Spring - User contributions [en]

Glossary

2008-08-07T23:51:41Z

PsamtikNerd: Added UF (for Unknown-Files),

===Intro===

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Please keep this page in alphabetical order, and remember it is just a glossary not an encyclopedia - brief descriptions only please! Thank you.

===Glossary===

;AA
:"Anti Air" - units which are good against aircraft.
:Also see [[Absolute Annihilation]]. "Balancing mod" with lots of extra units, based on [[UH]].

;assist-build
:see "build-assist"

;BA
:[[Balanced Annihilation]]. The most popular Spring mod.

;balancing mod
:changes the stats, abilities, or build menus of existing units, may add extra units

;BB
:"Big Bertha", which is a "VLRPC".

;BSR
:"Brave Sir Robin" - producer of [[UH]]

;build-assist
:speeding up unit/building construction with extra con units

;[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_plus_plus C++]
:A computer language. Spring is written in this language.

;CA
:[[Complete Annihilation]]. Constantly in development Total Annihilation based mod experimenting with new graphics and gameplay ideas.

;[[CVS]]
:"Concurrent Version System", allows the developers to work together; it contains the Spring source code.
:"[[SVN]]" (Subversion) is another system for the same task.

;comm
:"commander", the unit you start the game with.

;comm bomb
:"self-D"ing your commander in an enemy base to destroy it.

;commnap
:Snatching an opponent's commander with a transport unit (usually an air transport such as an Atlas/Valkyrie), with the intent of selfdestructing it in the enemy's base.

;con
:"construction", e.g. "con air"/"air con" is a construction aircraft.

;DD
:"Doomsday Machine", Core T3 Laser tower.

;[http://www.doxygen.org doxygen]
:source code documentation system used on spring. Generates [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/doxygen/ documentation] directly from code.

;Drama
:Forum colloquialism for emotional infighting, especially when emotions begin to flare and people move from logical discussion to name calling and defensiveness. Comes from the stereotype that goths/emo-kids tend to over-dramatize their lot in life.

;[[FAQ]]
:Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions"

;LOS
:Line Of Sight (of your units)

;LRPC
:"Long Range Plasma Cannon.
:See also "VLRPC" (Very -""-)

;[[Maximum_Annihilation|MA]]
:[[Maximum_Annihilation|Maximum Annihilation]] - TA themed mod which evolved from [[Balanced_Annihilation|BA]] and features lots of new units and some changes on the concept to make it more challenging and fun.

;mex (mexes)(mohomex)
:Metal Extractor(s)

;[[MiniSpring]]
:[[Mods|Mod]] with all the unit sizes scaled down by a factor of 2.

;[[Mods|mod]]
:Modification to the game which changes the units, see [[Mods]].

;[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_.NET .NET]
:A software development platform used by Spring.

;[[NOTA]]
:Not Original Total Annihilation, referring to the a TA mod.

;[[OTA]]
:Original Total Annihilation, referring to the unmodified TA units.

;Phoenix Works
:A game [[lobby]] and persistent campaign system supporting Spring [[XTA]] as well as several (mainly rebalancing) mods for [[OTA|original TA]].

;Porcing
:Playing defensively and not expanding (Small and Good Defense, like a Porcupine); term from an old [[CaveDog]] Strategy Article.

;PW
:See "Phoenix Works".
:Can also stand for "PeeWee"s

;rebalance
:See "balancing mod"

;rush
:Early attack, see [[Rushing]]

;self-D
:"self destruct" - All units can do this ([CTRL]+[D] to activate/cancel).

;[http://sf.net SourceForge]
:The [[open source]] website used for the development of the source code.

;[[SVN]]
:Subversion, used by the developers, it contains the [[Spring]] programming code. Considered superior to [[CVS]].

;[[SWTA]]
:Star Wars "total conversion" [[Mods|mod]]

;[[SY]]s
:"Swedish Yankspankers" - the guys who started the whole [[Spring]] thing 8)

;[[TA]]
:Total Annihilation, the name of the game.

;[[TA-WD|TAWD]]
:"Total Annihilation: World Domination" - a quality World War 3 [[TC]].

;TC
:See "total conversion"

;TiA
:Tired Annihilation, a TA-based mod by Tired.

;total conversion
:A [[Mods|mod]] which replaces the entire unit set, and often every other aspect(graphics, sound, etc.) of a game.

;[[UH]]
:"[[UberHack]]" - Perhaps the most widely acclaimed "balancing mod" - produced by "BSR".

;UF
:Unknown-Files, a site that hosts Spring content.

;unit stats
:The amount of armour, max speed, etc. that a unit has.

;[[UTASP]]
:A truly massive unofficial unit pack expansion for [[TA]].

;VLRPC
:"Very Long Range Plasma Cannon"
:See also "LRPC"

;veh
;"vehicle"

;[[XTA]]
:Standard mod packaged with spring. Developed by a small community of enthusiasts. v9.44 is latest version.

=== See also ===
* "[http://www.tauniverse.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=435301#post435301 Abbreviations]" entry in the [http://www.tauniverse.com tauniverse.com] forum

[[edrama]]

[[Category:Playing]]

Read Me First

2008-08-07T23:21:15Z

PsamtikNerd: Random clarification.

{{lang | Germany | Zuerst lesen | Zuerst Lesen}}

 <center>'''The following will answer the most commonly-asked questions about Spring from newcomers, especially those confused by the differences between the way Total Annihilation handles things and the way Spring handles things.'''</center> 

===About Spring===
Spring is an open source project. This means everyone with programming knowledge can contribute in the project. It also means this is made in free time. 
Spring is currently in a Beta stage. This means it isn't done yet. Therefore, some things may be unclear or not user-friendly yet. (Like the GUI, which doesn't exist.) That said, Spring is still totally playable with many fan-made mods to choose from. 

===Installation (on Windows)===
* For installation on Linux, [[SetupGuide|go here]]
# Get The installer here: http://spring.clan-sy.com/download.php
# Spring and Total Annihilation are two completely different programs. Their files are not in any way interchangeable.
# As such, they should be installed to different directories. Spring is usually installed at C:\Program Files\Spring
# Make sure you have the latest version of Spring. The current version is {{CurrentVersion}}
# Spring it self is an engine, the program that runs the content. The content itself (the buildings, units, sounds, images) are packed in mod files. There are several mods you can play with Spring. They all have different play styles. The installer is a web installer with a list of mods you can download and play.

===Playing===
# To play a game of Spring, you must run the TASClient.exe program. Spring itself, at this time, cannot be run directly very well.
# You can start TASClient through the start menu link it creates or by running TASClient.exe in the directory you installed Spring in.
# It is possible to play a single player game. Of course, this requires an AI to fight against. Take a look at the Bots section of this article.
 
# To chat with allies, press Alt+Enter, or type "a:" (without quotation marks) before your message.
# Press Shift+Enter or type "s:" before your message to chat with spectators only.
 
# Press F1 for seeing the heightmap (because some buildings cannot be built anywhere).
# Press F2 when you want to see where the builder can build the selected unit.
# Press F3 for seeing last action in the game.
# Press F4 for seeing metal map (where to build metal extractors).
# Press F6 to enable/disable sounds.
# Press F9 to enable/disable the health bars above units.
# Press F12 to take a screenshot with average JPG quality.
For more information Check Keyboard Key Layout:
[http://img108.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=03721_PK06A_Compact_Keyboard_ProdImage_Black_V2_122_972lo.jpg Spring Keyboard Layout Image]
 
# Press the left mouse button to select a unit.
# Press the left mouse button and drag a rectangle to select multiple units.
# Press the right mouse button on the terrain to move all selected units to that location.
# Press the left mouse button on the terrain to deselect any selected units you have selected.

===Using Mods===
# A list of all mods can be found at: [[Mods]]
# You can download most mods from [http://spring-portal.com/index.php/docman/cat_view/36-mods/ Spring-Portal] You should probably bookmark this page.
# To install a mod ("data set") to Spring, you just simply put the ".sd7" or ".sdz" file (or files) into your "Spring\Mods\" directory.
# Some mods have multiple files to them. For example, "Absolute Annihilation" currently contains the base mod file, then extra files for the given version being played and the desired 'mutator'. Place all these into the mod folder.
# Once a mod has been installed, restart the Spring Client, or click on the "Refresh mod list" when hosting a game. It then will appear as an option when you start a game ("Battle Screen") in TASClient.

===Using Maps===
# Maps can be found at [http://spring-portal.com/index.php/docman/cat_view/35-maps Spring-Portal]. 
# This files are also ".sd7" or ".sdz" files. They may be zipped with WinZip or WinRar, to reduce the size. In that case, unzip them before placing them in the "Maps" directory in the Spring folder. 
# In the Battle Screen, use the "Reload Map list" button to use the new maps. 
# The Client can also automatically download the required map. In the Battlescreen go to "More Maps" and select a new map from the list. 

===Client===
# The purpose of TASClient is similar to the Microsoft Zone lobby, only not as pretty. You can go there to chat, start games, download maps, and basically anything Spring related.
# Private messaging is also supported through TASClient by double-clicking a person's name on the list on the right-hand side of the screen. To exit a private messaging window, right-click that person's name at the top of your screen. (next to something like "#main")
# To host a game, go to "Battle Screen" and click the "Host battle" buton. A small window pops up, allowing you to chose the mod and other settings.
# If you're in a battle, but have 'lost' your battle screen, you can get it back by hitting the "Battle Screen" button on the top-left of the main Client window. This is also where you host games from.

===Bots===
Bots are AI controlled players. There are several AI projects in development. Most of them are at a playable stage. 

There are bots packed with Spring, so you should already have several AI to fight against. Installing other AIs or new versions is simple as using new mods or maps. 
# Unpack the downloaded file, and place the dll files in \Spring\ai\bot-libs. Note that some AIs require additional folders/files to work properly so read their install instructions carefully 
# Restart Spring Client if it was running. 
# Or use [http://spring-portal.com/index.php/docman/doc_details/232-springsp-v09 SpringSP via Spring-Portal], a small program that easily sets up a singleplayer game. 

A list of AIs can be found at: [[AIs]] 

Your question not answered here? Got problems? Read the [[FAQ|Frequently Asked Questions]]. 

===The Spring Forum===
[[Forum_Etiquette|Guidelines For Forum Etiquette]]

[[Category:Playing]]

Getting Spring Content and Links

2008-08-07T23:10:48Z

PsamtikNerd: Gave iamacup credit for UF.

===Sites You Can Download Form===
*UF (UnknownFiles) went down in late 2007, but came back online in July 2008.
*You can get downloads from some of the links in "General" as well
*There is an article in the wiki specifically for "Maps" and map downloading

http://spring.jobjol.nl << a favorite site for getting Spring content - thanks to JJ

http://spring-portal.com/ << a nice Spring site with a short Getting Spring to play tutorial + more - thanks to BLC

http://www.tasdownloads.com/ - thanks to M_A_D

http://www.darkstars.co.uk/downloads/ << Has the best :bandwidth you will get - thanks to AF (a Dev with a running Spring blog)

http://evolutionrts.info/maps/ - thanks to FA

http://www.unknown-files.net/spring/ << one of the most popular sources for Spring content until its prolonged downtime - thanks to iamacup.

===Developer Sites===
Note that some Mods just use the Message board and not a site.

http://trac.springlobby.info/wiki/I18n << The Site for the Devs who work on the Lobby which lets us play together << there u can write a ticket if some thing [about the lobby]needs fixing

http://trac.caspring.org/wiki/CaUpdater << CA mod site << The link for DLing the CaUpdater - you can also write a ticket about some ting CA needs fixed

===General Links For Spring===

http://www.tauniverse.com/

http://springladder.no-ip.org/ << Ladder game Ranks + Scores

http://www.portforward.com/ << see our wiki on port forwarding to make use of this

http://modinfo.adune.nl << give detailed info for mods

http://replays.adune.nl << for getting and uploading replays - note: 2 see a

replay you will need the Map and Mod played

http://pastebin.com << used for easily sharing code, or large blocks of text

===Useful Links===

http://www.wings3d.com/ << relevant for modeling

===Clan Sites===

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Getting Spring Content and Links

2008-08-07T23:09:20Z

PsamtikNerd: Changed status on UnknownFiles, fixed some capitalization.

===Sites You Can Download Form===
*UF (UnknownFiles) went down in late 2007, but came back online in July 2008.
*You can get downloads from some of the links in "General" as well
*There is an article in the wiki specifically for "Maps" and map downloading

http://spring.jobjol.nl << a favorite site for getting Spring content - thanks to JJ

http://spring-portal.com/ << a nice Spring site with a short Getting Spring to play tutorial + more - thanks to BLC

http://www.tasdownloads.com/ - thanks to M_A_D

http://www.darkstars.co.uk/downloads/ << Has the best :bandwidth you will get - thanks to AF (a Dev with a running Spring blog)

http://evolutionrts.info/maps/ - thanks to FA

http://www.unknown-files.net/spring/ << one of the most popular sources for Spring content until its prolonged downtime.

===Developer Sites===
Note that some Mods just use the Message board and not a site.

http://trac.springlobby.info/wiki/I18n << The Site for the Devs who work on the Lobby which lets us play together << there u can write a ticket if some thing [about the lobby]needs fixing

http://trac.caspring.org/wiki/CaUpdater << CA mod site << The link for DLing the CaUpdater - you can also write a ticket about some ting CA needs fixed

===General Links For Spring===

http://www.tauniverse.com/

http://springladder.no-ip.org/ << Ladder game Ranks + Scores

http://www.portforward.com/ << see our wiki on port forwarding to make use of this

http://modinfo.adune.nl << give detailed info for mods

http://replays.adune.nl << for getting and uploading replays - note: 2 see a

replay you will need the Map and Mod played

http://pastebin.com << used for easily sharing code, or large blocks of text

===Useful Links===

http://www.wings3d.com/ << relevant for modeling

===Clan Sites===

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