Log message for exploring a system?
 

Would this feature be useful? I imagine something like "Our scouts have explored the Xiria system" or "We have received maps of the Wertreket system from the Dominae Empire". Sometimes I forget that my scouts have explored a system and so I don't go and check for habitable and artifacts planets. (Perhaps the Messages should say "Our scouts have explored the Xiria system. It is not claimed by any empire. The system has 10 planets, 3 of which are colonizable/breathable, and 1 of which has ancient artifacts.")

Re: Log message for exploring a system?
 

This begs the question: How useful is the Explore command? I've never used it. Probably for the reason given by the poll questioner.

Re: Log message for exploring a system?
 

All the Explore command does is order the ship to warp through the nearest unexplored warp point.

This can occaisionally give you a nasty surprise if you didn't notice one of those nearly invisible damaging warp points. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/blush.gif

Re: Log message for exploring a system?
 

I use it occasionally. It's usefgul when you can clearly see what the nearest unexplored warp point is (ie it's in the same system) but you can't be arsed to press "w" and then click the WP. Much easier to just hit "e" and let the computer figure it out.

It's like using the "r" or "s" key to send your ships back to your homeworld even though they don't need repair/ resupply.

Re: Log message for exploring a system?
 

One of the problems with the Explore command is that it doesn't take into account the "Stay out of this system" feature when plotting a route. As such, you will occasionally find it sending ships through a black hole system to get to the unexplored warp points there.