Questions/Ideas about Trade Routes

There is actually a program from Lancersreactor called FLCompanion 1.9 that will parce out the ini files and show the profit from one base to another. Only issue is that this mod has several undetermined values that causes the program to crash. (the other use of this program is locating and fixing errors in a mod to improve stability)

I am uncertain why use of such a program would be considered cheating as its about the same as visiting each base and gathering the information..just takes less time. Similar to you I created an excel file that merges the base name - commodity - modifier - base sells - value - Base display name - Sector so I can sort them from highest to lowest and just look at the file to see where the high value and low value is. If I was using this to modify the files then it could be considered cheating but since it is outside of the game (about the same as looking up information on the internet) it should not be considered cheating, just using ones personal skills to gain an answer. If the SP and Admins feel that this is cheating for some reason or another I will delete the information once a logical reason is provided.

well having a program like that running removes one vital element from the day to day play of the game, EXPLORATION. i myself have a char that has visited over 90 systems and 234 bases in order for me to map and gather commodity imformation. lots of other players have done the same. the idea of a program to predetermine the best trades of the day, in my eyes, rubbishes the time and efforts of the players who have taken the time to explore and play the game as it should be. and by issuing a broadcast to the CF universe on "the trade of the day" it will mean everybody will be in the same place doing the same thing, zero diversity, when there are over 100 systems here only a handfull would ever be utilised.
Apart from the above reasons, i would class it as a mod to have that kind of program running as it is not integral to the CF files. and as its against server rules to have any other mod running in conjunction with CF i would ban you.

logical enough i hope.

Doppleganger

gaining information that are not public in the game is cheating

thats why i blocked FLCompagnion for CF

there is a big difference between playing the game and exploring and just getting all the good prices out of a tool
its an unfair advantage towards all others and wont be tolerated on this server

Ok, file deleted.

btw for what its worth.
For those people who are gaining trade information by having a commodity on a ship and checking its pricing information, having more then 80 different items on a character has caused file corruption and eventually server corruption on other servers. This file corruption can "leak" from one account to another as the corruption happends on the server itself. If you are going to use this method to monitor the market keep the number of items to less then 20 or so.

If what Raekur says is right, that it could cause the server to crash, can we then get ppl to stop doing it?! The only way to stop them doing it is to removed dynamic economy, but the dynamic economy is one of the things, thta I think is great bout this server.

~MN~Endy DEATH GLORY HONOUR

I am not saying to remove the dynamic part of the mod. Just that there is 3 ways to gain informaion on the current trade route locations.

1. Spend about 4 hours visiting bases and taking notes.
2. Have a ship with the items onboard and take notes.
3. Have a file outside of the game that does the same.

All have their pro's and con's its just a choice of which downside you want to accept.

4. Ask someone politely...

Especially trading clans could sell those precious informations.
Just my thought...

Mephisto

Raekur

If having 80 items or more on a char to monitor trade prices is a problem for the server files...Then why do we have access to a soulforge train that can carry 5000 items. If this be the case then OP would have to reduce all ships in the game that carry cargo down so none of them would be able to carry more than 20 items..And if that is so good luck in trying to save up enough credits to buy that 10 million credit VHF that you want anytime soon before you die of old age. just my oppionion.

And if people are storaging more than 20 items on a ship just for keeping track of trade routes in my oppionion is smart thinking on their part. I'm just suprised more people have not thought of that yet.

Why not just explore, trade here and there...enjoy the views and watch your six.
Sure, making alot of credits is needed to buy bigger ships. But, hey...why not just enjoy the ride while you're on your way to buying that ship, eh?
Nobody says you have to rush to get something. (although, I know I tend to rush). But I suppose Im getting at an age now where I'm kind of slowing down a bit. I like the vistas. They're something I can wrap up in a beer with.

Currently I have been exploring. One character has visited over 100 of the 266 bases that I know of.
To monitor the market I will create a new pilot that will use the list of bases i have to ensure that he hits every one then buy 1 of a few items to monitor the market with. I was just hopeing not to have to toggle between characters in order to determine trade routes then I can continue going after that Market Item of the day.