DOOMLoad v3.0 for DOOM v1.5+
(Working Beta for Shareware, ??? for registered)

Coded by Christian Antkow (cant@softchoice.com)

*THIS IS A BETA!!! Any flames will be bounced back! Constructive comments/
bug reports would be appreciated!

Notes:

Welcome to DOOMLoad v3.0. Possibly the best DOOM front end around.
I'd like to begin by saying, thanx to all who supported DOOMLoad
and above all, thank you for being patient while I got my ass in
gear and wrote the version which is before you now.

DOOMLoad v3.0 is a COMPLETE re-write of the previous versions and I
think you'll all agree that this one is MUCH better than the previous
ones.

I highly recommend you use a mouse, but if you don't, I've tried
to make it as keyboard friendly as possible.

I'd like to send out a special thank you to Andrew Moore
(amoore@softchoice.com) for helping me out with ideas for the PWAD
validation routines which would not be here if it were not for him.
Also, thanx to Shaun Buchanan and Andrew Moore for helping me test
out SERSETUP.

Big hellos go out to the entire id crew for creating such an excellent
game, all you DOOM nuts at Ingram Micro (Hi Cathy...), and all the
tech support DOOM nuts at Microsoft. Also, thanx to Hank Leukart for
releasing the DOOM FAQ and specs which without, this loader would not
be here...

How to Use DOOMLoad v3.0

DOOMLoad was written for use with a 100% compatible MS mouse. If you don't
have one, I've attempted to make it as keyboard friendly as possible.

Use the TAB key to move around, and use either Space or Enter to select
an option, check or command button. If you want to whip around using
quick keys. There's a drop down menu which is accessable by selecting
ALT-S at the main DOOMLoad form (Shortcut Keys) or press the appropriate
function key.

Support Files

DOOMLOAD.NFO - The file you are reading. DON'T DELETE THIS FILE!!!
DOOMLOAD.DAT - DOOMLoad information which contains your common network
directory, pwad directory, demo max buffer size, com port
and irq level for modems (in that order...)
MODEM.STR    - Bundled with DOOM. This is the file DOOMLoad uses in order to
add a modem string or to read modem strings.
MODEM.CFG    - Bundled with DOOM. Config file for the modem you are
presently using.
DOOMLOAD.EXE - Main program and interface.
RUNDOOM.EXE  - Response file parser and program resposible for executing
DOOM.
QUICKNET.DAT - Created by DOOM as needed. Contains information which is
passed to DOOM, IPXSETUP, or SERSETUP.
PWADFILE.NDX - Index file of your PWAD's in the PWAD directory

Installing DOOMLoad v3.0

If you are upgrading from a previous version of DOOMLOAD, delete the
DOOMLOAD.DAT and the PWADFILE.NDX files.

Unzip the contents of DOOMLD30.ZIP into the directory that contains DOOM
v1.5+ and run DOOMLOAD.EXE. A config form will pop up asking you for
various information that's needed... Press save and away you go...

*INSTALLATION NOTE*

There's an additional checkbox called "Using DOOM v1.2 or below?"
Pretty straightforward. If you are using DOOM v1.2 or below, check this
box. It has to do with the QUICKNET.DAT packet which is generated when
you run DOOM. (Ie: DOOM v1.2 does not have a response file option.
RunDOOM has to parse the response file options onto a commandline...)

If you select fast monsters, or altdeath for DOOM v1.2, it will just
ignore it...

DOOMLoad v3.0 Main Form

[No Info/View Info Button]

If a PWADFILE.TXT file exists for the WAD file that is highlighted,
the button will change to View Info. If no TXT file exists, it
will change to No Info. Press the View Info button to see the
accompanying TXT file.

[<----/----> Buttons]

Add or remove the highlighted WAD to play.

[F1] Start Single Player

This option will launch DOOM for play by a single player based on
the settings that you have provided it.

[F2] Send QuickNet Packet

For the Quicknet Master. Writes out a file called QUICKNET.DAT to
the common network directory where other quicknet players can pick
it up and read in the settings for network play. It then launches
DOOM. Same theory as the old versions of DOOMLoad.

[F3] Wait for Quicknet Packet

Network players will press this and wait for the Quicknet master to
configure the DOOM session. It polls the common network directory
for the existance of QUICKNET.DAT. When it appears, it's read and
DOOM is launched. Parameters are sent to IPXSETUP.

[F4] Wait for Call

Launches SERSETUP based on the options you have setup in the DOOMLoad
main form, grabs modem settings from DOOMLOAD.DAT and MODEM.CFG, and
waits for a call.

[F5] Initiate Call

Brings up a dialing directory, the user selects the name of the
person to dial, then reads in information from DOOMLOAD.DAT and
MODEM.CFG and calls the other player waiting for a call.

[F6] Configuration

The most important form of all. This is where you configure your
common network directory (if not on a network, set this to your
C:\DOOM directory or a TEMP directory or something...), PWAD
directory (Where your PWAD's reside), the Demo buffer size for
recording LMP's, and your modem COM and IRQ settings.

A command button also exists to run DOOM's SETUP program to
reconfigure your card (I'll probably rework this in DOOMLoad 3.1)
and to get another form in which you select your modem.

**NOTE** If you're on a network, may I suggest creating a common
directory where your place ALL the avaiable PWADs? This will make it
much more flexible to your users and DOOMLoad. ie: make a dir called
G:\DOOM\WADS\ and make your PWAD directory point there.

[F7] Sudden Death

Plops you onto a random Episode and Mission based on the PWAD's you
have selected and other play settings. Works for either single player
mode or as an alternate method of sending a Quicknet packet.

[F8] Play LMP

Brings up a list of available LMP's you can view. Press the play
button to launch DOOM and view the LMP. If it is a multiplayer
DOOM v1.5+ LMP, remember, you can press F12 to alternate player
viewpoints and press TAB to view the other players on the map.

[F9] QUIT

The most important key. Bails you out of DOOMLoad.

[F10] Serial Link

Initiates a null-modem serial link game of DOOM.

[F11] Validate PWADs

If you've added WAD files to your PWAD directory, it won't show
up in the WAD listings. You'll have to press F11 to refresh the
list box and update the stats for the PWADs.

Other Main Form Features

Levels <------------------------------This area fills with level info
1 2 3    1 2 3                        about the current WAD file you've
1         1                             clicked in the Available WADs
2         2                             list box

4         4                           |
5         5                           +-This list box fills with the level
6         6                             info of all the PWAD's you've
7         7                             selected for play
8         8
S         S

Available PWADs List Box

Beside the WADFile, you may notice either a G S or M letter after the name.
This denotes that the particular WADfile highlighted contains either;

M - Additional music
S - Additional sounds
G - Additional graphics
D - Full Deathmatch support for the level or all levels contained
in the PWAD
d - Partial Deathmatch support. Some levels in a multi-level
PWAD do not support deathmatch play.

Modem Configuration

Pretty straightforward. Select the modem you wish to use from the list.
When you've clicked on the modem you wish to use, press the "Save Modem"
button to make it the current one to use.

Alternately, should you wish to add a modem, click the "Add Modem" button
and fill in the requested information.

*NOTE REGARDING THE MODEM.STR FILE*

You will notice that id has, for example, a US Robotics Sportster 14.4k
modem with a baud rate of 9600. Why not 14400 or 38400? I don't know.
What I do know is that if you change the baud rate, the modems won't
respond properly. Looks like id did their homework on the modem strings.
If it's in the MODEM.STR file, it works for the respective modem. May the
force be with you should you decide to tweak them.

Serial Play Info

When playing either via modem or null modem cable, you'll have to
syncronize your play options with the other player in advance.
Ie: "Let's play E1M6 with KRADLEV.WAD with Fast monster and turbo @ 200"

I'll be working on QuickSerial for DOOMLoad v3.1, at least via Null-modem
cable, but will have to do some MAJOR coding for QuickSerial to work
with modems...

DOOMLOAD v3.0 Known Quirks and other bad things

Due to the fact that I wrote this under DOOM v1.5 beta, I'm not 100%
sure about the way it handles PWAD's on the command line or in the
response file. IT SHOULD WORK!

You should not be able to pass non-existing directory names for your
configuration for either common directories or PWAD directories. The
config form will complain if you do so. If by some freak you manage to
enter a non-existant directory and the config form does not catch it,
chances are DOOMLoad will crash! This being the case, you will have to edit
the first two entries in the DOOMLOAD.DAT file to point to the common
directory and the pwad directory (ending in a \) respectively).

So my tabstops for the forms could be better but I'm hoping that most
you you all use a mouse. If I get enough compaints, I'll be sure to
put quickkeys on each form.

Again, if you are using a mouse, YOU NEED A 100% COMPATIBLE MS MOUSE
DRIVER or the mouse will only go halfway down the screen!!!

I've not been able to get LMP recording to work via modem-link. It could
be because the other end had a crappy 386/40. It craps out with an
inconsistency error... If anyone get's this to work, plese mail me.
Otherwise, if you still get problems, let me know so I can look over the
code.

Please report any bugs to cant@softchoice.com so I can squash them ASAP!