[Script][V3.03] Taxi-Software MK1

[SymTec ltd.]

[...]Both my taxi and my shuttle have been running for several in-game hours and neither of them have progressed from level 1, even though I frequently see different numbers of passengers (or none at all) in the shuttle, and the taxi is always making runs. I haven't done any scripting myself but maybe this is something I can easily correct in the code? Just wondering if you've seen this before.

Dunno - they should be levelling - how long did they run?

I haven't even figured out if it's making me any money yet because I just recently started my first universal trader so I'm getting a lot of money that way and it's hard to gauge. If I see any problem there I'll let you know but I assume that's fine.

I have a german script called CIAD (Command Info And Description) that is able to give a shot stats of a taxi. I didn't completely translate the textfile, though.

[...]Doesn't it seem slightly odd that the only way to get a taxi business running is by purchasing pirate slave equipment? I know your script is ported from the german one, but have you considered making a taxi upgrade available instead of the cargo life support systems? Or putting some sort of taxi headquarters in Argon Prime or something who also carries the life support system. Just for the sake of realism (I know, in a space shooter...).

Erm... well, I might think about further upgrades as soon as I have the current problems setteled - thought about a main taxi station, but that'd be a lot more work.

I once had a real "Taxi-Software". But it collided with the bonuspack, so I returned to the basic and given softwares.

[arcana75]

How about using EMP? Use a 0cr ware for passengers and another ware for ur Taxi Software Mk1 and Mk2.

Also, I know it's pretty minor (and I'll add it in myself), but maybe consider using "find position of pattern" instead of the substring call to allow for greater advsat-naming flexibility.

With "find position of pattern", any name with Taxi in it will do, eg "Argon Prime Taxi Beacon", as long as it doesn't return -1.

Oh and 1 last thing, is the script actually working? Is the leveling problem solved?

[Erilaz]

Going to try this script out, sounds great.

Did I read wrong or is it that a TP actually doesn't require the Cargo Life Support for this script? Same as a normal TP?

[SymTec ltd.]

TPs have the CLSs preinstalled.

[broken85]

I had to install the CLS in my Toucan Hauler, but since that is a claimed ship I guess that explains why it didn't have it stock.

I'll be anxious for the taxi stats to be integrated! I'd love to see a running tally of the number of passengers my TP has ferried around after it's been running for a while not to mention money made!

I agree, bug fixes are a higher priority than new features, but I still think ultimately it would be cool to incorporate taxi stations into the game. Thinking ahead, it would be neat if that could be where the taxi pilots go to get training, buy equipment, etc. and the player could find their own Taxi jobs at the BBS if they want to get involved, etc. Also the player could then start building up a taxi empire by building their own stations if that's even a possibility through scripting alone (otherwise you could just scatter several regular stations throughout the core sectors, call them Taxi Stations, and offer only taxi equipment from them, simulating actual taxi stations)

*deep breath*

Then, it could eventually get even deeper and incorporate shuttle stations... "stops" you can build throughout the universe for your shuttles. Maybe they'd even just be some sort of big satellite rather than an actual dock, I don't know. My thinking is if there is a shuttle station in a sector, the shuttle will do much better in that sector (and probably visit it more often) since they are then an established business in the sector. It could be like the big-time upgrade from the Advanced Satellite in each sector for higher level shuttles allowing for nice long-time payoffs for those who make the initial investment. And it's kind of logical because people would be more likely to give their money to an established business in the sector rather than a lone TP flying around.

Just food for thought, that might be beyond the scope of what you want for this script, but I think it'd be neat

[JBL]

Will this work with XTM? if so any special install instructions?

[arcana75]

SymTec, I have some questions about ur script:

plugin.taxi.main.xml

Code: Select all

202   SubSetData:
203   $DataArray = [THIS] -> get local variable: name='local.stl.taxi.dataarray'
204   $DataArray[0] = $NumOfFlights
205   $DataArray[1] = $ShipNumber
206   $DataArray[2] = $PilotName
207   $DataArray[3] = $TotalKmAll
208   $DataArray[4] = $SoldAll
209   $DataArray[5] = $TotalPass
210   $DataArray[6] = $Homesector
211   $DataArray[7] = $PilotRace
212   [THIS] -> set local variable: name=$local.stl.taxi.dataarray value=$DataArray
213   endsub
214
215   SubResetNames:
216   if $SetName
217    $Homeowner = $Homesector -> get owner race
218    if $CmdName
219 @   $temp = [THIS] -> call script 'lib.st.varmanager' :  mode=4  script='taxi'  number=10  input=null
220     $ShipName = sprintf: pageid=$pageid textid=13, $ShipNumber, $Homesector, $temp, null, null
221    else
222     $ShipName = 2 + $Cmd
223     $ShipName = sprintf: pageid=$pageid textid=$ShipName, $Homeowner, $ShipNumber, $Homesector, null, null
224    end
225    [THIS] -> set name to $ShipName
226   end

Is line 223 a bug? textid=$ShipName?

I'm guessing I can dump $local.stl.taxi.dataarray into my own textid to get detailed info on my taxis? Cuz I couldn't find any part in ur scripts that actually dump this data, and alot of textids not used. Did u handle them in another way (like ur lib.st.varmanager)?

I see lots of stuff in German, like set name, race, ware, shiptype, shipclass, etc. Are these leftovers and will they work in an English game?

EDIT: I went ahead and added a script to display stats...
plugin.taxi.stats.xml

Code: Select all

001   $array = [THIS] -> get local variable: name='local.stl.taxi.dataarray'
002   $flights = $array[0]
003   $name = $array[2]
004   $covered = $array[3]
005   $earned = $array[4]
006   $msg = sprintf: pageid=8751 textid=699, $name, $earned, $flights, $covered, null
007   send incoming message $msg to player: display it=[TRUE]
008   return null

I had to edit setup to add a new command tho (tid=435).

[killuminati-ita]

Will this work with XTM? if so any special install instructions?

This I'd like to know too..

Many THX!!

[SymTec ltd.]

[...]

Is line 223 a bug? textid=$ShipName?

No. $ShipName is an integer at this point, that describes the kind of job the taxi is doing. So, I can easily find the appropriate textID for it.

[...]I'm guessing I can dump $local.stl.taxi.dataarray into my own textid to get detailed info on my taxis?

If you want to... (I'm still working on the CIAD-translation, but the .xml is 96kB of plain text, and thus a lot of work for one single person.)

Will this work with XTM? if so any special install instructions?

It will most likely work, and no special install is required. If there were major issues, somebody already would have come to me crying.

[killuminati-ita]

Well,

I've just installed your script in order to play in my XTM game and sad to say but there is no Taxi Software avilable anywhere in the galaxy (checked all EQ an TS for all the 4 main races).

Any hint??

EDIT: Ok sorry m8 just I've read more carefully at the main page and there's no taxi software to buy, but i can't understand how to make it work.. how i give the command to my M5? Can't find any such command inthe ship manu. THX!

[SymTec ltd.]

What you need is:

* Cargo Life-Support System
* Explorer Software
* Having read the readme.

[killuminati-ita]

sorry m8 it was my fault to download the 1.0 version I've found the right one, now the taxi is working but it seems that is no earning any money...

[jumbled]

Yes, I know about VIPs, and use passengers in TP, as you can see.

But passengers are L-size, and M5 can't load L. That's the main problem.

In the TwareN file, I see Passengers and VIP's, both L size. I also see something called Demonstrators, Tiny size. I remember seeing these in space once, I think, after Khaak killed some civ ships. Not sure if you could use this or not, but might be interesting to see in the cargo menu (you could say they're going off to a protest assembly).

Could a new ware be made up to fill the gap?

[JBL]

Installed script and t files but cannot find the actual Taxi-Software Mk1 to buy at any station?

What is in the .spk file and must it be installed as well?

[arcana75]

Read the README, there's NO Taxi Software to buy!

Similarly like there's no CAG software to buy.

[arcana75]

[...]I'm guessing I can dump $local.stl.taxi.dataarray into my own textid to get detailed info on my taxis?

If you want to... (I'm still working on the CIAD-translation, but the .xml is 96kB of plain text, and thus a lot of work for one single person.)

I coded the stats display as a command, which will stop the current action of the taxi. Can the taxi resume its activities or do I have to eject the passengers and restart?

[JBL]

OK got it working now and used it on an M5 with no problem - he is running around 1 sector (no info on money or passengers?)

I bought an Argon Express made sue it had explorer software, under navigation I tried to activate Taxi MK2 selected sectors etc. but the command line starts and then immediately goes back to command none. Tried MK1 but same thing happened.

Am I missing something that TP's need?

[killuminati-ita]

You NEED to put an ADVANCED NAVIGATION SATELLITE in the center of BOTH sector of the ride you want the TP to cover.

Check if it has the Cargo Life Support System in the bay.

BB!

EDIT: to make your life easier install the Move to Coordinates script from Cycrow, just enter 0,0,0 and the ship will fly to the very heart of the sys by itself then drop the adv.sat.

[SymTec ltd.]

[...]I also see something called Demonstrators, Tiny size. I remember seeing these in space once, I think, after Khaak killed some civ ships. Not sure if you could use this or not, but might be interesting to see in the cargo menu (you could say they're going off to a protest assembly).

Could a new ware be made up to fill the gap?

There have been plans on this - I just have to have time to code this.

I coded the stats display as a command, which will stop the current action of the taxi. Can the taxi resume its activities or do I have to eject the passengers and restart?

Restarting should work fine: The ship will always unload all passengers at its target, no matter how much it loaded in the first place.

Am I missing something that TP's need?

RTFM - Well, I'll add a message about this sooner or later... or just remove this satellite stuff -.-

[arcana75]

RTFM - Well, I'll add a message about this sooner or later... or just remove this satellite stuff -.-

Actually this script really doesn't need those taxi beacons does it?