Scanner Peripheral.
This could be expanded to have other functions as well but for this ideas purposes it needs to:
• be able to scan vanilla maps and keep data regarding the scale.
• create map files that can be linked together to provide scaling and scrolling capability. For instance if I create several maps of an area and an additional one at the large scale of the same area covered in the set of maps.
Map Display API
Needs to be able to:
• handle the map files the scanner or turtle creates and display them on advanced monitors.
• handle the map relations from the last section. Should be created/edited here as well.
• overlaying data or graphics on the map to create GUIs or displays.
• make the map handling editing via the GUI easy.
• have a way to make way points on the map. If this could use the waypoints created by Rei's Minimap that would be great.
Satellite/Cartographer Turtle(can't decide on the name, maybe map turtle since its short and sweet)
• Needs to be able to make maps at varying sizes or scales. I'm guessing we need to know how many blocks are covered within each map size.
• Make identifying resources and points of interest easier. (e.g. finding oil wells, villages, temples, volcanos, etc...)
• Creates waypoints for things its told to search for.
Here are a few things I imagine this could be used for:
• Making a navigation computer. Create an map displayed on an advanced monitor and select your destination for transportation via other mods.
• Making a computer to monitor a train system
• Controlling a turtle mining system visually. Draw a box overlay on a map to designate an area for a turtle to mine.
• Use it for planing large scale project and to monitor the progress. First send out map turtles to plan and plot. Then draw on areas you want other turtles to goto in order to build and/or mine.
• Security/alert system that displays what areas have been compromised.
• Combine the map functionality with a mod like OpenCCSensors that can overlay data to actively surveil areas.
• Possibilities are vast.
These are just a few ideas that I think would be great. I however don't possess the skill to create something like this but nonetheless I'd love to see it and would assist/advise anyone who'd like to create this.