How to Contribute¶

Active

Community

Overview¶

The Elite Dangerous community thrives on contributions from commanders across the galaxy. Whether you're sharing data, creating tools, writing guides, or helping other players, your participation helps build and maintain the rich ecosystem of resources that make Elite Dangerous more enjoyable for everyone.

Data Contribution¶

Market Data Collection¶

Help keep market databases current with real-time trading information.

Elite Dangerous Market Connector (EDMC)¶

The primary tool for automatic market data submission.

Setup Process: 1. Download EDMC: Install the official market connector 2. Configure Plugins: Enable EDDN data submission 3. Automatic Updates: Market data uploads automatically when docking 4. Privacy Settings: Control what data you share

Data Types Submitted: - Market Prices: Buy/sell prices and stock levels - Station Services: Available facilities and outfitting - Ship Sales: Shipyard inventory and pricing - Module Data: Outfitting availability and costs

Manual Data Submission¶

For situations where automated tools aren't available.

Database Websites: - EDDB.io: Direct market data entry forms - Inara.cz: Comprehensive data submission tools - EDSM.net: System and exploration data entry

Contribute to the galaxy's collective knowledge through exploration data.

System Discovery Data¶

First Discoveries: Document new system discoveries
Planetary Surveys: Detailed celestial body information
POI Locations: Points of interest and notable features
Route Information: Navigation and travel data

ED Discovery Integration¶

Automated exploration data sharing through ED Discovery.

Features: - Journal File Monitoring: Automatic game data parsing - Real-time Uploads: Immediate data submission to EDSM - Historical Data: Upload past exploration records - Privacy Controls: Selective data sharing options

Tool Development¶

Community Applications¶

Create tools that enhance the Elite Dangerous experience.

Popular Development Areas¶

Trading Tools: Route optimization and market analysis
Exploration Utilities: Route planning and discovery tracking
Combat Aids: Ship building and loadout optimization
Community Coordination: Squadron and event management

Development Resources¶

API Documentation: Access community databases
Code Repositories: Open source project contributions
Developer Communities: Technical discussion and support
Testing Groups: User feedback and quality assurance

Data APIs & Integration¶

Access and contribute to community data ecosystems.

Available APIs¶

EDDN: Real-time data network integration
EDDB API: Trading and station database access
EDSM API: Exploration and system data
Inara API: Community features and profiles

Integration Examples¶

# Example EDDB API usage
import requests

def get_system_data(system_name):
    url = f"https://eddb.io/api/v1/systems"
    params = {"name": system_name}
    response = requests.get(url, params=params)
    return response.json()

Content Creation¶

Educational Content¶

Share your knowledge through guides, tutorials, and documentation.

Guide Writing¶

Beginner Tutorials: New player onboarding content
Advanced Strategies: Expert-level technique documentation
Tool Instructions: Software usage and setup guides
Game Mechanics: Deep analysis of game systems

Video Content¶

YouTube Tutorials: Visual learning content
Streaming: Live gameplay and education
Screenshot Galleries: Visual documentation
Time-lapse Expeditions: Long-form exploration content

Community Documentation¶

Contribute to wikis, databases, and reference materials.

Wiki Contributions¶

Elite Dangerous Wiki: Comprehensive game documentation
Specialized Wikis: Focus area documentation
Translation Projects: Multi-language content development
Template Creation: Standardized content formats

Community Support¶

New Player Assistance¶

Help newcomers learn and enjoy Elite Dangerous.

Mentorship Programs¶

One-on-One Guidance: Personal instruction and support
Group Training: Organized learning sessions
Question Answering: Forum and Discord assistance
Resource Sharing: Tool and guide recommendations

Support Channels¶

Discord Help Channels: Real-time assistance
Forum Support Sections: Detailed problem solving
Reddit Communities: Community-driven help
In-Game Assistance: Direct player support

Community Services¶

Participate in community service organizations.

The Fuel Rats¶

Emergency fuel rescue service for stranded commanders.

Roles: - Active Rats: Emergency response pilots - Dispatchers: Rescue coordination staff - Technical Support: Systems and procedure maintenance - Training Staff: New member education

Hull Seals¶

Ship repair and rescue services for damaged vessels.

Participation: - Repair Technicians: Emergency repair specialists - Logistics Coordinators: Resource and planning support - Case Managers: Complex situation specialists - Community Outreach: Service awareness and education

Technical Contributions¶

Open Source Projects¶

Contribute to community-developed software and tools.

Popular Projects¶

EDDiscovery: Comprehensive game companion
EDMC: Market connector and plugin ecosystem
EDSM Tools: Exploration and mapping utilities
Trading Applications: Route optimization and analysis

Contribution Types¶

Code Development: Feature implementation and bug fixes
Documentation: User guides and technical documentation
Testing: Quality assurance and bug reporting
Translation: Multi-language support development

Plugin Development¶

Extend existing tools with custom functionality.

EDMC Plugins¶

Create custom plugins for the Elite Dangerous Market Connector.

Example Plugin Structure:

import tkinter as tk
from config import config

class MyPlugin:
    def __init__(self):
        self.frame = None

    def plugin_start(self, parent):
        # Plugin initialization
        return "MyPlugin"

    def plugin_app(self, parent):
        # UI creation
        self.frame = tk.Frame(parent)
        return self.frame

Event Organization¶

Community Events¶

Organize and coordinate community activities and expeditions.

Event Types¶

Exploration Expeditions: Large group discovery missions
Racing Events: Competitive gameplay competitions
Construction Projects: Community building activities
Memorial Services: Community remembrance events

Organization Skills¶

Event Planning: Timeline and logistics coordination
Community Outreach: Participant recruitment and communication
Resource Management: Tool and infrastructure provision
Documentation: Event recording and archival

Squadron Activities¶

Lead and coordinate player group activities.

Squadron Leadership¶

Member Recruitment: Community building and growth
Activity Coordination: Regular group events and missions
Goal Setting: Collective objectives and achievements
Conflict Resolution: Internal dispute management

Recognition & Rewards¶

Community Recognition¶

Outstanding contributions are often recognized by the community and developers.

Recognition Forms¶

Developer Mentions: Official acknowledgment from Frontier
Community Awards: Peer recognition for contributions
Feature Highlights: Tool and content showcasing
Historical Records: Permanent contribution documentation

Personal Benefits¶

Contributing to the community provides personal rewards and growth.

Skill Development¶

Technical Skills: Programming and data analysis
Communication: Writing and presentation abilities
Leadership: Organization and coordination experience
Networking: Professional and personal connections

Getting Started¶

Choose Your Path¶

Select contribution areas that match your interests and skills.

Assessment Questions¶

What aspects of Elite Dangerous do you enjoy most?
What technical skills do you have or want to develop?
How much time can you dedicate to community activities?
Do you prefer individual work or group collaboration?

Starting Small¶

Data Submission: Begin with automated data sharing
Community Participation: Join discussions and help others
Skill Building: Learn tools and techniques gradually
Project Contribution: Start with small improvements to existing projects

Community Onboarding¶

Connect with existing community members and projects.

Finding Opportunities¶

Discord Servers: Join relevant community channels
GitHub Projects: Explore open source repositories
Forum Threads: Participate in development discussions
Direct Contact: Reach out to project maintainers

Start Simple

Begin with small contributions like data submission or forum participation before taking on larger projects.

Community Support

The Elite Dangerous community is welcoming to new contributors. Don't hesitate to ask for guidance.

Commitment

Consider your available time carefully when taking on community responsibilities or leadership roles.