Oolite Bulletins

I just discovered this game and I'm absolutely hooked. For some reason, though, I can't access the menus that require a double key press, like the passenger list or the ship-buying screen. Is the keyboard layout different now and I'm just missing something simple? Or is it somehow an OS issue (win 7, 64 bit)? Any help would make me one grateful noob.

I'm running it on a variety of Win 7 x64 systems (2 desktops, 1 laptop) with no issues. Are you using a non-US keyboard by chance? When you say you can't use any menu option with a double-key press- What happens when you try?

Hi, js_leitch, and first of all welcome to the boards, and of course to this great game!

One reason for your problem could be that not all screens are available at all times. For instance there are stations which simply don't have a shipyard, and the contract screen (that's the one with the passengers) cannot be accessed while you'r in flight.

But both should be accessible when you're docked with any main station.

Perhaps the issue is that the double key press is not like a double click. You are not supposed to press the same key twice quickly, but it's more like an extra link from some of the other screens. So, to get to the shipyard, first go to the equipment screen (F3). When the screen is displayed, press F3 again. Now you should be taken to the shipyard.

The same goes for the contract market. First go to the market screen (F8 ). Then press F8 again from the market screen.

The long range chart (F6 for the short range chart, then another F6) and the manifesto (F5 for the status screen, then another F5) work in the same way. It is more like toggling between two screens through the respective key.

I hope this makes things clearer.

Instead of the F-keys you can also try the numeric keys just below them.

I am docked at a main station, don't worry, I at least tried to do my research. I started with my laptop computer, which uses a "function" key to get to the F keys. I figured that might be the problem, so I switched to my USB keyboard, still with no luck. When I try, it just stays in the first menu - like, I'll hit "3" to get to the equipment screen, but when I hit it again, it just stays on that screen instead of going to the shipyard.

EDIT: I tried the numeric keys as well as the function keys on both keyboards...

Are you playing "Strict play" per chance?

I don't think Shipyards or contracts are available in strict-play.

This is a very long shot, but are you playing in restricted or unrestricted mode? Not that long ago I had the very problem you're describing and for the life of me I couldn't figure out what was happening...

It took me a very long time to notice I was playing in restricted mode.

At the main station, if you press F2 (or 2) and the last line on the menu reads

Reset to Unrestricted Play if you are in restricted mode.

If that's the case, double click that line, and when the game resets you should be able to see all them 'double menus'.

Hope this helps!

And welcome to the friendliest forum this side of Riedquat!

Edit: @Darkbee:snap!

Darkbee wrote:

Are you playing "Strict play" per chance?

I don't think Shipyards or contracts are available in strict-play.

That might be it. I'm away from my home PC now, but I seem to remember one menu option being "return to unrestricted play".

I'll have to check in a couple of hours... thanks everyone for all the help.

Kaks wrote:

Edit: @Darkbee:snap!

He shoots... he scores! and the crowd goes wild!

Welcome to Oolite Js_leitch, don't mind me.

Yup, that was it. Problem solved, thanks again everyone.

Maybe this should be a separate post or poll...but does anyone even use Restricted play?

I'm sure the answer is yes, but speaking for myself, I just don't think I could go back to Elite...

Bugbear1973 wrote:

Maybe this should be a separate post or poll...but does anyone even use Restricted play?

And here are your latest poll results:

https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?t=7541

You may even compare them to earlier results:

https://bb.oolite.space/viewtopic.php?t=3794