Traffic Control OXP by Thargoid, now maintained by Milo

A small script to help new Jamesons, plus the occasional old timer who's been relying on docking computers for years, and suddenly finds out how much when they get broken.

Introduces the friendly voice of the main station traffic controller, who welcomes ships approaching the planet, guides them into the correct docking maneuvers and even says goodbye when they leave. Just don't linger in the station approach lane after you leave and get in the way, or else they won't be best pleased...

Available to everyone, although as they're busy people if they detect docking computers fitted to your ship they'll assume those will be used and won't bother you.

Recommended for new players learning how to dock manually, and for experienced players who want a bit of extra ambiance around main stations. Most messages from this OXP appear only if your ship does not have functional docking computers, but a few appear regardless, for example: Clear the lane, Commander! If you see a message that starts with 'Traffic Control:' then it is probably from this OXP.

This OXP is neutral for beginners and slightly biased against the experienced player, because it enforces (with fines and small but escalating bounties) a sensible rule against the use of cloaking devices in proximity to main stations... however, to be fair, it will not impose penalties if you pass undetected (or at least unidentified). Of course, requesting docking clearance or activating docking computers will transmit your identity to the station...

This OXP is compatible with all other OXPs, and includes considerations for Buoy Repair, ILS and AutoDock if those OXPs are also installed.

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License:

This OXP is released under the Creative Commons Attribution - Non-Commercial - Share Alike 4.0 license with the following clauses:

* Whilst you are free (and encouraged) to re-use any of the scripting, models or texturing in this OXP, the usage must be distinct from that within this OXP. Unique identifiers such as (but not limited to) unique shipdata.plist entity keys, mission variables, script names (this.name), equipment identity strings (EQ_), description list arrays and entity roles must not be re-used without prior agreement. Basically if it's unique or would identify or overwrite anything in the original OXP, then you may not re-use it (for obvious compatibility reasons).
* rebundling of this OXP within another distribution is permitted as long as it is unchanged. The following derivates however are permitted and except from the above:
	* the conversion of files between XML and openStep.
	* the merging of files with other files of the same type from other OXPs.
* The license information (either as this file or merged into a larger one) must be included in the OXP.
* Even though it is not compulsory, if you are re-using any sizable or recognisable piece of this OXP, please let me know :)

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Instructions:

Move the file "oolite.oxp.Thargoid.TrafficControl.2.3.oxz" to the AddOns directory of your Oolite installation.

Remove any older versions of this OXP from the AddOns directory.

Then start the game up whilst holding down the shift key (until the spinning Cobra Mk II screen appears).

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Version history:

09/10/2008 - Version 1.00, Initial release.
04/11/2008 - Version 1.01, scripting update for v1.72+ compatibility.
24/05/2010 - Version 1.10, fortified equipment damage checking for 1.74
13/02/2011 - Version 1.11, removal of upper limit, to allow running with 1.75
08/07/2020 - Version 2.00, updated by Milo; set minimum Oolite version to 1.88; fixed errors if navigation buoy is destroyed; corrected planet approach guidance (follow green circle, not square, if ship has a basic compass); added additional hints for new players (until they buy docking computers); set up recurring reminders to "clear the lane" when not supposed to be there; integrated docking advice with docking clearance protocol for main stations that require clearance; added warning messages to fugitive players entering station aegis or requesting docking clearance; added responses to being detected using cloaking devices in the station aegis (this OXP now declares it illegal to cloak within main station aegis and introduces a small bounty for the first offence, which will be increased for non-fugitive players each time they are detected still cloaked after the initial offence; however, entering the aegis cloaked and never interacting with the station will not impose a penalty as the traffic controllers are unaware of the trespass); added a 1000 credit fine (or equivalent bounty) to the arrival report when docking at main stations while cloaked (even if fast-docking is used); added considerations for nova systems (traffic control will leave a recording when sun has gone nova) and for Buoy Repair, ILS and AutoDock OXPs
07/11/2021 - Version 2.01, updated by Milo; fix bug reported by dybal (docking clearance "granted" status was not correctly detected, resulting in unintended behavior, particularly noticeable when combined with ILS OXP)
07/16/2021 - Version 2.02, updated by Milo; reduced the frequency of some messages, changed one word to be more situationally neutral, and fixed a log warning involving percent symbols; updated license from CC 3.0 to CC 4.0
07/06/2025 - Version 2.3, updated by phkb; Moved all text into descriptions.plist for easier localisation. Ensured all timers are stopped when docking at a station.