I noticed yesterday that when I was using speed matching, it was actually much easier to get the guys that I wasn't targetting, so I tried switching it off, and just adjusting the throttle myself. This seems to make it much easier for me and I'm just wondering, do other people here use the speed matching? Is it really there for those without throttles?
Sorry for another newbie thread, I'm still trying to get the hang of this game.
PS I'm now using software rendering, and getting better performance and stability than the other options.
Thanks,
Richard

I always use manual throttle controls, it makes it much easier to keep on the tail of an enemy if you know what speed you are going to be at from moment to moment. You should also check out the freespace open project, it may allow you to run the game alot smoother on a modern system.
Richdog even has a nice easy guide to use that he wrote up.
[url=]http://www.gog.com/en/forum/Freespace_Series/the_idiots_guide_to_installing_freespace_2_open_source_noob_friendly_wip[/url]

I don't use it either. I use keyboard only, so no throttle here. I typically keep it at top speed, and hit the reverse thrust key if i need to slow down.

I'm a manual throttle chap myself, I prefer having more manual control. There's times you need to quickly shift speed without turning the speed match off

personally i use both depending on the target.
fighters - never
bombers - always so i can focus on hits instead of speed.
one thing i did wish freespace had was the ability to lay mines

That feature is present in Freespace Open, I remember one user maid campign where it was possible. I'm almost sure that it is included in Turey's Freespace Open Installer.
Ps. Sorry for my poor english, I'm new here :)

I usually don't have "auto match speed" enabled. I enable match speed manually when I'm behind my target and decelerate as necessary to stay behind them.

I use it depending on what i'm doing. Escorting something = match speed. Shooting bombers = match speed. Fighters that are much slower than myself = match speed, with some backward thrust with my hat joystick key to make sure I stay in good position. Most fighter battles I don't bother because I usually go full speed/afterburner anyway. It's useful, but gotta know when to use it. I do have a throttle on my joystick as well, but the match speed button is on the joystick right next to the throttle, so it's easy for me to get at. Only thing I use the keyboard for is some targeting and communication.

I generally don't use speed matching as often as I should.
I tend to manually adjust the throttle, and strafe bombers, capital ships and the like. But that's because I lean towards the hit and run sort of tactics. Speed matching is handy, as other people have said, for escorts.
Brilliant game, though. Love it.