Well, yes, this is yet ANOTHER DOOM Utility, but it's one that I
hope you will find quite useful. I started this project on the
recommendation of a friend of mine with whom I play modem-DOOM on a regular
basis.
We both use OS/2, and I was lucky enough to win a copy of VX-REXX at
a trade show I was working at. Of course I rushed right home, installed it
on my machine, and started playing around with it.
It wasn't very long before I wanted to produce something USEFUL with
VX-REXX, and this is when Mike recommended that I write my own front-end for
Modem DOOM for OS/2 users.
So here it is: Modem DOOM for OS/2, newly upgraded to version 1.5!
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NEW IN THIS VERSION:
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Yes, some changes were made - thankfully, none were due to reported
bugs! This could be the first piece of Shareware ever released into version
1.0 that DIDN'T have any bugs in it...
Anyways, new in v1.5 is the now-enabled Phone Book, and name
selection for phone numbers, along with the "old" method of entering the
phone number manually. See below for more details.
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What you Need to Know:
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First off, this program makes a few assumptions. First of all, it
assumes that you're running OS/2. If you're not, you might as well delete
it now - it's for OS/2 only.
Secondly, it assumes you are running DOOM v1.2 or higher. If you
have a version prior to v1.2, then I suggest that you get the update from id
Software - if you can't find it on your local BBS, call our support BBS as
listed at the bottom of this text.
Thirdly, it does not distinguish between the Registered version and
the non-Registered version of DOOM. Thus you can select to run "The Shores
of Hell" or "Inferno" from MDS for OS/2, but if you don't have the
registered version you'll only be able to play "Knee Deep in the Dead".
[This will be changed in an upcoming version - if you don't have
registered DOOM, then MDS/2 won't let you select anything othern than
"The Shores of Hell"]
Now then, here's how it works. Upon running MDSOS2.EXE you'll first
be shown the registration nag-screen. This screen will always be displayed
upon running MDS for OS/2, until you register the program. Once registered
you'll be able to run the program hassle-free for the rest of eternity. I
too hate nag-ware - thus I have tried to design this little nag screen as a
highly low-impact nag. Sbout the only thing worse than nag-ware is
cripple-ware, and thus I MDS for OS/2 has no crippled features. Please see
the section on Registration below for information on how to register.
After the nag screen, the first time you run MDS for OS/2 you'll be
prompted to specify the full path name for DOOM and its associated files.
SERSETUP.EXE and DOOM.EXE, along with your saved games should be in this
directory in order to allow MDS for OS/2 to operate properly. MDS for OS/2
scans to see if this directory exists, and if SERSETUP.EXE also exists in
that directory. If either is false, you'll be prompted to enter the
pathname again. Once both conditions are met, MDS for OS/2 will save that
data and will never prompt you again for Path information. If at some time
in the future you move the location of your DOOM files or rename the
directory, you'll need to change the path setting again by selecting
"Path..." from the Settings selection on the top menu bar.
Next you'll see the main screen - this is where you make your
selections for the settings for your Modem DOOM game. Everything should be
fully Self-Explanitory: be sure that you and your opponent agree on what
type of game and what skill level you want to play, along with wether or not
you want to play either DeathMatch or No Monsters modes.
You now also have the option to specify up to 5 names of phone
numbers of your most common friends and foes! Just select the "Phone Book"
selection from the "Settings" pull-down menu. You can then type in up to 5
names and phone numbers (be sure to include any dialing prefixes that are
needed to dial the number, especially if it is long distance). After typing
in each name and phone number, be sure to press "Save" to save that entry
before going on to the next.
Once you've specified up to 5 names and numbers, you can now select
them from the pull-down menu below the "Dial Number" radio button, or you
may simply directly type a phone number by highlighting the current
selection (if any) and typing in the new phone number to dial. This phone
number will *not* be saved between sessions - to save a phone number, use
the Phone Book editor as described above.
Once everything is set to your liking, hit the RUN button. If you
want to Quit, hit the Exit button. If you'd like to edit your modem
configuration file, hit the "Edit MODEM.CFG" button.
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Coming Up...
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Well, the phone book has been added since version 1.0, so here's the
listing of what's to come next:
- .WAD file scanning to detect if you are using the registered or unregistered version of DOOM,
- The ability to specify an "external" .WAD file to play with, for
those of you into playing the various new and exciting levels
that are now available. MDS/2 will actually scan for these
.WAD files for you, and allow you to select from what it finds
- Improved Saved Game scanning, to display the actual saved game
name as specified in DOOM, instead of "Saved Game #",
- You'll not only be able to scan through your .WAD files to
select which one to play, you'll also be able to keep them all
in a .ZIP file! MDS/2 will automatically de-compress the .WAD
file you select, play it, and delete it when you're finished
playing! This feature can hasten file fragmentation, but can
also save dozens of megs of hard drive space! This is a feature
available in no other DOOM shell! (and now that I've announced
it, everyone will have the capibility in their next version...)
I encourage you to register this program today, as it helps to pay
for the various time and tools (and cans of Coke) I use for developing
MDS/2. Besides, if you register today, you'll be fully registered for each
new version as its released! See below for registration information.
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Registration:
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When you register, you'll be sent a special "key" file in the mail
which will disable the nag-screen. This will work FOR YOUR SYSTEM ONLY! If
you register your copy of MDS for OS/2 and then think you can just archive
it up and send it to a friend, your friend will soon discover upon
installation that his copy is not registered. The "key" file (called
REGMDS.EXE) doesn't modify MDSOS2.EXE or any of its data files, and just
having it doesn't make the program registered.
The "key" file will contain a small text file on how to register MDS
for OS/2. It's quite simple, and won't take but a minute of your time.
Registration is $15. This fee will help to cover the following
expenses incured while writing this program:
- The numerous cases of Coke that I drank while writing this
program in the wee hours of the morning
- Fixing the big hole in the wall that I made banging my head
against it every time a section of code refused to work
- cost of the randomly-coloured diskette used to mail you the
"key" file.
Now, there are a few ways to register, and a few ways to save a
little money:
- CompuServe Shareware Registration can be used, instead of
mailing your registration. You will be sent the "key" file via CompuServe E-Mail. You don't get a diskette, but the cost is the same because CompuServe charges me to use their registration service.
- Send $15 in Canadian funds (outside of Canada and the US, be
sure to get a check payable on a CANADIAN BANK!!! If it's not
payable on a Canadian bank, you'll just get the cheque back in
the mail, with no key file). For your troubles, you'll be sent
a nice and flashy diskette, in your choice of sizes.
- Okay...so you want to save some money...who doesn't? I'll
discount $2.50 off of the price if you mail me a cheque or money order and
request that the "key" file is sent to an America Online or a CompuServe
mail address. You won't get a diskette, so I'll save myself a little money
- why not pass it on to you?
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Contacting Us...
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You can contact WAFFER! MultiMedia Productions in one of the
following ways:
Postal Mail: WAFFER! MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTIONS
36 Sutter Avenue,
Brampton, Ontario
CANADA
L6Z 1G7
Voice Phone: (905) 840-0104
Support BBS: The Café Voltaire - (905) 840-2176
E-Mail: CompuServe: 71722,535
AOL: WMDBrad
Internet: 71722.535@compuserve.com
wmdbrad@aol.com
waffer@cml.com
If you are registering MDS for OS/2 with us, be sure to specify
diskette size (5.25" or 3.5"), your name and address, E-Mail address (if
appropriate), and the title of the software you wish to register (MDS for
OS/2).
Of course, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free
to send them in one of the above fashions also, and we'll get right on them.
Also, please be sure to report any problems or bugs! This software has been
extensivly tested, and should work under OS/2 2.1 on *any* machine. Please
report only problems that are due to MDS/2, and not problems associated with
