Oolite Bulletins

How important is docking computer for you? I have number of dockings behind me and I have never crashed on station. I have at least that skill left from original (PC) Elite

I do use one, but just to speed things up a bit, using the instant-dock feature. I know it still accrues game-time, but if I'm in a hurry.......
Having said that I like manual docking as it gives you time to enjoy the station and any ships coming and going.
This doesn't really fit with any of the poll options......sorry I haven't voted.

Needs a fourth option - "I use only as a time saving device (Insta-Dock)"

I also would have gone for a fourth option. I can dock without it, but would rather my game time be spent elsewhere. . . Oh, and if I get in enough of a furball, it may get shot off, so where would I be then?

As per Smivs, DH and Gnudoll, I have no problem with manual docking, but sometimes it's good just to insta-dock when I get inside the aegis. If there's pretty scenery, interesting traffic etc. it's worth looking around but sometimes you just want to get in, shift the cargo and push on to the next system.

I had some bad experiences sometimes with the docking computer in ArcElite, when it would crash into the station at the last minute, or, if you were approaching from the opposite side to the docking bay, drive you straight into it. So I'm somewhat distrustful of them. As a result, I got quite proficient at manual docking.

I too use the insta-dock feature. 'Tis the only reason I bother to buy a docking computer - I'm somewhat impatient and watching the docking computer work is painful when it goes so much slower than I can.

I can dock, no problems. The docking computer though, is a convenience.

Ever since I upgraded to a Boa, I've become more aware of the bulk of that ship, and I am finding myself scraping the shields on entry in ways that I didn't do with my Cobra III or Python. Insta-dock is nice, but even getting to the nav-buoy and letting the computer take me in can be pleasant.

I'm always aware of the 20min time penalty when using Insta-dock. Can't keep those cargo contracts waiting...

Real Life Timesaver for me to - I normally only get to play Oolite a max of an hour or so a day and some of that is testing and tweaking OXP's.

I find the best way to dock is either with full speed or for a bit of "Yeehaaa!" On injectors.

A bit of a bummer if you get it wrong though.

Waste of time.

I might get one for the instant dock feature, but to be honest, I have my docking technique and it works 100%.
It's exactly the same way I used to dock on BBC elite.
Full speed with the right timing and very little (if any) use of roll.

!m!

maaarcooose wrote:

Waste of time.

Full speed with the right timing and very little (if any) use of roll.

!m!

And if I had the time and ability to write OXPs, I'd be fining you 500 credits or 1% of your balance for dangerous docking

I'm thinking these would be the possible offences you could commit...

Docking at high speeds (anything over 50%, or maybe even anything yellow or above if you're already an Offender)
Docking without clearance
Docking with weapons online

...better remove my power mad station traffic control hat...

Bugbear wrote:

I'm thinking these would be the possible offences you could commit...

Docking at high speeds (anything over 50%, or maybe even anything yellow or above if you're already an Offender)
Docking without clearance
Docking with weapons online

At least the second one is already available by simply activating the Docking Clearance Protocol. The rest should be OXPable. Not bad ideas at all, actually.

another_commander wrote:

At least the second one is already available by simply activating the Docking Clearance Protocol.

And now putting on my poor struggling trader hat...more than once have I been burnt by traffic control for docking without clearance...and that's one other benefit of using the docking computer - no unexpected docking penalties

I can dock just fine, I'm just lazy.......

Greetz,
Onno.

My option is not listed, it's:

Docking computers are yesterdays news, I use my manservant 'Nigel' to dock for me, far cheaper than a docking computer, I found him in a cannister marked 'slaves'.