WADS of WADS/WadsOfWads.1994.zip/TEXT/MINI-FAQ.TXT

Text File | 1994-08-29 | 14KB | 224 lines

I haven't received any opinions about whether I should post the Mini-FAQ
anymore.  So for now, I will upload it to infant2.sphs.indiana.edu after
this final post.  I don't plan on doing a 1.4 update.  If anyone cares to
revive it, feel free (send copies to me that you post, so I can keep up).

         ______     ______    ______  ____  ___
      /\         \   _ \   /  __  \  /  __  \ \   \/  |
     //\\         | | | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |\/| |
    /Last\        | | | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |     "Good Idea!
   /Update\       | |/ /   \  \/  /  \  \/  /  \ |  | |      I like it!"
   \May 27/       |   /     \    /    \    /    \|  | |          - H.L.
    \1994/        |  /       \__/      \__/         | |
     \\//         | /                               \ |
      \/          |/            Mini-FAQ             \|


()========================================================================()
||  This is the unofficial DooM Mini-FAQ. It tries to answer some of the  ||
||  most Frequently Asked and easily answered Questions about DooM that   ||
||  often get posted to comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.action and alt.games.doom.  ||
()========================================================================()

Q. What is DooM?
A. DooM is an action-oriented game written and published by id Software.
   It is the next generation beyond id's Wolfenstein 3-D, and has stereo
   sound effects, music, 2 player serial or 4 player network co-operative
   and deathmatch modes, 5 skill levels (newest is "Nightmare"), record
   and playback, & much more.  There are 3 episodes, each with 9 missions.
   Episode 1, "Knee-deep in the Dead", is freely-distributable shareware
   (id says to "distribute like crazy").  The registered version has two
   more episodes and costs $40 retail, or call 1-800-IDGAMES to order.
   Minimum hardware is 386, 4M RAM, VGA (486, 8M, VLB/VESA is better).
   Minimum OS is MSDOS 3.3 (also works under OS/2 2.1 and Windows 3.1).
   A stereo sound card adds music and *terrific* stereo sound effects!

Q. What is the latest version of DooM?
A. Version 1.2 for shareware and registered DooM was released Feb 17 1994.
   Id is aware of and working on various bugs.  The next release will fix
   some of them.  No specific release date has been (or will be) announced.
   NOTE: Here is an excerpt from David Taylor's Apr 12 1994 post about 1.3:
     We're close.  The important parts of the sound code were totally
     rewritten for stability, especially in net games.  Our results
     so far have been very promising.  However, the GUS code was
     totally removed and needs to be rewritten as well.  As soon as
     we get that finished and Doom tested, we'll send it out.  Best
     estimate is a couple of weeks.  v1.3 also integrates fixes
     submitted by y'all to make the serial and net code more compatible
     and work faster.  There were a couple of savegame bugs fixed and
     a minor sky texture mapping bug fixed.  It also has a new map
     reload feature for the map editor types out there so that you
     can test a level immediately after developing it without restarting.
   NOTE: The 1.3 beta was illegally released, so v1.3 will be called 1.4.
   Shawn Green says 1.4 has respawning health, negative frags for suicide.

Q. Is there a FAQ for DooM?  What other publications are there?
A. Hank Leukart <[e-mail]> maintains the DooM FAQ.
   It has info on cheats, maps, hints, trouble-shooting, how to get DooM,
   etc.  Updated versions are posted on comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.announce.
   Send mail to Hank with the subject: "Doom FAQ Request" to get a copy.
   Also send mail if you have corrections or additional useful info to add.
   FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/text/doom56.faq for version 5.6 (17-Apr-94).
   FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/text/dmspec13.txt for WAD file information.
   README.EXE (comes with DooM) also explains a lot - run it and read it.
   In the premier issue of "Game Developer" magazine is an article entitled
   "Monsters from the Id: The Making of Doom" with lots of info about id.
   In the Apr 94 BYTE, Pournelle names DooM "1993 Shareware of the Year".
   May 94 "Strategy Plus" mag interviews John Romero and Jay Wilbur of id.
   June 94 "Computer Gaming World" names Doom "Game of the Year" (w/pix).

Q. How can I get the shareware episode of DooM?
A. Some software stores sell the shareware version for <$10. Some BBSes
   also have it.  There are "anonymous FTP" sites on the Internet - many
   that have DooM are listed in the FAQ.  Use FTP's binary transfer mode.
   DooM comes in one big 2+ Meg file named doom1_2.zip or in two smaller
   files named doom1_2a.zip and doom1_2b.zip. Use pkunzip v2.04g or later.
   FTP oak.oakland.edu:/pub/msdos/zip/pkz204g.exe to get PKZIP & PKUNZIP.
   Some FTP sites and the directories with the 2 smaller files are:

     infant2.sphs.indiana.edu:/pub/doom/id             Indiana, USA
     ftp.uwp.edu:/pub/games/id                         Wisconsin, USA
     ftp2.uml.edu:/msdos/Games/ID                      Massachusetts, USA
     ftp.orst.edu:/pub/gaming/doom/id                  Oregon, USA
     wuarchive.wustl.edu:/pub/MSDOS_UPLOADS/games/doomstuff  Missouri, USA
     ftp.brad.ac.uk:/software/msdos/doom               England
     ftp.uni-paderborn.de:/pc-games/ID                 Germany
     ftp.sun.ac.za:/pub/msdos/id                       South Africa
     ftp.nus.sg:/pub/pc/msdos-games/ID                 Singapore (SE Asia)

   FTP mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu:/pub/doom/Doom1_2_FAT.compressed for NeXT vers.

Q. How can I make a set of 1.44M installation diskettes and install DooM?
A. Format two 3.5" 1.44M diskettes, label them Disk 1 and 2, then:
     Put Disk 1 in drive a: and type "pkunzip doom1_2a a:"
     Put Disk 2 in drive a: and type "pkunzip doom1_2b a:"
     Put Disk 1 in drive a: and type "a:" to change to drive a:.
     Type "install".  About 8 Meg of free disk space is needed to install.
   If the 1.44M drive is drive b:, use b:, not a:, in the above steps.
   Like id says - "Distribute like crazy" - share with all your friends :)

Q. Is there an FTP site used primarily for DooM-related files and programs?
A. Unfortunately, on Tuesday May 10 1994, the old primary Doom FTP site
   at ocf.unt.edu was ordered shut down by a University of North Texas
   administrator: "Activites not UNT-related can't use UNT resources".
   Fortunately, from the ashes of ocf has risen infant2.sphs.indiana.edu!
   Barry Bloom <[e-mail]> is back at work administering this site.
   A well-designed subdirectory hierarchy reduces clutter and search time.
   /pub/doom/FILELIST lists the /pub/doom directory tree and its files.
   /pub/doom/NEWFILES lists recently added or changed /pub/doom files.
   A *.txt info file *must* accompany binary uploads to /pub/doom/incoming.
   In this Mini-FAQ, DOOM.FTP.SITE refers to this primary DooM FTP site.
   The sites and paths mirroring the /pub/doom directories and files are:

      ftp.orst.edu:/pub/gaming/doom                    (mirrored weekly)
      empires.stanford.edu:/pub                        (mirrored nightly)
      ftp.uni-erlangen.de:/pub/pc/msdos/games/ID/doom-stuff     (nightly)
      ftp.uwp.edu:/pub/msdos/games/id/home-brew/doom  (incomplete mirror)

Q. What if I don't have access to FTP?  How do I use ftpmail?
A. Mail the following 5 lines (wo/comments) to [e-mail]
   (if your mail server complains, try [e-mail]).
   You'll get 3.2M in 49 sequentially numbered mail messages.  Extract the
   gibberish, concatenate the files in the right order, then use uudecode.
   Ftpmail can be erratic - the queue can "freeze" for days or weeks. :-(

      help                    (optional...)  (get ftpmail usage help info)
      connect ftp.orst.edu                   (this site is lightly loaded)
      binary                                 (required if not a text file)
      uuencode                               (binary msg needs uuencoding)
      get /pub/gaming/doom/id/doom1_2.zip    (use right path for FTP site)
      quit                                   (needed if message has a sig)

Q. How do I get programs and info from the DooM ListProcessor archive?
A. Mail these message lines (wo/comments) to [e-mail]:

      help                    (optional...)  (get ListProcessor help info)
      index doom              (optional...)  (get doom archive files list)
      information dooml       (optional...)  (get dooml subscription info)
      get doom faq            (for example)  (get latest and greatest FAQ)
      quit                                   (needed if message has a sig)

   The "index doom" list as of 27-May-94: faq, insane, specs, 3dbench.zip,
   nuser.zip, ser4.zip, rdoom165.zip, verda020.zip, dmaud11.zip,
   wadname.exe, uu-codes.txt, dmspec13.txt (specs is dmspec12.txt).

Q. Are there any third-party DooM-related programs or files?
A. Look in ftp.uwp.edu:/pub/games/id/home-brew/doom.  There are many files
   and programs for changing the sounds and sprite placement.  Most apply
   *only* to the registered version, per id's request.  Some examples are
   rdoom???.zip (RanDOOM), jumble??.zip (Jumble), dmsilly.zip (sounds).
   Explore other FTP sites mentioned - especially DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom.
   FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/deu/deu??.zip for Doom (WAD) Editor Utility.
   FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/wad_edit/dmaped??.zip for Doom Map Editor.
   FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/multi_doom/net/doomenu?.zip for Mdm/Net util.
   FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/graphics/barn3d20.zip & bunny3d.zip to swap
   the Barons of Hell with Barney and Sergeants with the Energizer Bunny.
   FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/lmps/lmpvol?.exe for Hall of Fame Volumes
   1 and 2 (includes easy-to-use batch file for playing the .LMP files).
   Mail [e-mail] for info about submitting .LMP files
   for Volume 3 of the DooM Hall of Fame (being assembled now).  Looking
   for Oddities, Tutorials, Multiplayer, Nightmare, Hall of Fame, etc.

Q. How do I play LMP recordings or use WAD files created by others?
A. An LMP file is a recording (up to 20 mins. worth) of a player's actions.
   A WAD file has graphics and maps for the missions.  A PWAD 'patches'
   Doom's initial IWAD file as it's read in, creating a different mission.
   If you get them off the newsgroup, save the post to a file and use the
   uudecode command on it to create a file containing the decoded contents
   (uudecode gets the target filename from the "begin" line in the post).
   FTP oak.oakland.edu:/pub/msdos/decode/uuexe525.exe for UUDECODE/UUENCODE.
   That file is *supposed to be* zipped, so run pkunzip V2.04g to unzip it.
   For an LMP file, type "doom -playdemo fname" (never add .lmp extension).
   For a WAD file, type "doom -file fname.wad" (always add .wad extension)
   (DooM will warn that it's been modified - it's OK - just press ENTER).
   To warp to a replaced mission, add "-devparm -warp Episode# Mission#",
   or use the "idclev<E#><M#>" cheat, or select New Game for 1st mission.
   BTW, id says don't distribute WAD files that work with shareware, so
   E1 WADs must contain an E2 or E3 object to enforce this restriction.
   Mail [e-mail] for info on sending a wad to him for a review.
   Finger [e-mail] for a list reviewing 200+ WADs.

Q. What are some other helpful or interesting things to know about DooM?
A. These have been gleaned from the FAQ and various newsgroup postings:
   WAD is not an acronym.  id rolled up all the objects into a big "wad".
   LMP is not an acronym.  It's a "lump" of player action data.
   #6 Plasma Rifle is in E2 and E3; #7 BFG9000 is in E3 (neither is in E1).
   There are no berserker boxes in E1 (i.e. the shareware version).
   Berserk lasts the rest of the level even after color returns to normal.
   Hit "Use" key (Spacebar) to be reborn after dying in multi-player games.
   To get screenshots, use "doom -devparm" and press F1 to take a picture.
   Cheat codes are: iddqd, idkfa, idspispopd, idbehold, idchoppers, iddt,
   idmypos, idclev E# M#.  Nightmare skill level has last three, only.
   Cheats are disabled during network or modem play (only fair, right?).
   FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/multi_doom/ser4.zip for sersetup replacement
   that fixes slowdown after 2 mins, supports 14400+, plus much more.
   Mail [e-mail] or FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/text/modem.faq for
   a list of successful modem initialization strings for serial play.
   Mail [e-mail] or FTP DOOM.FTP.SITE:/pub/doom/text/doomhelp.*
   for newbie info on: FTPing, updating using the patches, cheat codes,
   version 1.1/1.2 differences, spoilers, making .lmp recordings, and more.
   Jodi <[e-mail]> wants female Doomers to drop her a line.
   Mail [e-mail] for DooM Modem League information and roster.
   Mail id at [e-mail].  No orders.  Help, bug reports only.

Q. Is there a Doom-only unmoderated newsgroup, IRC channel, or WWW http:?
A. Yes, alt.games.doom.  However, many news servers do not carry some or
   all of the alt newsgroup heirarchy, so some DooM posts are still posted
   on c.s.i.p.g.action.  The load is pretty heavy when a new version is
   released, but generally dies down in a month or so - please be patient.
   Alt.games.doom gets about 200 posts A DAY, so keep the chatter down :)
   Before posting a question, read the FAQ, read the past few hundred posts
   to look for the answer, or send e-mail to a few knowledgable posters.
   When replying to news, change the Subject: if the topic has strayed.
   Don't post flames - use e-mail.  Ignore junk posts - they'll go away.
   Please do NOT post binaries larger than about 30K to alt.games.doom.
   The alt.binaries.doom newsgroup is for uuencoded doom-related binaries.
   The newsgroup alt.games.doom.newplayers is for new players to get info.
   Join #doom on IRC to find multiplayer partners or find out other info.
   WWW users can try http://wcl-rs.bham.ac.uk/~djh/index.html

Q. Who created the ASCII DooM logo at the top of this Mini-FAQ?
A. Jeremy C. Radwan <[e-mail]> (edited a little bit)

   John Van Essen <[e-mail]>  (`finger' plan is Mini-FAQ)