Feature Request: Change system icon to reflect contents of system

[Zitchas]

Problem:
On the galaxy map, all systems are represented by an identical pale green dot, which conveys no useful information. Further more, it is impossible to tell from the galaxy map which systems belong to which government, which ones are inhabited, or even which ones have anything at all within the system.

Solution:

• change the system icon to represent something about the system so that the icon actually conveys something useful to the user.

Option 1:

• Emulate the map viewer from the game (the "mission" option) itself using a dummy set of reputations equivalent to a brand new starting character.
• As such, the galaxy view would show the galaxy as it exists at the start of the game with things colour coded accordingly. (this reveals where is uninhabited, restricted, hostile, and neutral)

Option 2:

• Change the system icon into a ring, and colour code it according to the government assigned to that system.
• Inside the ring, place a dot if there is someplace the player can land. (these could be colour coded according to the same government colours as well, perhaps with a split colour if there's more than one government in the system. Half blue half green, etc.)
• This would make it easy to see what government controls the system, and whether or not there are permanent places of interest within said system.

Of these two options, option 2 is my preference; but either one would be a significant improvement over the current.

[tehhowch]

From what I recall, you can change the coloring of the system dots to represent their government or the selected commodity's prices. The hyperlinks will then highlight differences between systems in red.

[Zitchas]

OK, that could be useful.

Where abouts would I be able to find that? I can't see any options, preferences, or settings anywhere. (Currently using the latest download from MCO's nightly build)

[tehhowch]

Focus on the "Government" box, and then when you select a system, the map will update. Similarly, select a commodity and the map will color by price.