Welcome to UN*X ATTACK!
FAQ/InfoSheet

For Un*x ATTACK Client v0.97b
For Un*x Attack Server v1.0

FAQ Version 9512
By Joshua C Templin

=====================================================================
[1.0] Welcome to UN*X ATTACK! (UA)

	Un*x Attack (from now on UA) is a fast pased, multiplayer, strategic
        shoot 'em up game.  You connect to the UAServer with an approved
        UAClient and can talk to fellow UA players .. and then begin an
        exciting game!  You could be playing with any number of people ...
        for any number of places.  UA allows for up to sixteen people to
        play all at the same time!

[1.1] What IS Un*x Attack?

	UA is actually a tank battle game.  You use four active tanks to
        defend your own base from other players while attacking the same
        ones that are attacking you.  You goal: To kill all your opponents
        and survive to be the last one alive on the field.  UA actually is
        not an entirely /new/ concept.  In the beginning of MultiPlayer
        games came something that could be called UA's 'grandfather':
        FlashAttack.

	UA is currently TEXT based .. and can be run on any dumb terminal,
        console, or display supported by the 'terminfo' library.  Please see
        the BUGS section for information on specific displays.

[1.2] What is Flash Attack?

	FlashAttack is a circa 1989 multi-player game for MajorBBS systems. 
        FlashAttack's client only ran under MSDOS and the server, if you
        could call it that, was only on MajorBBS systems.  FlashAttack, at
        least the circa 1989 edition featured ANSI color and sound ..
        however, UA's current lack of color and sound are well made up by
        it's amount of players (10 more than FlashAttack) and extra features
        (Cameras, Internet usability, Multiple Platforms).  UA also is being
        updated to add new features ... something not available with
        FlashAttack.

	FlashAttack and MajorBBS are trademarks and copyright GlactiComm
        Corporation.

	For more information on GalactComm see: http://www.galacticomm.com

	For the BEST PC based PhoneLine (and now 'net) based BBS systems, see 	
		GalatiComm ... The MajorBBS is the ONLY quality BBS available.

[1.3] Where do I get the latest client for UA?

	The latest client for UA is always available at:
		ftp://jtemplin.d.umn.edu/pub/UA/clients

[1.4] What platforms does UA exsist for?

	Currently UA supports these platforms:
		Linux(1.2.*, 1.3.*)
		SunOS 5.4

	The UA developmenty team is also looking of rnew platforms to port
        UA to.  If you are willing to allow one or more of the UA
        Development team shell access to any of the below platforms, please
        mail jtemplin@d.umn.edu.

		HP-UX
		Other SunOS versions
		BSD
	
	If your platform is not listed and you want a port for it, contact
	the UA Development team and we'll add it.

[1.5] What about an X based client?

	Work has already started on an X based client for UA.  Current plans
        are to feature easy to use on screen-control buttons and graphical
        map representatiuons.  Watch the UA Mailing List for more
        information.

[2.0] Getting more info on UA

	There are several locations where you can get information on UA. 
        Available communications channels exsist for talking the the UA
        Development Team and other UA users.

[2.1] The UA Development Team

	The UA Development team (currently) is a four person team based from
        the University of Minnesota, Duluth.  The team includes:
		Joshua C Templin	Server, Curses Client, FAQ
		Chris Busch		Server Tools/Extras
		Larry Futhey		XClient
		Jake Swantz		Map Design/Maintence

	To contact the UA Development team, see the information below:

[2.2] How to contact by Email

	The preferred contact method is to join the UA Mailing list ...
        however, to contact one of the Development Team induvidually, use
        these addresses:
		Joshua C Templin	jtemplin@d.umn.edu
		Chris Busch		cbusch@d.umn.edu
		Larry Futhey		lfuthey@d.umn.edu
		Jake Swantz		jswantz@d.umn.edu

[2.3] The UA Mailing list

	The best way to talk to the UA development team, as well as other UA
        users to to use the UA Mailing list.  To join the list, send a
        message to:
		majordomo@jtemplin.d.umn.edu
	With a line:
		subscribe ua
	in the body of the message.

	To send a message to the list, send your email message to:
		ua@jtemplin.d.umn.edu

[3.0] Starting UA

	It's time to play!  You'll need to have your UAClient ready ... 
	First of all, you should know an available server's address and port
        number.  Some currently available servers are listed below.  Then
        you'll need to decide on a 'handle' so other UA users will know who
        you are.  Finally, to start UA type:
		ua <server_name> <server_port> <handle>
	Filling in the <>'s approiately.  If all goes well, you should have
        the Talk/Chat screen displayed .. and hopefully lots of other users.

[3.1] Available Servers

	These servers are maintained by the UA Development team:
		ub.d.umn.edu 8675
		jtemplin.d.umn.edu 8675
	These servers are liscenced server sites for UA:
		<none available>

	If you want the UA develpment teasm to run a server in YOUR area,
        contact jtemplin@d.umn.edu for more information.

[3.2] Available Bandwidth/Lag

	UA takes very little bandwidth, but requires a fast connection.  The
        UA Development team has tested UA with 14.4 modems connected with
        SL/IP and found the playability to be acceptable under low load
        conditions (5 or less players).  14.4 usage with many players has
        not been tested.  Be advised that the inital map loading may be slow
        under 14.4.

[3.3] Possible connection errors

	If when you try to connect, UA boots you out with:
		Server did not start protocol!
	try again.  You may have doubled up with someone else connecting. 
        If however, you always get that message, get the newest client for
        UA.  The server automatically detects which client you use and will
        not allow old or unapproved clients connect.

	Also, it is possible you may get an error telling you the game is
        full.  Try again later, or try another server.

	Finally, is the client tells you the server is not listening check
        your server name and port number ... and if correct, the server may
        be down or unreachable.  Try again later or try another server.

[4.0] Talk/Chat Mode

	When you first start UA, you'll end up in the Talk/Chat mode.  This
        mode allows you to talk to other players and cooridante when to
        start your game.  You'll see sixteen boxes on your screen, each for
        a different player.  Whenever you type a character, it is echoed in
        your box (labelled with your handle) as well as your box on all
        other client screens.  This allows you to talk to the currently
        connected players .. and when ready, start your game.

[4.1] Beware the Idlebooter!

	UA is a fast pased game ... and people who sit around only slow it
        down.  :) So, in case some happens to get up from their machine for
        an 'extended period' you need to watch out so you don't get kicked
        off by the 'Idlebooter'.  No matter if you are in chat or in a game,
        you'll get disconnected by the server after 5 minutes of not doing
        anything...  UNLESS you are the only one on.  Since being online is
        rather useless unless there are other players there, it's ok to sit
        around and wait until somone else shows up.  Just remember, when
        that second person connects, you have 5 minutes of idle time ...

[4.2] About TALK/PLAY/GAME/DISC

	You'll notice that above everyone's name is a flag .. set to TALK,
        PLAY, GAME, or DISC.  If the box is titled DISC, no player is
        connected to that player number.  TALK means the player is not ready
        to play .. and is only TALKing at this point.  When a player is set
        PLAY the player is still talking, but is ready to play.  Finally, if
        a player is set to GAME that play is still IN a game and cannot be
        contacted until they retrun to Talk/Chat mode.  Only one game may be
        going on on one server at a time, so you must wait until everyone is
        out of the GAME mode until another can begin.

[4.3] Set for PLAY!

	When ready, SET FOR PLAY!  To toggle your TALK/PLAY flag, just type
        CTRl-P.  When everyone connected is set for PLAY, the game will
        begin!

[4.4] Warning about 'idle time'

	Please do not leave your UAClient unattended.  If others connect to
        the server they will not be able to play unless you are responding
        and can set for play.  So please, if you 'sit' on a server for a
        long time, montior the client to make sure that you are ready to
        play when everyone else is.

[5.0] UA: The Game

	UA can be a daunting and complex game at first glace .. but it is
        really VERY simple.  This simple overview, read carefully, will
        provide an excellent background of UA basics that will make your
        first venture into UA an exciting one .. instead of a confusing one. 
        In fact, compared to other network games such as Net Trek and
        others, UA is a simplisitc and easy to operate game.

[5.1] Screen Layout

	The main game screen is divided into several sections .. or windows. 
        You'll need to watch almost all these windows in order to play the
        game ... they contain some important data.  Some contain actual
        pictures of the area around you, and other contain data about your
        current status.  Below is a description of the available windows.

[5.2] Tank Window

	There are actually four of these windows, one for each of your four
        active tanks.  They appear on the bottom of your screen, going
        lengthwise left to right.  THerefore, the tank window on your left
        is TANK 1, the next over TANK 2, and so on.  Each tank window /is/
        labelled with it's tank number.  At the top of the windows are the
        tank's keyboard focus status.  You can send commands to only one
        tank at a time ... and this flag display tells you which one your
        commands will go to.  The tank that has 'keyboard focus' has the
        COMM flag, and all others will have the DISC flag.  You switch your
        keyboard focus by pressing TAB.

	Below the focus indicator is most of the window ... your tank's
        display of it's surroundings.  Your tank is in the center ... the
        'H'.  When you move, your tank always stays in the center of the
        window ..and the surroundings move around it.

	Below that is your tank number and status.  On the display it will
        say:

			Tank 1 - NONE
			Tank 2 - MODERATE
			Tank 3 - HEAVY
			Tank 4 - DEAD

	The first part is which tank that window represents.  After that is
        it's status.

			NONE - No damage
			MODERATE - Hit once
			HEAVY - Hit twice
			DEAD - Tank is no longer functioning and does not appear on the board

	A DEAD tank indicates you have NO MORE TANKS LEFT.  Check your data
        windows ...

	A damaged tank can still function, shoot, lay mines, pods, and move
        ... however a DEAD tank does not even exsist in the game.  You
        cannot do anything with it.  However, you'll still see it's display
        uipdated in your window.  It essentailly becomes a camera when DEAD.

[5.3] Base Window

	Your base window shows a large area around your base.  This display
        is one of the most important you'll need to monitor.  If an enemy
        tank breaches your outer defenses (see STRATEGY) you'll see them
        show up on your base display .. and only have seconds to respond
        before they begin blasting your base to bits.  Be safe and pay close
        attention to any movement in your base display!

[5.4] Camera Window

	You have an interesting device at your disposal ... the camera.  You
        can secretly place a camera anywhere on the board you can get a tank
        to .. and watch whatever occurs around it without anyone knowing
        that you see them.  No one else will know you have a camera there ..
        and it can never be destroyed.  The camera makes it easy to watch
        stealthfully enemy tank movements .. or if you're lucky, an enemy's
        base.

[5.5] Data Windows

	Your various data windows keep you informated on several important
        points during the game.  Some montior your base, and some monitor
        the game itself.  In the upper left hand corner is your Game
        monitor.  It tells you The server, port, and nickname you used.  It
        will also give you the current time.  However, above that are three
        important numbers: PL, TK, and BK.  PL stands for PLayers and is the
        number of players currently in the game.  WHEN THIS NUMER IS 01, YOU
        ARE THE ONLY PLAYER LEFT.  PRESS 'q' IMMEDIATLY.  Next to that, BK,
        stands for Base Kills and represents how many bases you've killed
        this game.  Finally, TK is Tank Kills and tells you how many tanks
        you have killed during this game.

	Next to the Game Data window is the Base Status Display.  It shows
        how many tanks you have remaining, how many neutrons, lasers,
        seekers, and cameras you have remaining .. and how much damage your
        base has.

	To the right of your Camera window is a window that simply has 2
        numbers in it.  This represents the x,y location of your base.  Use
        it to find you way home with a lost tank!

[5.6] Comm Window

	During the game everyone has a common communications channel. 
        Anything said over the communications channel will show up in this
        window ... on EVERYONES client.

[5.7] Operations Manual

	This section is devoted to the OPERATIONS of UA's features.

[5.8] Tanks

	Tanks are your main weapons in UA.  They are extremely important,
        valuable, and necessary.  Be careful with your tanks .. they are
        also easily killed.

	You tanks are fast moving and agile.  In fact, they move as fast as
        you can move them... and as fast as network lag permits.  To move
        your tank you use the numeric keypad ... in NUMBER MODE.  This
        means, if applicable, your NUMLOCK needs to be on.  Your tank can
        move in any of the 8 possible directions on the numeric keypad:

		7 8 9
		 \|/
		4-+-6
		 /|\
		1 2 3

	Each time you move, you consume fuel.  Your fuel consumption varies
        according to the terrain you are in.  Currently, everywhere you can
        go consumes 1 fuel, except in trees, which consumes two fuel.  Watch
        your fuel gauge ... when you run out of fuel the tank can no longer
        move.  It won't die unless someone kills it ... and it can't be
        refueled.  In fact, if you run out of fuel and want to get another
        active tank, you'll have to drive out to where it is and kill it
        with another tank.

	Another important point about tanks is their fighting ability.  Each
        tank has a main gun, which can fire in any of the 8 directions using
        it's turret.  To fire a round from your tank, press '5' then the
        direction you wish to fire on the keypad.  It takes three rounds to
        kill another tank .. as it does to kill yours.

	Tank are also necessary to set up your base defenses.  They lay
        mines and pods, as well as maintain your minefield and pod barriers. 
        Besides keeping your defenses tight, a tank can be used to repair
        your base if damaged.  To lay a mine, drive to the location you wish
        to put a mine and press 'm'.  You'll see the mine as soon as you
        drive off the spot.  The mine now becomes active.  Warning: The
        mines you lay are sensitive to ALL tanks, including yours.  Be
        careful not to drive on your own mines.  Also, only YOU can see your
        mines.  When you put a mine down, no one else can see it.  Pods work
        the same way ... except to place a pod, press 'p'.  When you move
        off the spot, the PODS becomes active and shows up.  Everyone can
        see pods.

[5.9] Base

	Your base is what keeps you alive.  When you base is destroyed, you
        are thrown out of the game .. in other words, when your base is
        destroyed .. you lose.  Even though your tanks have the
        responsiblity of defending your base, it has an emergency backup to
        defend itself ... the seeker.  The seeker goes out and instantly
        destroys any tanks within your base window .. including your own. 
        However, when faced with an immenant attack from and enemy tank,
        sometimes it's best to take some losses elsewhere to keep your base
        intact.  However, use your seekers only in emergency situations ..
        they are scarce.  To use a seeker, press 's'.  Also note .. you'll
        eventaully discover 'safe places' that seekers will not touch you
        ... or the enemy.

	You base also has two strong attack weapons ... The Neutron and the
        Laser.  These two weaponds depend heavily on the BASE ATTACK ANGLE
        and the BASE ATTACK DISTANCE.  The simpler of the two is the laser. 
        When you fire a laser (by pressing 'l') a high powered laser streaks
        out of your base and destroys most anything in it's path.  The laser
        leaves your base at the angle specified by the BASE ATTACK ANGLE. 
        To set the attack angle, press the '/' and '*' to
        decrement/increment it.  The other weapon, the NEUTRON, is much like
        a tactical nuke ... when it hits ground it destroys everything
        around it .. leving behind radioactive waste and rubble.  To launch
        a neutron set the BASE ATTACK ANGLE /and/ the BASE ATTACK DISTANCE. 
        The neutron will land and detonate at the angle you specify and at
        the distance away from the base you specify.  All angles are
        0degrees = North.

	Finally, your base serves an important function for your tanks ...
        repair and refueling.  In fact, your base can renew your tank to
        just like new .. just as long as it can drive into the center of it. 
        That's the key ... you can instantly have your tank fixed and ready
        to roll with a full load of fuel, mines, and pods just by driving
        into the center of your base.

[5.10] Camera

	To use your cameras is simple.  When you drive your tank to the
        center of your base, it will pick up a camera.  Be careful not to
        get this tank killed until you place your camera ... you have a
        limited amount of cameras.  When your tank has a camera on board, it
        will be denoted by a C next to the fuel idicator.  Now, drive your
        tank out to the location you want to set your camera down.  At that
        point, press 'c' .. and now your camera is active.  If you had
        placed a camera previous to this one it becomes in active .. and can
        never be reactivated.

[5.11] Communications

	The communications window is fairly simple.  To enter the
        communications window, press 'C'.  Now, everything you type will be
        sent out on the common communications channel for EVERYONE playing
        to see.  To stop using the comm window and return to using your
        tanks, press CTRL-P.

[6.0] Map topology

	The game map is a wide and varied place.... your base can be placed
        ANYWHERE on the map, and it's up to you to deal with how to attack
        other bases and defend your base.  Severl things are going to hamper
        your motion .. or the motion of others.  Mostly, the terrain is
        defined by Mountains and Water.  Mountains cannot be driven over
        with tanks, and tanks drown in water.

[6.1] Identify map objects

	Maps can contain a variety of objects.. here's a list of what you
        MIGHT run into.  
			Effect
	OBJ		Tank		Tank shot		Laser			Neutron
	M - mountain	Can't move onto	Nothing		Turns to rubble		Yes
	t - tree	Double Fuel	Destroyed	Destroyed		Yes
	~ - water	Kills tank	Nothing		Nothing			No
	# - rubble	Drive into	Nothing		Destroyed		Yes
			sometimes
	O - pod		Can't move onto	Turns to #	Turns to #		Yes
	% - waste	Can't move onto	Nothing		Destroyed		Yes
			Hurts tank
	E - enemy tank	Can't move onto	Hurts one point	Destroyed		Yes
			ANOTHER PLAYER
	H - your tank	Can't move onto	Hurts one point	Destroyed		Yes
	+ - mine	Hurts one point	Nothing(?)	Nothing			Yes
	
[6.2] All about PODS

	Well, not ALL about PODS, and actually only one important point.  If
        your base gets damaged, drive a tank up onto the damaged spot (if
        possible) and place a pod there .. now your base is fixed!

[7.0] Strategy

	Not only is UA a fast action game .. it also has siginificant
        strategy to it, both in attacking and defending your base.

[7.1] How do I keep track of all this?

	There is SO much data going on in so many places that it may seem
        daunting to watch it all at first ... however, you'll begin to
        notice that you'll seethings in other windows change out of the
        corner of your eyes.  Stick with it ... sometimes it takes a few
        games to get used to it.

[7.2] The minefield

	The minefield is one of the most IMPORTANT defences.  You can lay
        mines in wide strips and several deep.  Also, since it takes three
        hits to kill a tank you should keep minefields three deep so that
        normally they would be impenatrable.  However, do keep in mind ..
        there is a way to sweep mines.

[7.3] Using terrain

	Terrain is so VERY important.  In order to kill your base, your
        enemy needs to find it.  Use mounatin ranges, rivers, etc to your
        advantage.  Monitor nearby mouintain passes with tank patrols or a
        camera.  Mine narrow passageways ... make the most out of where you
        are.

[7.4] Stupid Pod Tricks

	Pods aren't just for repairing your base ... in fact, they can be
        one of the most versitle tools you have.  One nice pod trick is to
        build a 'fake' base in the middle of nowhere and defend it.  When
        enemy tanks come across it, they'll think it's YOUR base and waste
        valuable time and tanks to attack it... only to find out it's a
        fake.  Meanwhile you can be sneaking up on them ...

[7.5] The Russian Attack

	Mostly you'll want to attack other bases and defend yourself at
        almost equal ratios ... but sometimes the Russian (or Rush-in)
        attack will grant you a quick and decisive victory!  Simply ignore
        your own base and run for it will all your tanks, exploring the
        terrain and finding the enmy bases BEFORE thet have a change to set
        up their defensive grids ... you'll get quick kills when you drive
        up unexpectdatly and destroy someone's base.

[7.6] The SIO 'Attack'

	The other extreme to the Russian is the SIO .. Stick It Out or Sit
        it Out.  Basically what is involved here is to concentrate soley on
        defending your base and ignore everyone else ... letting them come
        to you.  Sure, this may seem fine and dandy, forcing the enmy on
        YOUR turf.. but SIO WILL NEVER WIN.  You MUST attack other bases and
        destroy them to end up victorious ... You're only prolonging your
        own death by using SIO.

[8.0] Bugs & Todo

	- Some Linux consoles will not work currectly with ncurses, terminfo
        suspected.

	- XClient (Of course!)

	- Conditional Selection of maps.  (Right now there is only one map
        and must be changed manually.  The server really needs to select a
        range of maps based on number of players and a certain amoutn of
        randomness.
	
	- Lots of stuff I haven't mentioned.  Like the client macro system
	(drool!)

[9.0] Special Tanks, er Thanks ...

	Special Thanks to these people/Organizations:

		GalactiComm
		University of Minnesota, Duluth
		IRC #c and #linux
		Linus Torvalds
		Otterspace Software
		Continuum Computational Resources

		Wade Maki
		Sean Gage

[10.0] Legal Garbage and More

	Hey, UN*X ATTACK is COPYRIGHT 1995,1995 Joshua C Templin.

	If you enjoyed using UN*X ATTACK and want to give back to those who
        brought you UA, send a donation of money or equipment to (Hey,
        unload your old computer junk, we'll put it to use.):

	Continuum Computational Resources
	Joshua C Templin
	132 Vermilion
	2402 Oakland
	Duluth, MN
	55812

	Help keep UA's tank treds moving!
	Thanks .. and see you on the playing field!
