- clarification on the Docking Computer

[BugMeister]

both the manual and the encyclopaedia are unclear on the role of the Docking Computer:

both sources seem to indicate that the Docking Computer is related to the Autopilot's normal docking procedure

- whereas in fact, it is a ship upgrade which enables you to instantly dock with a targeted station or ship, if you are within 5 km range

- I haven't found where this important and potentially life-saving fact is explained in the manual, yet - so it might be confusing to new players..

[Yellowjack]

Is it still available from the same sources as X3R?

[Prownilo]

I just wish the AI would use theres >.>

gets annoying having to go OOS just to get a cap ship to dock in any kind of resonable time frame.

[Elucca]

Am i the only one who doesn't use them?
They just seem.. wrong to me. How would a computer allow you to magically teleport a ship?

[BugMeister]

I just wish the AI would use theres >.>

gets annoying having to go OOS just to get a cap ship to dock in any kind of resonable time frame.

- so true, blue..

[Cycrow]

Am i the only one who doesn't use them?
They just seem.. wrong to me. How would a computer allow you to magically teleport a ship?

the same reason the Transporter device can "magically" transport you to another ship ?

[Elucca]

The transporter device is a transporter device and can transfer the pilot or cargo. The docking computer is a computer and can transfer a 3 kilometer warship.

There's a difference.

[Cycrow]

or think of it the other way round.

stations can beam in ships, the docking computers allow you to connect to the stations docking system to enable the transport.

ie, the docking computer sends the required stats about the ship to be able to be transported

[BugMeister]

the Docking Computer ran incredibly efficiently in X3:R, allowing for swift trading when you were the pilot - used it a lot, to make quick deals..

- it also speeds up the docking of large ships dramatically - you get none of that "slow approach" stuff!

Hyperion owners could release docked ships with you (the player) aboard as pilot and subsequent docking back to the mothership was brilliant,
as you could get the Hyperion up and moving again very smoothly..

- it also saved a lot of that waiting around you sometimes get while the autopilot is being "twitchy" due to the proximity of other objects..

in X3:TC it's just as useful - allowing you to beat the opposition to the deal - and, though I have yet to own a ship
that allows docking, I'll expect it to perform it's very useful functions in that area, later in the game..

- just peeves me that it's true value is not indicated in the manual or the encyclopaedia , is all, really..

- it's a great device to have on-board though, folks..

[brekehan]

So what's the magic keypress to instantly dock?

[BugMeister]

caps shift+d

- or button#6 on my joystick!

[clevider]

Imho the "both the manual and the encyclopaedia are unclear" complaint could be applied to almost every software package in the game. I started with X3R so I don't know if the previous games are the same way, but this deficiency was a major factor in the game's needlessly steep learning curve. I was unhappy to see that tradition continued with X3TC.

Honestly, what's the point of writing anything if all you're going to say is:

TRADE COMMAND SOFTWARE
Trade software MK1 is included in the standard build of all TS Class ships. The newer, more extensive MK2 version is also available.

How is that helpful??? I know the author(s) are capable of writing decent explanatory statements since they wrote helpful descriptions for the Best Buy, Sell, and Special Command packages. Every other one, however, just leaves the reader wondering, "Ok, but what does it do?"

[jlehtone]

caps shift+d

So hard to reach. Plain 'g' for me. (Just like "Target nearest enemy" activates on 'LeftWin'.)

DC is convenient, very convenient. In some X3R sectors you can visit 5 stations without flying in between.

[BugMeister]

- page 44 of the Manual gives a better description of the Trading Software..

- Navigation Software however, is not explained at all - other than to say:
"This is a software extension for your shipboard computer. New navigational
commands are added to the computer's console."

- which may baffle the newcomer, somewhat..

[Cycrow]

Imho the "both the manual and the encyclopaedia are unclear" complaint could be applied to almost every software package in the game. I started with X3R so I don't know if the previous games are the same way, but this deficiency was a major factor in the game's needlessly steep learning curve. I was unhappy to see that tradition continued with X3TC.

its the same, because alot of the descriptions have not been updated. All the old things from X3R will have the same descriptions. And some of these will be back from previous games, ie X2

[surferx]

Am i the only one who doesn't use them?
They just seem.. wrong to me. How would a computer allow you to magically teleport a ship?

No. I discontinued using the docking computer in X3R for the same reason. It subtracts from the realism for me. I usually manually docked the ship myself if the autopilot took too long but either way the ship had to line up with the docking lights and dock, the same as you would if piloting a "real spacecraft". And if the docking computer, which is misnamed at the least, teleports the ship to the station why is there not the same effect as when "teleporting" thru jumpgates.?.
I won't use one for X3:TC either.

[clevider]

...if you are within 5 km range

I figure that this is how it's supposed to work since that's how it used to work all the time in X3R, but I've been using it for the last couple days in TC and recently I've found that it sometimes engages the autopilot instead of instantly docking unless I trigger it when I'm within ~4 km.

...just tossing this out as a possible bug or gotcha (maybe I'm missing something), mind. I'm not disputing the OP.



As for negating the realism of docking... Well, especially when I fly in and out of those gigantic Terran stations, I tend to weave between support beams and closely skirt what I presume to be very important and no doubt expensive outbuildings/attachments -- you know, taking shortcuts. All the while I've been thinking, "In real life the docking authority would so have my license for this stunt!"

Now, one can argue that that their shields would protect the station from any danger posed by my itty bitty Sabre, but (and maybe I've read too much CJ Cherryh) I have no doubt that Earth Gov has reams of excruciatingly detailed flight regulations and swarms of Law Zombies ready to file the citations for every single infraction (why else do they need all that space??). I, for one, am thrilled that Egosoft left out so many of the finer points of docking.

[dzhedzho]

Back in XBTF you did not have autopilot, and you had to dock manually. Docking computer was one of the best pieces of equipment you could get, after long time trying to get paranid reputation high enough to be able to dock. You'd get a cutscene after docking back then so id did not feel so wrong. After autopilot and X2 docking computer felt somewhat out of place... its name anyhow.

[BugMeister]

nyaaah, don't get me wrong - I like flying my ship
..love the trading - and the views are fabulous

I spend hours trucking stuff around, myself
it's a good way to pass the time as your empire grows..
but business is business and, in the words of the old Teladi..

- in and out quick is good for profitsess..