nuclear_reactor: Add error messages on start failure (#574)

Fixes #536.

README.md

@@ -1,26 +1,54 @@
-Technic
+# Technic
-=======
 
 [![Build status](https://github.com/minetest-mods/technic/workflows/Check%20&%20Release/badge.svg)](https://github.com/minetest-mods/technic/actions)
 [![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-LGPLv2.0%2B-purple.svg)](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/lgpl-2.0.en.html)
 
-Credits for contributing to the project (in alphabetical order):
+This Minetest modpack adds machinery and automation procedure content to your
+world. A few notable features:
+
+  * Electric circuits
+  * Automated material processing (ores, wood, ...)
+  * Extended chest functionalities
+
+## Dependencies
+
+  * Minetest 5.0.0 or newer
+  * [Minetest Game](https://github.com/minetest/minetest_game/)
+  * [mesecons](https://github.com/minetest-mods/mesecons) -> signalling events
+  * [pipeworks](https://gitlab.com/VanessaE/pipeworks/) -> automation of item transport
+  * [moreores](https://github.com/minetest-mods/moreores/) -> additional ores
+  * [basic_materials](https://gitlab.com/VanessaE/basic_materials) -> basic craft items
+  * Supports [moretrees](https://gitlab.com/VanessaE/moretrees) -> rubber trees
+  * Consult `depends.txt` or `mod.conf` of each mod for further dependency information.
+
+
+## FAQ
+
+The modpack is explained in the [Manual](manual.md) included in this repository.
+
+1. My technic circuit doesn't work. No power is distributed.
+    * Make sure you have a switching station connected.
+2. My wires do not connect to the machines.
+    * Each machine type requires its own cable type. If you do not have a
+      matching circuit, consider using a "Supply Converter" for simplicity.
+
+The API documentation can be found here: [Technic API](technic/doc/api.md)
+
+
+## License
+
+Unless otherwise stated, all components of this modpack are licensed under the
+LGPLv2 or later. See also the individual mod folders for their
+secondary/alternate licenses, if any.
+
+
+### Credits
+
+Contributors in alphabetical order:
+
   * kpoppel
   * Nekogloop
   * Nore/Ekdohibs
   * ShadowNinja
   * VanessaE
   * And many others...
-
-FAQ
----
-
-1. My technic circuit doesn't work.  No power is distrubuted.
-  * A: Make sure you have a switching station connected.
-
-License
--------
-
-Unless otherwise stated, all components of this modpack are licensed under the
-LGPL, V2 or later.  See also the individual mod folders for their
-secondary/alternate licenses, if any.

manual.md

@@ -1,22 +1,10 @@
-Minetest technic modpack user manual
+# Technic User Manual
-====================================
 
-The technic modpack extends the Minetest game with many new elements,
+The technic modpack extends Minetest Game (shipped with Minetest by default)
-mainly constructable machines and tools.  It is a large modpack, and
+with many new elements, mainly constructable machines and tools. This manual
-tends to dominate gameplay when it is used.  This manual describes how
+describes how to use the modpack, mainly from a player's perspective.
-to use the technic modpack, mainly from a player's perspective.
 
-The technic modpack depends on some other modpacks:
+Documentation of the mod dependencies can be found here:
-
-*   the basic Minetest game
-*   mesecons, which supports the construction of logic systems based on
-    signalling elements
-*   pipeworks, which supports the automation of item transport
-*   moreores, which provides some additional ore types
-*   basic_materials, which provides some basic craft items
-
-This manual doesn't explain how to use these other modpacks, which have
-their own manuals:
 
 *   [Minetest Game Documentation](https://wiki.minetest.net/Main_Page)
 *   [Mesecons Documentation](http://mesecons.net/items.html)
@@ -24,226 +12,175 @@ their own manuals:
 *   [Moreores Forum Post](https://forum.minetest.net/viewtopic.php?t=549)
 *   [Basic materials Repository](https://gitlab.com/VanessaE/basic_materials)
 
-Recipes for constructable items in technic are generally not guessable,
+## Recipes
-and are also not specifically documented here.  You should use a
-craft guide mod to look up the recipes in-game.  For the best possible
-guidance, use the unified\_inventory mod, with which technic registers
-its specialised recipe types.
 
-substances
+Recipes for items registered by technic are not specifically documented here.
-----------
+Please consult a craft guide mod to look up the recipes in-game.
 
-### ore ###
+**Recommended mod:** [Unified Inventory](https://github.com/minetest-mods/unified_inventory)
 
-The technic mod makes extensive use of not just the default ores but also
+## Substances
-some that are added by mods.  You will need to mine for all the ore types
-in the course of the game.  Each ore type is found at a specific range of
-elevations, and while the ranges mostly overlap, some have non-overlapping
-ranges, so you will ultimately need to mine at more than one elevation
-to find all the ores.  Also, because one of the best elevations to mine
-at is very deep, you will be unable to mine there early in the game.
 
-Elevation is measured in meters, relative to a reference plane that
+### Ores
-is not quite sea level.  (The standard sea level is at an elevation
-of about +1.4.)  Positive elevations are above the reference plane and
-negative elevations below.  Because elevations are always described this
-way round, greater numbers when higher, we avoid the word "depth".
 
-The ores that matter in technic are coal, iron, copper, tin, zinc,
+Technic registers a few ores which are needed to craft machines or items.
-chromium, uranium, silver, gold, mithril, mese, and diamond.
+Each ore type is found at a specific range of elevations so you will
+ultimately need to mine at more than one elevation to find all the ores.
 
-Coal is part of the basic Minetest game.  It is found from elevation
+Elevation (Y axis) is measured in meters. The reference is usually at sea
-+64 downwards, so is available right on the surface at the start of
+level. Ores can generally be found more commonly by going downwards to -1000m.
-the game, but it is far less abundant above elevation 0 than below.
-It is initially used as a fuel, driving important machines in the early
-part of the game.  It becomes less important as a fuel once most of your
-machines are electrically powered, but burning fuel remains a way to
-generate electrical power.  Coal is also used, usually in dust form, as
-an ingredient in alloying recipes, wherever elemental carbon is required.
 
-Iron is part of the basic Minetest game.  It is found from elevation
+Note ¹: *These ores are provided by Minetest Game. See [Ores](https://wiki.minetest.net/Ores#Ores_overview) for a rough overview*
-+2 downwards, and its abundance increases in stages as one descends,
-reaching its maximum from elevation -64 downwards.  It is a common metal,
-used frequently as a structural component.  In technic, unlike the basic
-game, iron is used in multiple forms, mainly alloys based on iron and
-including carbon (coal).
 
-Copper is part of the basic Minetest game (having migrated there from
+Note ²: *These ores are provided by moreores. TODO: Add reference link*
-moreores).  It is found from elevation -16 downwards, but is more abundant
+
-from elevation -64 downwards.  It is a common metal, used either on its
+#### Coal ¹
-own for its electrical conductivity, or as the base component of alloys.
+Use: Fuel, alloy as carbon
+
+Burning coal is a way to generate electrical power. Coal is also used,
+usually in dust form, as an ingredient in alloying recipes, wherever
+elemental carbon is required.
+
+#### Iron ¹
+Use: multiple, mainly for alloys with carbon (coal).
+
+#### Copper ¹
+Copper is a common metal, used either on its own for its electrical
+conductivity, or as the base component of alloys.
 Although common, it is very heavily used, and most of the time it will
 be the material that most limits your activity.
 
-Tin is part of the basic Minetest game (having migrated there from
+#### Tin ¹
-moreores).  It is found from elevation +8 downwards, with no
+Use: batteries, bronze
-elevation-dependent variations in abundance beyond that point.
-It is a common metal.  Its main use in pure form is as a component
-of electrical batteries.  Apart from that its main purpose is
-as the secondary ingredient in bronze (the base being copper), but bronze
-is itself little used.  Its abundance is well in excess of its usage,
-so you will usually have a surplus of it.
 
-Zinc is supplied by technic.  It is found from elevation +2 downwards,
+Tin is a common metal but is used rarely. Its abundance is well in excess
-with no elevation-dependent variations in abundance beyond that point.
+of its usage, so you will usually have a surplus of it.
-It is a common metal.  Its main use is as the secondary ingredient
-in brass (the base being copper), but brass is itself little used.
-Its abundance is well in excess of its usage, so you will usually have
-a surplus of it.
 
-Chromium is supplied by technic.  It is found from elevation -100
+#### Zinc
-downwards, with no elevation-dependent variations in abundance beyond
+Use: brass
-that point.  It is a moderately common metal.  Its main use is as the
-secondary ingredient in stainless steel (the base being iron).
 
-Uranium is supplied by technic.  It is found only from elevation -80 down
+Depth: 2m, more commonly below -32m
-to -300; using it therefore requires one to mine above elevation -300 even
-though deeper mining is otherwise more productive.  It is a moderately
-common metal, useful only for reasons related to radioactivity: it forms
-the fuel for nuclear reactors, and is also one of the best radiation
-shielding materials available.  It is not difficult to find enough uranium
-ore to satisfy these uses.  Beware that the ore is slightly radioactive:
-it will slightly harm you if you stand as close as possible to it.
-It is safe when more than a meter away or when mined.
 
-Silver is supplied by the moreores mod.  It is found from elevation -2
+Zinc only has a few uses but is a common metal.
-downwards, with no elevation-dependent variations in abundance beyond
-that point.  It is a semi-precious metal.  It is little used, being most
-notably used in electrical items due to its conductivity, being the best
-conductor of all the pure elements.
 
-Gold is part of the basic Minetest game (having migrated there from
+#### Chromium
-moreores).  It is found from elevation -64 downwards, but is more
+Use: stainless steel
-abundant from elevation -256 downwards.  It is a precious metal.  It is
-little used, being most notably used in electrical items due to its
-combination of good conductivity (third best of all the pure elements)
-and corrosion resistance.
 
-Mithril is supplied by the moreores mod.  It is found from elevation
+Depth: -100m, more commonly below -200m
--512 downwards, the deepest ceiling of any minable substance, with
+
-no elevation-dependent variations in abundance beyond that point.
+#### Uranium
-It is a rare precious metal, and unlike all the other metals described
+Use: nuclear reactor fuel
-here it is entirely fictional, being derived from J. R. R. Tolkien's
+
+Depth: -80m until -300m, more commonly between -100m and -200m
+
+It is a moderately common metal, useful only for reasons related to radioactivity:
+it forms the fuel for nuclear reactors, and is also one of the best radiation
+shielding materials available.
+
+Keep a safety distance of a meter to avoid being harmed by radiation.
+
+#### Silver ²
+Use: conductors
+
+Depth: -2m, evenly common
+
+Silver is a semi-precious metal and is the best conductor of all the pure elements.
+
+#### Gold ¹
+Use: various
+
+Depth: -64m, more commonly below -256m
+
+Gold is a precious metal. It is most notably used in electrical items due to
+its combination of good conductivity and corrosion resistance.
+
+#### Mithril ²
+Use: chests
+
+Depth: -512m, evenly common
+
+Mithril is a fictional ore, being derived from J. R. R. Tolkien's
 Middle-Earth setting.  It is little used.
 
-Mese is part of the basic Minetest game.  It is found from elevation
+#### Mese ¹
--64 downwards.  The ore is more abundant from elevation -256 downwards,
+Use: various
-and from elevation -1024 downwards there are also occasional blocks of
-solid mese (each yielding as much mese as nine blocks of ore).  It is a
-precious gemstone, and unlike diamond it is entirely fictional.  It is
-used in many recipes, though mainly not in large quantities, wherever
-some magical quality needs to be imparted.
 
-Diamond is part of the basic Minetest game (having migrated there from
+Mese is a precious gemstone, and unlike diamond it is entirely fictional.
-technic).  It is found from elevation -128 downwards, but is more abundant
+It is used in small quantities, wherever some magic needs to be imparted.
-from elevation -256 downwards.  It is a precious gemstone.  It is used
-moderately, mainly for reasons connected to its extreme hardness.
 
-### rock ###
+#### Diamond ¹
+Use: mainly for cutting machines
 
-In addition to the ores, there are multiple kinds of rock that need to be
+Diamond is a precious gemstone. It is used moderately, mainly for reasons
-mined in their own right, rather than for minerals.  The rock types that
+connected to its extreme hardness.
-matter in technic are standard stone, desert stone, marble, and granite.
 
-Standard stone is part of the basic Minetest game.  It is extremely
+### Rocks
-common.  As in the basic game, when dug it yields cobblestone, which can
-be cooked to turn it back into standard stone.  Cobblestone is used in
-recipes only for some relatively primitive machines.  Standard stone is
-used in a couple of machine recipes.  These rock types gain additional
-significance with technic because the grinder can be used to turn them
-into dirt and sand.  This, especially when combined with an automated
-cobblestone generator, can be an easier way to acquire sand than
-collecting it where it occurs naturally.
 
-Desert stone is part of the basic Minetest game.  It is found specifically
+This section describes the rock types added by technic. Further rock types
-in desert biomes, and only from elevation +2 upwards.  Although it is
+are supported by technic machines. These can be processed using the grinder:
-easily accessible, therefore, its quantity is ultimately quite limited.
-It is used in a few recipes.
 
-Marble is supplied by technic.  It is found in dense clusters from
+ * Stone (plain)
-elevation -50 downwards.  It has mainly decorative use, but also appears
+ * Cobblestone
-in one machine recipe.
+ * Desert Stone
 
-Granite is supplied by technic.  It is found in dense clusters from
+#### Marble
-elevation -150 downwards.  It is much harder to dig than standard stone,
+Depth: -50m, evenly common
-so impedes mining when it is encountered.  It has mainly decorative use,
-but also appears in a couple of machine recipes.
 
-### rubber ###
+Marble is found in dense clusters and has mainly decorative use, but also
+appears in one machine recipe.
 
+#### Granite
+Depth: -150m, evenly common
+
+Granite is found in dense clusters and is much harder to dig than standard
+stone. It has mainly decorative use, but also appears in a couple of
+machine recipes.
+
+### Rubber
 Rubber is a biologically-derived material that has industrial uses due
 to its electrical resistivity and its impermeability.  In technic, it
 is used in a few recipes, and it must be acquired by tapping rubber trees.
 
-If you have the moretrees mod installed, the rubber trees you need
+Rubber trees are provided by technic if the moretrees mod is not present.
-are those defined by that mod.  If not, technic supplies a copy of the
-moretrees rubber tree.
 
-Extracting rubber requires a specific tool, a tree tap.  Using the tree
+Extract raw latex from rubber using the "Tree Tap" tool. Punch/left-click the
-tap (by left-clicking) on a rubber tree trunk block extracts a lump of
+tool on a rubber tree trunk to extract a lump of raw latex from the trunk.
-raw latex from the trunk.  Each trunk block can be repeatedly tapped for
+Emptied trunks will regenerate at intervals of several minutes, which can be
-latex, at intervals of several minutes; its appearance changes to show
+observed by its appearance.
-whether it is currently ripe for tapping.  Each tree has several trunk
-blocks, so several latex lumps can be extracted from a tree in one visit.
 
-Raw latex isn't used directly.  It must be vulcanized to produce finished
+To obtain rubber from latex, alloy latex with coal dust.
-rubber.  This can be performed by alloying the latex with coal dust.
 
-### metal ###
+### Metals
+Generally, each metal can exist in five forms:
 
-Many of the substances important in technic are metals, and there is
+ * ore -> stone containing the lump
-a common pattern in how metals are handled.  Generally, each metal can
+ * lump -> draw metal obtained by digging ("nuggets")
-exist in five forms: ore, lump, dust, ingot, and block.  With a couple of
+ * dust -> grinder output
-tricky exceptions in mods outside technic, metals are only *used* in dust,
+ * ingot -> melted/cooked lump or dust
-ingot, and block forms.  Metals can be readily converted between these
+ * block -> placeable node
-three forms, but can't be converted from them back to ore or lump forms.
 
-As in the basic Minetest game, a "lump" of metal is acquired directly by
+Metals can be converted between dust, ingot and block, but can't be converted
-digging ore, and will then be processed into some other form for use.
+from them back to ore or lump forms.
-A lump is thus more akin to ore than to refined metal.  (In real life,
-metal ore rarely yields lumps ("nuggets") of pure metal directly.
-More often the desired metal is chemically bound into the rock as an
-oxide or some other compound, and the ore must be chemically processed
-to yield pure metal.)
 
-Not all metals occur directly as ore.  Generally, elemental metals (those
+#### Grinding
-consisting of a single chemical element) occur as ore, and alloys (those
+Ores can be processed as follows:
-consisting of a mixture of multiple elements) do not.  In fact, if the
-fictional mithril is taken to be elemental, this pattern is currently
-followed perfectly.  (It is not clear in the Middle-Earth setting whether
-mithril is elemental or an alloy.)  This might change in the future:
-in real life some alloys do occur as ore, and some elemental metals
-rarely occur naturally outside such alloys.  Metals that do not occur
-as ore also lack the "lump" form.
 
-The basic Minetest game offers a single way to refine metals: cook a lump
+ * ore -> lump (digging) -> ingot (melting)
-in a furnace to produce an ingot.  With technic this refinement method
+ * ore -> lump (digging) -> 2x dust (grinding) -> 2x ingot (melting)
-still exists, but is rarely used outside the early part of the game,
-because technic offers a more efficient method once some machines have
-been built.  The grinder, available only in electrically-powered forms,
-can grind a metal lump into two piles of metal dust.  Each dust pile
-can then be cooked into an ingot, yielding two ingots from one lump.
-This doubling of material value means that you should only cook a lump
-directly when you have no choice, mainly early in the game when you
-haven't yet built a grinder.
 
-An ingot can also be ground back to (one pile of) dust.  Thus it is always
+At the expense of some energy consumption, the grinder can extract more material
-possible to convert metal between ingot and dust forms, at the expense
+from the lump, resulting in 2x dust which can be melted to two ingots in total.
-of some energy consumption.  Nine ingots of a metal can be crafted into
-a block, which can be used for building.  The block can also be crafted
-back to nine ingots.  Thus it is possible to freely convert metal between
-ingot and block forms, which is convenient to store the metal compactly.
-Every metal has dust, ingot, and block forms.
 
+#### Alloying
 Alloying recipes in which a metal is the base ingredient, to produce a
 metal alloy, always come in two forms, using the metal either as dust
 or as an ingot.  If the secondary ingredient is also a metal, it must
 be supplied in the same form as the base ingredient.  The output alloy
-is also returned in the same form.  For example, brass can be produced
+is also returned in the same form.
-by alloying two copper ingots with one zinc ingot to make three brass
+
-ingots, or by alloying two piles of copper dust with one pile of zinc
+Example: 2x copper ingots + zinc ingot -> 3x brass ingot (alloying)
-dust to make three piles of brass dust.  The two ways of alloying produce
+
-equivalent results.
+The same will also work for dust ingredients, resulting in brass dist.
 
 ### iron and its alloys ###
 

technic/crafts.lua

@@ -7,6 +7,13 @@ minetest.clear_craft({
 	type = "shapeless",
 	output = "default:bronze_ingot"
 })
+-- Restore recipe for bronze block to ingots
+minetest.register_craft({
+	output = "default:bronze_ingot 9",
+	recipe = {
+		{"default:bronzeblock"}
+	}
+})
 
 -- Accelerator tube
 if pipeworks.enable_accelerator_tube then

technic/doc/api.md

@@ -1,41 +1,115 @@
-This file is fairly incomplete. Help is welcome.
+# technic API
 
-Tiers
+This file documents the functions within the technic modpack for use in mods.
------
-The tier is a string, currently `"LV"`, `"MV"` and `"HV"` are supported.
 
-Network
--------
-The network is the cable with the connected machine nodes. Currently the
-switching station handles the network activity.
 
-Helper functions
+## Tiers
-----------------
+Tier are network types. List of pre-registered tiers:
+
+* `"LV"`, Low Voltage
+* `"MV"`, Medium Voltage
+* `"HV"`, High Voltage
+
+Available functions:
+
+* `technic.register_tier(tier, description)`
+	* Registers a network type (tier)
+	* `tier`: string, short name (ex. `LV`)
+	* `description`: string, long name (ex. `Low Voltage`)
+	* See also `tiers`
+
+
+## Cables
+* `technic.register_cable(tier, size)`
+	* Registers an existing node as cable
+	* `tier`: string
+	* `size`: number, visual size of the wire
+* `technic.get_cable_tier(nodename)`
+	* Retrieves the tier assigned to the provided node name
+	* `nodename`: string, name of the node
+	* Returns the tier (string) or `nil`
+* `technic.is_tier_cable(nodename, tier)`
+	* Tells whether the node `nodename` is the cable of the tier `tier`.
+	* Short version of `technic.get_cable_tier(nodename) == tier`
+
+
+## Machines
+The machine type indicates the direction of power flow.
+List of pre-registered machine types:
+
+* `technic.receiver = "RE"` e.g. grinder
+* `technic.producer = "PR"` e.g. solar panel
+* `technic.producer_receiver = "PR_RE"` supply converter
+* `technic.battery  = "BA"` e.g. LV battery box
+
+Available functions:
+
+* `technic.register_machine(tier, nodename, machine_type)`
+	* Register an existing node as machine, bound to the network tier
+	* `tier`: see `register_tier`
+	* `nodename`: string, node name
+	* `machine_type`: string, following options are possible:
+		* `"RE"`: Receiver
+		* `"PR"`: Producer
+		* `"BA"`: Battery, energy storage
+	* See also `Machine types`
+
+Functions to use for callbacks:
+
+* `technic.can_insert_unique_stack(pos, node, stack, direction)`
+* `technic.insert_object_unique_stack(pos, node, stack, direction)`
+	* Functions for the parameters `can_insert` and `insert_object` to avoid
+	  filling multiple inventory slots with same type of item.
+
+### Specific machines
+* `technic.register_solar_array(data)`
+	* data is a table (TODO)
+
+
+## Tools
+* `technic.register_power_tool(itemname, max_charge)`
+	* Register or configure the maximal charge held by an existing item
+	* `craftitem`: string, item or node name
+	* `max_charge`: number, maximal EU capacity
+
+
+## Helper functions
+Unsorted functions:
+
 * `technic.EU_string(num)`
-	* Converts num to a human-readable string (see pretty_num)
+	* Converts num to a human-readable string (see `pretty_num`)
 	  and adds the `EU` unit
 	* Use this function when showing players energy values
 * `technic.pretty_num(num)`
 	* Converts the number `num` to a human-readable string with SI prefixes
-* `technic.swap_node(pos, nodename)`
+* `technic.config:get(name)`
-	* Same as `mintest.swap_node` but it only changes the nodename.
+	* Some configuration function
-	* It uses `minetest.get_node` before swapping to ensure the new nodename
+* `technic.tube_inject_item(pos, start_pos, velocity, item)`
-	  is not the same as the current one.
+	* Same as `pipeworks.tube_inject_item`
-* `technic.get_or_load_node(pos)`
+
-	* If the mapblock is loaded, it returns the node at pos,
+### Energy modifiers
-	  else it loads the chunk and returns `nil`.
 * `technic.set_RE_wear(itemstack, item_load, max_charge)`
-	* If the `wear_represents` field in the item's nodedef is
+	* Modifies the power tool wear of the given itemstack
-	  `"technic_RE_charge"`, this function does nothing.
+	* `itemstack`: ItemStack to modify
+	* `item_load`: number, used energy in EU
+	* `max_charge`: number, maximal EU capacity of the tool
+	* The itemdef field `wear_represents` must be set to `"technic_RE_charge"`,
+	  otherwise this function will do nothing.
+	* Returns the modified itemstack
 * `technic.refill_RE_charge(itemstack)`
 	* This function fully recharges an RE chargeable item.
 	* If `technic.power_tools[itemstack:get_name()]` is `nil` (or `false`), this
 	  function does nothing, else that value is the maximum charge.
 	* The itemstack metadata is changed to contain the charge.
-* `technic.is_tier_cable(nodename, tier)`
+
-	* Tells whether the node `nodename` is the cable of the tier `tier`.
+### Node-specific
-* `technic.get_cable_tier(nodename)`
+* `technic.get_or_load_node(pos)`
-	* Returns the tier of the cable `nodename` or `nil`.
+	* If the mapblock is loaded, it returns the node at pos,
+	  else it loads the chunk and returns `nil`.
+* `technic.swap_node(pos, nodename)`
+	* Same as `mintest.swap_node` but it only changes the nodename.
+	* It uses `minetest.get_node` before swapping to ensure the new nodename
+	  is not the same as the current one.
 * `technic.trace_node_ray(pos, dir, range)`
 	* Returns an iteration function (usable in the for loop) to iterate over the
 	  node positions along the specified ray.
@@ -43,58 +117,50 @@ Helper functions
 * `technic.trace_node_ray_fat(pos, dir, range)`
 	* Like `technic.trace_node_ray` but includes extra positions near the ray.
 	* The node ray functions are used for mining lasers.
-* `technic.config:get(name)`
-	* Some configuration function
-* `technic.tube_inject_item(pos, start_pos, velocity, item)`
-	* Same as `pipeworks.tube_inject_item`
 
-Registration functions
-----------------------
-* `technic.register_power_tool(itemname, max_charge)`
-	* Same as `technic.power_tools[itemname] = max_charge`
-	* This function makes the craftitem `itemname` chargeable.
-* `technic.register_machine(tier, nodename, machine_type)`
-	* Same as `technic.machines[tier][nodename] = machine_type`
-	* Currently this is requisite to make technic recognize your node.
-	* See also `Machine types`
-* `technic.register_tier(tier)`
-	* Same as `technic.machines[tier] = {}`
-	* See also `tiers`
 
-### Specific machines
+## Item Definition fields
-* `technic.register_solar_array(data)`
+Groups:
-	* data is a table
-* `technic.can_insert_unique_stack(pos, node, stack, direction)`
-* `technic.insert_object_unique_stack(pos, node, stack, direction)`
-	* Functions for the parameters `can_insert` and `insert_object` to avoid
-	  filling multiple inventory slots with same type of item.
 
-Used itemdef fields
+* `technic_<tier> = 1`
--------------------
+	* Makes the node connect to the cables of the matching tier name
-* groups:
+	* `<tier>`: name of the tier, in lowercase (ex. `lv`)
-	* `technic_<ltier> = 1` ltier is a tier in small letters; this group makes
+* `technic_machine = 1`
-	  the node connect to the cable(s) of the right tier.
+	* UNRELIABLE. Indicates whether the item or node belongs to technic
-	* `technic_machine = 1` Currently used for
+* `connect_sides = {"top", "left", ...}`
-* `connect_sides`
+	* Extends the Minetest API. Indicates where the machine can be connected.
-	* In addition to the default use (see lua_api.txt), this tells where the
+
-	  machine can be connected.
+Additional definition fields:
-#
+
-#
+* `wear_represents = "string"`
-* `technic_run(pos, node)`
+	* Specifies how the tool wear level is handled. Available modes:
+		* `"mechanical_wear"`: represents physical damage
+		* `"technic_RE_charge"`: represents electrical charge
+* `<itemdef>.technic_run(pos, node)`
 	* This function is currently used to update the node.
 	  Modders have to manually change the information about supply etc. in the
 	  node metadata.
 
-Machine types
+## Node Metadata fields
--------------
+Nodes connected to the network will have one or more of these parameters as meta
-There are currently following types:
+data:
-* `technic.receiver = "RE"` e.g. grinder
-* `technic.producer = "PR"` e.g. solar panel
-* `technic.producer_receiver = "PR_RE"` supply converter
-* `technic.battery  = "BA"` e.g. LV batbox
 
-Switching Station
+* `<tier>_EU_supply` - direction: output
------------------
+	* For nodes registered as `PR` or `BA` tier
+	* This is the EU value supplied by the node.
+* `<tier>_EU_demand` - direction: output
+	* For nodes registered as `RE` or `BA` tier
+	* This is the EU value the node requires to run.
+* `<tier>_EU_input` - direction: input
+	* For nodes registered as `RE` or `BA` tier
+	* This is the actual EU value the network can give the node.
+
+`<tier>` corresponds to the tier name registered using
+`technic.register_tier` (ex. `LV`). It is possible for the machine to depend on
+multiple tiers (or networks).
+
+
+## Switching Station mechanics
 The switching station is the center of all power distribution on an electric
 network.
 
@@ -122,16 +188,12 @@ down. We have a brown-out situation.
 
 Hence for now all the power distribution logic resides in this single node.
 
-### Node meta usage
+## Deprecated functions
-Nodes connected to the network will have one or more of these parameters as meta
-data:
-	* `<LV|MV|HV>_EU_supply` : Exists for PR and BA node types.
-	This is the EU value supplied by the node. Output
-	* `<LV|MV|HV>_EU_demand` : Exists for RE and BA node types.
-	This is the EU value the node requires to run. Output
-	* `<LV|MV|HV>_EU_input`  : Exists for RE and BA node types.
-	This is the actual EU value the network can give the node. Input
 
-The reason the LV|MV|HV type is prepended to meta data is because some machine
+Following functions are either no longer used by technic, or are planned to
-could require several supplies to work.
+be removed soon. Please update mods depending on technic accordingly.
-This way the supplies are separated per network.
+
+ * `technic.get_RE_item_load`
+    * Scales the tool wear to a certain numeric range
+ * `technic.set_RE_item_load`
+    * Scales a certain numeric range to the tool wear

technic/machines/HV/nuclear_reactor.lua

@@ -217,24 +217,33 @@ end
 
 
 local function start_reactor(pos, meta)
+	local correct_fuel_count = 6
+	local msg_fuel_missing = "Error: You need to insert " .. correct_fuel_count .. " pieces of Uranium Fuel."
+
 	if minetest.get_node(pos).name ~= "technic:hv_nuclear_reactor_core" then
-		return false
+		return msg_fuel_missing
 	end
 	local inv = meta:get_inventory()
 	if inv:is_empty("src") then
-		return false
+		return msg_fuel_missing
 	end
 	local src_list = inv:get_list("src")
-	local correct_fuel_count = 0
+	local fuel_count = 0
 	for _, src_stack in pairs(src_list) do
 		if src_stack and src_stack:get_name() == fuel_type then
-			correct_fuel_count = correct_fuel_count + 1
+			fuel_count = fuel_count + 1
 		end
 	end
-	-- Check that the reactor is complete and has the correct fuel
+	-- Check that the has the correct fuel
-	if correct_fuel_count ~= 6 or reactor_structure_badness(pos) ~= 0 then
+	if fuel_count ~= correct_fuel_count then
-		return false
+		return msg_fuel_missing
 	end
+
+	-- Check that the reactor is complete
+	if reactor_structure_badness(pos) ~= 0 then
+		return "Error: The power plant seems to be built incorrectly."
+	end
+
 	meta:set_int("burn_time", 1)
 	technic.swap_node(pos, "technic:hv_nuclear_reactor_core_active")
 	meta:set_int("HV_EU_supply", power_supply)
@@ -242,7 +251,8 @@ local function start_reactor(pos, meta)
 		src_stack:take_item()
 		inv:set_stack("src", idx, src_stack)
 	end
-	return true
+
+	return nil
 end
 
 
@@ -281,7 +291,7 @@ local function run(pos, node)
 					"fuel used", 6, true)
 		end
 		if meta:get_string("autostart") == "true" then
-			if start_reactor(pos, meta) then
+			if not start_reactor(pos, meta) then
 				return
 			end
 		end
@@ -313,11 +323,11 @@ local nuclear_reactor_receive_fields = function(pos, formname, fields, sender)
 		meta:set_string("remote_channel", fields.remote_channel)
 	end
 	if fields.start then
-		local b = start_reactor(pos, meta)
+		local start_error_msg = start_reactor(pos, meta)
-		if b then
+		if not start_error_msg then
 			minetest.chat_send_player(player_name, "Start successful")
 		else
-			minetest.chat_send_player(player_name, "Error")
+			minetest.chat_send_player(player_name, start_error_msg)
 		end
 	end
 	if fields.autostart then
@@ -385,11 +395,11 @@ local digiline_remote_def = function(pos, channel, msg)
 			melt_down_reactor(pos)
 		end
 	elseif msg.command == "start" then
-		local b = start_reactor(pos, meta)
+		local start_error_msg = start_reactor(pos, meta)
-		if b then
+		if not start_error_msg then
 			digiline_remote.send_to_node(pos, channel, "Start successful", 6, true)
 		else
-			digiline_remote.send_to_node(pos, channel, "Error", 6, true)
+			digiline_remote.send_to_node(pos, channel, start_error_msg, 6, true)
 		end
 	end
 end

technic/machines/other/constructor.lua

@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ minetest.register_craft({
 local function make_on(mark, length)
 	return function(pos, node)
 		local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
+		local owner = meta:get_string("owner")
 		local inv = meta:get_inventory()
 		local dir = vector.new()
 		if node.param2 == 3 then dir.x = 1 end
@@ -102,6 +103,9 @@ local function make_on(mark, length)
 			minetest.check_for_falling(pos)
 			for i = 1, length do
 				place_pos = vector.add(place_pos, dir)
+				if owner ~= "" and minetest.is_protected(place_pos, owner) then
+					return
+				end
 				local place_node = minetest.get_node(place_pos)
 				deploy_node(inv, "slot"..i, place_pos, place_node, node)
 			end
@@ -156,6 +160,11 @@ local function make_constructor(mark, length)
 			for i = 1, length do
 				inv:set_size("slot"..i, 1)
 			end
+			meta:set_string("owner", "?")
+		end,
+		after_place_node = function(pos, placer)
+			local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
+			meta:set_string("owner", (placer and placer:get_player_name() or "?"))
 		end,
 		can_dig = function(pos, player)
 			local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)

technic/machines/other/injector.lua

@@ -117,6 +117,8 @@ minetest.register_node("technic:injector", {
 		return inv:is_empty("main")
 	end,
 	on_receive_fields = function(pos, formanme, fields, sender)
+		if minetest.is_protected(pos, sender:get_player_name()) then return end
+
 		local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
 		if fields.mode_item then meta:set_string("mode", "single items") end
 		if fields.mode_stack then meta:set_string("mode", "whole stacks") end

technic/machines/register/machine_base.lua

@@ -209,9 +209,10 @@ function technic.register_base_machine(data)
 		after_place_node = data.tube and pipeworks.after_place,
 		after_dig_node = technic.machine_after_dig_node,
 		on_receive_fields = function(pos, formname, fields, sender)
-			local node = minetest.get_node(pos)
+			if fields.quit then return end
 			if not pipeworks.may_configure(pos, sender) then return end
 			fs_helpers.on_receive_fields(pos, fields)
+			local node = minetest.get_node(pos)
 			local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
 			local form_buttons = ""
 			if not string.find(node.name, ":lv_") then
@@ -253,9 +254,10 @@ function technic.register_base_machine(data)
 		technic_run = run,
 		technic_disabled_machine_name = data.modname..":"..ltier.."_"..machine_name,
 		on_receive_fields = function(pos, formname, fields, sender)
-			local node = minetest.get_node(pos)
+			if fields.quit then return end
 			if not pipeworks.may_configure(pos, sender) then return end
 			fs_helpers.on_receive_fields(pos, fields)
+			local node = minetest.get_node(pos)
 			local meta = minetest.get_meta(pos)
 			local form_buttons = ""
 			if not string.find(node.name, ":lv_") then

technic/tools/chainsaw.lua

@@ -181,6 +181,36 @@ local nodes = {
 	{"trunks:moss", false},
 	{"trunks:moss_fungus", false},
 	{"trunks:treeroot", false},
+
+	-- Support ethereal
+	{"ethereal:bamboo", true},
+	{"ethereal:bamboo_leaves", false},
+	{"ethereal:banana_trunk", true},
+	{"ethereal:bananaleaves", false},
+	{"ethereal:banana", false},
+	{"ethereal:birch_trunk", true},
+	{"ethereal:birch_leaves", false},
+	{"ethereal:frost_tree", true},
+	{"ethereal:frost_leaves", false},
+	{"ethereal:mushroom_trunk", true},
+	{"ethereal:mushroom", false},
+	{"ethereal:mushroom_pore", true},
+	{"ethereal:orangeleaves", false},
+	{"ethereal:orange", false},
+	{"ethereal:palm_trunk", true},
+	{"ethereal:palmleaves", false},
+	{"ethereal:coconut", false},
+	{"ethereal:redwood_trunk", true},
+	{"ethereal:redwood_leaves", false},
+	{"ethereal:sakura_trunk", true},
+	{"ethereal:sakura_leaves", false},
+	{"ethereal:sakura_leaves2", false},
+	{"ethereal:scorched_tree", true},
+	{"ethereal:willow_trunk", true},
+	{"ethereal:willow_twig", false},
+	{"ethereal:yellow_trunk", true},
+	{"ethereal:yellowleaves", false},
+	{"ethereal:golden_apple", false},
 }
 
 local timber_nodenames = {}