Finally ready to try...

[MadDriver]

A while ago I was looking into online play with the ATC coming from reall people around the world... I can't remember the software required, but I remember people saying it was very difficult to get everything set up and working right...

Right now I'm just looking for links for where to go, I don't expect any of you do give me an indepth description on what to do... if it comes to that, I'll ask later!  ;D

[BFMF]

Head over to Vatsim.net. It's one of the most popular multiplayer with real ATC

[Eskimo]

Except there's no link to a squawkbox download (the program you need to talk) on the site that works.

At least not that I saw.

[JBaymore]

Head down to "multiplayer" for a lot of info on this subject.

I found getting multiplayer setup on 2004 was a snap..... particularly compared to my experiences on fs2002.  

Download FSHostspy.  That lets you find the flight servers that use that system.  Download Teamspeak.  

Follow the simple directions for both FS2004 and Teamspeak.  It really isn't that complicated.  I', on XP and behind a firewall and had NO problems.

I do have to say that on my 56 K dialup connection.... I was plagued by interruprions and loss of connection.  With DSL now... it works amazingly well.

Then go to one of the "free flight" servers and test things out.  Get the feel for how it works online.  Once you have a handle on the basics of flying around real people .... then try a channel with real live ATC.

BTW... forget "The Zone".  

best,

......................john

[MadDriver]

I tried Vatsim... became kinda confusing and there wasn't a link to Squakbox that worked... so now I'm trying what JBaymore said... and I've already dled FSHostspy, and am downloading Teamspeak now... hopefully it'll work fine!

[terbert]

Have a try at ivao.org

Tony