The new /setmsg guide (because you asked for one)

[Papa Oomaumau]

...

Scene, a tradelane in any system.
Trader Joe.Blow slides sideways, braking as the lane power drops from under him.
Pirate Pegleg.Pete sits above him in the inky black.
Text screen reads as follows...

Pegleg.Pete: Hold it right there, Joe.Blow. Just you power down and we'll have us a chat. Hmmkay?
Pegleg.Pete: //This is a coutesy comm. Any text in blue is roleplay. Please respond by using /r or system chat accordingly.//
Pegleg.Pete: Now, y'see, Joe.Blow, I got hungry kids. Cargo, credits, its all the same to me. Best ya start coughin' some up, though.

---Lotta work for the pirate right?
Nah, he only hit a few keys. In fact, in order, all he hit was
/1 /t2 /3
Easier even than typing halt.
"How'd he do it Papa?", you ask.
Well, without further ado....

A guide to the /setmsg command
...and all it's wonders

THE BASICS
-This is a way to store up to ten text based macros for use in-game. It's built right into the game so its craaazy easy to use.

-There are two steps to this process.
1) Creating your text macro
2) using your text macro


STEP ONE -Creating a macro

-To create and store your macro you will need to open your text interface, in-game. Once there, I always suggest hitting the up-arrow key, so that you can work in console mode instead of open system chat, in case of embarassing typos. Usage of the console mode is NOT required.

you begin by typing /setmsg #. By # i mean 1 thru 0. That's all we're allowed. Then you input the text you'd like to have at your disposal.
Let me add that the modifier #t makes your text say your current target's name. If I had Pegleg.Pete targetted, and used #t in my macro, it would literally name him, as you will see.

For this exercise let's say we're flying a Liberty Navy ship, and need a message to stop traders. We would input into our text interface;
/setmsg 1 Vessel #t, you are being ordered to halt for a scan. Please comply. [ENTER]

Now this has stored "Vessel #t, you are being ordered to halt for a scan. Please comply." under the number 1 slot.
(the #t is a wildcard, or text modifier, that forces your message to replace #t with the name of your targetted ship)

HINT:You can check your current text macros at any time by typing /showmsgs. This will show you your macro log. All ten slots.

Now, a neat trick would be to add a message like Pete's second message that is directed as a PM (private message) that only your target can hear. Like this;
/setmsg 2 //you are being stopped by law enforcement. You will be fired upon if you refuse to comply. Please respond.//[ENTER]

Now this has saved "//you are being stopped by law enforcement. You will be fired upon if you refuse to comply. Please respond.//" into your number 2 slot.

For laffs lets add one for squadron use;
/setmsg 3 Commander Wiggly locked n' loaded. On your wing, five by five. Helm locked.[ENTER]

"Commander Wiggly locked n' loaded. On your wing, five by five. Helm locked." is now in your number 3 slot.

And so on.


STEP TWO - using your macros

Using your macros requires three easy steps.
1) the '/' Backslash key
2) a modifier to determine who hears your macros
3) the macro number (the slot number you saved the message to)

The effective use of your macros is at first confusing, but quite simple really.
As above, you'll begin by opening your text interface in-game. To whom (system, console, players) you speak doesnt matter as the use of the macros requires you to define your target audience anyway.

You will be using the '/' backslash key, then a broadcast modifier, such as 'g' for group or 's' for system chat. Using just the '/' key is local chat by default. Then you will use a number slot to finalize the macro. Hit Enter and viola!

-List of Modifiers-
/ or /s - System
/l - Local (only broadcasts to people on YOUR radar screen)
/t - Target (Your current target)
/g - Group
/r - Reply (to last tell)


So now usage looks like this;
/1[ENTER]
this will say, in system chat (default), "Vessel #t, you are being ordered to halt for a scan. Please comply." if you have a player targetted, the '#t' will change to his/her name.
Example: if you are targeting a ship named Smuggler's.Dream, and you enter /l1, it would say, in local chat; "Vessel Smuggler's.Dream, you are being ordered to halt for a scan. Please comply."

Using Modifiers
Now, if you wanted to then send your private message, target the other player and use the /target modifier. Input;
/t2[ENTER]
and this will say " //you are being stopped by law enforcement. You will be fired upon if you refuse to comply. Please respond.//" in a (green) private message to him/her. Allowing them two channels through which to communicate with you by simply using the '/r' or 'reply' command.

...and /g3[ENTER] would use our "Commander Wiggly locked n' loaded. On your wing, five by five. Helm locked." squadron macro in group (pink) text.


MAINTENANCE
One thing, your macro set is intrinsically tied to your character's name.
this means that if you change names, your macros will be gone. If you rename ANOTHER character with the original name, wham, he gets the macros. Theyre name-tied.

To change them simply input a new one or no text at all to clear it.
also as stated above, the ever-handy /showmsgs command will display your entire macro set for you.

There, phew!
I'm sure I've gotten some things wrong, and have missed some others - please let me know if that is so.


But;
Macros are mad-easy to create and use.
They can be made to be a million things...

Answers to halt demands;
"Eat wake pirate! I don't stop fer nuthin short of a fine pair o' legs. get bent!"

Warnings;
"Any closer an I'll extract ya through a small hole in yer hull. Like spaghetti."

Roleplay Sentences;
"Malta Control, got more sla...*cough* ...workers for ya. Requesting permission to land."

(Or, if you're Finn McCool...)
"Hic!"

the list goes on and on. And here's us with only 10 slots available to us.
Have fun with what ya got, and feel free to PM me anytime for pointers/tips/clarifications.

Thanks fer yer time, Hope I've been of some service.
-Papa

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[.Gypsy.]

Brilliant, thank you kindly sir!

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[William Frederick Cody]

So now usage looks like this;
/1[ENTER]
this will say, in local chat (default)

This is not correct.

/1 is system chat. For local chat, you have to type

/l1 or /local1.

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[Papa Oomaumau]

Thanks Cody - fixed.

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[Freeroamer]

Cool
+1

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[.Gypsy.]

Is #t the only modifier available?

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[aakopa]

Is #t the only modifier available?

There is also #c what gives your coordinates on map.

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[Jack_Henderson]

#c adds your position.

Good for : /setmsg 0 Under fire by #t at #c . Requesting help at #c .

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[Stefz]

I think, back in the days before it got disabled, you could also put #l and it would show your current coordinates in system.

I could be terribly mistaken though.

Edit: Oh well, double ninja and fail. Shame on me.

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[.Gypsy.]

Cool thanks, I assume it gives normal coords like say D7 rather then the string of numbers like the jump drive stuff when you do that?

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