How to Research and Contribute Black Hole Data
Background: Logging black hole data is EASY (and fun!) - this guide details the methods available to research and contribute black hole (and associated) data to the Black Hole Suns project. The two (2) methods that can be used to contribute black hole data are as follows:
Method | Applicable Gaming Platform | Contribution method |
Single (1 BH at a time) | PC/PS4/XBox | Directly on web page |
Bulk (multiple BH entries) | PC/PS4/XBox | Upload exported .CSV formatted file |
Helpful Tips Before You Start:
GETTING STARTED
STEP 1: Upon navigating to the main page for the Black Hole Suns data site, you will be asked to log in. We DO NOT make use of your email data. The reason we ask you to log in is for troubleshooting purposes and also to make it easier to enter repeatable data as you will see in the next step. Click on “Login” to log into the site using the 3rd party account that you prefer (example, Google, github, etc.)
STEP 2: After logging in, you will see 4 panes on the page:
Pane 1: For input of Black Hole data (including file upload option) - this is where you can type black hole data that you have recorded (or upload a .CSV file that contains data on multiple black holes) | Pane 2: Map - This is a galaxy map that shows all of the black holes you have contributed |
Pane 3: Latest Changes - this is a list of data that you have recently added to the database | Pane 4: Totals - this lists the total number of black holes submitted including some info regarding galaxies, gaming platform, users, and any organizations that have contributed data. |
STEP 3: Enter your primary user/traveler details:
Following is a description of the “saved” fields for the Input Pane (1):
ONCE YOU ENTER DATA IN THE FOLLOWING FOUR (4) FIELDS, THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FILLED WHEN YOU LOG IN THE NEXT TIME |
Method 1 (SINGLE): Enter Data directly in the online web application
Enter the data for the black hole entry system. Only THREE (3) fields are required, the rest are OPTIONAL::
REQUIRED | OPTIONAL |
Coordinates - You are located in the system where there is a black hole. You get the Coordinates by landing on a planet and using a Signal Booster. It will give you a string of info such as HUKYA:046A:0081:0D6D:0079. Ignore the first set of letters, they're not useful for mapping, you want the 16 characters after that - 046A:0081:0D6D:0079 - That's what you want to enter in this field.(Pro-Tip: remember you can pick the portable Signal Booster back up and reuse it). | Lifeform - The lifeform that inhabits the system (Gek, Korvax, Vy’Keen) |
System Name - A star system's name can be found in your Discovery menu, and also on the Galaxy Map. (PLEASE NOTE - Black Hole Suns STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU NOT RENAME THE SYSTEM WHERE A BLACK HOLE EXISTS. This is in order to support consistency across gaming platforms. However, we do understand that civilizations, corporations, and related organizations will rename systems that are part of their headquarters and branch networks.) | Economy - The economy level for the system (there are 3 main levels with several descriptive names for each) |
Region Name - The Region Name can be found on the Galaxy Map menu. Each Region has one black hole located in the 0079 coordinate system. | Has Base - Check this box if you would like to record that you have a base in this system, or you have visited someone else’s base in this system, or if you visited a space station that you like. This option is useful in the event that your teleporter list gets full and locations start to fall off. |
Single System - Check this box if you want to enter data about a particular system (and *not* a black hole entry/exit pair). Single System info is useful if you're tracking locations that have S-Class ships/weapons or any other items you'd like to return to. | |
Dead Zone - You go through a black hole, and it doesn’t take you anywhere. Most likely, you are in the “Dead Zone”. This is an area of the Galaxy where black holes don’t operate as expected. You normally encounter these as you approach the very center of the Galaxy. |
NOTE: If you enter coordinates for a black hole pair that already exists, the data for that entry will automatically appear in the fields, including the Portal coordinates as well as the Researcher Name (the person who logged the data) |
After you input the data for the system that has the black hole, complete the same steps for the exit system:
Click “Save” to save your changes to the database. (You can also use the “Delete” button to remove entries that you have created previously).
Method 2 (BULK): Multiple Black Hole Entries Using a Spreadsheet
3. Browse your system for the .CSV file with your bulk data, and click Submit. [NOTE: Before
clicking Submit, you can check your data before you upload it. You can check for errors by clicking on the “Check” button. You can compare your entries to existing data (example, checking for duplicates) by clicking on the “Compare” button. The “Verbose” and “Very Verbose” check-boxes give you two levels of logging for troubleshooting purposes if necessary.
If you do not already have your own copy of the Bulk Entry Sheet template, click on the Bulk Entry Sheet Download link, and you will be taken to the bulk entry sheet itself:
Once you have the bulk spreadsheet in your Google Drive, you can use it repeatedly to submit black hole data. Follow the instructions on the “How To Use” tab to export your data into .CSV format and upload it to the database. |