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After downloading the installer, simply double-click the file to run it, and follow the on-screen
instructions. VAT-Spy will be installed in the folder you select, and its data files will be installed
in the Application Data folder for your user.
After installation is complete, run VAT-Spy from the desktop shortcut (if installed) or from the Programs
List in the Start menu.
Most of VAT-Spy's interface is self-explanatory, but a few items warrant some description. Here's a screenshot
of the left half of VAT-Spy's toolbar:
Hover your mouse over each item in the toolbar to see a hint as to its function.
The first button, labelled "Refresh", causes VAT-Spy to download the current VATSIM data file. You can use this
button to force a refresh of the data if you don't want to wait for the automatic update that happens every three
minutes by default, or if you have automatic updates disabled.
The second button, labelled "Stop", cancels the current download.
The next button, labelled "Toggle Auto-Refresh", enables or disables automatic downloading of the VATSIM data file.
If enabled, VAT-Spy will download the data file and refresh all displayed data every few minutes, depending on the
interval you have set in the VAT-Spy settings window.
The next button, labelled "General Settings", opens a new window with all of VAT-Spy's configuration options. Everything
on the settings window is self-explanatory. Feel free to experiment with the settings ... you can always restore them
to their defaults with the provided button.
The next item on the toolbar is the "Jump Box". You can use this box to enter an airport code, an FIR/ARTCC code, or
a country's two-letter airport prefix. After pressing enter, or the "Go" button, you will be taken to the appropriate
page to see the relevant details. As you type text into the jump box, a list of matching items will be displayed,
from which you can choose the item you wish to see.
The next item on the toolbar is the Favorites dropdown. Any favorites that you have created will be listed here. Simply
select the item from the list, and the relevant data will be displayed.
The next item is the "Add Favorite" button. When this button is pressed, you will be prompted to confirm whether or not
you wish to add the current data item to your favorites list.
The next item on the toolbar is the Filters dropdown. Any filters that you have created will be listed here. Simply
select the item from the list, and you will be taken to the Filtered Details tab, showing all flights and controllers
that match the selected filter.
The next item is the "Add Filter" button. This button takes you to the Add Filter window, where you can enter criteria
for a new filter. Filters help you find only certain pilots or controllers that are online. For example, you could add
a series of CIDs to the CID list in a filter, and name the filter "Friends". When you select that filter, only the pilots
or controllers having CIDs matching your list will be shown.
You can also enter callsign patterns to help you find certain
callsigns. This is useful for VAs to help locate all pilots flying with your VA's callsign. For example, if you fly for
a Delta VA, you could enter "DAL*" as a callsign pattern in the Flight Callsign Patterns list. This is also helpful for finding
all the controllers in a given area. For example, you could enter "BOS*" in the ATC Callsign Patterns list, and see all
controllers covering Boston positions such as BOS_CTR, BOS_TWR, etc. Note the use of the asterisk as a "wildcard" here. Entering
"BOS*" will find all callsigns starting with BOS. Entering "*TWR" will find all callsigns ending in TWR. Entering "*_S_*" will find
all callsigns with _S_ in the middle. If you don't use a wildcard, only callsigns matching the pattern exactly will be included
in the list of matching controllers or pilots.
The rest of the filter options should be self-explanatory, but
feel free to post in the VAT-Spy support forum if you need assistance.
The next item on the toolbar is the Map Bookmarks dropdown. Any map bookmarks that you have created will be listed here.
Simply select the bookmark from the list, and you will be taken to the map tab, with the map centered on the same location
you were viewing when you created the bookmark.
The next item on the toolbar is the "Add Map Bookmark" button. When you are viewing the map, you can press this button
to bookmark your current location on the map. VAT-Spy will ask you to enter a name for your bookmark. The new bookmark
will then be added to the bookmark dropdown. You can then return to the same view by selecting the bookmark from the list.
The remainder of the toolbar should be self-explanatory based on the tooltip text that will appear when you hover your
mouse over each item. Feel free to experiment. If you have any questions, post a message in the
VAT-Spy support forum.
You can also set bookmarks using key combinations. To set a bookmark in this way, press CTRL-ALT-# where # is any number from 0 to 9.
To recall a key combo bookmark, press CTRL plus the number that you used to set the bookmark.
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