Smuggling just got a lot easier using VoiceAttack

Andrew Linton

Andrew Linton
The value of VoiceAttack goes way beyond the ability to issue voice commands. I find that it can be used very effectively by stacking up commands behind a single keystroke.

When you're smuggling and you're interdicted by the security services it's very handy to tap a single key and perform:

  • Deploy hardpoints.
  • Set speed to 50%.
  • Target next ship.
  • [Optionally Flight Assist Off]

It's easy, then, to swing about and block a scan by firing at the interdictor. I immediately follow this with a 'Run Away' command which:

  • Retracts hardpoints.
  • Sets speed to 100%.
  • Executes a 'continual boost' command which repeatedly uses the engine boost.

As soon as the FSD cools down, I cancel the continual boost and I'm on my way. Even though I'm a fair touch typist, I couldn't match the speed of execution of these commands and my smuggling from Robigo is now much more successful - and still exciting.
 

Andrew Linton

Andrew Linton
777Driver said:
Yeah it's great, I have a huge amount of voice command macro's built up over the year. Wouldn't fly without it.
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Do you use voice commands or keystrokes when you're smuggling? I find that VoiceAttack loses the state of the panels quite regularly, so I can say 'Contacts' for instance, and it will show me Transactions; I'm forever resetting the variables. In the pressurized pace of smuggling I prefer to use keystrokes directly.
 

777Driver

777Driver
xondk said:
easier....not really, lazier? possibly.
But all these things can easily be done without voiceattack.
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Of course they can be done without Voice attack, what's your point? I find it easier since I can focus on flying the ship without going into menus, especially handy for VR. It also allows you to program complex timed actions.

Biggest advantage is you can configure the macro's to operate within milliseconds. The minds the only limit to what you can program it to do within ED, excellent bit of software.

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Jakesavage said:
Won't doing this get you a 'wanted' status? Especially if it's the cops?
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On long range smuggling it doesn't matter, the cops are operating out of their jurisdiction. In populated space it's a minor fine, not a big deal if you're a criminal hauling illegal goods.
 

Andrew Linton

Andrew Linton
xondk said:
easier....not really, lazier? possibly.
But all these things can easily be done without voiceattack.
Click to expand...
I guess it's my background as a programmer and project manager that makes me want to find more efficient ways of handling the ship. Using one key instead of four allows me to sip tea at the same time.:)
 

xondk

X
777Driver said:
Of course they can be done without Voice attack, what's your point? I find it easier since I can focus on flying the ship without going into menus, especially handy for VR. It also allows you to program complex timed actions.
Click to expand...
Andrew Linton said:
I guess it's my background as a programmer and project manager that makes me want to find more efficient ways of handling the ship. Using one key instead of four allows me to sip tea at the same time.:)
Click to expand...
Oh don't get me wrong, I do such stuff myself, but saying it is 'easier' implies it was more difficult to...you know press a few buttons, more efficient, maybe, but definitely more convenient.
 

777Driver

777Driver
Fair enough, wasn't complaining that it is was hard in the first place, just faster and more convenient via voice.

A house phone back in the 80's wasn't hard to use, now we have voice dialling, I know which one I prefer :)

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ocflyer

ocflyer
Andrew Linton said:
The value of VoiceAttack goes way beyond the ability to issue voice commands. I find that it can be used very effectively by stacking up commands behind a single keystroke.

When you're smuggling and you're interdicted by the security services it's very handy to tap a single key and perform:

  • Deploy hardpoints.
  • Set speed to 50%.
  • Target next ship.
  • [Optionally Flight Assist Off]

It's easy, then, to swing about and block a scan by firing at the interdictor. I immediately follow this with a 'Run Away' command which:

  • Retracts hardpoints.
  • Sets speed to 100%.
  • Executes a 'continual boost' command which repeatedly uses the engine boost.

As soon as the FSD cools down, I cancel the continual boost and I'm on my way. Even though I'm a fair touch typist, I couldn't match the speed of execution of these commands and my smuggling from Robigo is now much more successful - and still exciting.
Click to expand...

Your suggestions only make sense for those without a HOTAS. Deploying hardpoints, changing speed, targeting a ship and FAOff toggle are all easily done simultaneously on a HOTAS because you can use both hands and all 10 fingers at the same time. I use VA with my HOTAS but only for related tasks. When I push the Deploy Hardpoints button on the HOTAS, the VA macro turns on TrackIR, changes from Fire Group 1 to Fire Group 2 (because group 1 is discovery scanner/interdictor and group 2 is beams/KWS), and remembers that hardpoints are deployed. Pressing the button again does the reverse. Pressing the Jump button on the HOTAS runs a VA macro that retracts hardpoints, retracts landing gear, retracts cargo scoop, and optionally waits for 10sec if the FSD was offline while hardpoints were retracted. In short, once you graduate from keyboard/mouse to HOTAS, VA takes on a whole new dimension. Trivial tasks like setting speed to 50% or 100%, toggling FAOFF or hardpoints, and boost are no longer needed and are discarded in favor of more useful time saving features.
 
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Andrew Linton

Andrew Linton
  • xondk said:
    Oh don't get me wrong, I do such stuff myself, but saying it is 'easier' implies it was more difficult to...you know press a few buttons, more efficient, maybe, but definitely more convenient.
    Click to expand...
In the example where you've been interdicted and are faced with an immediate System Scan which will cause your mission to fail, then anything that saves time is crucial. Using the Orion Voicepack keybindings, the keys in my original post would be:


  • U (deploy hardpoints)
  • Numpad 2 (speed to 50%)
  • B (select next ship)
  • Z (Flight Assist Off)

These keys span the full keyboard and with one hand on the joystick they all have to be pressed with the other hand. It's great (and easier) just to tap '[' to do all these things.

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ocflyer said:
Your suggestions only make sense for those without a HOTAS. Deploying hardpoints, changing speed, targeting a ship and FAOff toggle are all easily done simultaneously on a HOTAS because you can use both hands and all 10 fingers at the same time. I use VA with my HOTAS but only for related tasks. When I push the Deploy Hardpoints button on the HOTAS, the VA macro turns on TrackIR, changes from Fire Group 1 to Fire Group 2 (because group 1 is discovery scanner/interdictor and group 2 is beams/KWS), and remembers that hardpoints are deployed. Pressing the button again does the reverse. Pressing the Jump button on the HOTAS runs a VA macro that retracts hardpoints, retracts landing gear, retracts cargo scoop, and optionally waits for 10sec if the FSD was offline while hardpoints were retracted. In short, once you graduate from keyboard/mouse to HOTAS, VA takes on a whole new dimension. Trivial tasks like setting speed to 50% or 100%, toggling FAOFF or hardpoints, and boost are no longer needed and are discarded in favor of more useful time saving features.
Click to expand...

Ah, how I yearn to have your set-up!
 
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