Total newbie player here.

[Oathbreaker]

I haven't played Elite since it was wire-frame graphics on some computer system or another about 15-20 years ago.

I finally figured out how to get Oolite into windowed mode on my iMac so have the wiki and Reference Sheet up on a 2nd monitor, but I'm struggling to get started a bit.

1. Any easy simple safe trade routes close to the starter system?

2. Any simple easy opponents I can practice space combat against?

3. I'd prefer to eventually start making some money bounty-hunting or missions/passengers, but I guess I'm forced to trade my way into some cash first? The other bounty-hunting thread recommended 10k Cr before even starting.

[Capt. Murphy]

1) Trade routes - I like Ensoreus to Bemeara and back when starting out - furs and computers.

2) Lave Academy OXP may help you get some basic practise back in.

3) Get Random Hits OXP and once you've got a few kills under your belt (32 IIRC) you can go to Seedy Space Bars to get relatively lucrative Bounty hunting contracts. As long as you've managed to get at least an ECM, Injectors and a front Beam laser these are doable.

Find OXP's from http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/OXP_List

[Disembodied]

3. I'd prefer to eventually start making some money bounty-hunting or missions/passengers, but I guess I'm forced to trade my way into some cash first? The other bounty-hunting thread recommended 10k Cr before even starting.

Once you've got some target practice, you can – if you're in a hurry – think about trading in your Cobra III for something less good but cheaper. It'll free up some cash which you can use to buy essential bounty-hunting kit like a military laser (or at least a beam laser – but military for preference), an ECM, witchspace injectors, extra energy unit, shield boosters, scanner targeting enhancement, a rear-mounted laser ... and fuel scoops and a cargo bay expansion too (no sense letting that salvage go to waste).

[Cody]

Any easy simple safe trade routes close to the starter system?

Hi Oathbreaker and welcome... ClymAngus' charts are useful for plotting 'safe' trade routes, and have some pre-plotted trade routes... see the Vector Map PDFs  here.

[DaddyHoggy]

I haven't played Elite since it was wire-fram graphics on something about 15-20 years ago.

I finally figured out how to get Oolite into windowed mode on my iMac so have the wiki and Reference Sheet up on a 2nd monitor, but I'm struggling to get started a bit.

1. Any easy simple safe trade routes close to the starter system?

2. Any simple easy opponents I can practice space combat against?

3. I'd prefer to eventually start making some money bounty-hunting or missions/passengers, but I guess I'm forced to trade my way into some cash first? The other bounty-hunting thread recommended 10k Cr before even starting.

Welcome to the friendliest board this side of Riedquat(tm) Oathbreaker - you're in good company with regards to your Elite roots.

If you want to stay Immersed you could download ClymAngus's Trade route maps - http://www.crimsonforge.co.uk/cloister/OOmap_G1.pdf with some of the safer and more profitable trade routes are highlighted on the map.

However, the rule of thumb of the early trader is if you're at an Industrial world buy computers and trade with an agricultural world. If you're an agricultural world buy liquors&wines to start with until you max out with the hold capacity then switch to Furs and trade with an Industrial world. Early on don't trade with any worlds less stable than a Dictatorship (ideally a Confederacy). However, as an old-timer, I'm sure this will all come back to you real quick! (and all of this is based on Vanilla (no OXP) Oolite)

Edit: as ever, Ninja'd by EV!

[Cmdr Wyvern]

To avoid getting your shiny Cobra laser etched, as soon as you've completed a witch-jump, turn 90 degrees away from the planet, and torus in that direction for a few seconds. Then head for the planet.

What that does is get you off the space lane 'tween the planet and witchspace buoy, and therefore away from triggerhappy pirates. A fresh Cobby with no bolt-ons is a very easy mark for the scum of the Ooniverse.

Do that till you have the cash to start upgrading - at minimal an ECM and fuel injector - then you can start fighting back. Till then, run away bravely.

[Eldon]

I find the simplest, closest trading route to start with is between Leesti (TL11 poor industrial corporate state) and Diso (TL8 average agricultural democracy). For working out which commodities to trade I found  these tables most useful, just remember that Firearms, are illegal (not just Slaves and Narcotics).

If you install the [wiki]Asteroid Storm[/wiki] oxp you'll have some high speed asteroids to use as target practice around Leesti station too, you even get paid a substantial (by asteroid standards) bounty for each one.

[Oathbreaker]

Thanks for all the help.

Liquor from Disto to Leesti and Computers/Firearms* back. Shoot at asteroids works.

(*Illegal stuff may or may not get you killed.)

Don't hit "J" when pointed at an asteroid.

When leaving a station, fly forward a bit, stop, turn 180, turn slightly away from station, fly past and that should be the fastest vector into open space?

When entering a station, fly to a very approximate location near it or in front of the opening, fly straight toward the planet for a bit, turn around and line up the approach.

[Eric Walch]

If you install the [wiki]Asteroid Storm[/wiki] oxp you'll have some high speed asteroids to use as target practice around Leesti station too,

That is the galactic version of Skeet Shooting

[Oathbreaker]

I know there's a way to speed up time inside the game by pausing and messing with arrow keys, but there's no visual indicator of that and it's a bit clunky, is there an easier way so I don't fall asleep playing so often?

[Bugbear]

I know there's a way to speed up time inside the game by pausing and messing with arrow keys, but there's no visual indicator of that and it's a bit clunky, is there an easier way so I don't fall asleep playing so often?

Shift-F will bring up the debug info which includes your time acceleration factor (TAF)

Pause, then right arrow increases TAF 1x --> 2x --> 4x --> 8x etc
Pause, then left arrow decreases TAF

[Dragonfire]

Hi Oathbreaker, welcome to the forum!

You mentioned an interest in bounty hunting as well. Here's a guide on bounty hunting, that will help you prioritise what equipment to get in what order, and what to practice in preparation.

https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10074

I'm a trader/hunter hybrid, myself, so the guide was largely written with that in mind.

[Oathbreaker]

Cheers.

Your bountyhunting guide was already in my bookmarks.

Now let's see how much of a nuisance I can make myself to someone in my stock Cobra Mk III.

EDIT: Scored my first kill, a Krait who thought he could run away from a brush with GalCops. He outran all 4 missiles but not the Fuel Injection. No joystick and mouse controlling doesn't seem to be worth it since it's only in fullscreen and messy.

http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Oolite_Trading has some mistakes:

If you wish to trade, indicate the amount you wish to buy or sell using +/-

IS WRONG. At least on Mac. Would have been nice to know how to buy less than my full cargo capacity.

The Read Me.pdf has it right:

Commodity Market / Carrier Market
(toggles between the two) On the Commodity Market:
Use up and down cursor keys to select, right to purchase commodity, left to sell commodity. Return buys or sells as much of the selected commodity as possible.
On the Carrier Market: Use up and down cursor keys to select, Return to agree the contract, pressing '?' takes you to the Galactic Chart with the destination system selected. Taking passenger contracts requires a passenger berth.

Isinor - Ensoreus
Bemeara - Ensoreus ...both good early trade routes