In a hurry there, pup?

So here's the report: When I come into port with my T-6, I actually prefer to use the docking computer. Gives me a momentary breather, in which I can browse forums or other news, grab another tasty beverage or whatever but a few times in recent history (the last 2 or 3 days) I've turned away to read a news post and suddenly *KLANG* Rush to disengage the autopilot before I'm blasted for loitering (one incident I was backed out and re-entered, still on auto and was charged with entering without clearance) The culprit: typically a T-9 on the outbound, trying to blast out of the bay as fast as humanly possible. No damage to me and I'm presuming there was no damage to the other ship, because I didn't get a "HEY?! Watch where you're going!" But it did cause a pileup at the gate. Had to cancel my clearance and re-shoot my approach after the NPC ships cleared out.
Look, I get that some folks are in a hurry (especially T-9s) but you've got to respect some kind of good sense, especially as a larger vessel or you wind up causing more delays and navigational hazards than your afterburner can compensate for. I typically respect the 'gross-tonnage right-of-way' concept (he with the most tonnage has the right of way) But if I'm already on final, on an auto-dock, the computer is flying and I'm not necessarily readily able to move out of your way, just because you want to blast out of the mail-slot at 50% of light speed so you can squeeze that extra 1000 cr/hr out of your run.
I'm not sure what the solution is (or if there even really needs to be a 'solution'), but I do know, from practical experience, that aircraft and maritime traffic on earth already have methods of avoiding incidents like these, even in 'uncontrolled' situations. USCG 'rules of the road' & FAA 'self-announce' procedures at un-towered airports, although that won't work because as I understand it, communication in e:d is point-to-point (you have to target a ship to communicate) You can't just broadcast 'in the clear' as it were, to the local aria.
Perhaps the takeaway is more along the lines of: use a little caution and good sense, especially when there are real players in the aria. A smaller ship might be able to shoot out between the wall and an Anaconda, but when you try to force a T-9 out of a busy port, it never ends well. In maritime and aviation regulation and advisory, the vessel that is traveling faster has to yield right of way to slower traffic. I.E.: if you insist on blasting out of the bay at top speed, it's YOUR job to go around THEM, not their job to get out of your way. Even when there is no real damage, the NPCs may just shrug it off, but a player might get a lil annoyed... Just be aware.
 

Slopey

Volunteer Moderator
How about you don't use the docking computer, and as you're fond of FAA regs - "See and Avoid" would seem to be the case :)

If you slap on the DC and walk off, and somebody bumps you, then...... unlucky.

By the way, an aria is a long accompanied piece of song for solo voice, as opposed to "area" ;)
 
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If your ship is that expensive and important to you... why would you ever let C-3PO at the controls!? Docking computers are abominations. The landing is the most crucial part of the flight: without a successful landing, you will never get anything done. You can lay off taking off until you've finished your snack. You can boost out of battles you'll not win. You can take any path along or out of the ecliptic in supercruise, up to and including kissing a sun if you want. But you absolutely cannot muff a landing.

The windows on your spacecraft don't help all that much in a dogfight: you can get much of the information from the HUD. I've fought enough in an Adder wearing a TrackIR to realize that you can look through a tank slit and still battle gamely onwards. But that big clear window (once you leave the Adder) is the one best thing that will protect you from a landing disaster, so use it! That's what it's for! The only time you will see multiple craft within meters of your own, apart from fighting, is on final! Why would you chose to roll dice with that? In open space, you'll never run into anything, so you can afford to let your attention stray. Autopilot... sell it and be a pilot, not a passenger. Roleplay a little and snack when you are in port. Or supercruise, which is almost the same in terms of action.
 
Don't you find it a bit absurd that you expect other players to facilitate your lack of attention? I wouldn't trust my ship to the tender mercies of a docking computer, NPC's, nor other players.
 
Welcome to the internet Amus, where everyone looks out for themselves and F the other guy! Be it forums, games, or other.. its not about everyone else, its about "me" and only me! :)

Very few people online care about your t6, python, anaconda, or t9.. nor do they care if your using autodock.. Your right... in 99% of cases, the bigger ship wins.. very VERY few t9 owners will stop their approach to the mailbox for a little t6 to go through.. Why would they? your nothing but an annoyance and in their way..

You're asking people to be polite, obey some sort of docking protocol, and watch out for everyone else.. fact is though, its hard enough to get most pilots to use the green side of the door, let alone yield to another pilot in a smaller ship

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By the way, an aria is a long accompanied piece of song for solo voice, as opposed to "area" ;)

Its also a really nice Hotel in vegas which I frequent a few times a year! ;)
 
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So those lambasting him for using a docking computer, I would ask what's the point of having a docking computer in the game?

1.1 highlighted that the access and egress is problematic, with NPC's just bulldozing their way through. I would expect a suitably expensive docking computer to handle these situations.
 
So those lambasting him for using a docking computer, I would ask what's the point of having a docking computer in the game?

1.1 highlighted that the access and egress is problematic, with NPC's just bulldozing their way through. I would expect a suitably expensive docking computer to handle these situations.

From what I can tell, across all versions of the game, including Oolite, the docking computer has always been considered to be an expensive joke.

You never need one, and it will mess you up eventually.

Learn to fly! ;)
 
I never manually dock! I always use the DC even with my 200mil Python. I've never had an issue, and I often leave it alone with my ship as I make tea or use the loo.
 
I never manually dock! I always use the DC even with my 200mil Python. I've never had an issue, and I often leave it alone with my ship as I make tea or use the loo.

yet........I reckon it will happen when you are on the toilet, you will hear the warnings but will be mid vacating so wont be able to do anything about it.
 
So those lambasting him for using a docking computer, I would ask what's the point of having a docking computer in the game?

1.1 highlighted that the access and egress is problematic, with NPC's just bulldozing their way through. I would expect a suitably expensive docking computer to handle these situations.

The point of having a docking computer is to spare you the manual maneuvering to land, be it for sheer convenience or because you struggle with docking, and that's what it does.

It's not an afk or bio break mechanic though, and needs monitoring.

NPCs don't "bulldoze" their way through, they're just moving according to a predetermined algorithm, and so does the DC.

Don't expect them to react or avoid collisions, that's what YOU, the pilot, is supposed to be doing.
 
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Personally speaking, if you're in the middle of the letterbox and I'm on my way out, my Anaconda makes for a nice wedge shape which will generally push you out of my way...
 
"The culprit: typically a T-9 on the outbound, trying to blast out of the bay as fast as humanly possible"

You seem to be under an mistaken impression that a T-9 can do anything about it. Once they are lined up and commited to goinging through the letterbox there is absolutely nothing they or anyone else can do about. So if you in your T-6 which manuevers like an Eagle in comparison thinks that 1000 hunk of metal and cargo is going to get out of the way of YOU you are very much mistaken. Get out of the way of or be prepared to tank a brick with your face.
 
The motto of a T9 or anaconda is 'Make way, coming through'.

It's up to the smaller ships to move out the way of the big ones, especially the T9 which has a turning circle the size of a small planet :)
 
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From what I can tell, across all versions of the game, including Oolite, the docking computer has always been considered to be an expensive joke.

You never need one, and it will mess you up eventually.

Learn to fly! ;)

Yes, not really his fault though is it?
 
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