Oolite Bulletins

Hi! I've just found this game and I think it's great.
Although, I've read in the wiki that pressing shift-D, the player should "sleep" while the ship docks.
(I think it means that you're istantly taken into the station).

Well I have a docking computer, my ship is auto-docking, but if I press shift-D nothing happens. (S to shut down the music works)

Am i missing something?

Hiya, Simone! Welcome to the friendliest board this side of the Tionisla Orbital Graveyard and the start of one of the most insidious games you will ever encounter.

The auto-dock sequence (when you manage to get your cram-sleep Zzzzz's) is initiated by pressing Shift+d rather than pressing c. When the auto-pilot is flying the ship, it won't allow you to rest, unless you deactivate it first. Please note however, that Shift+d docking adds 20 minutes onto your flight time, so if you are only ten minutes away from losing that contract or passenger delivery, you'd be better off manually slotting in.

Hope that helps and if you need any more pointers, check out the Instruction Manual and the FAQs. Happy trading!

P.S. did you want a cute and fluffy Trumble companion for the long and tedious trips in-system? Only Cr30 and they even look after themselves....(O.o)

Captain Hesperus

Welcome to the boards Simone!

You have to be within the Main Stations "Aegis" or protection area (signaled by a large green S on your HUD) to use the instant auto-docking (shift-D feature). It is essentially an instant version of pressing C (docking computer sequence) and is rationalized by you taking a nap during the sequence so you skip it.

A couple other bits of info on docking, you can only use the instant auto-docking feature with main stations and not with any other dockable entities. You can, however, use the full sequence auto-docking feature by locking on to a dockable entity and pressing Shift-C, instead of just C.

Captain Hesperus wrote:

Please note however, that Shift+d docking adds 20 minutes onto your flight time, so if you are only ten minutes away from losing that contract or passenger delivery, you'd be better off manually slotting in.

Hi there and welcome Simone.

Just to clarify that, the extra 20 minutes is the game clock time NOT real time.

TGHC wrote:

Just to clarify that, the extra 20 minutes is the game clock time NOT real time.

Is it? Then what the hell happens to ME every time I Shift+d?!?!?!!?!!??!??!??!
Shift+d Narcolepsy?

Captain Hesperus

is there anyway to turn off the docking computer mid sequence.

I have (at least on a few occassions) been completely pulverised by other craft while 'stuck' in the middle of a docking sequence [docking with deep space dredger or bohemeth].

Once you have started - you seem to be at the mercy of the elements !!!

Off the top of my head I can't be sure, but I think either "c" or "shift-c" turns the docking sequence off and restores manual control...

Disembodied wrote:

Off the top of my head I can't be sure, but I think either "c" or "shift-c" turns the docking sequence off and restores manual control...

Yup, just press c and full manual control is yours.

Captain Hesperus
"Not that I have much experience using the auto-pilot...."

just don't press 'd' for docking computer.