Using 2 PC's, how to?

[Zorro]

Is there a "How to for Dummies" turn key set of instructions from a to z in the "How to"? I would run a search but it would be nice to have all this information on one thread if it isn't already so for the non computer types to get it working. Found a place in Canada selling Touch screens and think TB is the answer to making flying real and switchlogy a lot more efficient. Would beat buying a pre made MFD and easire to use to boot. Sorry if this question was asked and replied in a different thread, new to all this. thanks for your patience and thanks in advance for any help and replies.

[Zorro]

Some of my questions answered in this post, Running TB on gaming with dualscreen or on seperate system
Sorry for duplication with my question. I have to read the threads and do some home work.

[blaster454]

If you run into any problems, please ask and I'll try to give you specific answers.

Basically, you need to know the local IP addresses of your two computers. One will be the server (where you run the main sim or game and TB in server mode) and the other will be the client (where you run the version of TB with the profile you want). They will look something like 192.168.1.64...the last place identifies the computer on your local network and all of the computes should have the same first 3 groups.

Look in the touchbuddy-local.cfg file in your touchbuddy main folder...this is where you installed it and where it runs from. An example would be C:\Program Files\Touchbuddy. You will find sections called "Server Stuff" and "Client Stuff" and you have to make sure that the server stuff has the client's IP address and the client stuff has the server IP address. Make sure they both use the same port (default 12000) and the same password (if you use one).

Then, run TB on the server and choose server mode...you don't have to specify a profile and you can minimize the TB dialog box.

Next, run TB on the client machine, select client mode, select a profile (*.tbc file), and then execute TB. You should see the GUI for the profile on your client's screen (you can have more than one client, more than one screen on each client, and more than one instance of TB running but it's best to make sure you are working ok in the simplest config possible before experimenting).

Start your game or sim on the server, enter the 3d gaming mode (if applicable), then test the connection by touching switches on the client screen and watching the server for results.

If that doesn't work, come back and I'll try to go through some debug.

Hope this didn't confuse too much.

[Wild.Bill.Kelso]

I haven't done client/server mode before, but that was a good explaination. Someday when I build a new computer I'll use this one as my TB Client.

One note though.. Here you refer to the touchbuddy-local.cfg file. That file is optional. By default you will have the touchbuddy.cfg file with all of the settings.

Originally Posted by blaster454

Look in the touchbuddy-local.cfg file in your touchbuddy main folder...this is where you installed it and where it runs from.

FYI:
This touchbuddy-local.cfg file, is an optional file you can create yourself. Put any options from the original touchbuddy.cfg file that you have customized/changed, and TB will look for this file first and use it's settings. The idea here was that if you downloaded a new version of TB, you would not overwrite your custom settings since the download does not include this touchbuddy-local.cfg file.

[blaster454]

My fault! For some reason I thought the touchbuddy-local.cfg file was automatically created. You are, of course, correct. You have to create that file yourself (by copying the standard configuration file and renaming it. The advantage for having the local config file is that it won't be overwritten during any subsequent installs so you won't lose data that is specific to your system.

Zorro, hope that didn't confuse you too much. Hopefully, you are enjoying a TB profile as we speak

[Zorro]

Excellent explanations. That helps alot. Getting the new "sim" computer built next week. Want to get a start on TB on this computer, and waiting for a touch scree. This will make flight simming 100% better, thanks.

[blaster454]

You're welcome! Don't forget that you can use TB while you are waiting for your touch screen...just use a mouse to point and "press" instead of your finger...works a charm here because I usually develop profiles on a different computer than my touch-screen sim client.

Enjoy!