mining question

[Neo_Jesus]

i have been wanting to get into mining but i cant find a good place with alota astoriods anyone know a good start point?

[*cat]

If you have an advanced space compass, you can look for the nearest rock hermit - they've got a few asteroids around. And if you've got the Dictatorships OXP installed, there are usually a bunch around the AstroFarm. And, of course, the space prisons (also in Dictatorships?) are surrounded by asteroids.
I hope you've got the Ore Processor installed - turns meager pickings into Big Money!
I always go through a phase of mining when I'm on the make: I just wish I could keep my mining laser, but I'm needing my front and rear military ones, and I can't get the hang of side lasers... I've turned off the "rotate" feature 'cos I'm using the BBC keyset, and was too lazy to work out some free keys to move the < and > to....

[Commander Mysenses]

A few OXPs are a good start.
First off upgrade your compass to an Advanced Space Compass... you will be able to locate all sorts of interesting stuff (if they are there). Then a Rock Hermit Locator... they are always in asteroid fields, and don't get pissy if you steal their rocks!

Other OXPs add objects with asteroid fields.
Asteroid Storm adds rocks and a mission.

Anarchies v.1.0 adds dockable objects with added minable rocks

Bank of the Black Monks has rocks scattered around

Commies adds several dockables with rocks (especially the astromines)

Imperial Astrofactories are a good source

as are Free Trade Zones

I find life is too short to go grubbing about in the dust... there are easier (and more exciting) ways to fill your hold!
YMMV

[Neo_Jesus]

Gotcha, thanks a bunch a found plenty of places and got alota gold and plat...
which leads to my next question. what exactly is low and high prices for gems? so i know when to buy and when to sell.

added note by gems i mean all the types of gems not just gem-stones.

[Commander Mysenses]

I take it you have an ore processor fitted then!

The average prices for ALL commodities are listed on the reference sheet PDF file you will find in the oolite folder.

[Dr Beeb]

If you have an advanced space compass, you can look for the nearest rock hermit - they've got a few asteroids around. And if you've got the Dictatorships OXP installed, there are usually a bunch around the AstroFarm. And, of course, the space prisons (also in Dictatorships?) are surrounded by asteroids.
I hope you've got the Ore Processor installed - turns meager pickings into Big Money!
I always go through a phase of mining when I'm on the make: I just wish I could keep my mining laser, but I'm needing my front and rear military ones, and I can't get the hang of side lasers... I've turned off the "rotate" feature 'cos I'm using the BBC keyset, and was too lazy to work out some free keys to move the < and > to....

I just added the yaw to the left and right arrow buttons (on a mac) and modified the BBC keyconfi.plist as attached below (I also made some other changes e.g. stop myself from dumping cargo when activating the docking computer etc which you may want to change to your preferences)

Code: Select all

{
	key_roll_left				 = 44;		  // 253 left arrow
	key_roll_right			   = 46;		  // 252 right arrow
	key_pitch_forward		   = 115;	    // 255 up arrow
	key_pitch_back			   = 120;	    // 254 down arrow
	key_yaw_left			     = 253;
	key_yaw_right			    = 252;

	key_increase_speed		  = " ";
	key_decrease_speed		  = "/";
	key_inject_fuel			  = "i";

	key_fire_lasers			    = "a";
	key_launch_missile		    = "m";
	key_next_missile		      = "y";
	key_ecm					      = "e";

	key_target_missile		    = "t";
	key_untarget_missile	     = "u";
	key_ident_system	         = "r";

	key_scanner_zoom			   = "z";
	key_scanner_unzoom		    = "Z";

	key_launch_escapepod	     = 27;		// escape
	key_energy_bomb				 = "\t";	 // tab

	key_galactic_hyperspace     = "g";
	key_hyperspace			 	 = "h";
	key_jumpdrive				   = "j";

	key_dump_cargo			     = "c";
	key_rotate_cargo			   = "R";

	key_autopilot				   = "d";
	key_autopilot_target		  = "P";          // what is this for?
	key_autodock				    = "D";

	key_snapshot				    = "*";
	key_docking_music			  = "q";

	kay_advanced_nav_array	   = "^";
	key_map_home				    = "O";		// 302 Home
	key_map_info				    = "I";

	key_pausebutton				= "p";
	key_show_fps				   = "F";
	key_mouse_control		    = "M";

	key_comms_log				  = "`";
	key_next_compass_mode		= "\";

	key_cloaking_device		  = "0";

	key_contract_info			 = "?";

	key_next_target				= "+";
	key_previous_target		  = "-";

	key_custom_view				= "v";

	// key_dump_target_state	= "H";
}

[*cat]

Thanks for "yaw" (argh!) advice Dr Beeb - I'll fit a mining laser on the side and do some proper mining again... using mil lasers for mining isn't hugely rewarding.
As for gem prices, Neo Jesus, anything cheaper than around 17 cr is fairly good. Convenience Stores always seem to have cheap gems, but the top tip is to hang on to your gem stones and keep popping into the Hoopy Casinos - the prices on gems occasionally go sky high... Once I'd failed a carrier mission and had a holdful of gems to shift, and I sold 127g (the maximum you can sell) at 99cr each!
*cat

[Commander Mysenses]

Average prices on preciouses,
Gold 37.2 (will go low as low 30s and up to mid 40s)
Platinum 65.2 (high 50s to mid 70s)
Gem Stones (low teens to mid 20s)

A coupla useful anomalies are constores and casinos.

Constores sell off cheap the Elizabeth Duke bling that they take confiscate off the shoplifting chavs (then they sell the chavs too, as slaves... bargain prices)

Casinos sell off preciouses and furs that hapless punters have hocked, and they always pay good prices for booze.

[Dr Beeb]

Thanks for "yaw" (argh!) advice Dr Beeb - I'll fit a mining laser on the side and do some proper mining again... using mil lasers for mining isn't hugely rewarding.
As for gem prices, Neo Jesus, anything cheaper than around 17 cr is fairly good. Convenience Stores always seem to have cheap gems, but the top tip is to hang on to your gem stones and keep popping into the Hoopy Casinos - the prices on gems occasionally go sky high... Once I'd failed a carrier mission and had a holdful of gems to shift, and I sold 127g (the maximum you can sell) at 99cr each!
*cat

good price for the gems ! I always buy gems below 20 and sell as you suggest above. ditto with gold - breakpoint 38.8 and platinum 70 Cr. They dont take up cargo hold space so just keep filling up while you have the credits. Although I also sometimes encounter the 127 trade limit, usually with platinum, and it takes a few systems until I can sell all the bling.

[Arexack_Heretic]

If in vanilla, stay inside the spacelane,
locate bright flashes and head for those,
good chance a hermit is mining asteroids there.
Good chance at some practice in dog-fighting too.


the spacelanes being more rockprone is at odds with the 'clean spaceways' act as id promoted when you get your commander's wings.
One would expect the lanes to be swept clean in a matter of days even after a gravimetric upheaval. With the usual heavy traffic and free moneys being thrown at anyone who can 'pop a rock' by Galcom.

However it can be explained as being a product of the non-player centric dogma of oolite. having a real asteroid belt would take too much computer power to be feasible...a cray maybe could simulate a minimal 100000 objects , oolite aims to be as low-end friendly as feasible, thus concession has been made with distribution of asteroids.

[DaddyHoggy]

This should cope with just about anything the Oolite community could come up with. Could we get it to compile though - that's the question!

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/09/worl ... -petaflop/

[JensAyton]

Code: Select all

	key_autopilot_target		  = "P";          // what is this for?

It’s for docking with anything other than the main station. </belated reply>