MegaDoom Add-On 3/MEGADOOM3.iso/other/wadrnr/runner.doc

Text File | 1994-10-06 | 12KB | 251 lines

                             WAD_Runner V1.5

                            (c) copyright 1994
                             Michael S. Utzig


   If you haven't been there already, welcome to the wonderful world
   of DOOM.

   This is, yes you guessed it, Another front end launcher for DOOM.
   Not too much different from all the others except for the "windows-
   like" gui, and that this is also bannerware (ohh-noo). Relax I put
   all that at the end. So if you're chompin' bullets ready to go kick
   some demon butt, put wr.exe in the DOOM directory and type "WR". For
   those of you who want to know more, read on.

   WAD_Runner and wr.cfg MUST be placed in the DOOM directory for it
   to run. Operation is straight forward in that this is 99.9% WYSIATI
   (What You See Is All There Is). Most of the parameters for game
   play are on the main screen. Those of you who are familiar with
   the DOOM command line options should be able to jump right in
   without reading the docs. For those of you a little newer to DOOM,
   I'll give you the nickel tour.

   With all the people currently designing new episodes and levels
   for DOOM, there has to be a way of managing all the external .WAD
   files now available on bulletin board systems.
   WAD_Runner replaces the tedious chore of typing and remembering
   file names and command line parameters that can extend off into
   another persons monitor. By giving the user a scrolling pick list
   of the available .WAD files, and option buttons for the other
   selections, you can see at a glance all of the resources needed
   to play DOOM.

   To select an external WAD file to play, simply double-click the
   mouse on the appropriate file name or use the up & down arrow
   keys and press enter when the highlight is over the correct file.
   The selected file will appear in the listbox header. Below the file
   list is a scrolling information display that will show the name of
   the currently selected .WAD file and a list of the episodes and
   missions that it replaces. The episode buttons and mission level
   pickbox will update themselves to reflect the first level available.
   The display is updated every time you select a new filename.

   The File list box currently can hold a maximum of 512 file names.
   You can also use TAB or shift-TAB to change the focus and cycle
   through the options. Pressing the enter key on list boxes and the
   space bar on option boxes selects or un-selects that item. The
   object with the "focus" has a dotted box around the perimeter.
   Pressing the <ESC> key while in the wadfile selection box or while
   either the mission level or savegame has the focus will erase your
   selection and return you to the startup values.

   New to version 1.5 is the addition of a small .cfg file to hold
   the path to an alternate WADfile directory. The file list box
   header now starts off showing that path. I also moved the phone
   number area to this file.

   In the config file, WR.CFG, the first line is the full pathname,
   including drive and trailing backslash of the directory where you
   keep your WAD files. Be sure to edit this with YOUR current wadfile
   directory. When WAD_Runner is loaded this information is displayed in
   the filelist header, so if the list says "No Files", make sure this
   entry is correct.

   When saving a game from within DOOM, be sure to give it a name or
   some other type of description. WAD_Runner searches for an area reserved
   for the name, and uses that for it's information in the Load Savegame
   list box.

   If you have selected an external .WAD file with appropriate levels
   and such, and also picked a savegame to reload, the savegame will
   override your episode/level selection and restore from the savegame
   file. As long as the episode/mission selections are different you
   can warp to any of the external .WAD missions by typing...
   IDCLEV <episode# mission#>   anytime during the game
   i.e. by typeing
   IDCLEV 23        this will warp you to episode 2 mission 3


   Here is a list of WAD_Runners supported parameters.

   -devparm             Puts you in developers mode, necessary for the
                        other options (Press F1 and get a 320x200 256
                        color pcx snapshot of the current screen)
   -file                specifies external wad file to load replacing
                        original episode/level(s)
   -warp                selects starting episode and level
   -skill               how tough are you?
   -deathmatch          starts each player in a separate area, default
                        for multi-player games is co-operative play
   -nomonsters          speaks for itself
   -respawn             causes dead monsters to regenerate 8 second later
                        (this can cause even the wimpy levels to get
                        tough unless your fast)
   -loadgame            loads previously saved game
   -port                selects alternate network address when multiple
                        games of DOOM are running on the same net, also
                        called socket
   -nodes               number of players in a network game
   -com#                com port for modem or direct connect games
   -dial<phone #>       dials phone for modem game
   -answer              puts modem in answer mode for modem game



   Most of the controls are self-explanitory, read the readme file that
   was included with DOOM to get a better idea of the game options and
   you'll be able to use WAD_Runner with little or no problems.


   BOOT DISK
   id recommends that you boot clean with no memory managers other than
   himem.sys. Here's an easy config.sys that works with most dos versions

   device=<path>himem.sys  'insert your path to himem i.e. c:\dos\himem.sys
   dos=high,umb            'loads dos high
   files=20
   buffers=20

   this config has worked for MS-DOS ver 5 & 6 also Novell Dos ver 7


   NET PLAY
   DOOM runs great on a pair of 486/33's connected to a network. This was
   the spur that got me to write WAD_Runner.
   Multi-Player DOOM is a fantastic experience.
   WAD_Runner now detects if IPX.COM has been loaded prior to selecting
   the network game option. Allowing you the chance to quit and load IPX
   before you launch DOOM.
   DOOM will run on any network that uses ipx protocol, in fact DOOM only
   requires that IPX.COM be loaded in order play. You do not need to have,
   or be connected to, a File Server to play multi-player DOOM.
   You can create an inexpensive network to play doom without knowing
   anything at all about networks. Most network cards now on the market
   come with a driver diskette that includes a copy of ipx.com generated
   for that board. With 2 cards, a cable and a couple of copies of DOOM and
   WAD_Runner, a 10 Mbit per sec network link can be achieved in 5 easy steps.

     -install the boards
     -connect the cable
     -boot your system
     -run ipx.com
     -run WAD_Runner and select NETWORK option, then start DOOM
     Anyone can do it!

   You can play more than one game on a network by changing the socket
   number. I believe id allows up to 65,000 sockets however I've kept
   it down do a meager 1000(this would suggest a minimum of 2000 players
   in just one network, whoa! Who's working?)
   Just click on the socket edit box and type in any number up to 999,
   be sure the person playing with you does the same.
   As I said DOOM works great on a network but does not seem to go across
   a bridge. You must be on the same network segment as your opponent
   If you have any question ask your Network Administrator.


   SERIAL PLAY
   For a less expensive way to run Doom or if your computers are far from
   each other you can use a modem to play DOOM or use a Null Modem cable
   to connect the computers via an unused communication port.
   This is a little slower than a network version, but it helps to have a
   couple of high speed machines and set the graphics detail to LOW.
   This helps smooth out the jerkiness when slower machines are used.
   If using WAD_Runner, just select "direct" if using a null modem cable,
   or one user must "answer" and the other must "dial" when connecting via
   modem.
   In order to use the Dial feature, you must edit the WR.CFG
   file that comes with DOOM and is used by sersetup. Insert the phone
   number you wish to dial on line 2. Any ascii editor will suffice.
   See the example WR.CFG included with this archive.

   For both net and serial play, you must also have your own copy of
   DOOM on a local drive. Savegames will be saved to the current directory
   of each player.


   Some of the things planned for future versions include:

   -  a .cfg file to "remember" the game parameters used during
      the last session, also to aid in picking the correct .wad file
      in a savegame restore
   -  built in modem support w/ dialing directory (as of 7-10-94
      this may change depending on what extra features id put into
      their new version of sersetup in DOOM ver 1.5)
   -  Ipx detection (will check to see if ipx has been loaded
      when a network game has been selected and if not, load it)
      *** ipx detection installed 7-10-94 ***
   -  Automatically send and receive command line parameters for
      serial and net games
   -  sound blaster support
   -  screen saver feature

   Please read the history.doc file that came with this archive for some
   important information on future upgrades

   Due to apparent lack of interest, the ethernet cards are no longer
   available (can't afford to stock them if no one's buying) I will
   still offer the serial port kit and include a simple pc file tranfer
   program and carrying pouch (that's because I make this myself).



   Serial DOOM
      an inexpensive way to connect 2 local PC's together to play
      via DIRECT connect. A 15 ft. "modular" Null Modem cable with
      9 and 25-pin adaptors with instructions on how to connect and
      play serial DOOM. For those interested, these cables are made
      from high speed Catagory 5 twisted pair network cable and will
      work with all types of Communication software and other games
      that have modem play (i.e. LapLink, Falcon 3)         $ 24.95
      ========= See order.frm ========


   To report any suspicious anomalies
   or add your 2 bullets worth of info
   I can be reached by email at:

   MegaSystems BBS
   Carson City, Nevada
   [phone]
   I'm currently on at least once or twice a week

   or by paper mail at:

   Michael S. Utzig
   1207 Margaret Ave
   So. Lake Tahoe, CA. 96150


   Misc Notes
   One very good external WAD file was put together by a gentlemen
   named Gary Karnik, called WADPAK1 it is the work of several authors
   and replaces all 27 levels of the original DOOM. Almost like
   having a whole new game. thanks Gary.

   There is a bulletin board dedicated exclusively to DOOM and DOOM
   related files. An excellent source for DOOM utilities(like this one)
   and external WAD files. There are at least several hundred External
   WAD files that can be had, and some great utilities for making
   your own.
   Renegade Graphics DOOM BBS  --  615-337-9198

   And for your general info:
   id Software's BBS   --    508-368-7038