EASY - put data collectors near beginning of tech tree

[thereaverofdarkness]

I don't know how to code things so I can't figure out how to make this mod myself, but it's a simple change that I think would greatly improve my fun level in the game. I've already tried requesting it as an official change, but others seem to think I'm nuts. So maybe one of you would be kind enough to give this a shot?

1.) I want all of the data collection devices (thermometer, gravioli, etc.) to appear within the first few nodes on the tech tree. Having them available right at the start is fine.

2.) This might be harder, so feel free to skip it - but I want the data collection devices to have reduced effectiveness initially, and would become able to collect their full amount of science once their original positions in the tech tree have been unlocked. That way, I can have an existing probe already out at a distant location go check the biomes nearby it, rather than having to make a new mission from scratch just because I didn't have the devices when I launched the first one.

If anyone can figure out how to accomplish the second one, let me know. That's what I want the most. If I got the second one, I might just go and download that mod for re-arranging the tech tree and try to figure out how to do the first part myself.

[gh7531]

I don't know if the second one is possible but I kind of like the idea. But the first one should be fairly easy you don't even need to download the TreeManager. You can do this with a ModuleManager file.

[Streetwind]

You can do this with a ModuleManager file.

To clarify, you need to change the "TechRequired = " field in the part config files of the science devices. I think the first node is named simply "start", but you can check the mk1 pod to make sure.

The latter would require either a plugin, or cloning the science devices and writing a whole new set of experiment definitions for them. ...And honestly, between the two, the former is probably less work