Why not use this mechanism with several keys that have multiple functions assigned to it? You could have the basic keys to steer your ship and only have this one function, and a host of other keys that either directly execute a function (if only one is assigned to it) or bring up a menu (if multiple OXPs assigned the same key) the way that you describe. That way the list won't be as long because it is distributed across many keys.
The icing on the cake would be an Oolite GUI to allow the player to assign functions to keys though. See my above suggestion... Doing this in a plist would get too complicated.
I don't think there would be a way to avoid clashes in the long run.
....
Therefore: no keypresses for equipment.
Which is why I keep suggesting a scrolly selection list for OXP equipment...
One way would be to use just one extra key and a scroll section trough the current equipment. The selected equipent would get a different color when selected. The player must in advance set the equipment to which the keypress is send. That at least would avoid clashes but makes that it will need equipment installed.
And you are right, I am not happy with the pylon-approach as it is. I just think that I also wouldn't be happy (and probably less happy) with the scroll-down approach.
What it boils down to is that I don't believe that we will be able to integrate player-activated equipment into Oolite in a satisfactory way, I guess.
But by no means I wanted to hurt your feelings. I apologize.
And you are right, I am not happy with the pylon-approach as it is. I just think that I also wouldn't be happy (and probably less happy) with the scroll-down approach.
What it boils down to is that I don't believe that we will be able to integrate player-activated equipment into Oolite in a satisfactory way, I guess.
But by no means I wanted to hurt your feelings. I apologize.
No worries Cmdr - I always assume the best intentions until proven otherwise - it is the danger of a text only format after all. And besides, you gave me the opportunity to formulate my idea better, although I have yet to win you over!
One way would be to use just one extra key and a scroll section trough the current equipment. The selected equipent would get a different color when selected. The player must in advance set the equipment to which the keypress is send. That at least would avoid clashes but makes that it will need equipment installed.
This sounds by far the best suggestion how to do oxp keys as of yet. Something like that would be quite practical.
If I may suggest, in addition, to perhaps have a "shortkeys" menu that can be pre-prepared in the way Eric suggests? Like, having say 8 shortkeys definable by the player - beforehand - for the eight most important equipment items?
Then there are no oxp clashes, every player can select the best keys and most easy access sequence beforehand, there would not be an immersion-breaking scroll menu and also not the "frantically searching through the f§$&ing pylons" situation that is already the case (and which I for one hate).
