Feature: "Display" blocks to show temp, etc.
erogenousbeef-zz opened this issue · 3 comments
Visual meters or readouts to display reactor temperature in the world. Should be pretty simple to do either with icons controlled via TEs or via ISBRHs that are triggered occasionally via the client-side reactor controller.
Are you planning on providing means to connect these monitoring displays to the reactor other than just putting them straight onto the reactor itself? I am asking because such monitors are the perfect fit for control rooms but I don't think tech mods do really need yet >another< sort of cables that serve one niché application. May I suggest that instead of making values readable from a distance, you might just use ComputerCraft compatibility to enable users to set up systems for monitoring reactors from a distance?
OR
Because RedNet is so awesome and adds so much to the mod, would you consider implementing your own instance of RedNet plus adding a second cable for data while you're at it? Or is it possible to allow the effective transmission of data through RedNet cables, not through redstone impulses but to actually enable two blocks to exchange data if they're connected via the same color channel? As far as I know, it should at least be possible to implement a RedNet that is compatible with implementations of RedNet from other mods. The greatest benefit obviously is that Big Reactors would not depend on MFR any longer in order to fully make its features usable. Big Reactors obviously isn't designed to function all on its own, but I think it would benefit the mod for several reasons if players weren't dependent on any specific mod.
Computercraft integration should be pretty easy. I just looked up the API and I'll try to wedge it in as soon as possible.
What I was planning to do was have the monitors be part of the reactor housing, just like the other "utility" blocks (rednet ports, access ports, etc.). However, you bring up an excellent point and I think a RedNet-addressable version of said block that can be placed remotely from the reactor is a good idea. I'll add it to my list of Stuff To Do.
I'd really rather not reimplement my own communication network. However, perhaps I can chat with Skyboy and ask him to split RedNet into a separate mod from MFR. That would make it easier for folks who want RedNet, but don't want all the other stuff that comes from MFR.