squawk box

[boo_a_carab]

I downloaded squawk box from IVAO(squawkbox_all.zip).
I unzipped it  and got three more zips: SquawkBox2.1.zip, SquawkBox2.2.zip and SquawkBox2.3b4.zip.

I have no idea what to do with these and can't find an up-to-date tutorial on the subject. I currently have a 28 kbps modem with turbo accelerator software (I am going to get a $20, 56 kbps modem in the very near future). I have windows XP, Athlon XP 1800 CPU and FS 2004.
My goal is to join a virtual airline, not become a computer programmer .
Is there an easy, step by step way to get setup?

[GeForce]

Try unzipping SquawkBox2.2.zip. What is in it?

[boo_a_carab]

This is what the included notes said:  

SquawkBox 2.2 information and operations

SquawkBox copyright Joe Jurecka, 1997-2000 All rights reserved

All in all, the program should be stable.  Copy these into the SB directory of your choice.  If installing over an existing release of SB, please back up all files BEFORE installing 2.2

There are two things which are incomplete at this time:

1. Fly's winds only use the surface data (and consequently, winds at altitude in other sims does not function either).

2.  Fast position updates do not work if the user is using Wingate/Sygate/Windows 98 proxy gateway.

FS98/FS2000/CFS/FS95
No real changes to how to start.

Fly
(Must put the flysb.dll file into the same directory as fly.exe)
The user must start Fly, then SBPARENT.exe then squawkbox.exe.
Initially, the user uses the sbparent window to start and log on.  Then, messages will be sent to Fly's chat window.

AS2
The user must start AS2, then SBPARENT.exe then squawkbox.exe.
Initially, the user uses the sbparent window to start and log on.
SBPARENT and AS2 must be run on two separate, networked computers using IPX since AS2 runs in DOS.  There was a resource issue(causing the program to slowly slow down over a half hour or so) that may be fixed.  If anyone can let me know, I'd be most appreciative.  No FMS changes have been made.

None of the versions explicitly stated they were compatible with fs04.  Yet the information provided at the IVAO site indicated that the software was compatible with all versions of windows. But, like any website, the number one disclaimer is the currentness of the information.

[GeForce]

FS98/FS2000/CFS/FS95
No real changes to how to start.

Then it probably won't work with FS2002/FS2004. But it doesn't sound like a program which has the setup made for it. You will have to read the intructions and modify and copy and rename files in places around your system. There should be a file called install.txt or similar which will tell you how to install it.

Be warned I have never heard of this program before

Jonathan

[boo_a_carab]

Found a good tutorial on installing squawkbox in FS2004 here:  http://www.aircanadian.com/public/default.asp

I haven't got it completely operational yet but its coming together.