Slackware install
Slackware 12
Working for version 0.76b1.
There is all dependencies in precompiled tgz's:
Assuming that all .tgz are saved in the same directory, open a console and cd inside that directory; then do this:
su -c "installpkg *.tgz"
When asked for the root password, give it.
A menu entry for spring and another to springlobby will apear in KDE, XFCE and GNOME.
Also, spring and springlobby executables will be accessible via shell; put it on you fluxbox menu, ;D
Finalizing installation
You should have Spring installed by now; if not, please see the SetupGuide.
Maps & Mods
Since Spring is only an engine, you need to download games for it, and the maps that go with those games.
SpringLobby will automatically do this for you when you attempt to join a game with a map or mod that you do not currently have, using an integrated downloader.
If you want to download it manually or browse existing maps, there are several easy to use websites:
Pick any of those sites, download a map or mod, and then double click it. This will move it to your Spring folder, using the spring map/mod installer program. If you wish to move maps/mods by hand, they are located under ~/.spring/maps/ or ~/.spring/mods/ (if the folder does not exist - create it). Do not unpack the file in any way though, just download and save it. Reload your maps/mods in SpringLobby, (Tools - Reload maps/mods) and they will be ready to use.
These sites also may provide other neat things like Lua widgets, epic replays, AI bots (for playing offline or to team up on with a friend). Generally the installation requires you to download the file and place it in the appropriate folder in your ~/.spring directory. (you may have to create the folder)
Hint: If you know the name of the map you want, there is a Search function provided in those websites. Just write a part of the name, like one word, and you will easily find the map you were looking for.
Linux specific Troubleshooting
Ingame
Slow Mouse
Run:
echo '# Slow fullscreen cursor fix for Spring' >> ~/.xsessionrc
echo 'SDL_MOUSE_RELATIVE=0' >> ~/.xsessionrc
echo 'export SDL_MOUSE_RELATIVE' >> ~/.xsessionrc
And log out and log in again.
The mouse should now be as fast as in windowed mode.
Rotating Buildings
You can rotate a building before you give the build order, but the keys that do this do not work in Linux by default for some users. Issue the following commands in the beginning of the game:
/bind keycodex buildfacing inc
/bind keycodey buildfacing dec
Keycodex and keycodey above are just placeholders. What you want to write depends on which key you want to use. To see what keycodes any keys have, do:
/keydebug yes
And then hit the keys you want to use, and spring prints the keycodes in the message buffer.
If you want to save these keys you have to edit the uikeys.txt.
Problems with Audio
The engine needs at least OpenAL Soft 1.6 for its sound. If you still have the old openal-0.0.8 installed, you should update it.
Additionally, pulseaudio causes lots of issues, so try to disable it for spring if you have sound problems.
Desync in game
Spring only send the commands and not the result over the network, so it needs to run all math in a repeatable manner, so all other clients in a multiplayer match get the same results. So some CPU specific features have to enabled/disabled. If you desync, you either have a CPU that is not SSE1 capable, or you set the wrong -march/-mtune compiler flags. If you compile Spring via CMake, remove CMakeCache.txt, and leave the march flag at the default.
