Version: 3.4.00
Date: 22.07.2006
Scripter: Lucike
- Overview:
This software allows the pilot to plan a route. The pilot is instructed to follow a given route and the corresponding commodity transfer orders for each intermediate stop. This enables the pilot to fulfill special tasks within the company or even at different stations. The route will be followed repeatedly until the pilot receives new orders.
The software was originally developed by an Argon software engineer and as such is being sold in every Argon Equipment Dock. It is also available in the trading station located in Herron's Nebula.
Over time the pilot will learn to use this software more efficiently; nobody starts out as an expert. Additionally, he might participate in special training courses by utilizing his trading computer extension. Those training courses are offered in the pilot's homebase at specified time intervals.
Quickstart:
1. Equip a TS class transporter with Navigation Software MK1 and Commodity Logistics Software MK2
2. Choose "Add/remove intermediate stops" in the Additional Ship Commands Menu of the ship, select a target station, the commodity, the price and the volume (if you input a negative volume it will be unloaded/sold instead loaded/bought). Repeat for all stations.
3. Choose the command "Start external commodity logistics"
Pilot qualifications:
Apprentice
The apprentice is able to use up to 4 stops in total in the tour. The apprentice is carrying out his probationary period in your enterprise and doesn't get a salary during this time.
Auxiliary courier
The auxiliary courier is able to use up to 6 stops in total in the tour. Additionally, he will be able to deliver commodities to equipment docks and trading stations. The auxiliary courier gets a wage of 20 credits per mizura flown, paid after completing each trip.
Courier
The courier is able to use up to 10 stops in total in the tour. Additionally, he will be able to supply large ships. He buys in the current sector fight drones and equips his ship with more speed and agility. The courier gets a wage of 25 credits per mizura flown, payable upon completion of each trip.
Freighter pilot 2nd class
The freighter pilot 2nd class is able to use up to 15 stops in total in the tour. He is also able to use modern jump drive technology to move around more quickly. The freighter pilot 2nd class is paid a wage of 30 credits per mizura flown, paid after each trip.
Freighter pilot 1st class
The freighter pilot 1st class is able to use up to 20 stops in total in the tour. Furthermore, he pays close attention to the commercial radio network and will not enter any sectors in which enemy ships have been reported. The freighter pilot 1st class is paid a wage of 35 credits per mizura flown, paid after each trip.
Freighter pilot
The freighter pilot is not restricted in the amount of stops in his tour. Furthermore, he will repair his ship on his own by visiting a shipyard if necessary. The freighter pilot is paid a wage of 40 credits per mizura flown, payable after each trip.
Equipment and Prerequisites:
- A small class ship (M5, M4, M3, TS, TP) or a ship of the corvette class (M6)
- Commodity Logistics Software MK2
- Navigation Command Software MK1
- Boost Extension (optional: increases the jump energy reserve from 10% to 20% of maximum cargo)
- Duplex- and Triplex-Scanner (optional: decreases the minimum jump range by one sector)
- Cargo Scanner (optional: affects the collection-strategy)
- Trading System Extension (optional: needed to participate in training courses)
- Fight Command Software MK1 (optional: change the behaviour at contact with the enemy)
- Jump drive (optional: can be utilized after a special training course)
- Transporter Device (optional: if big ships like TL class transporters are chosen as a viable destination and the transporter may not dock at the ship)
Usage (Route planning):
The main command is started over the Trade Menu. The command "Start external commodity logistics" becomes visible, if the Commodity Logistics Software MK2 and the Navigation Command Software MK1 are installed in the ship.
The waypoint list is maintained by using the ship command "Add/remove intermediate stops". After the start of this command six further inputs must be made. The first input specifies the type of command. An input of "0" adds the new entry to the back of the waypoint list. A positive number input inserts the new entry before the indicated position. If a negative number is input, then the appropriate entry is changed. Next, a station is input as a waypoint. The 3rd input is the factory type. The 4th is which ware to trade. The 5th is the transfer price per unit. The last input is the quantity to transfer. A positive number causes the pilot to load or buy and a negative number to unload or sell.
Example 1
Waypoint 1 - {0} {Solar Power Plant L in The Wall} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {12} {2000}
The pilot buys 2000 energy cells at the Solar Power Plant for a price of 12 credits max per unit.
Waypoint 2 - {0} {Satellite Factory in Argon Prime} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {16} {-2000}
The pilot sells 2000 energy cells to the Satellite Factory for a minimum price of 16 credits per unit.
Example 2
Waypoint 1 - {0} {Player-owned Solar Power Plant in Argon Prime} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {0} {5000}
The pilot loads 5000 energy cells into the ship at the player owned Solar Power Plant.
Waypoint 2 - {0} {Player-owned Silicon Mine in Herron's Nebula} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {0} {-2000}
The pilot unloads 2000 units of energy cells from the ship into the Silicon Mine.
Waypoint 3 - {0} {Player-owned BoGas Factory in Herron's Nebula} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {0} {-3000}
The pilot unloads 3000 units of energy cells from the ship into the BoGas Factory.
Example 3
Waypoint 1 - {0} {Player-owned Solar Power Plant in Argon Prime} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {0} {102000}
The pilot loads up to 2000 energy cells into the ship at the player owned Solar Power Plant paying attention to the already loaded amount.
Waypoint 2 - {0} {Player-owned Crystal Factory in Argon Prime} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {0} {-2000}
The pilot unloads 2000 units of energy cells from the ship into the Crystal Factory.
Waypoint 3 - {0} {Player-owned Crystal Factory in Argon Prime} {Factory with crystals} {Crystals} {0} {100100}
The pilot loads up to 100 units of crystals at the player owned factory taking the already loaded amount into account.
Waypoint 4 - {0} {Player-owned Solar Power Plant in Argon Prime} {Factory with crystals} {Crystals} {0} {-100}
The pilot unloads 100 units of crystals at the player owned Solar Power Plant.
Reference of examples 3
If a load border in the cargo space of the freighter is to be determined, then add to the load quantity 100000. (2000 Energy cells + 100000 = 102000).
Special Inputs part 1
Input - {0} {Solar Power Plant or Homebase} {N/A} {N/A} {0} {0}
The pilot buys in the Solar Power Plant, or loads in the homebase, energy cells in, in order to fill up its jump energy. (10% of maximum cargo / with Boost Extension 20%)
Input - {0} {Station or factory} {N/A} {N/A} {1} {0}
The pilot approaches the indicated station, without taking any action there. He remains there 1 mizura.
Special Inputs part 2
Input - {1001} {N/A} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {17} {-4000}
The pilot looks for energy cell customers within 1 jump and adds her its list.
Input - {2001} {N/A} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {17} {-4000}
The pilot looks for energy cell customers of the main races within 1 jump and adds her its list.
Input - {3002} {N/A} {Factory with energy cells} {Energy cells} {0} {4000}
The pilot looks for Player-owned Solar Power Plants within 2 jumps and adds her its list.
Reference special orders part 2
The first input is 1000 for all stations, 2000 for all stations of the main races and 3000 for only player factories. The jump range is added (1000 + 2 jumps = 1002). Several lists can be quite added one behind the other.
Another possibility to configure the tour is the command "Configure intermediate stops", to be found in the Additional Ship Commands Menu. With this command you can remove one or more intermediate stops, or move one stop to another position in the route. You may also ask for a report of all intermediate stops and the corresponding commodity. See here for a complete list of the command.
Input - {0} {0} {0}
The pilot sends a report of intermediate stops. The report also contains the payment received up to now, the flight time and the income.
Input - {0} {1} {X}
The pilot adds informations to the name of the ship.
(X = 0 Information service deactivate; X = 1 Extended information; X = 2 Reduced information)
Input - {1} {0} {0}
The pilot clears his entire list of waypoints.
Input - {1} {1} {0}
The pilot deletes his achievements overview.
Input - {1} {X} {Y}
The pilot removes all intermediate stops from x up to and including y.
Input - {2} {X} {Y}
The pilot moves the intermediate stop x to position y.
Input - {3} {X} {Y}
The pilot increases the price of waypoint X by Y credits.
Input - {4} {X} {Y}
The pilot reduces the price of waypoint X by Y credits.
Special notes:
Note: You can change the lists mid flight but the changes become effective only after finishing the current tour.
Special: Advice: On the initial start no commodity is allowed to be loaded on the ship, except installed weapons and shields, missiles of any type, combat drones and jump energy. If you deliver commodities to a tl class transporter no credits are being transferred. You can only select trading stations, equipment docks or tl class transporters as suppliers if they are set to be the homebase of the ship. No credits are being transferred in this case, too.
Jump drive: If a jump drive is installed, the pilot will supply himself with energy from the homebase. He may buy energy from other sources, too, if he is not doing a chain supply tour. The pilot may jump to adjacent sectors if both scanner types (duplex/triplex) are installed. Normally a jump will only be done if the distance is at least one sector in between. Scanner range is not being enhanced.
Enemy contact: If the freighter has the Fight Command Software MK1, then the pilot may make his ship safer. He buys fight drones in the current sector and equip his ship with more speed and agility. If the experienced pilot has a jump drive, then he can venture into unsafe sectors.
Hint: If you buy the Commodity Logistics Software at the software producer's offices at the Free Argon Trading Station in Herron's Nebula, the producer tries to provide qualified personnel. If you start the software at the trading station you might get lucky and receive qualified pilots from the very beginning.