New computer: Power flow control console

[Xhuis]

From the PR body:

Spoiler:

The power flow control console, or APC control for short, lets the user remotely access APCs. The console can access all APCs on the z-level with a few exceptions:

• High-security areas (classified as AI-monitored) cannot be accessed.
• If the APC's AI control wire is cut, it cannot be accessed.
• Broken APCs cannot be accessed.

When used, the console displays all connected APCs, along with their area, charge, and status. You can interface with any APC by clicking on its name; when you do this, you will be able to modify the APC like any silicon can.

When an APC is remotely accessed, its _interface unlocks to all users_ and it says an audible notice to anyone within hearing range. The interface is locked again when the remote access terminates. Interface lock cannot be changed from remote access.

To help make it more usable, the console's interface has different filters. You can sort by name, charge, and accessibility. The interface updates every tick until you leave.

This console is intended to let engineers control more finely where power flows and to some degree allow some wiggle room and strategy. If the power is out because xenos are around and people need to get through to the weapons the Armory has, you can shut down nonessential area APCs to let Security stay powered. This also has nefarious uses, of course. That is partially offset by the warning and interface unlock, and it will become abundantly clear if someone is tampering with every APC remotely.

Boards can be built in R&D with programming 4, engineering 4, and power storage 5. (I think I still need to do the recipe, though.) Additionally, every major station has been outfitted with a console somewhere in the engine room, usually replacing the redundant atmospheric alert console.

Some pictures:
The console's location on BoxStation
An unfiltered interface
Remotely accessing an APC

This is the first part of some Engineering changes I'm making to flesh out the role a little more and give them something to do besides fix breaches and build forts. All feedback is highly encouraged.

Comments? Thoughts? Ideas?

[cedarbridge]

From the PR body:

Spoiler:

The power flow control console, or APC control for short, lets the user remotely access APCs. The console can access all APCs on the z-level with a few exceptions:

• High-security areas (classified as AI-monitored) cannot be accessed.
• If the APC's AI control wire is cut, it cannot be accessed.
• Broken APCs cannot be accessed.

When used, the console displays all connected APCs, along with their area, charge, and status. You can interface with any APC by clicking on its name; when you do this, you will be able to modify the APC like any silicon can.

When an APC is remotely accessed, its _interface unlocks to all users_ and it says an audible notice to anyone within hearing range. The interface is locked again when the remote access terminates. Interface lock cannot be changed from remote access.

To help make it more usable, the console's interface has different filters. You can sort by name, charge, and accessibility. The interface updates every tick until you leave.

This console is intended to let engineers control more finely where power flows and to some degree allow some wiggle room and strategy. If the power is out because xenos are around and people need to get through to the weapons the Armory has, you can shut down nonessential area APCs to let Security stay powered. This also has nefarious uses, of course. That is partially offset by the warning and interface unlock, and it will become abundantly clear if someone is tampering with every APC remotely.

Boards can be built in R&D with programming 4, engineering 4, and power storage 5. (I think I still need to do the recipe, though.) Additionally, every major station has been outfitted with a console somewhere in the engine room, usually replacing the redundant atmospheric alert console.

Some pictures:
The console's location on BoxStation
An unfiltered interface
Remotely accessing an APC

This is the first part of some Engineering changes I'm making to flesh out the role a little more and give them something to do besides fix breaches and build forts. All feedback is highly encouraged.

Comments? Thoughts? Ideas?

Logging maybe? I'd kinda like to know if the clown got in and turned off the station. Likely should be gated behind an engineer/CE ID instead of just being free remote access to every APC on the station when the APCs are locked.

[Xhuis]

I'm aiming to have it require ID access, or at least need to be hacked somehow to access it entirely. I'll be adding logging and sounds in a later commit.

[IcePacks]

engineers have to maintain the power network first

[BeeSting12]

i've wanted this for a while

>RnD being autistic?
Kill their power.

[DemonFiren]

now add the same thing for atmos

or is that in already?

[Anonmare]

Have you found a workaround for AIs hacking APCs so there isn't am immediately obvious tell whenever it hacks a random APC in the middle of nowhereistan?

Perhaps AIs could do something like it does to the messaging console and bruteforce hack it when no one is looking at the console to make it say that unresponsive APCs are functioning normally? A similar effect could be done with an emag.

[Cobby]

i've wanted this for a while

>RnD being autistic?
Kill their power.

Next PR: Adds circuitboard for RND in case it gets destroyed

[Gun Hog]

How does this interact with emagged APCs? No change?
Can silicons use the console?
Does it preserve the locked/unlocked state of APCs unlocked via APC or hacking?
Do APCs respond to commands while the wires are exposed or the cover is open?

[cedarbridge]

How does this interact with emagged APCs? No change?
Can silicons use the console?
Does it preserve the locked/unlocked state of APCs unlocked via APC or hacking?
Do APCs respond to commands while the wires are exposed or the cover is open?

Emags disable AI control don't they? I think that's about where sillycone interactions stop.

[Luke Cox]

i've wanted this for a while

>RnD being autistic?
Kill their power.

10/10 fund this at once

[Screemonster]

I like this even more than I like Bay's substations and RCON console. fund it.

[Kel]

you must remove a console before this will get merged

[Xhuis]

you must remove a console before this will get merged

Technically, I replaced the atmos alert console in the engine rooms with this. So I did remove a console from the map.

[Cik]

this is a great idea and you are a great person

[Xhuis]

After some changes, here's a demo of what's in store right now.

Spoiler:

Some things to note:

• Anyone with an ID with Engineering access can use the console, but it spawns in the CE's office.
• The console logs any and all activity in it.
• Emags can be used to bypass the login requirement.
• Direct emagging disables complete logging and allows you to clear the logs.
• AIs cannot use the console.
• Emagged consoles can be restored through a button in the interface. Doing so will point out in the logs when they were restored.

[cedarbridge]

My only problem with this is it seems to give a tool to fix a problem that doesn't exist. Our engines produce so much power and station machinery uses so little power that there is almost never a non-antagonist reason to use the console. Power isn't a scarce resource that needs to 've strictly controlled because it it so binary.

[Xhuis]

This PR is actually a preface to some more engineering work I'm doing. Ideally it'll result in being able to shut off power to parts of the station and distribute it to more needed places. With the engine power would still be stable, but it wouldn't just be on/off either.

[XDTM]

cedarbridge, on full power it's pretty pointless unless you're using it to hamper a department. But when there's no power and maybe cloning needs to not auto-disable at 30% you no longer need an engineer to walk in there, wait for someone to open the door, wait for someone to open the cloning door, unlock the APC and press a button. Sure, the AI could do it, but sometimes there's no AI, or the AI doesn't listen.

[PKPenguin321]

After some changes, here's a demo of what's in store right now.

Spoiler:

snip

Some things to note:

• Anyone with an ID with Engineering access can use the console, but it spawns in the CE's office.
• The console logs any and all activity in it.
• Emags can be used to bypass the login requirement.
• Direct emagging disables complete logging and allows you to clear the logs.
• AIs cannot use the console.
• Emagged consoles can be restored through a button in the interface. Doing so will point out in the logs when they were restored.

Is deleting Poly the new meme