Please see http://www.az.com/~ericc/dukeweb.htm for the latest version of this file.
This program, documentation, and related and included files are Copyright 1996 Cosky Designs.
DukeWeb and The Interconnected Map System are Trademarks of Cosky Designs.
Duke Nukem 3D is a Trademark of 3D Realms Entertainment
Cosky Designs is not affiliated with 3D Realms Entertainment in any way and this product is in no way endorsed or supported by them.
In minutes you will be able to complete a Duke Nukem 3D map and load the next map automatically from the Internet! Each map can link to up to ten different maps, which can point to ten completely different maps! It's the new !
Quickstart (everything needed to install & run it)
Latest News & Update Information
DukeWeb, Duke Nukem 3D, and Windows95
Bugs & Bugfixes (what bugs?)
Registered Version Information
The Official Start Map and the Future of DukeWeb
If you are one of those people that hate to read instructions, then ignore this section first!
This section describes the steps neccessary for installing DukeWeb. The rest of this documentation is not critical to the operation of this program, but the instructions in this section must be properly followed in order for DukeWeb to work.
You must first own an installed copy of the registered version of Duke Nukem 3D to use this product. PKUNZIP.EXE must also be available and in the command path. You must also agree to the Software License Agreement (below) before downloading.
Step by step instructions:
It's EASY! The new maps can have custom sounds, artwork and other files that are maintained & managed by DukeWeb using compressed zip files. Switching between maps from different parts of the interenet using new artwork & sounds is as simple as completing a level in one of ten different ways! A command menu is also available for those who wish to select links by name.
First public release, ? 1996.
This program will allow Duke Nukem 3D map designers who make their maps available via WWW to link their maps together much in the same manner that HTML documents link to other documents.
To enable the DukeWeb linking mechanism, the zip file must contain the files DUKEWEB.MAP and DUKEWEB.DWD. The DWD file contains a list of http: links to other zip files; DukeWeb will filter out all strings containing 'http://' and allow you to activate a link when using the link menu. When a line begins with LINKn it means that this is the link that will be used when an auto-destruct button with a lotag of n+1 is used to end a DukeWeb game.
If an archive does not have these two files, but does have other .MAP files, the maps in the archive will be played in alphabetical order. When all the maps have been played they are removed and the last DukeWeb compliant map is reloaded. What this means is that DukeWeb maps can point to maps sitting on the Internet made by people who have never even heard of DukeWeb.
There are several ways to access map archives:
When DukeWeb is started with no map name argument and menuing turned on using DUKEWEB /M, DUKEWEB.LOG will be used for the initial link menu.
DukeWeb accesses the files via http as needed so placement of them on any accessible web page will enable other users to automatically access and use the new maps while simultaneously providing the maps to non-dukeweb enabled users via Web browsers. If a map has been accessed previously it will not need to download it again since it will have retained a copy in the form of a compressed zip file. If the map has not been accessed before, the registered version of the program can optionally start a Windows95 Dialup Networking connection before downloading and then hangup when complete to minimize online time.
DukeWeb also allows map creators to include custom .art, .mid, .voc, and .wav files which will be extracted from the zip file along with the other data. When the user exits the map, the extra files are removed from the Duke3d directory and the zip file containing the map remains in the WEBMAPS directory.
, so be sure to install DukeWeb into a newly installed (probably second) directory of Duke Nukem files unless you have added no files or directories to your Duke Nukem directory.
Other files may be included in the zip file if the map author chooses to do so, but security is kept simple by only extracting a specific set of file types which are not executable and do not conflict with the default Duke Nukem files or with DukeWeb itself.
Officially, Duke Nukem is not supposed to be run under Windows95. However, it does in fact work adequately in this environment and many people don't want to bother with shutting down Windows for what they consider a negligable loss in performance. DukeWeb requires Windows95 and will not operate without it. Your system needs to be capable of using a web browser to access the Internet, but if you have no connections available you can still use the program as a way to maintain a collection of maps in a centralized directory full of .ZIP or .DWZ files.
Included in this archive are a number of Windows95 shortcut files that can be copied to the Start menu during the DUKEWEB INSTALL process. These icons allow the program to be run in different configurations:
The following files are included in DUKEWEB.ZIP
Thanks!The following files are also included in the tools directory, but are of use only to map editors:
The following files will be created and used by DukeWeb:
You are granted permission to use the free unregistered version of this product for noncommercial use. In return, Eric Cosky, his assigns or heirs are hereby granted non-exclusive commercial archival rights to maps linked to the Official DukeWeb Start map using the DukeWeb software.
Commercial use or use on a machine that is or can be used by the general public requires the purchase of a registration key file.
DukeWeb.Zip may be freely distributed so long as no files are added or removed from the archive.
The key files e-mailed to registered users contain user information within them. Modification of the key file will be detected and the registered user functions will be disabled. Distribution of DukeWeb key files is expressly prohibited as a copyright violation and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The key file is for the exclusive private use of the individual who purchased the registration, and may not be sold, given, or otherwise used by or transferred to another individual. Activation or use of registered user functions by non-registered users is expressly prohibited.
No warranty is expressed or implied. This program may fail completely at any time. Users will not hold Eric Cosky or Cosky Designs responsible for any problems resulting from proper or improper use, fault, failure or other intentional, unintentional, or accidental operation, design feature or flaw of or in this program. If you live in an area which prohibits this or any other clause of this license, then you are prohibited from using this product at all.
Technical support, when available, is available only through e-mail. Support may be unavailable at the discretion of the Author at any time.
Usage of this software constitutes agreement to this Software License Agreement.
It's a pretty simple program, really, and if it doesn't work then chances are it's something else wrong with your system. Please keep me informed of any problems that might develop, but I am confident there are no signifigant bugs in this program. I shall try to answer all e-mail as quickly as possible but my e-mail response time may vary or cease to exist altogether depending upon other personal demands. The program is very simple to use and if the free version doesn't work for you, then don't buy the registered version - they are functionally the same in almost every way. The registered version has more of the code enabled, but most of the program is already in use so it is very unlikely that the registered version will fail if the unregistered version works.
The unregistered version will only allow five links to be followed in a session, does not provide auto-connection capability and prompting for [enter] cannot be turned off. There is also, of course, the obligatory wait screen that cannot be avoided. None of this is a real hindrance to someone trying to see if and how the program works. In fact, leaving the prompting turned on allows the user to evaluate the screens of information that go by during the operation of the program.
One nice feature of the registered version is that prompting can be turned off, causing DukeWeb to skip most of the questions that appear resulting in more speedy & convienient use. Also, the registered version can call CONNECT.BAT to start up your ISP connection to download the next map from the net and then DCONNECT.BAT to hang up before starting the game. These two batch files are created the first time DukeWeb is started, or when DukeWeb is called with the INSTALL argument.
The extra code for the registered version is already present in DUKEWEB.EXE, but a key file is required to enable it. Registration of DukeWeb will entitle you to receive a customized keyfile via e-mail. Just save the body of the text of the email (there is no attached document) into a file called dukeweb.key. DukeWeb will detect the presence of this file and when it determines it is a valid key it will enable the other functions. Note that this key file contains the registration information and can be traced to the purchaser.
This keyfile will remain a valid keyfile for all future versions of DukeWeb. Once you've registered, you will always be able to use the latest version with no upgrade fee. In the event that we choose to change our keyfile format, we will send you a new key that will work with the latest version.
This program will operate and perform many of its services without purchasing registration. Frequent users, however, will certainly appreciate the extra features available only with the registered version.
For a , registration is available for $9.99. WHAT A BARGAIN!
What are you waiting for, Christmas?
To purchase registration at the introductory special price, please send a check for $9.99 payable in U.S. funds to:
Cosky Designs
814 Lakeway Drive Suite #153
Bellingham, WA 98226 U.S.A.
Be sure to include your e-mail address clearly attached! You will be e-mailed your personal key file when the check is received. Checks received with no e-mail address will be destroyed and discarded.
Bad checks will be submitted to collection and prosecuted to the limit of the law, and new versions of DukeWeb will ignore your illegally aquired key file. So please don't do that; it's only a hassle for everyone.
This introductory price is good until July 10, 1996 so act quickly!
The official start map for DUKEWEB is START.DWZ. This is a PKZIP file originally named START.ZIP renamed to START.DWZ. You could download this from your browser, but DukeWeb will find it for you (using the same mechanism as the browser) when you select the DUKEWEB OFFICIAL START MAP icon from the start menu. Or, if you are a registered user you can select .DWZ links such as the ones above to start a Duke Nukem game directly. All that needs to be done is to configure the browser to use DukeWeb as a helper app.
This map is the official starting point for DukeWeb. Currently, this links to The Harbor, a slightly modified version of _zoo.map (DWZOO), and a variety of map archives elsewhere on the net. The START, HARBOR and DWZOO maps are linked together to demonstrate the linking mechanism, and each have 8 other links to standard Duke Nukem mapfiles located somewhere on the net. There are custom sounds and artwork and in the START map to demonstrate the ease by which custom map users are able to use maps with special sounds and images. This was previously a difficult and tedious task prone to errors that people have frequently complained about... and DukeWeb automates the whole process making it possible for a complete beginner to access a world full of creativity.
The archival rights discuessed in the Software Licence Agreement were placed there so that we can eventually produce an archive CD containing all the maps we can find via DukeWeb without worrying about some jerk suing us for copyright infringement for something they've already made publicly available. Besides, there's bound to be map collection CD's created by people who obviously don't even bother to read copyright info in the archives since thier collections are so huge. Not to mention the various collection servers out there which sell CD's of everything in thier system. When we produce our archive CD, link information to the map's original location on the net will be provided so the latest version of a map can be found. It is to everyone's benefit that an archive CD be available in order to reduce network load. Besides, people make these maps for everyone to share and enjoy. Thanks for helping us make it easier and faster for everyone! And, if you don't agree with this point of view, then (unfortunately) I suppose you don't really want to use this program. That would be a shame :( Only archives containing a valid DUKEWEB.DWD will be directly included in the CD archive, but links to the zipfiles on the net will be stored in the DukeWeb Interconnected Map System transtion database so that transitions between maps still works smoothly.
This system would operate much more smoothly if there was a new sprite created for the specific purpose of IMMEDIATELY exiting the duke3d.exe with a status output that describes the player's coordinates, inventory and the sprite's hitag value. The current method requires users to look at a stat screen after every map and listen to duke say stuff every time, which takes far too long as is not in the least bit desirable in this environment. Ideally, the player would walk into a sprite and the game would immediately shutdown with a status output. It couldn't take too long to add this code and put a new unofficial unsupported patchfile on your server - it would be a piece of cake. If you see this, please let me know. Thanks! One other thing that would be GREAT to add would be a command sprite that will execute a command in a text file (DUKECMDS.TXT for instance) on a line determined by the hightag of the sprite without exiting the game. This would allow a user to walk up to a viewscreen and activate a web browser - or anything else! Another more basic feature would be to implement command line options to load a saved game for a map. This would allow maps to jump to specific points in another map. I'm sure you have all the time in the world for this, right?
Well, anything you can do to help would be appreciated. Thanks for the amazing game!
Unzip dukeweb.zip in your Duke3d directory
To get command line options and some help, run dukeweb with no arguments. Type dukeweb help for more options
After using DukeWeb for a while, you may wish to make several Windows95 shortcuts to DUKEWEB.EXE with different arguments in order to start with different (favorite) maps or to use different options.
DukeWeb is also able browse (in a rather simplistic manner) HTML pages on the net and filter out http: links to map archives to play or other HTML and TXT pages for further browsing. The browsing capability is very limited, and the use of a standard web browser is suggested until a page containing maps is found. Note that maps linked to from within DukeWeb (not as a helper app) are stored in the Map directory and the original link information is recorded in DUKEWEB\MAPS\DUKEWEB.LOG when available. This provides a caching mechanism that will allow registered users to go between stored maps without requiring a download each time.
When used as a helper app, DukeWeb will copy the archive to the MAPS directory, but does not have the original link information. If sometime later the same map is linked to from within DukeWeb, the user will be able to use the existing file instead of downloading it again.
Linking DukeWeb Maps
The mechanism for leaving a map and going onto another one is by use of a modified user.con and appropriately configured bonus round autodestruct buttons (sprite #142 palette 14). When a bonus round button is activated, it will link the user to one of ten available dukeweb links. By this I mean Duke3D will exit, DukeWeb will retrieve the new map & other data in a zip file, and the new level will then be started. The new level can have a completely different set of links leading into other maps on the Internet. The button's lotag must be set from 2-11 to access link1-link10 in DUKEWEB.DWD.
Archive Naming Conventions
DukeWeb makes use of the filename DUKEWEB.MAP to detect and implement the auto-destruct linking mechanism. The DWUSER.CON that replaces the USER.CON instructs Duke Nukem to use DUKEWEB.MAP as it's first level. Archives can contain any number of maps ending with .MAP and the user can select which map to play. In this case, maps are automatically renamed before playing to DUKEWEB.MAP. If there is a mapfile called DUKEWEB.MAP in the archive it will be the only one available for play. Only maps named DUKEWEB.MAP within thier archive can use the DukeWeb map linking mechanism. Other map names will cause DukeWeb to return to the previous map or menu after completion.
You can also add the files that are associated with the first level, such as STEALTH.MID and have them used with the map. Replacing sounds and adding artwork (TILES015.ART) is just as easy.
Standardized Screenshot Links
The map files contain DUKEWEB.MAP, DUKEWEB.DWD, and optionally other files. Authors are encouraged to include the standard map author form as well as an http link to a distinctive screenshot in the file MAPLINK.DWD. This file simply contains one line: an http: link that should point to an actual image available for retrieval from the Internet. This image can also be used by the author's web page for his maps. Other authors could potentially use this image as artwork for a sprite near their link to your page. The next version of DukeWeb may access this image link on demand for it's user interface. The only link in the MAPLINK.DWD is to an image, and the link should point to a zip file whose only embedded file is DUKEWEB.PCX.
Link Comments
DukeWeb will detect http: links from within normal text when scanning the link file DUKEWEB.DWD for the menu option, allowing you to embed comments within the link file. Single player/Multiplayer map, file size, author information and other information of this kind could be shown for the users benefit.
The DUKEWEB.DWD file is plain text and you should be able to paste bookmarks from the clipboard (probably copied from your Web Browser's bookmarks) into a text editor in order to accumulate links easily.
Secret Links
Secret links can be examined only by registered users who actually play the DukeWeb game and press the link's autodestruct button. Once the link is found, it is recorded in the DUKEWEB.LOG file along with the other maps, but until then the link's http: information in the DUKEWEB.DWD is represented by a string beginning with SECRETn:[scrambled data]
To create the scrambled link entry, use the undocumented command X at the DukeWeb command prompt. The requested id should be responded with SECRET1 through SECRET10. The next prompt will request the information to scramble. A line will be appended to the current link file containing the scrambled information entered here. After the map containing this information in it's DUKEWEB.DWD file is played and an auto-destruct button matching the secret link number (button lotag = link# +1 ) is activated, the Duke Nukem game will end and this secret link will be decoded by DukeWeb and downloaded. DukeWeb now continues to check the logfile and perhaps download the file in it's normal manner using this decoded link instead of the standard LINKn entry. The link URL is shown to the user and added to the DUKEWEB.LOG at this time so links don't really stay secret forever, just to new users.
I think that once all the talented mapmakers out there start hooking their maps together we will all be amazed at how natural it is to progress through the DukeWeb, solving one map in order to proceed to another. Or a different one, depending on how you got out!
I am anxiously awaiting email from users who want to link their maps to the DukeWeb - I'd be glad to hook your maps in somewhere.
I have a number of ideas for extensions to DukeWeb and other new products in this area, and I can't express how important it is that you register so that I can justify the time & energy required to continue to produce useful software for the gaming community.
So have fun and let's get some links happening!
-Eric Cosky
Send Mail to Eric Cosky - Visit Eric's Homepage