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README for Linux SVGALib Quake

Requirements

• SVGALib 1.20 or later (/lib/libvga.so.1.2.10)
• libc 5.2.18 or later (5.0.9 will not work, /lib/libc.so.5.2.18)
• CD-ROM for CDAudio
• Soundcard capable of mmap'd buffers. USSLite 3.5.4 was used to build squake with. Works fine on SoundBlaster 16 and Gravis Ultrasound MAX.
• SVGALib supported mouse (usually if it works with X, it'll work with squake).
• Kernel 2.0.24 or later
  • untested with 2.1 kernels, your mileage may vary

Here's the release you've been waiting for. Linux squake supports 320x200x256, the various modeX modes (320x400, 360x400, etc) as well as high res modes if your card is supported by SVGALib. Use the Quake console command vid_describemodes to list supported modes and the command vid_mode <number> to change modes.

Full sound support is included. The default sound rate is 16-bit stereo, 11KHz. You can change this in the options section below.

Mouse works great, but SVGALib may not detect a 3-button mouse properly (it will only use two buttons). Check your /etc/libvga.config (or /etc/vga/libvga.config for SlackWare users).

**Version 1.1 fixes some crash bugs with the mission packs.

New Command Line Options for Linux SVGAlib Quake

-mem <mb>
Specify memory in megabytes to allocate (default is 8MB, which should be fine for most needs).

-nostdout
Don't do any output to stdout

-mdev <device>
Mouse device, default is /dev/mouse

-mrate <speed>
Mouse baud rate, default is 1200

-cddev <device>
CD device, default is /dev/cdrom

-mode <modenum>
Use indicated video mode

-nokdb
Don't initialize keyboard

-sndbits <8 or 16>
Set sound bit sample size. Default is 16 if supported.

-sndspeed <speed>
Set sound speed. Usual values are 8000, 11025, 22051 and 44100. Default is 11025.

-sndmono
Set mono sound

-sndstereo
Set stereo sound (default if supported)

Installation

Boot DOS (I know, but you need it to run the Quake install program) and install Quake from your Quake CD to a DOS parition.

Boot Linux and make a directory for Quake. Copy everything from the DOS Quake directory into it. i.e.:

(cd /dos/quake; tar cf - .) | (cd ~/quake; tar xf -)

Place squake into your Quake directory. You must make it setuid root (since Quake access stuff like direct video writes, the raw keyboard mode, CD, etc). Quake will setuid back to the normal user as soon as it opens these files. Make Quake suid root as follows:

        chown root squake
        chmod 4755 squake

Run squake. I don't recommend running it as root, since all the saved config.cfg files will be then owned as root. Use your normal account, unless you do everything as root, then your mileage will vary.

squake may segfault if it tries to initialize your sound card and their isn't one. Same with the CDROM. If it dies, try it with -nosound and/or -nocdaudio. If you have a sound card it died on and you know it is supported by USSLite (the driver that comes with the Linux kernel), let me know and I'll take a look at it.

It should work with SCSI CDROMs, but is untested.

Full TCP/IP network support is in, including listen and dedicated server modes. squake makes a nice dedicated server as you don't need the X11 libraries kicking around.

All of the options described in TECHINFO.TXT and MANUAL.TXT from the Quake distribution will work, 'cept for stuff with vid modes and stuff.

End Notes

Linux SVGALib Quake is NOT an officially supported product. Mail about it will be deleted. Do not email id about this product. If you are having technical difficultly, you can email me, but make sure you have the correct kernel, libc, svgalib and other software versions before you email me.

Dave 'Zoid' Kirsch
zoid@threewave.com
Official Quake Unix Port Administrator

Acks

Greg Alexander <galexand@sietch.bloomington.in.us> for initial work in SVGALib support.
Dave Taylor <ddt@crack.com> for basic Linux support. id Software for Quake and making me port it. :)

Lots of people on #linux, #quake for testing.