The Docking Computer thread.

[ykza5]

Bypassing the swear filter is an offense on these forums, you know? I already got warned because of it.

On the docking computer: Agreed, as the general AI, it still needs much work to make docking smooth and safe for people who want to use it... not faster, mind you, just safe... there should be alteast one drawback for using it.

Well Im using the "puppy" as a mean to add some humor to the thread and I think everyone is taking it that way.

My question is why does there have to be a drawback of using autopilot? I agree on the make it safer, not necesarily faster, but why does it have to have a drawback?

People don't seem to understand that the autopilot just like in FSX is meant for you to get your hands of the control so you can go do something else. Maybe on another expansion you can kick in autodock while tou go take a walk around the ship. This autopilot is not making thinks easier, it doesnt give you any advantage over the manuall docking procedure

 

[IainMcC]

I tried using the docking computer with the Type 6, but every single time it comes down onto the pad so heavily that I think the ship is going to explode. It is nice being able to listen to a bit of Strauss while the ship does its own mad thing, pirouetting like a drunk ballet dancer, but eventually the amount of time it was taking for the ship to dock by itself was more than double of docking the ship manually, so I ditched it.

There's also a little trick I've learned (especially with the Type 6) to ensure that you can dock smoothly every time, and that's to make sure you land with the nose pitched up by 5-10 degrees as you come down vertically on the pad - that way I never get any bouncy non-landings, even when you're perfectly aligned on the pad.

 

[CBR600rr]

Really? I cant remember that. Must be getting old. But. I do remember screaming in counterclockwise into the old stations and making it every time. Damn that was fun. It was much more forgiving than these gates im betting.

 

[warbaby2]

Well Im using the "puppy" as a mean to add some humor to the thread and I think everyone is taking it that way.

I was kidding, obviously.

My question is why does there have to be a drawback of using autopilot? I agree on the make it safer, not necesarily faster, but why does it have to have a drawback?

People don't seem to understand that the autopilot just like in FSX is meant for you to get your hands of the control so you can go do something else. Maybe on another expansion you can kick in autodock while tou go take a walk around the ship. This autopilot is not making thinks easier, it doesnt give you any advantage over the manuall docking procedure

Sorry, I know where you are coming from, but the autopilot does, for all intents and purposes not only makes landing easier, it practically removes it from the game as an activity. So, if people don't use it, they don't have to align their ships, control their trustees, make it though the "slot", avoid other ships, find their docking pad, make a controlled descent... all that is done for them... and now imagine if it also was quicker then landing manually could ever be... what do you get? A totally useless design feature (manual landing) nobody will ever do again once they can afford a DC, as it was in the old Elite games. Personally, I don't like the idea... so I'm quite happy it's slow, and will sometimes not work at all if the station does not support it.

 

[ykza5]

Sorry, I know where you are coming from, but the autopilot does, for all intents and purposes not only makes landing easier, it practically removes it from the game as an activity. So, if people don't use it, they don't have to align their ships, control their trustees, make it though the "slot", avoid other ships, find their docking pad, make a controlled descent... all that is done for them... and now imagine if it also was quicker then landing manually could ever be... what do you get? A totally useless design feature (manual landing) nobody will ever do again once they can afford a DC, as it was in the old Elite games. Personally, I don't like the idea... so I'm quite happy it's slow, and will sometimes not work at all if the station does not support it.

I'm not arguing about it been slow I think the time it takes now is ok, but I don't see it as it would render manual landing useless, I myself had it only for when I needed to send an email or something on my phone while ot docked. To me is so exiting entering the stationg at top speed that I do it almost every time. I'm sure lots of people like rhe docking mechanics and use auto just to rest for a bit.

 

[Globusdiablo]

It's puppin awful, but I'm sure it will improve and I do enjoy the music.

Agreed. The auto dock is useless, and risky at best. If you have the ship and the shields for it, sit back, and watch your ship create mayhem while stumbling about.

Love the music though. But the artificial static noise has to go. We're talking 3300 here.

Fly safe Commanders.

 

[ykza5]

Agreed. The auto dock is useless, and risky at best. If you have the ship and the shields for it, sit back, and watch your ship create mayhem while stumbling about.

Love the music though. But the artificial static noise has to go. We're talking 3300 here.

Fly safe Commanders.

I wonder if all the drunken dancing has anything to do with the ship going to the rythm of the music that is playing

 

[Vingtetun]

Yes, the docking computer is indeed fluffing puppy. A big pile of fluffing puppy. Which is why it is always better and faster to dock manually, even in a Lakon 9.

The chances that Zelda from Zelada is in control of docking operations and her minions are turning the pad the wrong way around, refusing to engage the docking clamps when you're down or changing her mind about which pad mean that the poor ZX81 you have installed in your ship doesn't stand a chance. That and all the other jockeys out there playing silly beggars in the entrance of the station.

I left a station the other day with a Sidewinder glued to the outside of my hull (he was trying to speed past me in the entrance). I went into supercruise and he exploded.

 

[ykza5]

Yes, the docking computer is indeed fluffing puppy. A big pile of fluffing puppy. Which is why it is always better and faster to dock manually, even in a Lakon 9.

The chances that Zelda from Zelada is in control of docking operations and her minions are turning the pad the wrong way around, refusing to engage the docking clamps when you're down or changing her mind about which pad mean that the poor ZX81 you have installed in your ship doesn't stand a chance. That and all the other jockeys out there playing silly beggars in the entrance of the station.

I left a station the other day with a Sidewinder glued to the outside of my hull (he was trying to speed past me in the entrance). I went into supercruise and he exploded.

This was so puppying hilarious

 

[PurpsUK]

I've only had one crash with the Docking Computer, and a few wobbly near misses, but only in mulitplayer, in solo it's fine, it waits for the NPCs to dock or leave and happily pops in and lands (after attempting to make me blow my dinner, but hey ho, it's still a kid).

The problems seem to occur when it has to deal with players boosting out of the post box, trying to play ring around the conda in their sidewinders, generally trying to bully their way into the hangar, etc. So the question is, how useful will it be in multiplayer in the future? There's only so much an AI can do to cover for players.

 

[Bribe Guntails]

I didn't create this thread because I am not good at threading the airlock. Don't get me wrong, I am a very good pilot; I can pull a rather high speed approach and landing in a sidewinder using mouse and keyboard, ~15-25 seconds from docking request outside the airlock approach to touchdown.
I created this thread because I thought the idea of an overclocked docking computer which blares out New World Symphony on high-speed approach is amusing, although pointless. At the least, this idea deserves some consideration as an optional side project just for the lulz.

 

[Cmdr Andy B]

i think the problem here is one of motivation: the docking computer is great if you need to step away for a few minutes but ultimately very slow - this motivates people to learn to dock manually as its a lot faster to do so.

add a faster docking comp and bang goes any motivation for doing it yourself as it would neutralise any advantage.

 

[Riedquat]

Perhaps if you could put the computer into a 'quick dock' mode that would be more risky but would get it done a little quicker.

'Emergency dock' or something.

 

[hawkenfox]

Docking is pretty easy.. And actually rather fun once you get use to it. In my Hauler I'm already use to boosting out of the dock at full speed and haven't crashed yet. Also it's kinda fun to watch the newer players and large ships cower out of your way. But really, I haven't used the docking computer yet and I haven't really seen a benefit or need to. I personally see it as a learning aide.

I used the docking computer as an indication that I have summited the request to dock ... I have the habit of forgetting to ask for a docking permission every now and then .. ha. I agree that computer dock should be slow or even slower .... as a penalty to does who rely on it. BTW I found out that docking computer isn't that safe to use , there are reports of accidents cause by docking computers .

 

[Bribe Guntails]

Perhaps if you could put the computer into a 'quick dock' mode that would be more risky but would get it done a little quicker.

'Emergency dock' or something.

This is probably the closest we can get to the Dangerous Docking Computer.
Well, at least we collectively know it's not compatible with gameplay.

 

[Ghastous]

Docking Computer

Is any 1 else having a problem with the docking computer now working at all. Mine goes into dock but when it gets to the landing pad just hangs at the side and doesnt do anything at all.

 

[CBR600rr]

I wont trust it after getting killed once, and cringing seeing others using it. But. Its the only tech choice availabe for that slot. Can we plz have other choices.

 

[Temijin]

Yep. It's having problems. Just tap your throttle to break out of it. Right now folks using the DC are just traffic hazards. I can manually dock in a tenth of the time with the keyboard.

 

[ykza5]

I wont trust it after getting killed once, and cringing seeing others using it. But. Its the only tech choice availabe for that slot. Can we plz have other choices.

Yeah we should get at least two. The regular one that is right now and another one more expensive named something like "The mother puppy autodock computer" that lands you safetly, without dancing, in two seconds, and to a heavy metal tune

 

[Ghastous]

well im glad its not only me with this problem even though ive seen other ppl using it and it works fine but for me it just sits there not doing owt at all.