Oolite Bulletins

KZ9999 wrote:

There's no need to make post on which is the best. Just PM me with which one looks the best.

The PNG as the color brilliance is massively lost in all jpg versions. I also can see artifacts, but my eyes also catch artifacts on compressed video for HD television For my own screenshots, I also use jpg with compression artifacts because of the size, though. Not everyone has DSL modems with >1MiB/sec download speed...but for something printable, maybe even people with slower lines prefer to wait and then have something better looking?

When I was working, I had been called in to have a look at the monitors they were going to buy in order to see if my eyes catch anything there...and I once had to return my own Eizo LCD because it came with too many damaged subpixels. Others did need a magnifier to see those, but my eyes always caught them.

Screet

KZ9999 wrote:

Original png file at 79KB

52K after I let optipng loose on it. And those JPEGs aren't quite optimal either – jpegoptim knocked 3K off the 95% quality image.

Always run these through recompression tools such as pngcrush, optipng, and advpng for PNG, and jpegoptim for JPEG. For PNGs, I normally use ‘optipng -o7’ then ‘advpng -z4’; unless the image is already optimised, one or sometimes both will reduce the file size.

Screet wrote:

KZ9999 wrote:

There's no need to make post on which is the best. Just PM me with which one looks the best.

The PNG as the color brilliance is massively lost in all jpg versions.

Agreed. JPEG is best for images of photograhic origin. Screenshots tend not to fall into this category…

Another_Commander wrote:

Just one small objection regarding the RS: I don't think that missions should be mentioned as service. Missions in the original Elite were supposed to be surprises and they were never, ever, mentioned in any manual. I would consider removing that paragraph from the RS.

Fair enough, consider it fed to the trumbles. This raises an interesting question about the Cloaking Device. It's a mission reward yet its listed on the old RS keyboard controls list. Perhaps I should remove the its' entry of the keyboard guide. Since I haven't reached it yet, I don't know if it's mission information contain details on how to use it? If not, maybe it should.

Screet wrote:

The PNG as the color brilliance is massively lost in all jpg versions. I also can see artifacts .... For my own screenshots, I also use jpg with compression artifacts because of the size, though. ... but for something printable, maybe even people with slower lines prefer to wait and then have something better looking?

I personally prefer the png too, but the size issue is biggest concern. I haven't run any other image processing other than just converting the format. Contrast wise, it could be the system I'm using to do the conversion screwing up the gamma channels. I've found that a 80% jpeg gives a massive saving with out too much noise.

Maybe I should produce 2 versions. Use PNG to produce a high detail version for those who have the bandwidth. OpenOffice's PDF generators has an integrated jpeg compression system so all I have to do is to tick an option for lossy compression and robert-is-your-mothers-brother, shrunken file size for those on dial-up like yours truly.

(And you're not the only one who sees HD artefacts. Freeview HD TV in NZ is mpeg4, and I still see the noise.)

Thanks for pointing out those programs _ds_, I'll have a look at them. I already turn the text only screen dumps in to 8bit images, but anything to trim the fat on the others is brilliant.

KZ9999 wrote:

This raises an interesting question about the Cloaking Device. It's a mission reward yet its listed on the old RS keyboard controls list. Perhaps I should remove the its' entry of the keyboard guide. Since I haven't reached it yet, I don't know if it's mission information contain details on how to use it? If not, maybe it should.

I'm not so sure if that would be a good idea as I already suggested to also add the cloak to joystick config. It should really be there, as it's some device that should not require to switch hands from stick to keyboard. On the other hand...if it should be added there, maybe it could be done so that it only shows up when the device is available?

However, when scooping it up, there's no hint at how to activate it. That suggests that the key should be on the reference sheet...

Screet

Screet wrote:

However, when scooping it up, there's no hint at how to activate it. That suggests that the key should be on the reference sheet...

I agree with Screet on this one.

Screet wrote:

However, when scooping it up, there's no hint at how to activate it. That suggests that the key should be on the reference sheet...

Fair enought. How about a little rewording then....
[O] Activate specialist military equipment.

This way it says that it has a use for something, but it leaves it as a mystery to what it is. That way then they do pick up the device on the cloak mission, it's a total surprise what it does when the key is tapped.

On a different note: after extensive testing the image file size against quality the results are in.
PNG of test image processed and with maximum compression: 53KB


JPEG of test image set to 95% quality: 27KB


What does this mean in real terms. The source Open Office document is 3.8MB in size. The PDF using lossless image compression is 4.1MB in size. The PDF using lossy compression at 95% quality is 2.6MB. In short hand terms as it currently stands the Your First Flight is too big to be included as part of the standard Oolite File Set and the images still end up too muted.

I'll have to have a bit of a think about this one... <activate cogitating mode.>

Revision of the Oolite RS continues: Standard version or High Res Embedded Fonts 2MB version.

Fixes are:
1 ) Cleaned up last errors in Observers Guides
2 ) Changed layout on General Information Pages
3 ) [O] key now says "Activate Specialist Equipment". Note now says "Should specialist equipment become available to the commander, it is tied to this console key."
4 ) Put correct image for Mac's command key (I hope.)
5 ) Fixed colour of letter for Space Compass - Beacons.
6 ) Condensed equipment tables back to one column on page.
7 ) Removed 'mission give-away' from Orbital Laws list.
8 ) Condensed careers tables back to one column on page.

Baring any other stuff-ups this should be it. I'll begin work on converting it to a word version.

Looking good! Still 2 things to do (as far as I can tell)

The fer-de-lance description starts with 'A agile' - should be 'An agile'

When opened, the pdf calls itself (on the blue window border in XP) 'Oolite Referance Sheet' - should be 'Oolite Reference Sheet'.

Other than that, hopefully there isn't any more unfinished business!

KZ9999 wrote:

3 ) [O] key now says "Activate Specialist Equipment".

Shouldn't that be ‘[0]’?

Kaks wrote:

Looking good! Still 2 things to do (as far as I can tell)
The fer-de-lance description starts with 'A agile' - should be 'An agile'
When opened, the pdf calls itself (on the blue window border in XP) 'Oolite Referance Sheet' - should be 'Oolite Reference Sheet'.
Other than that, hopefully there isn't any more unfinished business!

You and me both <sigh>
Why do I say that the RS is the final version, 'cause everytime I do I find another major set of typos. Not just those two errors, but the commodities list had the max gem price the same as the average gem price.
Corrected versions are uploaded again: Standard - 675KB, High Quality - 2.05MB, Low Qualiity - 302KB and Open Office Source - 489KB.

For all the help that you and _ds_ have given me, I've added your names to the document files as way of a thank you.

I've been playing with the Tiddly Wiki system I posted about earlier for the interactive RS/Manual. It's been producing some interesting results. While the total file size is about 1.5MB at the moment, 1.1MB of that is the graphics. It looks like it will make a good interactive manual system. More news as it happens.

Nice job!

So nice in fact, that I feel guilty about reporting the following point

On page 2, part 12, I cannot see any more words after: -
"When green, there are no other ship within"

The rest of the sentence is obscured by the picture of the HUD.

Tried this using both Preview 3.0.9 (Mac OS 10.4.11) and Adobe Reader 9.0.0 - exactly the same on each.

Other than that - It's made be not wait to play Oolite again until I get my new Mac - this one's knackered!

A few more typos to brighten your day!


Page 1

Flight Controls

Starboard (right) view -- wrong font (bold? should be roman)

Galactic Hyperspace jump -- reference should be 6, not 7

Dump one cargo canister -- reference should be 7, not 6

Rotate through the manifest -- reference should be 7, not 6


Ship, System & Status Controls

Launch the ship -- shouldn't have a double-dagger (it's always available as an option in any dockable situation)

Commander's Profile -- shouldn't have a double-dagger (it's always available as an option)

Select the highlighted entry -- shouldn't have a double-dagger (redundant: if there is no option to select, then there's nothing highlighted)


Commodity Market Controls -- should have a double-dagger in the section heading (as per Carrier Market Controls). If this is done then all other double-daggers can be removed from the other entries in the section: Buy/sell maximum amount; Move cursor up/down; Buy/sell one unit of commodity


Carrier Market Controls
No double-dagger required for Carrier Market; Display the contract's destination; Move cursor up/down the list (double-dagger in section heading makes these redundant)


Notes

double-dagger entry: delete "only" (because these functions are available at other stations: not all functions are, true, but some of them are)


Page 2

Energy Banks
The multiple meters of the Energy Banks display how much energy ... -- recommend change to The multiple meters of the Energy Banks show how much energy ... ("display" can be misread here as a noun)


Shields
The front (FWD) and rear (AFT) shields where the bar length ... -- recommend change to The front (FWD) and rear (AFT) shields, where the bar length ... (original can be read as "shields where ...". Comma after "shields" separates it from the "where")

... the risk of weapons fire penetrating the shield increase. -- change to ... the risk of weapons fire penetrating the shield increases. (the risk increases, not increase)


Fuel -- possible double space between "to" and "activate" in last line.


Cabin Temperature
crews' death. -- change to crew's death ("crew" should be singular)


Laser Temperature
a cool down period -- change to cool-down or cooldown period (rather than a down period that's cool)


Missiles
First paragraph is a repeated entry for Fuel section. Replace with
These icons show what types of, and how many, missiles or other pylon-mounted devices you are carrying, and which one is active (yellow border). When a weapon has been locked on to the target, its icon turns red.

OXPs may add additional pylon based equipment -- change to OXPs may add additional pylon-based equipment (hyphenate pylon-based)


Station Aegis
vipers -- should be Vipers (capital V)


Space Compass -- wrong number. Should be 15, not 14.

Third entry: "Stations & other anchorages" -- should be "GCW Station" (other stations appear as triangles with an identifying letter, depending on the OXP ... although I do like the sound of "other anchorages"!)


Page 3

Equipment Guide

Recommend adding below: "Prices shown are those found in GCW Stations. Prices may vary in other habitats."

Additional weapons technology can be obtained ... -- change to Additional equipment can be obtained ... (not all OXP equipment is weaponry)


Legal Status

Clean, Offender and Fugitive entries: "GalCOP vipers" should be "GalCOP Vipers" (capital V)


GCW Orbital Laws

Might make more sense to group the Services first (by alphabetical order), followed by the Crimes (in alphabetical order) -- it would help to differentiate them.



Trafficking - Crime

Recommend changing "Transporting illegal commodities across member system boundaries." to "Leaving GCW Stations with illegal commodities on board." (there's nothing wrong with carrying illegal goods from one system to another; the only crime is launching from a main station with them on board)


Economy Guide

Recommend changing "Organics" to "Organics and raw materials" (to include Radioactives and Minerals)


Page 4

Game Settings

Music
The iTunes option is Mac only and will play your current iTunes playlist. -- change to The iTunes option is Mac only and will play selected iTunes playlists. (you can make playlists that will play under certain conditions, e.g. Oolite-Docked)


Spoken Messages
This feature is currently only available for the mac. -- change to This feature is currently only available for the Mac. (capital M)


Reduce Detail -- final "l" of "Detail" is roman (should be bold)


Secondary Weapon; Arm Secondary Weapon; Disarm Secondary Weapon; : change "pylon mounted" to "pylon-mounted" (hyphenate)


Cycle Secondary Weapon

weapon or equipment. -- should be weapons or equipment (weapons plural)


ECM
Electronic Counter Measures Systems -- should be Electronic Counter-Measures System (hyphenate, singular system)


Toggle ID

ID Recognition system -- should be ID Recognition System (capital S)


Roll/pitch precision toggle

I don't play with a joystick, so I don't know: is the precision toggle used to control the throttle?


View forward/aft/port/starboard
Buttons or axis's -- should be Buttons or axes (plural of axis)


Page 5

Adder

Weapons Mounts: should be F M1 (not F 1M)

Base Price: should be 65000 (not 650000)


Cobra Mk III

... and a excellent fighter/trader -- should be and an excellent fighter/trader (an, not a)


Fer-de-Lance

Weapons Mounts: should be All M2 (not All 2)


Orbital Shuttle

... this ship is the GCWs primary ... -- should be ... this ship is the GCW’s primary ... (apostrophe in GCW’s)


Page 6

Thargoid Robotic Fighter

Small remote controlled fighters ... -- should be Small remote-controlled fighters ... (hyphenate)


Viper

Ship description line should be italic


Viper Interceptor

Ship description line should be italic; "... threats of a interstellar scale." should be "... threats of an interstellar scale." (an, not a)


Worm

Ship description line should be italic


Notes

GCW shipyards will not deal in craft from unlicensed manufactures -- should be GCW shipyards will not deal in craft from unlicensed manufacturers ("manufacturers", not "manufactures")


Speed is measured in light mach, which is the maximum velocity a ship can reach before suffering relativistic effects. -- recommend change to Speed is measured in light mach, which is the maximum velocity a ship can reach. (physics nitpicking here: everything suffers relativistic effects all the time, but I think the speed of light in Oolite is the same speed that all ships travel at using the Torus jumpdrive, and is still an absolute limit)


Vessels agility are measured ... change to Vessels’ agilities are measured (possessive apostrophe; plural agilities)

The higher value of each letter ... -- change to The higher the value of each letter (missing "the")


Ships have a laser mounts ... -- should be Ships have laser mounts (no "a")

... mounts in the Forward, ... -- extra space between "the" and "Forward"?

The number of pylons are shown ... -- should be The number of pylons is shown (it's only one number of pylons per ship, so should be singular)


(Edited to conform with Eric's advice re. the Space Compass)

Roll & Pitch
Since recent it is also possible to add a Yaw indicator to the HUD display. It is not in the standard hud but you could mention that some, non standard, ships might have a yaw indicator as third one. (When layout permits)

Space Compass
Im am not sure if disembodied observations about the compass are correct. The compass has have bugs in the past so I also don't know what is correct behaviour. As far as I know the station is NOT displayed as a square on a normal compass. I checked with a Jameson on Oolite 1.65 and 1.72. It only uses the planet symbol. Within 3 planetary radii this symbol points to the station, outside this range it points to the planet.
The square symbol for a station is only available with the advanced compass. Try launching with a Jameson. The compass will show backward to the station and not to the planet. And toggle does nothing.

I think oolite has a minor bug when the advanced compass got shot. Than you have two planet symbols when close to the planet. One for the station and one for the planet. This is different than with a Jameson that never had the compass. I actually thought this was normal behaviour but a quick test with a Jameson proofed otherwise and others might have been confused by this too.

Threat Indicator
Turns also red when critical close to a planet or when the cabin temperature reaches critical levels.

Station Aegis
Text sounds good and is factual correct. However protection is minimal and is rarely noticed by a player. Maybe don't call it protected but just the area that is examined by station patrol police.

Normal police patrols between witchpoint and planet. When the station is not in this lane, normal police will not protect it.
There is only one police ship patrolling this large station area. It patrols around the station between 4 points at 25000 meters distance from the station. Add to this the police scanner range and it covers an area of 50000 meters around the station. This is also the distance at with the S appears. (2x scanner range)

Eric Walch wrote:

I think oolite has a minor bug when the advanced compass got shot. Than you have two planet symbols when close to the planet. One for the station and one for the planet. This is different than with a Jameson that never had the compass. I actually thought this was normal behaviour but a quick test with a Jameson proofed otherwise and others might have been confused by this too.

Count me in...I just had to test it

Screet