DanSteph wrote:
Now the neat idea: (you'll tell me if you find it cool)
To activate this sat you must grapple it with a Ummu and type a set of commands
wich will activate the systems. You must NOT set focus to satellite but keep the focus
on Ummu... this one will send command to the satellite.
Example:
You grapple the satellite with Ummu you type then:
F12 345 F11 -> power up
F12 456 F11 -> deploy solar panel (you see them deploying)
F12 875 F11 -> uncover telescope
Etc etc...
At the end you'll receive a text message "power up completed, satelitte fully operational"
This can add some fun as you need to go out with the mmu and follow
a check list to power up the sat.... noob that don't read doc will never
get it running, after 10mn I can post a message "You messed a 60 mo$ Satellite" 
What y a think ? worth programming ?
(principe work, just need some more work)
Dan
I must say I'm stunned by all your small and nifty additions you make in such short time, and when I thought DGIV
was done, you make a cargobay?!!!?

To the topic..
Personally, I find this idea marvelous. Although my "vision" is probably outside your scope I think it's still good
enough to be discussed. ^^
Your idea is good and will give an exciting feeling, since the operation is done trough mmu.
Why?
I have always loved mmu and think that broadening the abilities the mmu offers with turbopack and etc. was an
incredible idea. Just from trying the beta I changed my opinion from seeing the turbopack as a "fun toy" to an actual
vehicle for the otherwise slow mmu. It felt like it wasn't just a scenic ability to go eva anymore, you could do things.
And I have fantasized about the Symphony station and and universal mmu, giving this ability to travel further use.
Space in MMU.
It's a bit frightening, it's black, it's silent except from our breathing. The DGIV stands like a tincan, and worthless
without the captain, if he is the person EVA:ing.
Even if DGIV is set in the future, space is still something not taken lightly(I think, Dan opinion is the law in this I
guess;P), and it is dangerous.
The interface the mmu offer a feeling of fragility in space, and the comparably big components it proposably could
operate on and enter, gives us the perspective of a man in space, drifting close to his safe vehicle. The mmu has
given us the closest thing in my opinion to feel like spacewalking astronauts! =)
To not be able to just jump into the satelite (change focus to) immediatly, further makes the the astronauts more
alive, since only they and not some omnipresent player can operate! =))
Conclusion of background thoughts. Since the fun part of the mmu, is that it tells us that it's not the hardware, but
the ("softestware";P) human inside that makes things happen. So it feels like the player is the astronaut, not the
vehicle. This is the best part of DGIV in my opinion.

And then you came with this idea, you surely are creative.

My idea regarding your suggestion:
1.The lifeless satelite is moved into position, and the astronaut enters the correct codes using the interface Dan is
envisioning, moving fast above the celestial body which we are "preferably" orbiting (the way down is otherwise fast
and ouchy). When the power has been started on the satelite, and proposedly an antenna and other vital systems,
the astronaut drifts back into the Deltaglider.
So far so good.
2. Using the antenna, the pilot of DGIV can now operate on the software and some of the systems not requiring
hands on operation, like attitude control (telescope) and small nifty things.
---
This is perhaps not something you want to spend time on, since you have more important things to do. That is why
the third suggestion comes in. (my vision).
3. Many things was custimisable in DgIII, and more so in DGIV. The visionary concept I have is to make a standard for
objects operatable by UMMU and DGIV. So resource effeciently, this fun branch could be devoloped by others.
Something similar to Ummu?
Suggestion:
It would include nothing more but a small and easy console interface which is only for either mmu operation, and/or
antenna manipulation, for the object in question.
Any further system would be have to be made by another devoloper.
If the satelite is monitoring any info, or communication, it could be accessible and shown in text on the mmu display if
there are any kind of monitoring device on the object (adjustable), otherwise on the DGIV if there is an antenna
(adjustable). This is mostly for adding to the experience, and makes the ability to make missions more colorful.
--
This will be perfect for cargo the DGIV could launch. Satelites, etc. Only the imagination of the devoloper is the limit of
the cargo design, and by making the cargo operatable by your addon, it deepens your power and your future world
domin.. Hrm..

Standards has been benificial before in orbiter, making the efforts of more than one bigger.
Two further branches of this idea is:
1. Damage repairs. This system module could be applied to the DGIV as well. Making the operate on DGIV show the
same console, but some options regarding the damage. This is a biggy, and I discuss this since I thought a little
different. What if you could perhaps fix the broken gear or other think like antenna or radiators by removing them
and seal the halfopen doors for the component. So at least you can reenter a little bit better and do a belly landing
and still survive at least?
Then there is the even more sophisticated damage idea: What if reentry or launch at certain times, like high stress on
wings or high temperatures, but still lower than maximum makes small damage? A variable for wear on the body that
could only found when analysed by a astronaut checking the hull. So, bad reentry on earth made wing wear go from
0 to 0.5. Now the temperature tolerance has been lowered by X centigrades. I guess it's one of those things that if
ever, would have to wait until summer or later. Problem as I see it is: since the wear increases and becomes more
and more risky, there has to be some solution. On a base like symphony, it could be repaired, for example, using the
interface of symphony base on a landed DGIV. These could be none standard, since it adds to difficultly.
2. Radio system. Perhaps the smallest idea. It is applied only to vessels with radio parameters and DGIV.
What if you could control other vessels trough DGIV? A big lumbering mothership, ISS, a fast moving probe?
A small DLL, which gives the developer of an addon the ability to functions of the ship usable by a remot DGIV.
I understand that you have thought much much more about your addons than I have, have limited time and perhaps
you know that this is not a fun thing really. You have to this point shown good feeling for what people like versus
time programing.
Many come and write about things that sound fun, but you realise are not fun or more importantly, those things
weren't what YOU wanted.

And that is what matters, the same with Martin and orbiter.
And suggestions alone are perhaps tiring?.. (Especially these big and stupid dreamy ones like mine..)
*ducks and covers*

*I'm sorry for any grammatical or spelling errors*