Raspberry PI is your docking computer

[-Joe]

When a really great game comes out people rush to buy the hardware they need to play it. Folks without a BBC model B needed one and model A owners needed a model B upgrade.

I am suggesting that a Raspberry PI be required for some of the features of the upcoming ELITE game. They only cost £20 so cost isn't an issue.

I have been thinking around some mega applications for a PI co-computer but here is firstly the set up then a few of those ideas.

PC with USB lead plugged into PI. PI has it's own internet connection. PC Elite knows when PI is connected. Elite game has encrypted "ports" definable and up datable by Frontier that communicate with the PI. PI has ELITE OS on SD card which handles the game.

Idea 1a When working PI set-up detected docking computers are purchasable.
Idea 1b All docking functions coded for and performed by the PI using it's interface to over-ride nav controls. Docking program to editable on PI based ELITE OS to encourage programming for players.

Idea 2 All voip and coms handled by PI co-computer.

Idea 3 Elite OS sandbox on PI deliberately hackable to encourage cyber warfare by pilots to maybe interfere with flight controls of an opponent etc.

If frontier were to like this idea then the development could begin early on the PI OS required.

More PIe in space ideas from me coming soon... Tariel cell anyone?

 

[Hamerstein]

I like the thoughts behind the idea, but I feel that asking people for a compulsory purchase (other than the game itself) is going to be difficult to sell.

While joysticks and gamepads are useful tools for playing games like ED, they're not essential (you can play with a keyboard).

Having it as an optional extra to make certain game operations easier (ala joystick) would be more digestable.

 

[Chriswsm]

I personally would disagree with the need for purchasing unnecessary hardware on environmental grounds.

Granted the R-Pi does not use a great deal of resources to make or use but nonetheless using none is better than using a little for no good reason.

If you have a good use for a R-Pi get one. Personally I cannot think of one (yet).

 

[-Joe]

PIe in space

Yeah you could make it entirely optional.. So you still get basic docking computers, but user modifiable ones with the PI.

With Oolite users can program OXP add ons to the core game. With ED maybe OXP type add ons will be a step too far for Frontier. What I am suggesting is a safe place on a co-computer for pilot programming fun!

Plus it could unload CPU effort and net traffic from the host PC.

Idea 4 Scanner display full screen & more detail & maybe longer range... only on PI with HDMI screen.

 

[Quietus]

If you're going to allow a scanner onto another "display" you could equally make it a separate window on the current operating system - which you could then move onto a second monitor and deal with as you wish.

I agree with the idea that actually building the functionality into the game to incorporate the pi is not the right direction. However, you could have, for example, the ability to export market data on your client as you pick it up - you could then send this to your pi and have it display the data in any format that's useful to you.

You could equally send this data to a website to be shared and used with friends or to another app on your system.

Maybe also be able to log targets you have seen and what system they're in to allow you and friends to track down bounty targets/targets of opportunity for piracy?

What I'm trying to say is I like the idea of being able to get data from the game to be processed and displayed by another application / device, but forcing it on players by building specific interactions into the game with certain devices would be a bit much.

 

[Penthux]

I am suggesting that a Raspberry PI be required for some of the features of the upcoming ELITE game. They only cost £20 so cost isn't an issue.

As great as the Raspberry Pi is, I wouldn't be in favour for making them a compulsory item to perform certain functions/tasks in E: D. It's a good idea for people to purchase them for many other reasons though!

If you have a good use for a R-Pi get one. Personally I cannot think of one (yet).

(off topic, sorry)

I find your emphasis on good use slightly off-putting. Surely you have not put enough time or thought into it. One of the main reasons that the Raspberry Pi was invented was to encourage a new generation of young people to get into computing. So, suggesting one needs a good use (in that context) as justification to buy one, kind of, defeats the object of their intended main purpose.

I currently have 2 Raspberry Pi being put to good use, in my opinion. I'd highly recommend anybody to buy one just for the experience. They are a great little tool for education with an untold multitude of other uses. For example, you can use them as a very low powered desktop computer, and/or Linux server, among other things. They have even been sent into near-orbit and taken pictures which NASA would be proud of.

If you cannot think of a good use for a Raspberry Pi, get yourself over to the Raspberry Pi Foundation website and borrow some ideas from other users. http://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/tag/space = RPI in space?

 

[Chriswsm]

I am familiar with the foundation - just no plans yet as no need (yet) and as for getting new minds into the realm of engineering & computing I cannot think of a better reason to get one.

But as a docking peripheral for a MMO ... no ... that would be wasteful (unless you had other reasons for getting one).

Many people already have tablets & smartphones. Making use of those to synch with ED would be a grand idea. No additional expense and no new resources for the end user.

 

[-Joe]

PIe in space

For all those that question the expense of the PI. I don't have a mobile phone or tablet but I understand these things cost much much more than a PI.

I can't understand the whingers whining on about £20 for a PI. If you care about the environment you shouldn't buy a PI? What rot!

This email is written on a 12v solar powered PC, my house is lit with 12V LEDs and If I had a PI it would be powered from my 12V lines too (6 lead acid batts as it's dark outside!).

Adding a PI co computer could add so much more to Elite D and I also like the idea of making the PI the platform for user / user group mods, maybe getting kids to program a PI because of Elite D. or would rather they remain brain dead smartphone app users!

Idea 5 Full screen 3d star maps rendered by the PI on it's screen. I want to use my PC screens for flight windows!

 

[Jason S]

This might happen in a very small proportion of parallel universes but not in ours.

Although i think the idea is kinda cool, but absolutely no chance of happening unless people are allowed to mod the game.

 

[-Joe]

Frozen PIe in space, PI could be non mod capable

For those that say no to users mods. Your PI co computer could be locked as non modifiable.

For those that say the PI equipped player would be at an advantage to the regular player, well that's something FD could manage by controlling what data is available in the 'Elite out ports' interface.

A joystick gives the player an advantage over another, so does dual or larger screens on some regular games.

 

[Penthux]

For those that say no to users mods. Your PI co computer could be locked as non modifiable.

For those that say the PI equipped player would be at an advantage to the regular player, well that's something FD could manage by controlling what data is available in the 'Elite out ports' interface.

A joystick gives the player an advantage over another, so does dual or larger screens on some regular games.

Yours is a good idea Joe but hmmm... how to put it. It's like going to the airport to board the plane which you have bought the ticket for only to find out the airline wants you to pay extra $$$ because you have 3 bags instead of one, and 2 of your bags are half empty and you could have put everything into 2 bags in the first place. The Raspberry Pi, in this instance, would be the extra baggage which wasn't really necessary.

I love the RPI and use mine every day. I just don't think there's a justified place for it alongside E: D. If the function will exist where an optional data backup device can be used then sure, why not? Most people might then use an external USB HDD or USB memory stick. I'm not sure the paramaters in which you're wanting to implement the Raspberry Pi are very feasible.

 

[SnowGhost]

What is the advantage to buying more hardware over running more software on the same hardware I already have?

I can hook up a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th ...) monitor and display the output there.

 

[-Joe]

PI advantages

1. Price. A PI plus any screen you can get to work with it is going to cost less than a fancy 4 port graphics card.

2. All PC screens usable full screen for views.

3. Processor / GPU unloading. Some tasks performed on PI, game runs faster.

4. To motivate children into programming their PI, if modding allowed.

5. PI's could handle coms / text universe wide amongst buddies.

6. PI software could be developed simultaneously with PC core software but not hinder it.

7. PI's could interact within the game world, interact with other PI's, learn about developments in the ED universe, spread news. This somewhat pertains to my ORAC / tariel cell idea. With the PI becoming like a droid or co-pilot with patchy universal knowledge.

8. Players short of £20 could opt to be without PI and still play ED. Or players could hot unplug their PI mid game without distress.

9. Frontier need only program the code needed to create an "elite i/o ports" protocol and system. Then sit back whilst authors create the PI apps.

 

[Chriswsm]

If you care about the environment you shouldn't buy a PI? What rot!

You misunderstand my meaning. Buying a R-PI purely to use as a docking computer = wasteful especially if you have other tech already capable of the task.

Buying one when you need it (education, crafting, inventing) is brilliant and I support that purchase 100%.

This point of view is one I use for everything. If you don't really NEED it, don't get it as it would be a waste of money and resources.

 

[Non Grata]

Is this thread a month early?

 

[huwthomas]

If you care about the environment you shouldn't buy a PI? What rot!

I think it's more, "if you care about the environment you shouldn't buy stuff you don't really need, or at least really want."

Any need for a Pi to play ED to the fullest would be an entirely manufactured need, since any in-game processing a Pi could do, could easily be handled on the gaming PC.

I do like the idea of being able to export data (whether in real time or as a file dump) for optional processing outside the game though. But I can't see it being a priority for the dev team.

 

[Cmdr M.G.Dangerous]

I can't understand the whingers whining on about £20 for a PI.

Fine, give me £20 then. Or maybe it isn't such an insignificant amount? We can't all be so carefree with amounts that you think everyone in the world has going spare.

 

[-Joe]

Cheap PIes

Mr Dangerous sir, if I gave you $20 you would probably waste it, maybe on beer or feeding your radio telephone contraption.

Actually beer could be a good use for it!

When I was a boy I had to do many odd jobs just raise the money to buy BBC elite disc version!

If you gave me $20 I would buy a new ATX psu for my PC as it blew up yesterday.

 

[Chriswsm]

UhOh If the PSU blew did it take anything else out with it?

I had a PSU blow on me once. Sounded like a bullwhip cracking and took out my motherboard and RAM with it (HDDs & GFX card survived although I did run Spinrite on the HDDs to be certain).

I learned an important lesson from that - never buy an unbranded PSU. It can be costly in the long run.

 

[Cody]

... never buy an unbranded PSU. It can be costly in the long run.

<nods sagely>