Preferences

The Preferences popup displays user-settable preferences which relate to the XPPython3 plugin (as opposed to preferences which may relate to any particular python plugin.)

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  • Documentation: opens a browser to this page.

  • Save: records your changes to disk and closes the window: you will need to restart X-Plane to have them take effect.

  • Cancel: discards any changes and closes the window.

There are a few very important settings you should consider, each relates to Internet access and possible collection of usage data. None of these options are required nor is there any problem enabling them yet running X-Plane without a network connection.

  • Check for updates: When set, XPPython3 will contact our server on startup and get information about the latest stable (and beta) versions available to download. No data is recorded on the server and no personally identifying information is sent, if this is the only preference enabled. Disabling this preference will disable all status query & usage collection for XPPython3.

    I suggest you leave this enabled to allow XPPython3 to indicate if/when a new version is available.

  • Collect XPPython3 Usage Statistics: When set (and “Check for Updates” is set), XPPython3 will send anonymous information to our server where we record the fact that XPPython3 plugin is being started & which version of X-Plane (e.g., XP11 or XP12) and which variant (Linux, Mac, PC). This information is summarized in current usage graphs.

    I hope you leave this preference enabled as it allows me to gauge usage: otherwise I have no idea if anyone is using XPPython3. As a free-ware developer, positive feedback keeps me going.

  • Collect Python Plugin Statistics: When set, XPPython3 will send anonymous information to our server with the name and description of each python plugin in use. Individual plugin developers can disable collection for their plugin, by setting the value self.xp2_disable_usage_stats = False on their PythonInterface instance.

    Every enabled XPPython3 python plugin will be recorded on program exit. This information is also summarized in current usage graphs. (Note that the extent and display of per-plugin usage summarization is under development.)

    I hope you leave this preference enabled as well. Over the years I’ve been surprised by the range of features implemented through python plugins and this is an effort to recognized those plugins which are most popular.

Note

Information is stored anonymously on secure servers physically in the United States, and is accessible only by me. I don’t have, nor do I care to have, your name, email, phone number or pet’s name. Other than what is viewable by the above graphs, no information is sold or shared with anyone else.

When we say the data is collected “anonymously”, here’s what we mean. As with every interaction on the Internet, the server will receive your IP address. Other than to communicate back to XPPython3 (with current version information) this information is ignored, and not recorded. In an attempt to record unique information, XPPython3 creates and sends a UUID with the data collection messages. This allows us distinguish between new & returning users. It does not tell us anything about you, nor is there any way for us to identify you from the UUID sent: If you like, you can change the UUID and we’ll never know.

Data for preferences (including the generated UUID) are stored in the text file <XP>/Output/preferences/xppython3.ini. (See also Preferences File.)

For the most part, changes to Preferences will take effect on next start of X-Plane.