Spring - User contributions [en]

FAQ

2008-10-20T11:27:35Z

Themasterandmat: I personally like more space above Major Headings

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'''[[FAQ:general|General FAQ]]'''

An FAQ containing generic questions about spring and the project itself

'''[[FAQ:requirements| System Requirements FAQ]]'''

An FAQ on system requirements, and other helpful questions

'''[[FAQ:technical|Technical FAQ]]'''

An FAQ on some common issues

'''[[FAQ:player|Playing ingame FAQ]]'''

An FAQ with questions about the ingame GUI and playing with the spring engine

'''[[FAQ:content|Content FAQ]]'''

An FAQ on content, be that games or maps

'''[[Using_Spring|Playing Spring]]'''

How to play the game. Controls, issuing orders, and related topics.

'''[[Mods]]'''

Games that use the Spring engine.

'''[[Getting Spring Content and Links]]'''

Lists sites related to spring, and sites from which you can download spring Mods/Games, Maps, and more

'''[[Maps]]'''

All about maps for the Spring engine and where to get them.

'''[[AIs]]'''

Skirmish AIs, Helper AIs...

'''[[Clans]]'''

A list of the official clans in spring.

'''[[King Titles]]'''

Titles of importance.

'''[[Hosting Spring]]'''

Autohosting and related topics.

'''[[The Lighter Side Of Spring]]'''

Humour, comics and quotations.

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'''[http://spring.clan-sy.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=11 Help/Bug forums]'''

Look at the help forums for more help with technical issues and crashes
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'''[http://spring.clan-sy.com/mantis/ Report Bugs/Submit a Patch]'''

Submit patches and bug reports here
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'''[[Glossary]]'''

What does "AA" or "XTA" mean? Explanations for common terms and shorthand.
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'''[[Strategy and Tactics]]'''

Basic ideas how to stand your ground.
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'''[[Spreading Spring]]'''

Read before advertising.
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'''[[Read Me First]]'''

Answers to questions often asked - Everyone should read this first.
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FAQ:requirements

2008-10-20T11:13:44Z

Themasterandmat: Minor gramatical edits

=Requirements=

==What platforms will Spring run on?==
At the moment, it runs on Windows, Linux and basically on [[Spring_on_MacOSX |Mac OS X]]. Support for FreeBSD is under development.

==What sort of a system do I need to run Spring?==
You need a 3D graphics card to run Spring. Anything better or equal to a GeForce4 MX should work. It is also '''Strongly Recommended''' that you update your drivers to the latest versions. Minimum CPU requirements are a little more complex. A more powerful CPU will have the capability to support larger maps and a greater maximum unit limit. A 1 GHz CPU should be able to support an estimated 500 units. The needed memory will also vary with unit count and map size, and Spring has been known to have worked with 256 MB of Ram (albeit with lowest detail levels).

For further details and tested Systems check the [[Requirements]] page.

==Spring says 'Missing Default Cursor'==

That means you are playing a mod or 'game content' that depends on files you do not have. Most of times, it's due to trying to play a TA mod without having the TA base files (/base/otacontent.sdz, /base/tacontent_v2.sdz, /base/tatextures_v062.sdz). You can download them from [http://spring.clan-sy.com/dl/installer/base/ here] (After download, move them to the /base/ subfolder of your Spring folder). However, that would be illegal if you do not own the disc from a ten years old video game called Total Annihilation. Pretty sure it's illegal if you own it too {Stupid Corporations}. And don't even try to dump genuine TA data in your Spring folder, that won't work. To remain legal, play mod / 'game content' that do not depend on repacked TA contents.

==I need the GL_ARB_texture_env_combine extension==

This error can be caused by various things:

#Old video Hardware.
#Old drivers.
#Bad installed Drivers.
#Bad game settings.

If your hardware is old check [http://www.delphi3d.net/hardware/extsupport.php?extension=GL_ARB_texture_env_combine THIS] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20070627091726/http://www.delphi3d.net/hardware/extsupport.php?extension=GL_ARB_texture_env_combine alternative Link]) list, if you cant find your video card then, sorry, you have to buy a new video card.

If your hardware is in the above list or you are sure that your video card support this opengl extension download [http://www.realtech-vr.com/glview/download.html THIS] software. Intall, run, and check if under the ''Report'' tab there is the ''GL_ARB_texture_env_combine'' string.
If the string is present then the problem resides in your Spring settings, try lower screen resolution and disable all graphics effect.
If the string is not present and your hardware is in the list the problem are your video card drivers. To solve this '''UNINSTALL ALL PREVIOUS DRIVERS''' and install last stable drivers for your video card. Usually the problem shows when there are uninstalled old video drivers on the system.

'''NOTE:''' Use '''glxinfo''' on a Linux system. You don't need to download any third party application because most if not all systems with x11 should have that program already.

FAQ:general

2008-10-20T11:06:40Z

Themasterandmat: Added Mod link in First Goal, and the "how can i help" section

==General information==

Here are general questions asked about spring and their answers

===What is Spring?===
Spring is a project to create the best RTS ever (no joke). There are three principle goals which we hope to achieve.

# Reach a stage where TA Spring can flawlessly execute most of Total Annihilation's original gameplay, with its original units in their original format.
#*''This goal has been achieved, Multiple TA-style mods are now around ranging from [[BOTA]] which is Basically OTA, to [[CA]] which rebalances most of the units and roles while keeping then graphical style. A bunch of non-TA mods are also available, such as; [[Kernel Panic]], [[Gundam Annihilation]], and [[1944: Spring]]. Please see [[Mods]] for a complete list of Mods, as well as an explanation of the term "Mod"''
# Add new features as we see fit, fix bugs, and release new versions when we feel it is appropriate to do so.
# Support the mod community as we see fit.
#*''A quite robust modding system is implemented allowing ease of modding or just making a mutator for an existing mod. This can be done either mod or map side, allowing special buildings to be included in a map.''<br>
# Improving the already fine original TA Interface in a way that the Players will have more tactical Options, more Control, more Comfort and still don`t get lost, as long as they are willing to learn.

There has recently been added support for LUA widgets and gadgets which will help you customize the interface to your needs. The UI is personal again.

The goals might need an update.. -- Tim Blokdijk

===Is Spring free?===
The core game is released under GPL License. Fortunately as of now, there are also two mods which have been released under the GNU/GPL, and several more which do not have clear licence terms (owned by their modder).

However, there are also several mods for which some parts are still under copyright of Atari. For these you need to own the original TA game if you want to play.

===Why can I edit this page?===
This page, and several others, are located in the Spring [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki Wiki]. The link gives a full explanation of what it is, but in short it is a way of letting anyone who wants to contribute to the page content. This can of course be abused, but even while it is easy for someone to vandalise the page, it is just as easy for someone to restore it, since the wiki saves all previous versions of a page.

===Why can't I edit this page?===
You need to be [[Special:Userlogin|logged in]] to edit our wiki because people were vandalizing and/or being morons too much, so we had to lock it down.

===I want to help, what can I do?===
Please look in the Forums. There are lots of things you can do according to your skills. These range from artistic development through to hard coding components. We are always looking for new fresh ideas. Avoid old stale ones found in the [[Monthly_Topic_Rotation]].

===I want to donate.===
People have made clear their desire to donate to the project, and so far, we have been fairly reluctant about accepting donations. Our main concern? While we certainly hope to have something on the level of a commercial release in the near future, there is no guarantee that it will ever happen. Unforeseen events arise, and it would be most unfortunate if everyone who donated felt swindled because the project did not turn out as they had hoped.

We do not plan to be more or less productive solely based upon the quantity and frequency of donations received. The Spring project is here only because we view this as an enjoyable hobby.

===I read all that and I still want to donate.===
Very well then! You can find the required details [http://taspring.clan-sy.com/donate.php here]. It will be much appreciated. :)