ban, or kick you for this, but please try and keep on topic here. This IS a Stunt Island group, not Star Wars/Trek group.
1. What do I need to run SI?
According to the box you need:
* VGA 256-color graphics adapter and color monitor
* 640k DOS RAM (need 570k free) (2 MB or more of RAM is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
* 386sx-16 MHz processor (386dx-33 or faster recommended)
* Hard disk drive (requires 13 MB or free disk space)
* PC DOS/MS DOS (supprts 3.3 to 6.0)
2. Wait! I have DOS 6.2/Windows 95! Can I still run SI?
Yes, fortunately you can. One thing you need to know about running SI from Windows 95, I HIGHLY recommend that you go to DOS _BEFORE_ you run SI, or you'll have problems.
3. Ok., so what is the recommended setup for SI on my computer?
Also according to the box:
* All the stuff in the REQUIRED list
* Joystick
* Mouse with 100% compatible mouse driver (Yes, mouse.com DOES work.)
* The Sound Source or Sound Blaster (Compatibles work.)
* Roland MT32.LAPC-1 or AdLib
* Extended or Expanded memory
4. Ok, I got SI to run. Why can I fly with the mouse?! This is so weird, I've never seen that on another flight sim!
You can fly with the mouse because that's what the programmers decided. Yeah, it's kinda weird, but live with it. If you don't have a joystick, and flying with the mouse is too weird, change the option in your setup to keyboard instead of mouse. (Yes, you'll still be able to use the mouse for the rest of SI, the menus and the like.)
5. Hey, I bought SI used, and there's no instruction manual. Has anyone typed it up so I can just download it?
Yeah right. It took months of coaxing to get me to make this FAQ and you want me to type the manual?!
You're better off asking on the SIFA mailing list if somebody has an extra or something. (Maybe you can get a copy or a fax, but those aren't recommended.)
6. There's no map either...
This one is easier. It'd be kinda stupid to try and type the map, but ask on the SIFA mailing list and some kind soul will probably be able to copy it or fax it to you.
7. I bought SI years ago and I lost disk number X. I deleted it off my hard drive because I didn't use it anymore...
Well, you might call Disney and ask them, but if they're no help you can ask on the SIFA mailing list, and again, someone will probably copy the disk you need. (After all, you paid for it.)
8. I can't find SI for sale anywhere! How am I going to find it?!
I suggest searching at all the software stores you can find, looking in bargain bins and such, and also look at stores that sell used/old software or equipment. (Maybe a store like Weird Stuff.) Also search newsgroups and look on websites for it. Also try calling or writing, or just asking mail order stores.
9. How many different aircraft are there in this package?
A LOT! Six from WWI, ten from WWII, 19 modern warplanes, four commercial, and nine general aviation. No, I wont list them all, but there are a TON of planes in this game, and you can fly every one of them. Try and find another sim that lets you do that!
10. Hey! You sound like you work for Disney and are selling this thing!
No, none of us work for Disney, and Disney isn't even SELLING SI anymore. We all did this because we like SI, not cause we're paid for it. I started SIFA because I love SI.
11. Ok then, is SIFA sponsored by Disney?
I'm afraid not, we haven't even gotten Disney to talk to us.
12. What's this I hear about communications with Adrian Stephens?
We have contacted the head programmer of SI, (or rather, he contacted us after finding one of our websites) and he is no longer working for Disney. We've chatted with him a bit and gotten his email address and the skinny on SI, Disney, and all that. He works for Sega currently. And no, his email ddress isn't listed in the FAQ, but if you would like to talk to him, ask on the SIFA mailing list for it.
13. Where can I find SI films other people have made?
You can ask on the ML for them, go to the various SI websites, or go to Disney's SI ftp site, at ftp.caprica.com.
14. I need help doing such and such...
Ask on the SIFA mailing list. In fact, any questions you have that aren't answered here, just ask on the SIFA mailing list.
15. Now what's this I hear about a SI object editor...
Well, in our conversations with Adrian Stephens, he was kind enough to send us an editor for SI objects. For info on getting it and using it, ask on the SIFA list.
Ok, that's it for now, I need more questions and answers!
Last Updated 3/8/97