Oolite Bulletins

Sorry that this issue i have isnt anything to do with this thread but i couldnt find a way to start a new one on the site. Im a veteran Elite player that just came across Oolite 4 days ago. Havent stopped playing it since lol. Few issues i have found is that the docking computer takes an eternity to actually dock whereas on Elite it could be set to cut out the tedious drifting through space sequences. Slightly frustrated at naff lasers in respect that you need ears of a bat to actually tell if your shots are hitting the target. Anyone got any advice on these I would be most grateful (please bear in mind im not that computer literate) Lastly from reading through some of the forums I see that in good old Elite fashion there are missions to be carried out. Any clues or hints as to when these are likely to occur would be good.

Cheers Ogspeed

Hi and welcome. You can bypass the docking computer sequence by pressing Shift+C. Check the Oolite Reference Sheet that is distributed with the game, as it contains all the information about control keys available. Regarding the hit sound of the laser, there are OXPs out there which change the default sound set and you should be able to use any of them to get an alternative laser hit sound that might be clearer to distinguish from the laser miss one. Feel free to browse the OXP list in the Wiki in order to find one that feels good for you.

Welcome!

ogspeed wrote:

Few issues i have found is that the docking computer takes an eternity to actually dock whereas on Elite it could be set to cut out the tedious drifting through space sequences.

For stations which won't allow Shift+C, one useful trick is to let the docking computer get you lined up on the docking bay, and then turn it off again and fly the rest of the way manually at a higher speed. Once you're lined up properly keeping the correct roll rate isn't too difficult.

ogspeed wrote:

Slightly frustrated at naff lasers in respect that you need ears of a bat to actually tell if your shots are hitting the target.

I'd recommend the [wiki]BGS[/wiki] sound/graphics set for this - very nicely distinct hit and miss sounds (as well as some other nice additions)

ogspeed wrote:

Anyone got any advice on these I would be most grateful (please bear in mind im not that computer literate) Lastly from reading through some of the forums I see that in good old Elite fashion there are missions to be carried out. Any clues or hints as to when these are likely to occur would be good.

The first built-in mission will start when you reach 256 kills (twice what you need for Competent) in Galaxy 1 or 2. There are also a large number of OXP expansion packs that include missions - from mini-missions such as Escort Contracts or Random Hits which are available almost everywhere to massive intergalactic quests, and everything in between. http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Category:Missions_OXPs has a mostly-complete list of OXPs offering missions.

ogspeed wrote:

Few issues i have found is that the docking computer takes an eternity to actually dock whereas on Elite it could be set to cut out the tedious drifting through space sequences.

cim wrote:

For stations which won't allow Shift+C, one useful trick is to let the docking computer get you lined up on the docking bay, and then turn it off again and fly the rest of the way manually at a higher speed. Once you're lined up properly keeping the correct roll rate isn't too difficult.

Or you could just learn to fly and dock manually...

What?! Manually? Naaaah!!!

CSOTB, something tells me that if he managed to buy a docking computer he 'might' already know how to dock manually. Quick docking is indeed triggered by shift-C as opposed to just hitting C!

Ogspeed, is that what you were talking about?

Just had a thought about the laser hits. Remember if you are using either the Beam or the Pulse laser the range is limited and even if your target is within scanner range it may be beyond weapons range. The Military laser on the other hand can hit a target just beyond scanner range.

Kaks wrote:

if he managed to buy a docking computer he 'might' already know how to dock manually.

One of the great quirks of the game.....by the time you can afford one you usually don't need it.

Welcome to the board, Ogspeed.

I think what ogspeed might be referring to is the time it takes the docking computer to dock. I can dock so much faster manually than the docking computer!

On other versions of Elite, the docking computers would fly the ship at top speed, but on Oolite it only uses less than a quarter speed.

Brilliiant fellas thanks for the help. I was falling asleep waiting for the docking comp to dock. I found an OXP for the sounds on wiki but i have no idea how to intergrate them into the game. Any advice on this would be gratefully received. Flying round pirating other ships cargo and shooting up te police seems to have made me a fugitive, now the stations i try and dock with refuse to let my DC auto dock.Is this all stations until i lose the fugitive status or is it just coincidence the ones im attempting to dock at are just fussy who they let on board ?

Autodocking is disabled for all main stations if you're a fugitive: it's manual only for you I'm afraid until you manage to get yourself down to at least Offender.

I use the plain and simple hawksound.oxp (easy to distinguish hit from miss) and installation is as simple as copying the unzipped folder* into the AddOns folder. (and on Oolite re-start, holding down shift, once)
It should be the same procedure for other soundpacks.

* : more precisely - that folder where the name ends in .oxp

(BGS is too heavy for my very lame-ass computer)

Kaks wrote:

CSOTB, something tells me that if he managed to buy a docking computer he 'might' already know how to dock manually.

Just a thought.

1)He could have downsized to a cobramk1 and bought a docking computer.
2)He could have used the cheats oxp to get the money for a docking computer.
3)He could have altered his save file.

Docking is an aquired skill. The docking computer is really only useful for speeding up the game for the player with quick docking. When I get bored I usually go to the beacon full injectors, turn at the right moment, check alignment and injector in, cutting out the injectors at the last instant before docking. If I had the right gear I would post youtube videos of dogfighting, docking, etc. Make your own adreneline rush. Pushing the limits of your own abilities and skills is the only way to improve them.

Earned all my cash without cheats, never seen the point in using a cheat as it takes away from the whole point of progressing through a game. Looking through all the posts on here seems like this game is huge, really looking forward to taking my Elite experiences to a new level !

snork wrote:

I use the plain and simple hawksound.oxp (easy to distinguish hit from miss) and installation is as simple as copying the unzipped folder* into the AddOns folder. (and on Oolite re-start, holding down shift, once)
It should be the same procedure for other soundpacks.

* : more precisely - that folder where the name ends in .oxp

(BGS is too heavy for my very lame-ass computer)

Cheers for the advice mate, i cant find the hawksound file anywhere to down load uit from. sorry if im a bit dim but im not that computer literate ( in other words im old and wrinkly lol )

ogspeed wrote:

i cant find the hawksound file anywhere to down load uit from.

http://wiki.alioth.net/index.php/Hawksound