Oolite Bulletins

I don't like the range display on the target reticle. As has been mentioned before, it is the only place other than the F7 screen where distances are mentioned in core Oolite. For me it just draws attention to the scale issues, and doesn't add useful information. I know I need to know if a target is within range before I shoot at it, but isn't that what the reticle turning red is for? Could you implement a rangeOnTargetReticle boolean we could switch off?

Reticle turning red is for having the target in sights, not in range.

Zireael wrote:

Reticle turning red is for having the target in sights, not in range.

Not so. I think it might have been simplified, but in the good old days it checked direction and range before it could turn red (and then it added a random error that increased with range, but that's another story). I only know this because I also don't like the green/red colours, and once compiled a modified version that was blue and yellow instead.

I think it's useful to have some idea of distance, since if the scanner is zoomed (e.g. for scooping accurately) a ship might be in range but off the screen. I suppose it could be shown as a percentage of weapon range or something, but a distance feels more realistic. Maybe use an imaginary unit rather than km? Call them Oonits or something?