I proudly present:
Trade Command Software Mk III for Dummies!
Introduction:
TCS Mk III basically adds 2 commands, Start Sector Trader and Start Universe Trader. Or as Professor Fit S. Pro of the Profit Guild aptly describes it, "
Profitsss".
Please note that this is a "for Dummies" guide. If you want a more organized and/or descriptive guide, check the links section of this guide. (i.e. Scroll down you dummy!) 
The Basics:
A Sector trader looks for wares in their assigned sector that are selling below average. If he finds a ware that is selling below average price, he will check if there is a selling place in the same assigned sector that is buying that specific ware for an above average or average price. If both conditions are met, you can expect your bank account to become a few credits richer!
Sector Traders gain levels based on how much profit they make. As they gain levels they learn new skills. (Eg. Using the JD, selling below average and still making a profit, not doing the same trade run as other STs in the same sector, docking at a shipyard for repairs, etc, etc).
After reaching level 6, when choosing the begin Sector Trader command, you are asked for a jump range. This sets if and how many sectors away a ST (which is now called a Local Trader) can move. (Ie a jump range of 1 means that your ST can also trade in any of the sectors that are adjacent to it's assigned sector. This generally means more profitsss.
When a LT (or an ST if you decided to confine your trader to one sector) reaches level 8, you can choose to begin Universe trader. This is basically the same thing as the Sector Trader except the trader traverses the entire universe in search of good deals.
Whatever it might seem like, don't forget that this is trading, not magic, so it might take sometime for the credits to start rolling in. Also, some less experienced pilots might pickup more than they can sell, so you might have to manually get rid of wares sometimes. Oh and don't ever forget that you need credits to make credits! Without credits in your bank account how is the trader supposed to buy the wares? Try to keep at least 100k in your account at all times per ST for them to be effective.
Setting up a ST:
What you need:
A TS,TP,TM,M3,M6 or M4 class ship. (TS works the best)
Trade Command Software Mk III (available at some Teladi EQDs and the Terracorp HQ in Home of Light)
What is recommended:
Engine tunings
Max Shielding
Open up the ship's command console and select trade. Then select Start Sector Trader. After that choose a sector and watch the
profitsss roll in! (Empire's Edge, Queen's Space and Power Circle are generally regarded as a very good training grounds for STs).
Setting up a ST should cost you around a million. 500k for TCS Mk III, 300k for the freighter and 200k as starting capital.
Links:
A more detailed guide
here.
The most detailed guide ever (i.e. a Dev wrote it)
here.
May the
profitsss be with you.
Special thanks to
perknit for the extra training sectors.
© 2010 AceTech.
