Oolite Bulletins

Somewhere in the HUD code there is a forgotten hidden compile switch which makes the scanner display the name of each ship next to its lollipop. The macro name is IDENTIFY_SCANNER_LOLLIPOPS and was initially implemented for debugging reasons. It can get a bit messy when too many entities are present and I am not sure how it works these days (haven't used it for ages), but it's there if anyone wants to try it out.

I clicked "No, lets just enhance what is already in place." but I suppose that there is no harm in having this as an OXZ that people could install if they wished... or as a purchasable item of equipment.

I'm in the process of creating a (very simple) OXZ that would make new arrivals on the scanner flash if not id'd within 10 seconds or so.

Any advice on how to load that up to somewhere as an OXZ would be appreciated. Do I need an account on wiki.alioth.net?

jh145 wrote:

Any advice on how to load that up to somewhere as an OXZ would be appreciated. Do I need an account on wiki.alioth.net?

The All-in-One Guide to OXZ Packaging and Distribution covers everything you need to know. An account on the Wiki is highly recommended, but not essential, as the Guide will explain, in the end-notes.

another_commander wrote:

Somewhere in the HUD code there is a forgotten hidden compile switch which makes the scanner display the name of each ship next to its lollipop. The macro name is IDENTIFY_SCANNER_LOLLIPOPS and was initially implemented for debugging reasons. It can get a bit messy when too many entities are present and I am not sure how it works these days (haven't used it for ages), but it's there if anyone wants to try it out.

That sounds interesting, if 'messy', as you say.

What if, instead of the full name, it only displayed the first two/three letters? Combined with the lollipop colours this could be quite useful. Thinking of the default ship and station set, I think it would only be the cobras and boas that would be confusing (as there's a mk 1 and a mk 2/3); perhaps 'Co III' and 'Bo I'. Maybe 'TH' and 'Th' for thargoid and thargon/tharglet.

It would really help tracking down splinters in an asteroid field: 'Sp', 'Bo' (different coloured lollipop than the Boas), 'As' (again, as different colour than the Asp).

Could still be a little messy. Maybe if there were a limit, e.g. only ID up to 8 lollipops, if there are more then the ID turns off. Hmmm...

To justify my act of thread necromancy, I'm pleased to announce that the Scanner Alerting Enhancement is now available to download through the in-game expansion packs manager. Thank you for humouring me

I like the way Redspear is thinking...