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Duke3d in Linux

Obiwan Kenobi writes "So it took four days, but Duke3d now runs in Linux, courtesy of Icculus.org. Ironically, a win32 port has yet to be released. Features include full sound support, hi-res video modes (aka VESA modes for those familiar with DOS), saved games, full screen or windowed viewing, and even the BUILD editor works (to a degree). No mouse, demos, or networking just yet, but the basic gameplay is there and now that the BUILD engine has been ported a win32 version is soon on the horizon."

393 comments

  1. 4 days? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    damn, that sucks. It only took me one to get unreal to work...

    1. Re:4 days? by RevDobbs · · Score: 1

      Yeah, what ever. "Free Duke Code"... four day old April Fools posts are so not funny...

    2. Re:4 days? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Make that 10 years AND 4 days.

    3. Re:4 days? by MeanE · · Score: 1

      "... but I'm all outta quotes I stole from Army Of Darkness" ;)

    4. Re:4 days? by MeanE · · Score: 1

      Woops...I don't know how I misplaced that comment...*smacks head repeatedly*

    5. Re:4 days? by Bob+Zer+Fish · · Score: 1

      This isn't an April fools!

  2. Yea... by st0rmcold · · Score: 5, Funny


    Time to kick ass and chew bubble gum!

    --
    Posting useless rant since 2003.
    1. Re:Yea... by siliconwafer · · Score: 1, Redundant

      "... but I'm all outta gum!"

    2. Re:Yea... by bumby · · Score: 1, Funny

      Time to chew ass and kick bubble gum!

      --
      Hey! That's my sig you're smoking there!
    3. Re:Yea... by jason777 · · Score: 0

      ...and I'm all outta gum!

    4. Re:Yea... by mikecarrmikecarr · · Score: 2, Funny

      Time to kick ass and chew bubble gum!

      ...and I'm all out of gum!

      Sorry, I had to :)

      --

      ID-10-T is a way of life

    5. Re:Yea... by Doug+Neal · · Score: 4, Funny

      ...and I'm all outta ass!

    6. Re:Yea... by Guppy06 · · Score: 1

      Just like "Rowdy" Roddy Piper in "They Live?"

      All of Duke Nukem's lines were cool long before there was a Duke Nukem.

  3. Jumping the gun guys.... by mahdi13 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Basic gameplay is there, but the fun stuff doesn't work...

    What doesn't work/known bugs:
    * Windows port doesn't exist yet, but is probably just a matter of getting it to compile (the engine itself is already ported).
    * Networking/modem/multiplayer at all.
    * Resampling of audio is broken, so sometimes duke sounds weird.
    * Mouse/joystick input isn't working yet.
    * Demos are broken (they are broken in the initial source release, too).
    * Probably other stuff. Do NOT consider this stable and complete yet!

    --
    "Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Ralph Hodgson
    1. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by West+Palm+Beach · · Score: 1

      Good point. Does anyone know of a time table for these features, if they are to be released at all?

    2. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by insanecarbonbasedlif · · Score: 3, Funny

      * Networking/modem/multiplayer at all.

      Actually, I understand that they got networking operational, but they have turned it off for now until they can put in support for the new "evil bit" standard...

      They're going to use it to identify the people that changed the source code to cheat...

      --
      Just because I doubt myself does not mean I find your position compelling.
    3. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by b_pretender · · Score: 2, Informative
      Good point. Does anyone know of a time table for these features, if they are to be released at all?
      I don't know. You might want to contact the creators of this patch and ask them for a time table. I think I saw an email address somewhere below the following portion of their webpage:
      IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS:
      Tough luck. Do NOT contact us with bug reports at this time. Do NOT contact us if you can't get it to build. Do NOT contact us for copies of the game. In fact, if you aren't sending us code, don't contact us at all.

    4. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by West+Palm+Beach · · Score: 1

      I saw that. I don't think even they will be able to answer that question. Oh well.

    5. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by Drakonian · · Score: 0, Troll

      What has /. come to when a factual and informative post is moderated as troll?

      --
      Random is the New Order.
    6. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Perhaps because it was just repeating stuff mentioned in the article post?
      Personally I'dve scored it "redundant"

    7. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by mahdi13 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      Troll? Damn, that hurts =(

      --
      "Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Ralph Hodgson
    8. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by phorm · · Score: 1

      For a joke that had a large portion of /. groaning and annoyed... it certainly is being repeated on a rather common basis.

      The strange thing is... some of these references are more amusing than the original April 1 joke...

    9. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by insanecarbonbasedlif · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think it's because, like Heinlen said, "we laugh because it hurts...". Cheers. :)

      --
      Just because I doubt myself does not mean I find your position compelling.
    10. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      What do you mean "has come to?" It's been like that for as long as I can remember.

    11. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by xanadu-xtroot.com · · Score: 1

      Basic gameplay is there, but the fun stuff doesn't work...

      What doesn't work/known bugs:
      * Windows port doesn't exist yet



      Yea, so?

      /me shrugs.

      --
      I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man,
      I'm just a mortal with potential of a super man.
    12. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by xanadu-xtroot.com · · Score: 1

      it certainly is being repeated on a rather common basis.

      I grew very afraid of that very thing after the 3rd or 4th posting. I'm seeing a 'new' "In Soviet Russia", "A Beowulf Cluster", etc., kinda thing.

      Taco, that was a really bad idea...

      --
      I'm not a prophet or a stone-age man,
      I'm just a mortal with potential of a super man.
    13. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by IdleTime · · Score: 1

      Could someone explain why this is 'News'?

      Releasing the source to an age-old DOS game and making it work under Linux is news because?

      It is embarrasing to see this happen. It is embarrasing that a release of a game should constitute news on /. Even if it is for Linux. This only goes to show that most game producers couldn't care less about Linux. They know that 99.5% of their sale will come from Windows.

      I do agree that prodding the companies and urging them to make ports for Linux is a good thing, but come on... Nobody sees Linux as an acceptable gaming platform in competition with Windows or the game consoles.

      Personally, I say: Games on consoles, work on PC's.

      --
      If you mod me down, I *will* introduce you to my sister!
    14. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by Robotech_Master · · Score: 4, Interesting

      The state of Linux gaming is kind of sad, maybe, but... ...I mean, come on! This is Duke Nukem we're talking about here! Though Quake and Unreal might be more advanced, and Half-Life has an awesome story and neat FX, I have to say that Duke 3D rates as one of the most flat-out fun first person shooters I've ever played. Especially with all the sly in-jokey references to other FPSes of the day, or the utterly hilarious "secret areas." (Duke on the bridge of the Enterprise-D: "Looks like I have the conn.")

      I think that DN3D in Linux is a GOOD thing, and more than worthy of a Slashdot report. Finally, I can use that Atomic Edition CDROM for something other than listening to the "Grab Bag" CD audio track.

      --
      Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
    15. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by Bullet-Dodger · · Score: 1

      I'm starting to think this "evil bit" is all hype. If there was anything to it I'm sure slashdot would have had an article on it.

    16. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You do understand that this is a part time open source effort and no one's being paid for this? If you want it done faster, get off your ass and volunteer to do some of the work.

    17. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's me, insancecarbonbasedlifeform, posting OT...

      In regards to your sig and handle- That movie rocks... I just bought Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels last week. My wife thinks I'm crazy.
      Played SimCity 4? Tell me what you think!

    18. Re:Jumping the gun guys.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I dont know nuthin bout birthin no source code!

  4. icculus guys rule by defile · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Having two computers on-hand rules too. Now if I could just find the game files...

    Interesting case for buying games instead of warez'ing them. In 5 years when the game source is GPL'd, the box with all of the game data will be sitting on your shelf.

    1. Re:icculus guys rule by yoz · · Score: 1

      Wow, I don't know which warez sites you've been visiting, but warez'ed games tend to include all the game data too.

      (And I'm not even going to start on the assumption that all games get GPLed after five years)

      -- Yoz

    2. Re:icculus guys rule by defile · · Score: 1

      No...

      When a new game comes out, warez of it is usually available everywhere. You download it, play it, and as time goes on, if you haven't played it in forever, you wipe it out. It didn't cost anything after all.

      But if you bought the game 5 years ago, you probably don't want to throw it out even if you have stopped playing it. Descent 2, for example, is still sitting on my shelf. And what luck, icculus has a Descent 2 Linux port!

      OF COURSE you can warez duke3d today, but typically games are harder to find after their prime. Retro gaming (oh my god it is retro already isn't it?) warez has smaller distribution channels, I daresay.

    3. Re:icculus guys rule by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Descent Rules :) I still play that game occasionaly.

    4. Re:icculus guys rule by drunk_as_in_beer · · Score: 1

      When a new game comes out, warez of it is usually available everywhere. You download it, play it, and as time goes on, if you haven't played it in forever, you wipe it out. It didn't cost anything after all.

      I never ever wipe out my warez. Not even if I don't plan on ever using them. I have boxes full of floppies to show for this, and 100MB zip disks, and spindles and spindles of CDs. My precious warez..

      I don't warez games anymore (not into them really), but hmmm.. probably got Duke3d on some corrupted floppies somewhere. Was ephisode 1 free? Can't remember...

      --
      --Drunk as in Beer
    5. Re:icculus guys rule by unicron · · Score: 1

      Yeah, episode 1 was free(demo). My god this is just FLOODING the memories back. Remember the level with the submarine and those 2 spinning turbines you had to dash between? Or the ULTIMATE DM level "Spin Cycle" where if a guy was coming at you on the spinning floor you weren't quite sure if it was another player or just the floor moving, but then you figured it out when you could see the 6 or so rockets barreling down on you? Good times.

      --
      Finally, math books without any of that base 6 crap in them.
    6. Re:icculus guys rule by SN74S181 · · Score: 1

      Are you crazy? Of course anything we 'warez' gets burned to CDR. And from what I have heard recently, the shelf life on CDR media is longer than that on mass-pressed CDROMs.

    7. Re:icculus guys rule by coupland · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Uhhhh... And if you warez it the data files will be sitting right there on your HD or a burned CD. I can think of much better reasons for buying games than simply having the data handy when it goes GPL. How about: if you don't buy the games you play, eventually there won't be anything to be GPLed...

    8. Re:icculus guys rule by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That used to be true, but with P2P filesharing rampant, getting retro games shouldn't be too hard. IRC and FTP (as far as I can judge - I'm not in) are more directed at 0-day releases, but downloading Quake 1 over Kazaa was a piece of cake.

    9. Re:icculus guys rule by Sabbath.sCm · · Score: 1

      The Ultimate Oldgames Linkpage (this is abandonware)

    10. Re:icculus guys rule by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Not only that, but if you wait until a game has been out for a year or so you can find them in the bargin bins for $10. Let's face it, it doesn't matter if a game has been out 12 months or 12 hours, if it's new to you it's a new game.

  5. Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS:

    Tough luck. Do NOT contact us with bug reports at this time. Do NOT contact us if you can't get it to build. Do NOT contact us for copies of the game.


    Don't you love the support you get with Linux software?

    1. Re:Software Support by concatenation · · Score: 0, Troll
      Don't you love the support you get with Linux software?
      Yeah, it's incredible they aren't willing to do commercial class tech support even though they're working on it for free, ain't it?
      --
      "5... 4... 3.. 1... OFFBLAST!"
    2. Re:Software Support by The+AtomicPunk · · Score: 0, Flamebait

      He's a democrat. :)

    3. Re:Software Support by reinard · · Score: 5, Insightful

      These guys are usually actually willing to give great support with odd problems. In general I have received MUCH better support from the OSS community, then what i get for paying $150/hr to a brain-less M$ support tech. Why would they provide support for a product that they know isn't done or even beta ready, has tons of known problems and after all, has been in development for 4 days? I think this is very reasonable. And when was the last time YOU talked to the actual coder of a piece of software at M$ or other commercial software company? In the OSS community, if you really have a bug or weirdness, they are usually more then willing to exchange emails with you directly. AND this is FREE. What are you complaining about?

      --
      Reinard
    4. Re:Software Support by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Don't you love the support you get with Linux software?


      Yes I do, how dare they! I paid good money for that game and I expect it to work perfectly! Dammit they should be at my beck and call!

      Sheesh, 4 days with the source and it should already use the Geforce4 features and look better than Ut2003! what are these aresholes doing? I demand they support me now! I demand they do what I want!

      Hmmm, I am SURE that microsoft will gladly give me free support on all their products.

      This sarcasim brought to you by the letter O.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    5. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 3, Informative

      Hey, I *was* a so-called "brainless" MS Support Tech. And let me tell you. We had some of the brightest people I've ever worked with at that place. It was the best group of people I ever worked with. Any problems with NT or Exchange you could POSSIBLY have and we'd be able to fix them.

      And it's not $150/hr. It's $250/incident. Unlimited callbacks and time about the incident. It's not bad considering the caliber of support people we had over there.

      It could be different now, I don't know. But it couldn't be too different. Maybe you got unlucky with a new tech.

      Not defending MS here, and I agree that I can find solutions to most problems with OSS/GNU/Free software quick online. But don't just throw out this kind of junk because it's popular opinion.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    6. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      it's FREE, you fucking dickhead. FREE. As in FUCKING FREE, fix it yourself, you found it by the side of the road and took it home and say thank you but don't expect support. loser.

    7. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      +1 insightsful, even if it a response to a flamebait :)

    8. Re:Software Support by fstanchina · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The key is at this time. Come on, anything done in just 4 days is bound to be a very very experimental hack.

    9. Re:Software Support by matthoover · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yep. They could have at least told us to Read the book! It's a wonderful, powerful, magical book! Read it!

    10. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I paid good money for that game and I expect it to work perfectly!

      Just like everything else I pay real $$$ for. Software is NO excuse.

    11. Re:Software Support by Gothmolly · · Score: 1

      Sounds just like Microsoft.

      Yeah, yeah, -1 Troll.

      --
      I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    12. Re:Software Support by ElGuapoGolf · · Score: 1, Offtopic

      I respectfully disagree.

      Back a few years ago (okay, 4) MSFT seemed to be primarily run by lower primates.

      Example... we were using Site Server Commerce Edition. (BTW -- Does anyone still use this? Or is it mercifully out of it's misery). It used some sort of LDAP->SQL Server abstraction to store all of it's membership information. We ran a pretty high volume website, and after a while, the site wouldn't allow us to create new profiles. At all.

      We went thru all sorts of tests, rollbacks, etc. Finally verified it wasn't our code. Called MSFT. Went thru tests and rollbacks with them. This all happened over a week or two... finally one of the higher level techs talked to a developer and figured out it was a hidden registry setting (Thanks guys!) that controlled the number of objects we could store in the LDAP database. Almost two weeks of lost time, thanks to MSFT.

      My point is, none of those "brightest people" you waxed on about had any clue how to fix this. This was supposed to be the MSFT flagship products as far as ecommerce went. You'd think they'd know how to get around a pretty huge issue like this. Or at least notch it up and talk to a developer earlier. They sure seemed like people reading off a script to us.

      5 years ago, and the last time I ever worked as a MSFT platform developer.

    13. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What an excellent troll.

    14. Re:Software Support by reinard · · Score: 1

      You're probably right that I generalized, and I don't doubt at all that there are tons of very bright people working at M$. But I'm not spewing out popular opinion either. I've had to spend hours with techs on the phone. And yes, you're right for the general stuff they could always figure things out. But when it came to weird ADO behaviours and events not firing in the right order, and so on... they just weren't able to figure it out, and that pisses me off because they can look at the code (right?). And trust me my boss did not like it when I had to tell them that I just can't guarantee them that the $3 mil app we were working on, will work on any windows with any version of IE, or worse, even if it had the latest drivers and IE, I still just didn't know. Sometimes it just did not work. Anyways we had some support contract that cost us an average of $150/hr... at least that's what I was told. Dunno I didn't work in billing, I just had to get approval and fill out 2 forms, get signatures, explain why I need to call, etc. before calling someone who couldn't help me. I spent days like that and you can imagine the frustration. And my boss' look when they couldn't help us. It's because of issues like this that windows programs have weird workaround artifacts, like timers that go off all the time to make sure things are still in order etc. And then M$ releases a patch, and the work around breaks the app. Trust me, it's a developers nightmare.

      So in conclusion, I'm sorry I put all you techs in the same category, but in my personal experience, I didn't get answers to the really tough questions. With OSS I also have the advantage, that if the author of the code can't help me, someone in the mailing list usually can, or at least point in the right direction.

      --
      Reinard
    15. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      You'd be suprised how we were supposed to support the stuff. We didn't have access to much more then what you do.

      For one thing, we had NO access to any source code or anything like it. The only thing we had access to, which was internal to MS, was a KBQuery tool to search for Q articles. It was an excellent tool, so much better then the online search tools, and we had access to some databases that the public does not. (and lots of articles have "MSINTERNAL" notes attached)

      I can easily imagine that some of the deeper technical issues with some of the MS software would be hard to get support on (since you CANNOT talk to a developer. You will NEVER get a developer on the phone. Closest you can get is a CPR tech that can write hotfixes, and it was like pulling teeth trying to get one of these guys to help us front-line guys)

      It depends on the product and the problem. And the tech. I worked with the NT and Exchange folks. Not the developer folks.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    16. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      hey complete idiot.. you CANT PAY for Duke Nukem 3d for linux.

      pull your head out and wipe your face off...

      Oh and Microsoft will NOT give you tech support without giving them a Credit Card number so they can charge you $$$ to ask a question. Microsoft products come with ZERO tech support. The poster was being SARCASTIC about how the guy he posted about was a complete and utter loser/moron.

    17. Re:Software Support by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      LOL....I worked with MS support people after ramping it up through the support chain. I have been offered jobs over the phone because I usually know more about the product then they do. This, even, after it's been elevated up 3 times. In short, MS support generaly is very crappy. If you're in awe of these folks, your jaw would drop if you experienced real support from knowledgable people.

      On a side note, both times I've had to us MS support were situations where their products claimed it would do what we needed. Both times, it turned out there was no way to do what we needed with a Microsoft solution. In both cases, we replaced an MS box with a Linux box. Problem solved.

      MS support stinks.

    18. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      Okay, first of all, you never got any job offers. Let me be the first to inform you that most calls are monitored for various reasons. There were zero job offers.

      Plus, I had no authority to offer anyone a job. On the other hand, *I* got job offers, being the one that knew the product so good that I'd rebuild a whole multi-site exchange org while listening to autechre laying on the floor with my eyes shut.

      This is not a MS versus Linux thread. Why do people like you always try to fortify your posts with "We switched to Linux and our dreams came true" nonsense? I know why.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    19. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Any problems with NT?

      How about a patch for NT4. Can you fix those holes? HUH? HUH!? Mr. MS Techie boy.

    20. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      There were TONS of problems with NT. TONS of problems with Exchange.

      I'm not trying to say that the software was great (although I do like Exchange 5.5.)

      It was difficult to support.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    21. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Just because the software is made by MS doesn't mean that everyone dealing with MS software is dumb.

      What an idiotic thing to say. People who use M$ software are dumb because M$ software is dumb.

      Oh, and so are you. No wonder the d00d in the previous post couldn't get decent support. You're probably the one he was talking to.

    22. Re:Software Support by ElGuapoGolf · · Score: 0, Offtopic
      Well, when you say stuff like...
      Any problems with NT or Exchange you could POSSIBLY have and we'd be able to fix them.
      I feel compelled to point out the flaw. While, yes, Site Server CE wasn't really a NT or Exchange problem, it did ride the SQL Server engine, so you'd figure you guys knew how to work problems out on that one. And anyway, I see I'm not alone in thinking this way.
    23. Re:Software Support by ElGuapoGolf · · Score: 1


      Yes. A thousand times, YES!

      ADO was, at times, my nemesis. I could never understand why ADO on a NT + SP4 + IE4.02 system would have exhibit slightly different behaviour than NT + SP4 + IE4.03 (or whatever).

      I ran into most of my trouble when I was using ADO with LDAP. I won't go into in depth, but I saw some bizarre stuff. Sometimes .eof (is it .eof? I forget these days) didn't work, and you'd have to do a for loop thru the recordset based on the number of items in it. Sometimes the number of items wasn't returned properly, and you'd just have to try to catch the error.

      ADO was a nightmare. I hear it's better these days, but I'm not about to try it again anytime soon.

    24. Re:Software Support by dago · · Score: 1

      Where's the point of having a support line if the support guys dont 'have access to much more' than the customer ???

      --
      #include "coucou.h"
    25. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      What a dumb comment.

      Ur t0o l337 4 m3.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    26. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      Well, most people that call support haven't experienced the problem before, don't know what to do to work-around it or fix it, and don't want to spend three hours browsing the web to find a possible solution.

      The support people deal with such problems on a daily basis, should have a better understanding of the software, and can help you get up and running quicker.

      So I guess that's the point.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    27. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Welcome to my foes list. When my kids ask me what it was like when computers could be used for any purpose by anyone, I'll explain that it was people like you, people willing to be cogs in a machine that destroys innovation, that made it all possible.

      How can you sleep at night?

    28. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      > Site Server CE wasn't really a NT or Exchange problem, it did ride the SQL Server engine

      Not sure what you're getting at here. You're right, site server used the SQL engine core. It has nothing to do with Exchange or NT. I don't know much about Site Server, but if it uses the SQL "engine" like Exchange does, it has nothing to do with actual SQL.

      > And anyway, I see I'm not alone in thinking this way.

      THis is Slashdot. What did you expect? Anything anti-MS gets modded up.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    29. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      Ohh no, Anonymous Coward is on my foes list.

      I think you need to lighten up a little bit buddy.

      Fanatic zealots are never a good thing, no matter which side they are on.

      I'm a huge supporter of OSS/Linux/GNU/Free. I run it on every single machine I own, even my Xbox. Woe to you for thinking you know who I am.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    30. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      Ohh and to add to this, how to YOU prepose to stop Microsoft? By "boycotting" them? Well, good luck, because that isn't the way to get anything done.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    31. Re:Software Support by ElGuapoGolf · · Score: 3, Insightful


      I won't dispute the anti-MS tone here.

      However, you seemed to be at the other end of the spectrum. Singing the praises of MSFT support will likely get you snorts and giggles from most MSFT developers.

      The fact is, anybody who pushes the limits of the system (as we did) is going to run into trouble. And as you said in an earlier post, you guys (MSFT support) don't have access to the source. You basically have what the developers have. In that case, which I have to imagine happens quite a bit, support is useless, no matter how "bright" the people reading the scripts are.

      And ya know what, I will sing some praises here. I find bugs in Resin that I can't track down, and I post a message to the developers, and it's fixed. You just don't get that kind of interaction with MSFT. And maybe I've gone off on a tangent here (okay, I have), but that's what's really lacking with MSFT. A pipeline to the developers.

    32. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      The WHOLE reason I responded is because you put all MS support techs under the umbrella of being "Braindead."

      Such comments are always untrue no matter WHAT you're talking about. Haven't we learned ANYTHING about prejudices?

      I simply said that the people I worked with were some of the brightest people I ever worked with and we would always be able to fix any problem with the products we supported. This directly opposes you; we're not all braindead.

      No matter how much you want to keep pushing on your experiences, or what your post got modded to, or whatever; the fact remains, you were incorrect and I'm responding in defense of myself and anyone else I worked with that were top of their game.

      Now you go on to talk about pushing the software "to the limit" - again drifting off topic.

      And just to humor you, I'll comment about the "direct pipeline to the developers." There are millions and millions of copies of microsoft software out there. What if you, the developer, had to respond to everyone and their mother that had a problem with something you wrote? You would cease becoming a developer and you'd become a full time support person.

      LOOK. I am not defending MS. I am not defending the support structure. I am not defending the techs that YOU worked with. I *AM* defending myself and others I know that are very good at what they do, while you had one bad experience and call us all braindead.

      Did you ever notice that it's only the ones WITH the problems that are ever vocal?

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    33. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no shit!

      they outsourced it all to india!

      the entire TS section where I used to work got liquidated, moved over to _SALES_.

      AFAIK, there's nowhere in north america that's doing TS for MSN - at least their IA section.

      stream, acs, and that shitty canadian place are GONE.

    34. Re:Software Support by ElGuapoGolf · · Score: 1
      There are millions and millions of copies of microsoft software out there. What if you, the developer, had to respond to everyone and their mother that had a problem with something you wrote?
      You don't think that there are more than a few copies of Linux out there? See, it's this kind of stuff that gets me. There's NO reason that problems like these can't be pushed up to the development level. There's obviously a reason that there's hidden registry setting nonsense in LDAP/Sql Server/whatever. But getting that answer is a closely guarded secret. Look, I'm not bashing the people. I'm bashing the methods. They just don't work well enough.
    35. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      eh, most tech support calls are monitored?

      whats the fucking point in that?

      is ms like some fucking ddr or what?

    36. Re:Software Support by CAIMLAS · · Score: 1

      The problem with MS software isn't that it's support-less, it's that it's just damned hard to support a GUI product without seeing exactly what the person is doing.

      I personally find it infurriatingly frustrating to try and support any GUI, whether it's windows, or KDE.

      --
      ~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
    37. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Microsoft products come with ZERO tech support."

      I call you on your incorrect statements.

      OEM copies come with the support of the OEM.

      Retail copies of say Windows XP professional are 90 days from purchase with 2 incidents. You may have to pay long distance charges though or use the online support for free. You can also return for a full refund.

      In addition you get free updates till the product reaches it's end of life cycle. Finally in free support you have the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

      Sure you can quibble about how most commercial support sucks but there is little reason to exagerate it. Go over there http://support.microsoft.com/ next time before posting a knee jerk misinformed statement about the evil empire.

    38. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For the most part though, most of the folks I worked with were top-notch.

      You worked as a custodian didn't you?

    39. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      Can't you use your brain?

      Training and evaluation are the two top reasons. What, you don't ever get evaluated by your boss? The only way to make sure a tech is doing good work is to listen in on the calls.

      Why do I even bother explaining.

      Go home Anonymous Coward.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    40. Re:Software Support by dago · · Score: 1

      Yep. Ok, but that's for 1st level support that kind of stuff.

      The bright people that know every in and out of products (they are supporting) usually work at 2nd or 3rd level support, after all the known/simple errors have been filtered and solved using KBs and the like.

      disclaimer : I made an internship in technical support of a (huge) network manufacturer, it was at least 2nd level (depending on the area) and all engineers had access to source code, direct link to developpers.

      And I don't find it surprising that MS Tech Support don't have access to source code but it also carries lot of drawbacks.

      --
      #include "coucou.h"
    41. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      You're assuming I'm pro-MS here, and I'm not. How do you assume to assume anything about me?

      > See, it's this kind of stuff that gets me. There's NO reason that problems like these can't be pushed up to the development level.

      Eventually, problems do get pushed up to development, even with companies like Sun, IBM, and Microsoft. We're not just talking about MS here anymore, if your big problem is that there's no direct communication between developers and end-users.

      I just don't unserstand how you believe that anyone should be able to get in touch with a developer of a software package, no matter how big or wide-spread the usage of it is.

      Would you, as a developer of say, Windows Explorer, want to be answering tech support questions all day long, or do you want to actually *develop*?

      Direct communication works fine with smaller software packages. Which gets me to your first question.

      > You don't think that there are more than a few copies of Linux out there?

      What *IS* Linux? The kernel? Samba? MySQL? XFree? Linux is broken up into pretty small parts. Individually, you have the ability to post a message to a forum or mailing list that a developer of these packages *might* respond to.

      Otherwise, you could call RedHat support (or something similar), and you won't be talking to the developers, you'll be talking to someone at RedHat.

      > Look, I'm not bashing the people. I'm bashing the methods.

      That's fine, but you must understand some things here. When supporting any major product that has a vast number of users, you're going to recieve a vast number of support calls. You have to sift out the bug calls from the user-error calls from the common problem calls.

      It would be great if every time you called Microsoft or IBM you were talking to the guy that developed the product, or someone that wrote the documentation on it, but it's not feasable. These people are EXPENSIVE. When you have a high call volume, you can't afford to put 2,000 tech support engineers on the phone and pay them $100,000 a year each.

      There are REAL financial issues when supporting a product, and there is no magic bullet to make it all run perfectly.

      If everyone answering the phone cared about their job, was as good as they can be at the product, and everyone around them (higher level support, etc) were supportive too, it would work well. But, people are people no matter where you go. What can be done about this? Putting developers on the phone isn't the answer.

      Compared to Windows, the users of Linux are *usually* more knowledgable about their computers, about the software, etc. The userbase is also a lot smaller then Windows. When you post a question to a mailing list, you may very well get into contact with a core developer because there aren't 10,000 people trying to get help for their problems at the same time.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    42. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      Haw haw. I am falling out of my chair laughing so hard. You can see the laughter, right here. Laugh out loud. Laughing my ass off. Rolling on the floor laughing my ass off.



      Fuckwit.

    43. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      It works kind of differently at MS. There is no "second level support" so to speak.

      There are times when someone up the food chain might get on the phone, but they aren't 2nd level support. They are generally there to support the phone techs, not take calls for when the phone techs can't handle it.

      There were Technical Leads, and "Mentors", but these people didn't take any calls.

      There were of course times when a major problem was at hand, and you could hand the call off to a special "closer to the development house" tech, but these cases were extremely rare. Of the three years I did support, I heard of two such cases. All other cases were handled by our groups.

      We handled everything from dumb trivial problems (yay! an easy call!) to complicated 16-hour calls involving dozens of people. The worst were the military calls.

      I remember one time I had a call from the Army, they were having problems with their DMS setup. It was a hella of a bitch to figure out the problem, and I was on speaker phone with some general. The people I was working with were all "Yes, sir. I don't know, sir." and I thought it was funny to talk to him like "dude, no, this needs to be done this way. Sorry man." But, I digress.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    44. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, I mean, you get much better support with the win32 version...

      Er...

    45. Re:Software Support by WNight · · Score: 1

      Don't you just love some cocky asshole with a chip on his shoulder whining about what he gets for free?

      It's as much help as I got from Blizzard after shelling out $65 for Diablo 2 and the copy protection not liking my CD-ROM. (Actually, not true. Blizzard told me to buy a new CD-ROM drive.)

      This kind of support is a lot more reasonable when you don't pay for it.

    46. Re:Software Support by WNight · · Score: 1

      I wasn't the one who sat on the phone, so I can't absolutely verify this, but the guy I worked with had no luck with MS tech. He was quite prepared. By the time he'd called he had gone through all the KB articles he could find relating to the problem and documented exactly what the system was, what had been done, etc.

      They referred him to some of the same KB articles he'd already mentioned, despite his telling them that he'd already been there and why it didn't work or wasn't applicable to his solution ("No, KB#xxx is for 2k AS, *with* IIS and Exchange, I don't have IIS installed.") They eventually gave up and told him the problem was at our end, to reinstall and if that failed, that it was probably hardware.

      Anyways, when the next service pack came out we tried again and it worked perfectly.

      Not to say that MS is the worst, but they seem to be like 98% of the techs out there. Perfectly capable of dealing with 95% of the problems, unplugged servers, un-service packed machines, etc, but incapable of diagnosing anything beyond that. I've had better support from some companies, but usually smaller ones. Some have actually written test code, or sent us a development build with error logging. Big companies read off a script and dump you when your problem gets tough.

      You're right, it's not a MS vs Linux issue, it's a "Monolithic uncaring corp vs independent developer who sees a direct financial incentive to help" issue. The only way open source software comes into this is that you can find independent developers who are willing to help tweak or support Apache or Postgres simply by asking on the dev lists. You can find people willing to support IIS or MS-SQL but they can't really do much more than you if the problem isn't trivial.

    47. Re:Software Support by Doug+Neal · · Score: 1

      Well, so drop the Linux Duke3d guys an email telling them how you feel and I'm sure they'll be happy to give you a refund :)

    48. Re:Software Support by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      Because it reflects reality.

      Close your eyes and hope it goes away all you like. In the meantime, my story is 100% accurate and highly reflective of reality.

    49. Re:Software Support by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      Meanwhile, back in reality, if a tech takes 20-30 calls per day and there are 100-techs, how often do you think the boss is going to be able to listen in. Besides, listening in or not has absolutely nothing to do with them offering jobs or the reality of what you're commenting on. Period.

      Your ability to use logic some how seems rather lacking.

    50. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      Well WNight, I appreciate a post that's not "M$$ Money BAGZ SUCKS AND YOU R DUMB!" just because I said something that wasn't "LINUX IS THE BEST."

      Either way, I know how your friend at work feels. I mean, not every tech is any good. And now, who knows, maybe it's degraded quite a bit. I do know that almost every one of the people I worked with (we kept in touch pretty well) were really great support techs and we've all moved on to other jobs.

      It just gets to me when people are always so "screw M$!" about everything. Real people work for them. Some really nice people. It's not the average employee's fault if the company they work for isn't favored. We all work for one reason: to get paid. And let's face it, there's some serious talent working for Microsoft. A lot of their software is very good, and I have no problems saying so. It doesn't mean that I don't enjoy Linux more (I do) and it doesn't mean that there's not fantastic software for Linux (there is.)

      I take a different approach to supporting my OS of choice (which is Linux.) I don't run around everywhere trying to force everyone into believing that MS is the devil. I don't try to prove that Linux is better. I use it, I like it a lot. I answer questions for people when I can. I talk highly of it, but I don't bash the competition. I think that there's a lot of good stuff in Windows, and anyone that thinks otherwise is a blinded zealot. Every day Linux gets better and better, and I enjoy watching what people do with it. It only gets better from here!

      When I worked for Microsoft Support, I had a few Linux boxes under the desk. I'd let everyone connect to it so they could play around with sendmail and such; we needed to know at least a little bit about it since a lot of people used it for relaying to Exchange.

      I enjoy the fact that with OSS, you can generally get in touch with the people responsible for the development of the software you are having trouble with. It's very nice, it's personal, it works. In my opinion though, like anything, it will become more and more difficult to have this close relationship as Linux keeps replacing Windows. It will always be better then support from companies like IBM, Sun, MS, etc, though.

      If these large companies weren't so bent on protecting their precious "Intellectual Property" then we'd probably get much better support. It's not the tech's fault. (okay, sometimes it is!)

      I don't think MS has the best technical support by a long shot, but when I worked there we weren't a bunch of brain-deads like (some) people think - the only reasoning being it's Microsoft.

      --

      As a footnote... it's amazing how much the folks moderating will mod down anything that's not "MS SUCKS" or "Linux RULES!!" I love slashdot, but I don't love biased moderation. Ah well it doesn't matter, my Karma is still Excellent.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    51. Re:Software Support by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      I should clarify something. When I said, "it turned out there was no way to do what we needed with a Microsoft solution", isn't exactly correct. It sould say, that in one of those situations, it would only be possible if TWO MS boxes were used. We wanted only one box and didn't want to add the cost of another box, plus MS license plus the TCO associated with it. In short, it couldn't be done without HUGE extra cost associated with it. Thusly, Linux saved the day.

    52. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      I guess you missed it. I WORKED FOR MSSUPPORT. NT and Exchange. I worked there for three years. We didn't take close to 30 calls a day. Most calls for NT were about an hour, most calls for exchange were about an hour and a half. This is the average. Sometimes shorter, sometimes longer.

      > Besides, listening in or not has absolutely nothing to do with them offering jobs or the reality of what you're commenting on.

      I replied to:

      > eh, most tech support calls are monitored?
      > whats the fucking point in that?

      I guess you didn't read the thread or something.

      Anyways, I'm not going to argue with someone looking to pick a fight. "Period."

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    53. Re:Software Support by WNight · · Score: 1

      I don't think MS has the best technical support by a long shot, but when I worked there we weren't a bunch of brain-deads like (some) people think - the only reasoning being it's Microsoft.

      I wouldn't assume that. Tech support just often can't help with the advanced problems because there's stuff that only a developer would know. Unless you know what the code looks like inside you're really only going from your experiences, and if you've never seen the problem, you're not going to know what it might be. I've worked both sides of the tech/developer line, and provided support for my own and third-party apps.

      I agree that it will be harder to get developer support for Linux as it gets bigger, but luckily you rarely need to ask Linux for kernel help, really anyone who has put time in learning the code can do. Even a low-level developer at MS (those CPR guys you said?) would probably have been able to solve my company's problem. The thing about open source is that there's a larger pool of people at that level because anyone who is interested can get there.

      It just gets to me when people are always so "screw M$!" about everything.

      Well, I'm pretty "Screw MS". They've done a lot of illegal things that other (smaller, less rich) companies would have been smacked down for and by looking at the management I have to assume these actions are intentional and probably still going on. I just don't have any illusions about other companies. They'd be doing the same thing if they could (or, have and just haven't been caught.)

      I'll be happy though if MS is brought down to IBMs level, a huge company, but one that can't dictate to the industry. (I fear waking up one day and finding that non-Palladium "enabled" machines are illegal and open source, because it might be terrorist related (or some other nonsense), can't get signed without jumping through unrealistic hoops.)

      Real people work for them.

      Yes, but that's not a total defense. If you find yourself contributing to something you wouldn't want, you're partly responsible. Being a tech is one thing, but helping design Palladium is another.

      However, all my anti-MS feelings don't mean I have to rant like a loon. I tell my clients about the benefits to open source, instead of telling them not to buy MS because of my personal feelings. And I can seperate my feelings for the management who order the actions from the wage-slaves like myself who end up doing what they're told to put food on the table.

    54. Re:Software Support by cbreaker · · Score: 1

      > I tell my clients about the benefits to open source, instead of telling them not to buy MS because of my personal feelings.

      I agree. See, the way to promote something isn't to say "well, at least it's not MS."

      If you don't like Microsoft, that's great. But trying to get people to use your OS of choice, be it linux or OSX, isn't to bash or boycott the competition. That's too simple of an approach and it doesn't work.

      The way to get people to switch is to show them that you have a better way. Show them what you can do, and show them that it's free. (well, with Linux..)

      > If you find yourself contributing to something you wouldn't want, you're partly responsible.

      Naa. I think this is bogus. They are going to do what they are going to do, no matter if JoeDeveloper writes a few lines of code or not. Like I said above, boycotting isn't the way to get something done. I can't think of one example where a successful boycott campaign changed anything in the technology world.

      It's not an easy problem to solve. I agree with you, I hate the idea of Palladium. I won't personally buy into it, but a lot of people will because they won't know any better.

      All I can think of is to just keep supporting a free operating system. Keep on helping people that need help. Until someone figures out a better way, this is what I plan on continuing.

      But, I digress. We've gone way off topic here. All I wanted to point out originally is that not all people associated with Microsoft are morons, dumb, or braindead. It's very popular to say so, especially on slashdot, and people get some instant gratification of getting their posts automatically modded up with any anti-ms sentiments.

      I'm tired. I'm going to go to bed and I'm not going to give this headache of a thread any more thought.

      --
      - It's not the Macs I hate. It's Digg users. -
    55. Re:Software Support by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Worked with South Africa.

    56. Re:Software Support by GooberToo · · Score: 1

      You really need to think about what you've posted. It changes nothing. Feel free to do the math. The numbers I gave were to help you along in your logic. Even that seems to of fallen short. When you can figure out why, you'll probably understand the rest of the thread and understand why it's full of legitate comments.

  6. Hail to the King baby! by Pxtl · · Score: 5, Funny

    Right, now lets start getting this ported to every system on earth. Duke3d for Dreamcast, PalmOS, and JavaVM everyone!

    1. Re:Hail to the King baby! by anotherone · · Score: 2, Informative

      I fucking wish. the build engine is written in x86 assembly, though... I imagine that will probably dissuade dreamcast ports. :o/

      --
      Username taken, please choose another one.
    2. Re:Hail to the King baby! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Duke3d for XBox!!!

    3. Re:Hail to the King baby! by t0ny · · Score: 1
      Right, now lets start getting this ported to every system on earth. Duke3d for Dreamcast, PalmOS, and JavaVM everyone!

      No thanks, Im just gonna hold out for Duke Nukem Forever. It should be out in a few months, right?

      Aside from the lame joke, am I right in remembering that DNF was supposed to be a 'quick hit' game using an existing engine (Q2 or 3 at the time), and the big release was going to be like Duke 3d II or something?

      --

      Manipulate the moderator system! Mod someone as "overrated" today.

    4. Re:Hail to the King baby! by F1_Fan · · Score: 1

      Mmmm... yeah... a PocketPC version would be appreciated on these long Friday afternoons. And it will look like I'm working!

      That reminds me of when I was playing Doom on a Kodak DC260 camera.

    5. Re:Hail to the King baby! by Robotech_Master · · Score: 1

      Just get Serious Sam for PalmOS instead.

      (I just about fell over when I saw it for sale in that local campus bookstore. "Bwah?!")

      --
      Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
  7. nuke them forever by gokulpod · · Score: 1

    yeah...duke nukem forever !!!!
    or was that a game i had heard about in a land far far way in a time long gone.

    --
    My mom never taught me to sign.
  8. 4 days?? by Domingos+Neto · · Score: 1

    I wonder how they did that in only 4 days

    1. Re:4 days?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, they're using a DOS emulator and it's a DOS game ...

    2. Re:4 days?? by mofochickamo · · Score: 1

      Wrong. It runs natively on Linux. You only need the emulator to generate the configuration files.

      --
      Honk if you're horny.
    3. Re:4 days?? by wilhelm · · Score: 1

      Two words: sleep optional.

    4. Re:4 days?? by Dragonshed · · Score: 1

      I wonder how they did that in only 4 days

      I happened to look on icculus.org the day the duke3d source was released, and noticed that they had a BUILD project (http://icculus.org/projects/BUILD/) already in place. This is what gave them an edge. The BuildEngine is the 3d engine which renders all the duke3d artwork to the screen as well as several ancillary tasks. My guess is it was only a matter of putting an SDL harnass in the gamecode and building it on linux.

  9. I hate to ask... by loquacious+d · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...but is a Mac OS X port feasible? I know Duke3D used to run on OS9, so whatever mac-specific code it needs is extant. Was that released along with all the x86 stuff?

    1. Re:I hate to ask... by siliconwafer · · Score: 1

      Supposedly a lot of the sound sampling code is written in x86 assembly, so ... it'd have to be rewritten in PPC assembly I assume.

    2. Re:I hate to ask... by RatBastard · · Score: 1

      I don't see why not. It might take longer to translate all of the Assembler code back into C or some other higher level language, but it should be possible.

      --
      Boobies never hurt anyone. - Sherry Glaser.
    3. Re:I hate to ask... by narfbot · · Score: 1

      It looks like it could be possible, as the icculus guys used SDL to do this. SDL works on OS X right? It's possible but I won't say it will be easy as I don't know how much of the code is x86 asm./

    4. Re:I hate to ask... by GiMP · · Score: 2, Insightful

      The MacOS port was done by a 3rd company (like a Loki for MacOS). That source is not provided.

      I'm sure the x86 asm will eventually be removed and thus run on other architectures, but that will be a bit tedious. Build took icculus.org ~4 months to port to x86 Linux and I don't believe it runs under PowerPC at all yet.

      Duke3d is based on Build and thus why the Duke3d port to linux was so quick. Some functions used in Duke3d were also ripped out of the linux ROTT port.

      Essentially, it might have taken a bit longer for the Duke3d port if BUILD and to a lesser extent, ROTT where not released. Infact, Duke3D may never have been released if it was not for the sucess of the ROTT release!

    5. Re:I hate to ask... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nono, you wouldn't re-write the sound code to be non-portable, you'd write it in some cross platform way then use that for all the ports.

    6. Re:I hate to ask... by Phroggy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I was wondering about this. The Mac version was ported by MacSoft. Others have said the original DOS version was written largely in x86 assembly, so MacSoft would have had to rewrite all of that. The Mac port was released for both m68040 and PowerPC, so presumably they didn't port the whole thing to both 68040 assembly and PowerPC assembly - they used some higher-level language and compiled it for both (that's just a guess on my part, of course).

      Anyway, I was thinking, if the Mac version was rewritten in C, would it be easier to port the Mac version to Linux or Win32 than to port the DOS version?

      Of course, MacSoft hasn't released the Mac version as GPL, and I can't say I expect them to. I'd think it would be interesting to see their code though...

      --
      $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
      $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
    7. Re:I hate to ask... by netfunk · · Score: 1

      Beyond some minor convenience functions, the major thing we took from ROTT was the sound code...which, ironically, I wrote for Duke3D.

      Matt Saettler's EDUKE project was looking into moving to Windows using the icculus.org Build port, but the stumbling block was the lack of sound code (since the Apogee Sound System was a direct-to-hardware sort of thing).

      So they sent me a header file and I reimplemented the audio library months ago. It was a pleasant surprise when ROTT was released that we finally had a testbed for that code (and a chance to clean out some bugs). This is also why ROTT was so functional so fast on Linux.

      I think it's funny (and flattering) that there's a race between several win32 developers to get a WinDuke running...all but one of them is using the icculus.org port of the Build Engine to do it, and they STILL haven't kept pace with our Linux port. ...although hats off to Jonathon Fowler, who did his own port of everything from scratch for Windows: http://jonof.edgenetwork.org/buildport/

      --ryan.

      --
      Don't say, "don't quote me," because if no one quotes you, you probably haven't said a thing worth saying.
    8. Re:I hate to ask... by leshert · · Score: 1

      Probably not. It could probably be reimplemented in a higher-level language (C) by now, given the machine speed increases since Duke was released (unless you're adamant about running it on the hardware of the times).

    9. Re:I hate to ask... by TotallyUseless · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Macsoft doesn't own the code to the Mac version of Duke Nukem 3d. They simply found a porting team and published the game. 3D Realms owns the Mac code. It's a shame they didn't decide to release it as well.

      Anyway, in every case I've ever heard of, the people that do the ports for Mac games do not own the finished code. They will own the rights to any tools and libraries they develop to make the porting job easier, but that's it. Another example is Quake. When the sourcecode for x86 was released, the Mac code was kept private. As a result, it took quite a while for a useable Mac port of the GPL Quake code to appear, in comparison with other platforms.

      --

      Time for some tasty Shiner Bock!
    10. Re:I hate to ask... by OverCode@work · · Score: 1

      I ported ROTT to Mac OS X after icculus and relnev got it up and running on Linux. OS X itself was not a problem; byte order proved to be a huge headache, since many of the game's data structures were stored directly in the WAD file in little endian (Intel) format.

      It can and probably will be done, but it'll take some effort.

      -John

    11. Re:I hate to ask... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      It'd make more sense to write it in C and try and keep it portable.

      Hopefully the guys porting it to Linux are trying to make it portable easily rather than just targetting Linux specifically...

  10. Re:Okay. by spickus · · Score: 1

    I wish.

    --
    Indecision is the key to flexibility.
  11. Irony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    "Ironically, a win32 port has yet to be released."

    irony - Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs.

    Was there some sort of expectation that a win32 port would come first? It may be interesting that there is no win32 port, but please, don't use words unless you know how to use them.

    1. Re:Irony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually, I'd say that it is irony. Considering the general Windows hegemony that exists, I'd say that it could be said that it's generally expected for software to come out first (and perhaps only) on Windows.

    2. Re:Irony by mofochickamo · · Score: 1
      Actually, there was an expectation that the win32 version would come first, because, as you probably know, Duke 3D already runs on DOS, which means anything DOS specific won't have to be ported.

      Please don't say things unless you know how to understand them.

      --
      Honk if you're horny.
    3. Re:Irony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Was there some sort of expectation that a win32 port would come first?

      Yes, as the source as-released was targeted to DOS. A Win32 port should be less work than moving it to POSIX, yet the Linux port is released first. Therefore, irony.

    4. Re:Irony by DThorne · · Score: 1

      You're right - first thing I spotted when reading it.

      That's OK - original poster probably learned the meaning of the word from the Alanis Morrisette song by the same name, just like half of the rest of North America. :p

      DT

    5. Re:Irony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes the dos specific stuff will need to be ported, you can't have a half dos half win program, it just dosen't work without horrible hacks.

    6. Re:Irony by Archfeld · · Score: 1

      LOL I'd say the Irony was the Linux crowd trumpeting a 10 year old game as a triumph. Don't get me wrong I am all for OSS, and the GPL'ing of code is a great way to give back, but the reality of the situation is most windows machines have 10 better games on them now, and 10 more waiting at the store. Duke was cool in his time but just like Quake was King playing it now AIN't the same and ruins the mystique. As for a port, just use compatability mode under XP and I've got other dos mode games running with few problems. RedNeck rampage, descent among them...

      --
      errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
    7. Re:Irony by Phroggy · · Score: 1

      Actually, there was an expectation that the win32 version would come first, because, as you probably know, Duke 3D already runs on DOS, which means anything DOS specific won't have to be ported.

      Uhh. Why not?

      --
      $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
      $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
    8. Re:Irony by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The win32 port did come first, it was out a day before the linux port. Submitter (and editor who submitted it) were trolling.

    9. Re:Irony by mofochickamo · · Score: 1
      Because you can still run DOS programs on Windows. It may not work as well but you can still do it. I played Duke3D on Windows 95 (thankfully those days are over).

      If, for example, the Duke3d code includes io.h and uses a DOS specific function, it will at least build on Windows, if not run. You'd have to do some more work to make it build on Linux.

      --
      Honk if you're horny.
    10. Re:Irony by GiMP · · Score: 1

      Better late than never. Duke3d was the only game I had ever dualbooted for.

    11. Re:Irony by Phroggy · · Score: 1

      Because you can still run DOS programs on Windows. It may not work as well but you can still do it. I played Duke3D on Windows 95 (thankfully those days are over).

      But Win95/98/ME are essentially a shell on top of DOS, while WinNT/2k/XP are not - they run the NT kernel, and at least pretend to have some semblance of security, so applications directly touching the hardware isn't supposed to be allowed.

      If, for example, the Duke3d code includes io.h and uses a DOS specific function, it will at least build on Windows, if not run. You'd have to do some more work to make it build on Linux.

      If it uses a DOS-specific function and it doesn't run, who cares if it builds? You'd still have to rewrite that piece of the code to make it run, and if you have to do that anyway, your rewrite will probably work on both.

      I'm not a programmer, though, so I should shut up.

      --
      $x='S24;r)>63/* h@<5+oZ)32"5cz';$me='phroggy'x$];
      $x=~y+ -xz+\0-Tx+;print$_^chop$me for split'',$x;
    12. Re:Irony by mofochickamo · · Score: 1
      If it uses a DOS-specific function and it doesn't run, who cares if it builds?

      Programmers care (like the guys who ported it to Linux) because you have to build before you can run. If the code already built on Windows then it is likely someone could come out with and Windows build before a Linux build.

      I run XP and I recently played one of my favorite DOS games on it (Life & Death). I think (I might be wrong on this) that I have also run Duke3D on my XP machine. XP didn't have a problem running the games.

      I don't know that much about how XP/NT/2k are supposed to run DOS programs, so I should shut up here :).

      --
      Honk if you're horny.
  12. Re:Okay. by tuffy · · Score: 1
    Awesome. Hey, I hear a Defender port is upcoming...

    We've had that covered for years. Heck, even Quake 1 and 2 have been available for a long time. But 3D Realms is slow, as always.

    --

    Ita erat quando hic adveni.

  13. Yeah, but does god mode work? by island_earth · · Score: 1

    All I care about is being able to cheat effectively. Anyone try it?

    My other question would be whether it compiles in Cygwin. Who needs a Windows port then?

  14. Anybody have a working binary? by DeadSea · · Score: 4, Informative
    To compile it you must have:
    1. CVS to check out the code.
    2. SDL Libraries for graphics and sound.
    3. An original Duke Nukem CD to get the configuration files and game data
    4. A DOS box or DOS emulator to install said CD
    5. Make and other compile tools to put it all together
    I'm missing items 3 and 4. Anybody have a working binary they can put up for download?
    1. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by athakur999 · · Score: 5, Informative

      The game engine is GPLed, but the game data isn't. If you want #3, you'll have to beg/borrow/buy/steal it yourself.

      --
      "People that quote themselves in their signatures bother me" - athakur999
    2. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by Beatbyte · · Score: 1

      4. use a dos emulator

      as for 3, go to ebay.com, local computer shop, or ask your buddies for it.

    3. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by bazmonkey · · Score: 2, Funny

      3. An original Duke Nukem CD to get the configuration files and game data...

      Anybody have a working binary they can put up for download?


      Not that it's illegal or anything. While I'm at it, here's some child porn, all of my SNES ROM's, and some manilla folder with "CLASSIFIED" stamped on it.

    4. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by rabidcow · · Score: 1

      or, go buy it from 3d realms, but $19.95 for a game that old seems just wrong.

    5. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by digitalgiblet · · Score: 1
      >>3. An original Duke Nukem CD to get the configuration files and game data


      A year ago or so PC Gamer Magazine included the full game on their demo disk. Can't remember which issue it was... Tried it on Win2K and it crapped out after just a few minutes... I forget what the error was.


      Maybe someone can find that issue and get some of those disks.

    6. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by Apreche · · Score: 1

      but you wouldn't mind putting say a new movie or a few mp3s up for download would you? You know, because that's illegal too.

      What bothers me is that I should be able to find somewhere to buy old dos games for like a buck each, but you can't. That's why things like abandonware eist.

      --
      The GeekNights podcast is going strong. Listen!
    7. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's what he's doing.

    8. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      I'm missing [An original Duke Nukem CD to get the configuration files and game data]. Anybody have a working binary they can put up for download?

      Sure, it's abandoware. You can download Duke Nukem 3D from here (it's only a 16MB download), and what's in my opinion very interesting is that there's even a link to the Linux port on that website! Well, I guess abandonware really is about libre software, after all. I think it's a good sign for the whole Open Source community.

    9. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm afraid I don't quite follow your logic.

      You're saying it's a good sign for the whole Open Source community that a bunch of people doing something illegally like Linux?

    10. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm afraid I don't quite follow your logic. You're saying it's a good sign for the whole Open Source community that a bunch of people doing something illegally like Linux?

      Oh, right, I forgot that there are absolutely no Linux users watsoever, who have ever done anything illegal! Windows users, those are the evil criminals, but not us, no Sir! Geeez... Get a life! Abandonware is about *FREE SOFTWARE,* just like the GNU, you moron! Oh, you didn't know that "Copyleft" is anti-copyright movement? I am so sorry to disturb you in your utopia, you fucking asshole!!!

    11. Re:Anybody have a working binary? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm afraid I don't quite follow your logic.

      I'm afraid you don't quite follow logic at all...

  15. Before you get too excited... by XaXXon · · Score: 5, Informative

    Unless you have a copy of the CDROM Duke Nuken: Atomic Edition, you can't use this. The shareware version doesn't work.

    This leaves me pretty much out in the cold.. :(

    1. Re:Before you get too excited... by RealityMogul · · Score: 3, Interesting

      If you have the source code - couldn't you "make" the shareware version work?

    2. Re:Before you get too excited... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The shareware version, like Quake and Doom, is missing most of the levels. So if you like only playing a couple of levels over and over again, I suppose it would work, but to play the full game you'd actually need the full game.

  16. But wait- by sielwolf · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Wasn't Duke3d originally released on Windows? Well I guess you can get it free now. So, yeah, the Linux port came out first... if you discount that commercial release to Windows 7 years ago.

    Hmmm. Come to think of it, might have to break out a little Duke3d...

    --
    What is music when you despise all sound?
    1. Re:But wait- by XanC · · Score: 1

      I think you'll find Duke3D was a DOS program.

    2. Re:But wait- by EpsCylonB · · Score: 1

      If by "Windows" you mean "Dos", then yes.

    3. Re:But wait- by mohaine · · Score: 1

      No, It was released for DOS.

      Being a DOS release, it interfaces directly with the hardware, something not allowed in Win2k.

      Last time I tired to play Duke in MS Windows, video worked, but couldn't get any sound. Duke just isn't the same without sound.

      --
      (appended to the end of comments you post, 120 chars)
    4. Re:But wait- by stratjakt · · Score: 1

      Last time I tired to play Duke in MS Windows, video worked, but couldn't get any sound. Duke just isn't the same without sound.

      Use one of a few dozen soundblaster emulators, and everything will be hunky dory (SBLive comes with a good one). There are quite a few out there.

      --
      I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
    5. Re:But wait- by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Puts my computer in an infinite loop with an Athlon and Via chipset.

    6. Re:But wait- by anotherone · · Score: 1

      I've been trying to get Duke to work with vdmsound for months. I even bought a sound blaster 16 specifically to play duke, still no dice... I think it just doesn't like windows.

      --
      Username taken, please choose another one.
    7. Re:But wait- by stratjakt · · Score: 1

      You do have a SET BLASTER=PORT,DMA,IRQ system variable set, right?

      It works fine. You probably just dont realize or remember how much a pain in the ass it was to get sound setup in Duke and other DOS titles at all.

      Once you do, you stop taking DirectX for granted.

      --
      I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
    8. Re:But wait- by TCaptain · · Score: 1

      " I think it just doesn't like windows."

      I always knew ol' Duke had good taste :)

      Hail to the king baby!

      --
      "I'm not a procrastinator, I'm temporally challenged"
    9. Re:But wait- by SN74S181 · · Score: 1

      Well, yeah. I guess this is one of those times when it's not as suitable to the advocacy propaganda to claim that "Windows is just DOS", eh?

      Why anybody would want to run it as a 'Windows Game' is a little mystifying.... boot up the DOS system. And why anybody is trying to get it up and running on Linux is even MORE mystifying. Is someone going to get TopView, Wordstar 3.3 and Visicalc running on Linux next?

    10. Re:But wait- by fetta · · Score: 1
      Wasn't Duke3d originally released on Windows?

      Nope - it was a DOS game.


      --
      ** The opinions expressed here are my own, and do not reflect those of my employers - past, present, or future**
    11. Re:But wait- by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      Duke 3D works fine on W2K and XP in the DOS "emulator".

      You'll need VDMS for sound to work though...

    12. Re:But wait- by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It's common knowledge that vdmsound has issues with pretty much all build engine games.

  17. Why not? by West+Palm+Beach · · Score: 1

    Many people enjoy playing the older games, it's nostalgia, and a lot of older games feature fantastic gameplay.

    This would explain the existence of various emulators and stores like GameStop which deal in used games.

    1. Re:Why not? by Angry+White+Guy · · Score: 1

      Plus, If the coders extend the networking to cover IP instead of IPX, we can net-game with it!

      I used to spend hours and hours over the modem playing Drunken Duke Nukem with my friends over the modem, but only one at a time. Two-player is not Multiplayer.

      If they put it to IP, there goes my productivity!

      --
      You think that I'm crazy, you should see this guy!
  18. win32 ? by bigmouth_strikes · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Ironically, a win32 port has yet to be released."

    Ironically, Duke3d has been running on win32 operative systems since the beginning. The tweaks to get the it working has been around about as long.

    --
    Oh, I can't help quoting you because everything that you said rings true
  19. Atomic Edition? by Da+w00t · · Score: 1
    # Make sure you've got a Duke3D ATOMIC EDITION cd-rom. YOU NEED THIS VERSION. The shareware data files DO NOT WORK AT THIS TIME.
    I wonder what is so special about the atomic edition? I already own duke3d, (not the atomic edition, but a full, store-purchased copy .. probally v1.3 something or other) and don't really want to buy it again.
    --

    da w00t. mtfnpy?
    1. Re:Atomic Edition? by AlternateSyndicate · · Score: 2, Insightful
      You can patch up your old versions, using DOSBox or something.

      1.3 support will most likely be in CVS soon anyway.

    2. Re:Atomic Edition? by CrazyDuke · · Score: 1

      Heh..I seem to remember that the atomic edition had some kind of censorship in it. That is why I have the original full version. I like my Duke3d rude, crude, and full of attitude. :P

      --
      Any sufficiently advanced influence is indistinguishable from control.
    3. Re:Atomic Edition? by cyrax777 · · Score: 1

      there were 2 diffrent versions of atomic edition. once censerored for sales in such stores as Walmart and then the uncut one. Only diffrence was the cut one was just parentel mode turned on with no way to unlock it. IRC they did release a patch to make it into the uncensored mode.

  20. I've been waiting so long ... by SuperDuG · · Score: 5, Funny
    ... one might save I've been waiting for Duke Nuke Um FOREVER ...


    hehehehe double reference jokes are funny.

    --
    Ignore the "p2p is theft" trolls, they're just uninformed
    1. Re:I've been waiting so long ... by isorox · · Score: 1

      Didnt you hear, Duke Nukem Forever has been released on the Atari 2600!

  21. Understandable to have sound problems by grimsweep · · Score: 2, Informative
    If I recall properly, the sound files are all VOC encoded at slightly abnormal sampling rates (i.e. 8000, 9000). They're a pain in the a^H^H to playback properly. It'd probably be easier converting them to reasonable WAV files. I imaigne a scipt couples with a GRP file reader would work, but I don't know how difficult that would actually be to pull off.

    Most of the conversion I tried back then (VOC to WAV) were rarely done properly, though. The programs I tried seemed to presume my original sampling rate was a multiple of 11025. :/

    1. Re:Understandable to have sound problems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ^H is fine if it's done right. This guy fucked it up. a^H^H? That's not even close to accurately portraying the way ^H works.

    2. Re:Understandable to have sound problems by grimsweep · · Score: 1, Offtopic
      2] ^H^H^H^H is NOT cool.

      Agreed. However, there are certain sacrifices one must make to remain tactful while making a point.

      There are better ways to be clever that don't clutter up the screen....

      Forgive me if I seem rude, but I think the best example of clutter here would be your post.

      Did you have anything constructive to say?

      Better yet, if you're not a fan of my writing style, feel free to create an account and add me to your 'foes' list.

    3. Re:Understandable to have sound problems by makapuf · · Score: 1

      Of course, playing duke 8000 Hz sampled voice at 11025 Hz gives that phat sooo manly mickey mouse voice .. 'where is it ?'

    4. Re:Understandable to have sound problems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      but I think the best example of clutter here would be your post.

      Possibly because I was trying to make a point through exageration.

      Did you have anything constructive to say?

      OK, I'll repeat it, since you missed it the first time -
      • My point is twofold -
      • 1] If you don't want to use profanity, don't do it... use a word like
      • neck (Tactful, yet point-making) or something. Not too hard to do.

      • 2] ^H^H^H^H is NOT cool. It does not make you 3L33T. Don't do it. Just type what you want, don't type what you don't want. There are better ways to be clever that don't clutter up the screen....
      Next thing: Better yet, if you're not a fan of my writing style, feel free to create an account [slashdot.org] and add me to your 'foes' list.

      Have an account, don't want to get my karma blown on offtopic posts, and your writing style's not bad enough for me to foe you for it. Your post was just an example of an annoying trend on /. that I feel the need to vent about.

    5. Re:Understandable to have sound problems by grimsvveep · · Score: 1

      be foed!!! You have been foed by yourself!!! Feel the wrath of my foement!!! Um. HaHa...

      But really, you seem like a nice guy. Wanta go out sometime?

    6. Re:Understandable to have sound problems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow.

      How is the parent post informative to Duke3D?!

    7. Re:Understandable to have sound problems by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      However, there are certain sacrifices one must make to remain tactful while making a point.

      How is writing fuckhead followed by 8x ^H any more tactful than writiting fuckhead without them? Everyone knows the missing word in your post is ass, if you think using the word ass is not apropriate then do what the other AC said - don't use it.

  22. Re:Why theres no windows port by Matt+Ownby · · Score: 1

    You know, I've noticed that lately whenever source code from a popular game is released, there seems to be a linux port first a lot of the time. This could indicate several things, but I think the main point that this indicates is that linux programmers are in general, more proficient at cross-platform development. Many linux coders also know how to write win32 applications, and often port their own projects to win32 to reach a wider audience. In my own experience I've also noticed that cross-platform development also helps to reveal more bugs.

    I work as a programmer with several other programmers. I program in linux at home and ASP.NET/C# at work. The guys here at work only know how to write ASP/ASP.NET type applications and if asked to port a DOS game to windows, they'd be lost. I don't mean to knock them, but I honestly think that perhaps people who know how to code applications in both win32 and linux may be more... how shall I say it.. complete.. programmers than those who are win32 only people? :)

  23. Win32 users by MagPulse · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ironically, a win32 port has yet to be released.

    They're probably too busy playing games released this decade.

    1. Re:Win32 users by siliconwafer · · Score: 1

      Win32 has some great games. I'll give you that. However, Duke3D is a classic. It sure as hell was better than Quake (IMHO), even though Quake had a true 3D engine and such. The personality of Duke is what makes it unique. The stuff he says, and the whole personality of the game are just simply kick ass. The hell with new games, Duke3D was probably one of the most fun games ever released, and I'd sure as hell love to have a Win32 port.

    2. Re:Win32 users by stratjakt · · Score: 1

      I thought Duke Nuk'em 3D sucked.

      The quotes he would say all the time annoyed me. The graphics looked patched together, it looked like a bunch of photographs on strings moving around. It didnt even look as seamless as doom did.

      What was that stupid clone of Duke called, the 'samurai' one with Adam Sandler making constant racist 'engrish' comments?

      Diff'rent strokes.

      --
      I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
    3. Re:Win32 users by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      you you would rather run around mindlessly blowing up monsters in dungeons with an rpg or a nail gun.

      Duke kicked ass especialy in multi player.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    4. Re:Win32 users by Stonehand · · Score: 1

      Well, I'd rather run around tagging enemy mechs with ER PPCs, X-Pulse lasers, and the occasional LRM barrage, actually. With, gosh, missions that involve more than running around, picking up powerups, and blasting enemies that magically teleport behind you when you past certain points.

      --
      Only the dead have seen the end of war.
    5. Re:Win32 users by BHearsum · · Score: 1

      Redneck Rampage?

    6. Re:Win32 users by Telastyn · · Score: 1

      Duke3d was a better game, but Quake was better technology. Hell, Quake made 2 of the greatest technological advancements in gaming! Firstly was hardware acceleration. Running in GL mode, quake simply looked better. Translucent water, fake particle effects, things that simply didn't exist until that time. It would grab people's attention. Second, and more important, was 'drop in' multiplayer. People that could just join a game mid way. Previous games (duke included) required all of the players join up, and then start the game. Required tons of preparation, and prevented alot of multiplayer gaming simply due to logistical problems.

    7. Re:Win32 users by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nothing beats bee grenades.

      I love my Quake mod...

    8. Re:Win32 users by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, however that would accurately describe the game's development process.

    9. Re:Win32 users by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      "The personality of Duke is what makes it unique."

      Funny you should use the term unique, as quite a few of Duke's lines were shamelessly stolen from the Evil Dead movies.

    10. Re:Win32 users by default+luser · · Score: 1

      Agreed on the drop-in multiplayer, every game released since has built on it.

      I have never liked RTS online because of all the logistics involved. Unless you and all the players know what you're doing, it can take 20 minutes to get a game started. Then, if anyone drops, it feels like you just wasted your time.

      Also, a note on hardware acceleration:

      VQuake was the world's first 3D-accelerated version of Quake. Carmack decided to work with Rendition because, at the time, their hardware was much more affordable than 3DFX and better performing than PowerVR.

      VQuake had all the features of GLQuake, plus hardware edge anti-aliasing. The port was a pain in the ass, and soured Carmack to hardware-specific game ports. So, when he wrote an OpenGL implementation for his Intergraph workstation, the light bulb clicked on.

      I just wish the industry could have all agreed on a way to implement hardware edge anti-aliasing ( aside from Matrox's Stencil Buffer hack ), FSAA looks so blurry. It's sad that cards today can't even do a technique my crappy Rendition card could do with ease in native ports.

      --

      Man is the animal that laughs.
      And occasionally whores for Karma.

    11. Re:Win32 users by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I believe you're thinking of Shadow Warrior, but it wasn't Adam Sandler in it, and I don't remember any racist comments in the game.

    12. Re:Win32 users by ssstraub · · Score: 1

      Yes! Quake games could go on 24/7 with people joining and dropping constantly. Duke3D would have to stop and start after each freakin game. That ALONE is enough to make Quake better.

    13. Re:Win32 users by RyuuzakiTetsuya · · Score: 1

      Quake kicked duke nukem's ass for three reasons.

      Multiplayer. The stock id DM maps ruled.

      Mods. Duke could be charming all he wants, but if i can't get my CTF on, then fuck it.

      Win32 port. Again. If I'm running NT, the above holds true. Not only that, but Winquake ran when I had a Soundblaster 16, PCI Soundblaster 16, then an SB Live!. DN3D won't run without the ISA SB16, until a win32 port is released. So fuck Duke Nukem, I'll be playing Quake.

      --
      Non impediti ratione cogitationus.
  24. Re:win32 ? by Vann_v2 · · Score: 1

    It runs in Windows, but it's a DOS program, not Win32 native, afaik.

  25. General Kenobi, by w1r3sp33d · · Score: 5, Funny

    General Kenobi, years ago you served my father in the Browser Wars. Now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Duke of Nukem. I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in person, but my isp connection has fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission to bring Duke to Linux has failed. I have placed information vital to the survival of the code into the memory systems of this x86 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this boxen safely delivered to the free people running free software. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, ObiWan Kenobi, you're my only hope.

    1. Re:General Kenobi, by Obiwan+Kenobi · · Score: 3, Funny

      There is only so much I can do. The DRM is thick in this sector, and my powers can only get me so far. The Palladium soldiers have taken the space docks, and Emperor Gates should be arriving shortly.

      But I will take up the challenge, and find a vehicle that will take me to the planet of Linux, past the city of Red Hat and Space Port Debian, into the desert of Gentoo so that this code can remain free.

      May the force be with you.

    2. Re:General Kenobi, by Dragonshed · · Score: 1

      NERDS! :)

    3. Re:General Kenobi, by shadowbearer · · Score: 2, Funny

      *He* is here.

      Duke 'O Nukem? What makes you think so?

      A tremor in Slashdot. The last time I felt it, it was in the presence of my old master, DOS.

      Surely he must be dead, by now.

      Never underestimate the Source-Hippies.

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
    4. Re:General Kenobi, by Doug+Neal · · Score: 1

      Hmm. If you put that all in capitals, it could almost be a Nigerian scam email!

    5. Re:General Kenobi, by shadowbearer · · Score: 1
      Goddamn. Karma. What an unfamiliar concept.



      Thanks, guys.



      If you like my writing, you might also like this



      Sorry, fanfic.com seems to have dumped some stories, Thank you Google.

      SB

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
    6. Re:General Kenobi, by shadowbearer · · Score: 1

      Oh, and thanks w1r3sp33d, couldn't done it without ya ;\- /me know I am a Karma Whore.

      SB

      --
      It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
  26. Neat! by Elpacoloco · · Score: 1

    But...what does Apogee say about this?
    Hopefully they'll be like ID and encourage it...

    1. Re:Neat! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      um, they released the source?

    2. Re:Neat! by GiMP · · Score: 2, Interesting

      3drealms (late apogee) released the source and has a very large mention of this linux port on their frontpage.

    3. Re:Neat! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I imagine that Apogee is fairly apathetic, since it's a 3D realms game. And I think that 3D realms is pretty happy about it, since it's the first story on their homepage.

    4. Re:Neat! by BHearsum · · Score: 1

      Keen.
      Apogee made Keen, right?
      I want Keen.

    5. Re:Neat! by rabidcow · · Score: 1

      What a coincidence, Apogee also has it as the first story on their homepage. ;)

    6. Re:Neat! by dadragon · · Score: 1

      Apogee published Keen. Keen was actually developed by Id Software.

      Just like Quake.

      Big shift, eh?

      --
      God save our Queen, and Heaven bless The Maple Leaf Forever!
  27. whoop - dee - doooo by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    :rolleyes:

  28. Re:win32 ? by bswick · · Score: 1

    The Icculus guys ported it using SDL, just like they've done for all their games. It compiles on win32 as is.

  29. Ken Silverman by vasqzr · · Score: 1

    Here's some background info on the original creator of the BUILD engine.

  30. Re:Why theres no windows port by RatBastard · · Score: 1
    Actually I think it's two things:
    • Linux programmers feel they have something to prove and through all of their effort into doing just that.
    • Linux users are deperate for any games and will put forth an amazing amount of work getting anything at all to run.
    It's not a matter of raw skill, but of drive.
    --
    Boobies never hurt anyone. - Sherry Glaser.
  31. Golly by grimsweep · · Score: 2, Informative
    Golly. You're right. I guess all of those newsgroups, message boards, and e-mailing lists are useless.

    Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to call Microsoft to help me find out why their software isn't functioning right. I'm sure the pricing plans are reasonable.

    1. Re:Golly by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ...because there's no newsgroups or email lists about microsoft products, and there isn't a gigantic database of help articles. It's more than easy to get free MS tech help, both from MS and from others.

  32. Re:win32 ? by IDIIAMOTS · · Score: 1

    If it runs in Windows, despite the fact that it's not a Win32 native app, why bother porting it? The Linux port exists because people could previously play the game on Linux. The Win32 native port doesn't exist because there's no functional need for it, other than for the sake of programming exercise. There's no irony in that.

  33. Re:Why theres no windows port by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Um, I am sorry, but what does proficiency with active server pages have to do with porting anything to an operating system?

    Maybe they don't fool around with windows source code at home? Maybe they have a life. Maybe they are better asp programmers than you because you fool around with linux...

    Maybe...maybe...maybe

  34. BUILD works? by Loco3KGT · · Score: 1

    That's great. Because it barely works worth a hoot in DOS. I remember *constant* crashes to the point of discouragement. And then there was the whole Randomly DieTM feature in all of my maps. I didn't actually put them there, the doors I made just seemed to do a lot of damage. :-|

    --
    Blessed be he who reads this post, Cursed be he who tells my boss.
  35. Re:Okay. by RLiegh · · Score: 1

    Is http://http// a new protocol? My browser doesn't support it, unfortunately. :~(
    I was able to find an http-compliant mirror of the sourceforge quake page here, however.

  36. Re:Windows Folks are Playing Games Written Recentl by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

    you just don't get it do you?

    DN3D is THE BEST 3d shooter ever invented. the level of interation in deathmatches and the smutty gutter nature of the game play makes it so much better than just running around in quake of ut and shooting people.

    and just wait for some one to plug in the quake enguine into it so more updated sprites and worlds can be created.

    --



    I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
  37. Win32 Has Been Released... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://forums.3drealms.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb= get_topic;f=25;t=000021

  38. Re:Okay. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That won't do any good. You really need the arcade controls to play defender. It's just too complicated to play without the joysticks and buttons.

  39. Nice! by curtisk · · Score: 2, Funny
    That didn't take long at all....yeah, its not 100% but I don't think the rest will take too long

    Duke was fun as hell, anyone else remember "Cases' Ladder" an early online gaming rank ladder? and Kali?? LOL I feel old!

    And please.....resist the burning urge to insert some obligatory "Tux" or "Linus" hidden room or some shit in it! Please!

    --

    Sehr geehrter Toilettenbenutzer!

  40. Re:Windows Folks are Playing Games Written Recentl by Narchie+Troll · · Score: 1

    *points and laughs*

    Look at that person, claiming that UT2k3 doesn't run under Linux "very well." Have you even tried running the UT2k3 port on Linux? It works perfectly; I'm using the nvidia drivers with a GeForce2 GTS. Full detail, high resolution, everything.

    Well, I was playing it until I realized that it sucked and got bored of it.

  41. Win32 version is out, ignore the article's troll by anotherone · · Score: 5, Informative

    a Win32 port HAS been released. Check this thread on the 3drealms forum. It supports all versions of duke (except the shareware), and you don't need to install it, you just need the .grp file and the .cons that were released with the source.

    --
    Username taken, please choose another one.
  42. Re:Okay. by RLiegh · · Score: 1

    Ack, my turn to look like a dick.
    oh well..wonder what hell-in-a-bag tastes like? I think I'm going to go eat some.

    oh, and: http://sourceforge.net/projects/quake

  43. Wait....... by xintegerx · · Score: 1

    So, somebody who can only write stuff for Windows is less complete than someone who can write stuff, or take others' code and port back and forth, in both Windows and Linux? :) Well, that is true if all the dual platformers are more experienced than the single platform dudes. However, that isn't true. And besides, it depends on the task.

    And still, if I needed to hire somebody to transfer Duke3d to Linux, I would still probably go with a 30 year-experience Windows or Dos guy than a 2 year programming experience guy who can program in both Win and Lin.

    How cool--saying Lin is much shorter and gets rid of the UX. This makes Lin more equal to Win? :\

    1. Re:Wait....... by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      who is the more flexable programmer?

      if win32 was destroyed tomorow, all the people that can program on 2 or more platforms would have jobs waiting, all the win32 people would be stuck trying to learn new libraries and new methods of editing, compiling and distributing.

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    2. Re:Wait....... by ClosedSource · · Score: 1

      In your alternate universe, if Win32 was destroyed tomorrow, then there must not be very many programmers using it today. So it wouldn't affect many people. Of course, it's your universe, it doesn't have to follow the logic of ours.

    3. Re:Wait....... by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 1

      you have problems thinking through hypotheticals don't you.

      who is the more flexable programmer?

      the one who can program on 2 diffrent platforms and port programs form on to the other and back again

      or the guy who uses one platform and has no clue how other platforms work?

      --



      I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
  44. Re:FP! by Fallen+Kell · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dear:

    [ ] Clueless n00b
    [X] Lamer
    [ ] Ricer
    [ ] Kid with no clue
    [X] Flamebait
    [ ] Jackass
    [ ] Lazy person
    [ ] Me too'er
    [ ] Spammer
    [X] Idiot
    [ ] Asterik-laden adjective
    [X] Pointless Thread Starter

    You Are Being Flamed Because:

    [ ] You continued a long, stupid thread
    [ ] You said "me too" to something or "Send ______"
    [ ] You asked for w@rez
    [ ] You don't know what you're talking about
    [X] You suck
    [ ] You posted one of the reposts from hell.
    [ ] Your post title has nothing to do with the content
    [ ] You complained about something you got for free/low cost
    [ ] You are not the grammer police
    [ ] You hate the U.S. or its policies yet will not leave
    [ ] You started a flamewar thread
    [ ] You are b!tching about something you have no right to b!tch about
    [ ] You asked for medical help on a computer forum
    [ ] You asked an incredibly stupid question
    [ ] You like ricers
    [ ] You are a ricer
    [ ] You asked how to mod a honda
    [ ] Your sig/alias sucks
    [ ] You did not listen to a smarter member or ignored advice
    [ ] You need use the damn search button
    [ ] You said any version of "repost" This is allowed sometimes but not this time
    [X] You posted something totally uninteresting
    [X] You posted a topic/message all written in CAPS
    [ ] You posted spam
    [ ] Your stupidity is astounding
    [ ] You used the words 'suxors' and/or 'roxors'
    [X] You posted "FIRST POST!"
    [ ] You are quitting the website for good...again
    [ ] You complained about the Mods

    To Repent, You Must:
    [ ] Give up your AOL/Euronet/MSN/Planet Internet account
    [ ] Bust up your modem with a hammer and eat it
    [ ] Jump into a bathtub while holding your monitor
    [X] Actually post something relevant
    [ ] Listen to Moonbeam for 3 hours
    [ ] Become friends with Red Dawn
    [X] Pry the Caps Lock and Shift keys from your keyboard
    [ ] Read the damned FAQ
    [ ] Cut off both your hands with your own hands
    [ ] Post some damn pics
    [ ] Go hug your parents right now
    [ ] Remove the Slashdot forum from your list
    [ ] Read the manual / instructions
    [ ] Remove your genitalia so you do not breed
    [ ] Repenting is not possible, you are banned.
    [ ] Use the damned search function
    [ ] Post in the right damned forum
    [ ] Put your car into a crusher
    [X] Apologize to everybody on this website
    [ ] Actually leave the website for good

    --
    We were all warned a long time ago that MS products sucked, remember the Magic 8 Ball said, "Outlook not so good"
  45. Re:Win32 version is out, ignore the article's trol by anotherone · · Score: 1

    BTW I just want to point out that the win32 port was released the day before the linux port.

    --
    Username taken, please choose another one.
  46. From the website! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS:

    Tough luck. Do NOT contact us with bug reports at this time. Do NOT contact us if you can't get it to build. Do NOT contact us for copies of the game. In fact, if you aren't sending us code, don't contact us at all.


    That's why Open Source is having difficulties.

    1. Re:From the website! by moonbender · · Score: 1

      Exactly, they should have a Premium Support section, like the non-OS software companies (well, and the open source ones, too) have: 3 years of Linux Duke 3D support at only $499 p.a. I'd approach them with the idea, but alas, I'm not allowed to mail them.

      --
      Switch back to Slashdot's D1 system.
    2. Re:From the website! by CAIMLAS · · Score: 1

      Yes, you're right. A mere 4 days after the source has been released and made available to them, they have a) managed to organize themselves, b) get a fair comprehension of the code base, c) start working on it, and d) release a fairly functional (hey, when Duke3D first came out, I played it w/ just the keyboard - I suspect many others did too) binary that is at least playable.

      Compare this to, say, Duke Nukem Forever, which has been in development for uncounted years, and all we've seen is a couple screenshots (and none in the last couple years, either).

      What's more, open source isn't having, "problems" - not unless you consider linux's ability to make strides against MS on the desktop market a problem (something both IBM, Apple, and untold forgotten companies have had problems doing for 20 years).

      Please stop being a troll.

      --
      ~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
  47. Re:Okay. by tuffy · · Score: 1

    You should've seen all the typos I had *before* I did the preview...heh.

    --

    Ita erat quando hic adveni.

  48. The strippers work... by BHearsum · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...right?

  49. Supports more Hardware??!?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    So I guess this means I can run WinXP on :
    my Sun Ultra1
    my Sun Ultra5
    my Sun E250
    my Apple Powermac
    my Apply Titanium
    my SGI Octane
    and my SGI Indy?

    Wow amazing, I never knew it supported that much hardware before. I guess this means I can go do the install process right now then huh?

    1. Re:Supports more Hardware??!?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      hmmm...so an Apple Titanuim which is still a 3,000 laptop is considered "junk", interesting since it was only just released 1 year ago, and is still currently being made (and upgraded). SGI boxes were made within the last 3 years. Sun boxes within the last 7. But to prove my point, do it run on my SunBlade2000?

    2. Re:Supports more Hardware??!?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yup Linux supports MORE HARDWARE than XP and Wondooze 2000.

      anyone without their head firmly planted in Bill Gates ass knows this.

    3. Re:Supports more Hardware??!?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Pity it hasn't got the software to go with it!

  50. Re:Why theres no windows port by stratjakt · · Score: 1

    It's easier to port from linux to win32 than vice-versa. There's a lot more win32 specific stuff thats tightly integrated into the OS (MFC, GDI, DirectX, etc, etc) than the other way around. All the linux libraries of note have a win32 port already (SDL, OpenGL etc)

    (BTW this already compiles out of the box on win32, the submitter is wrong)

    It has nothing to do with "linux programmers being better" at anything. A good programmer would just do things in that order for that simple reason.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  51. Re:win32 ? by Elladan · · Score: 1

    "Ironically, Duke3d has been running on win32 operative systems since the beginning. The tweaks to get the it working has been around about as long."

    Ironically, Duke3d on windows runs under the DOS emulator. Linux also has a DOS emulator, and Duke3d has run under that (with sound even) for about as long.

  52. Re:Windows Folks are Playing Games Written Recentl by gmuslera · · Score: 1
    You mean that UT 2003 Linux binaries don't work so well under linux, or that you are trying to run windows binaries under wine or something like that? In the second case, well, exist linux binaries, so if we have linux, we can enjoy UT2003. I think that Medal of Honor runs under WineX, so under linux you have this also. And about other FPS, I think that Return to Castle Wolfenstein also count as one, and look like it runs very well under linux, and is not 7 years old yet.

    But the point of running Duke3D is not running old games because there is no new game, is playing those old games because them are good, and a lot of us enjoyed a lot playing it. The same counts for Doom, or even the original wolfenstein 3D if there are linux binaries.

    Ok, the graphics and the hardware requeriments are not the same of new games, but, you know? abstraction is part of the fun what we see, we read and we play. Anyway, I agree that the pixelated dancers could look more realistics.

  53. Re:Why theres no windows port by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I get paid to code in ASP.NET/C#. I have yet to find any companies that pay people to port DOS games to Windows.

  54. Re:Why theres no windows port by anotherone · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The win32 port here was released several hours before the linux port.

    --
    Username taken, please choose another one.
  55. Mirrors by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative
  56. Re:Windows Folks are Playing Games Written Recentl by mahdi13 · · Score: 1

    That's funny, I have UT2003 running great with Linux...try enabling OpenGL 3D Acceleration support or don't buy an ATi card

    And there will be a Medal of Honor port soon...
    No Release date yet though...

    ...Go nVidia!

    --
    "Some things have to be believed to be seen." - Ralph Hodgson
  57. Re:actually... by puff+puff+pass · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I think after the US is done in the mideast, their numbers will drop faster than Slashdot's net value.

    --
    420
  58. Patches? by antdude · · Score: 1

    Do we need to upgrade Duke Nukem 3D before trying in Linux?

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  59. Mirror by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Here

    (I hope it survives)

  60. cranky coders by syle · · Score: 5, Funny
    IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS:

    Tough luck. Do NOT contact us with bug reports at this time. Do NOT contact us if you can't get it to build. Do NOT contact us for copies of the game. In fact, if you aren't sending us code, don't contact us at all.

    At least they're honest!
    --

    /syle

    1. Re:cranky coders by sogoodsofarsowhat · · Score: 2, Funny

      Sounds like to me they are taking a page from M$. Except they are not charging you for it. They will learn. Give them time.

      --
      . I love the sound of burning women and screaming rubber....
  61. Re:Okay. by RLiegh · · Score: 1

    'Preview'...I can't say I'm familiar with the concept; is that anything like 'reading the instruction manual' or 'asking for directions'?

  62. Where to get the cd by blonde+rser · · Score: 1

    Amazon has some 3rd party auctions but if you want simple this site is selling new copies. Looks like they ship to the US, Canada, Mexico, and more. Though they look small so I have no idea how much inventory they have.

  63. I got Duke3D free! by motardo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It was with a PC Gamer mag some time last year I think, the only reason I picked up the mag, didn't even read it.

    1. Re:I got Duke3D free! by SN74S181 · · Score: 1

      If you immediately pitched the game, I wouldn't say that you got it for free.

      And that older software is often avaiable in the jewelbox racks for $5-10 anyway. Unless you also want the magazine, it's usually an overpriced mistake to buy the mag just to get the CD.

      Those huge 'PC Plus' CD sets are the only exception.

  64. I wouldn't say out in the cold... by hendridm · · Score: 1

    There are cheap copies available.

  65. Re:Do we really need ? by Shazzman · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I believe it.

  66. VESA is not a resoulution by Jason1729 · · Score: 0, Informative

    Features include full sound support, hi-res video modes (aka VESA modes for those familiar with DOS)

    VESA was a local bus architecture before PCI. While it was used for video cards, that has nothing to do with the posible video resolution. I still have old VESA IDE controller.

    Jason
    ProfQuotes

    1. Re:VESA is not a resoulution by akhaksho · · Score: 1

      VESA did come up with a pre-PCI bus, but it's best known among users for standardizing the timings for video signals that weren't created by IBM (EGA, VGA, XGA, etc.) Check out www.vesa.org .

    2. Re:VESA is not a resoulution by hibiki_r · · Score: 1

      There was a bus architecture called VESA, but there is also an old standard to interface with svga videocards. After a few resident programs were created to make old svga cards compliant with the VESA standard most videogames started taking advantage of high resolution video modes.Writing different code for every vendor's standard was a PAIN. w/o VESA videogame graphics would not be where they are today.

    3. Re:VESA is not a resoulution by 13Echo · · Score: 1

      I can recall using VESA modes for Duke. It was quite nice. If you had UniVBE (now Scitech Display Doctor) or some other VLB framebuffer driver, it worked like a charm. The game looked better, and was capable if being run in higher resolutions, if I'm not mistaken.

    4. Re:VESA is not a resoulution by 13Echo · · Score: 1

      Yeah. It was called VLB, for Vesa Local Bus. It was like an ISA card with an extension on the end. It's a 32 bit bus with a direct link to the 486 processor and bus. It was short-live though, as less than 2 years later, Intel was pushing PCI in all of their boards... A better choice, if I'd say so anyway. VLB slots were compatible with existing ISA cards.

  67. Re:Do we really need ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I do too.

  68. VESA is not a local bus architecture either by stratjakt · · Score: 2, Informative

    VESA is a standards orginization.

    The VESA local bus was one (short lived) standard, as are the VESA 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 compliant display modes.

    "VESA display modes" is absolutely correct. Try using google next time you want to sound like a techno whiz kid.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  69. Which is probably why... by phorm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS:

    Tough luck. Do NOT contact us with bug reports at this time. Do NOT contact us if you can't get it to build. Do NOT contact us for copies of the game.


    People are already grousing about this and saying it's a fault of open source. But the thing is, they probably have a list of their own planned updates/fixes, and accepting a slew of bug-reports from every linux-newbie who wants to run duke3d would just be distracting from (the above) more important things. I expect they'll accept feedback once we're past the current beta-type stage of coding.

    I wonder about some of the original duke3d bugs too. Nothing worse than just about fragging somebody in deathmatch only to get munched by a closing door...

    1. Re:Which is probably why... by Electrum · · Score: 2, Funny

      I wonder about some of the original duke3d bugs too. Nothing worse than just about fragging somebody in deathmatch only to get munched by a closing door...

      Hmm, I always considered that a feature.

    2. Re:Which is probably why... by CAIMLAS · · Score: 1

      If you were "careful", you could kill opponents that way. :)

      --
      ~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
    3. Re:Which is probably why... by IIRCAFAIKIANAL · · Score: 1

      But the thing is, they probably have a list of their own planned updates/fixes, and accepting a slew of bug-reports from every linux-newbie who wants to run duke3d would just be distracting from (the above) more important things. I expect they'll accept feedback once we're past the current beta-type stage of coding.

      I'm not criticizing them or you, but *I* think that if that is the case, why release the thing yet? I guess for the ego points :P
      --
      Robots are everywhere, and they eat old people's medicine for fuel.
    4. Re:Which is probably why... by skwirlmaster · · Score: 1

      Is it harder to be polite? Looks like its time for an experiment... Original> IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS: Tough luck. Do NOT contact us with bug reports at this time. Do NOT contact us if you can't get it to build. Do NOT contact us for copies of the game. Modified> IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS: Duke3d is currently in development. We will begin taking bug reports when we have finished implementing all features. In the mean time good luck. Wow, same length... not insults... Looks like it _is_ as easy... Strive for civilization...

      --
      My inner self is ineffable, so don't eff with me.
    5. Re:Which is probably why... by phorm · · Score: 1

      I'm guessing they probably had a few people doing these very things, and being annoying about it. Even with a polite message, I might expect a few people to think they are special and write in anyways (oh... maybe they aren't aware of this one...).

      I can sympathize. I run a free server. One of my scripts have some security issues, and a fix to the security problem left it (unknown to me) not functioning properly. An impolite message from a user (a friend, no less) left me wanting to email eveyone reminding them that the service is free to them, but costs me money for the dedicated line and also time.

      I refrained this time... but sometime you have to be blunt without sugarcoating.

  70. Isn't this the problem with Linux? by mykepredko · · Score: 1

    When I read this, I immediately thought of these two articles that were just posted: Too Much Free Software and Linux Audio Development.

    Wouldn't the Linux/OSS advancement efforts be better served if maybe this team of people had worked for a week and released a complete "Duke Nukem 3D" for Linux? The problems listed above (including the need for an MS-DOS non-shareware version of the game) will probably tend to turn people off and not think that Linux is ready for the prime-time desktop.

    I would think that this effort would be a better advertisement for Free Software/Linux if shareware data files could be processed, networking/modem/multiplayer modes worked along with correct audio and mouse/joystick support. I would also think that an RPM of the application should be available as well.

    This should be much less effort than porting the package to Windows or getting demos working but would be impressive enough that casual computer users would consider Linux for their desktops.

    myke

    1. Re:Isn't this the problem with Linux? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      let me be the first to say "huh?"

      Notice that icculus weren't the ones that posted this to slashdot (or any other major news site). They finished the first stage of the port, got the DOS game to run on Linux using SDL (which the game was not written in) and then were cool enough to allow us to try it out.

      Isn't the whole point of releasing the source so that people can dabble with it? It's not like they're releasing Duke3d Retail, they took four days to make a port of it to linux (and they're even trying to port it to windows too if you read their page).

      I'm pretty much 100% certain that a Duke3d linux port that they took four days to work on which isn't perfect yet won't turn people off to the linux desktop.

      Maybe you should be happy that someone with the talent to port it to linux (and windows) is working on it at all.

    2. Re:Isn't this the problem with Linux? by koh · · Score: 2, Interesting

      In the current trend of free software, "release early, release often" is actually the thing to do. They don't force anyone to use their code, they just released it.

      Plus, one needs some overkill hacker spirit to perform such a feat, it's been only four days since source code was released after all. The kind of people that do such things go for score first, and perfection second, because that's what it takes to endure the lack of sleep ;)

      So let's say, good job, wait and see ?

      --
      Karma cannot be described by words alone.
    3. Re:Isn't this the problem with Linux? by Eccles · · Score: 1

      Wouldn't the Linux/OSS advancement efforts be better served if maybe this team of people had worked for a week and released a complete "Duke Nukem 3D" for Linux?

      Given the rest of your theme, the real question may be "why not hack the Quake engine to give it DN3D support"? Is there anything fundamental about the Duke code that is better than Quake, or is it the data that makes the Duke? If the latter, all you really need is some way to import Duke data into Quake. (Or perhaps Doom, so you have 2-D sprite support.)

      --
      Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention.
    4. Re:Isn't this the problem with Linux? by ActiveSX · · Score: 1

      The Build engine has a certain feeling that Quake and Doom couldn't replicate. Just let them port it and leave the Quake hacking for the QuakeForge guys. (Yes, I know the site is down at the moment. Google if you care.)

    5. Re:Isn't this the problem with Linux? by wideBlueSkies · · Score: 1

      >>Maybe you should be happy that someone with the talent to port it to linux (and windows) is working on it at all.

      Excellent point bro. I couldn't have said it better myself.

      --
      Huh?
    6. Re:Isn't this the problem with Linux? by Eil · · Score: 1


      Excellent rebuttal, but you didn't mention one of my favorite points: That bright Linux open-source developers give sweet fuck all about impressing Windoze n00bs.

  71. Re: what is a ricer? by benzapp · · Score: 1

    what is a ricer?

    --
    I don't read or respond to AC posts
  72. Shareware by AlternateSyndicate · · Score: 1

    Experimental support for Duke3D 1.3D shareware files appears to have just been added to CVS.

  73. sound by rgf71 · · Score: 1

    The best thing the linux programmers can do to help linux is to get the sound/music working on their port of Duke3d before the win32 programmers.

    Here's why:

    People will have to go linux in order to play Duke3d :) Ironic?

    1. Re:sound by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0


      It's neither ironic nor true.

      The original DOS version works fine on my XP box, with sound if you install VDMS.

  74. Re:Win32 version is out, ignore the article's trol by GiMP · · Score: 1

    Just to point out that slashdot takes too long posting articles; otherwise, you might have seen the linux version mentioned here first ;)

    Icculus.org had duke3d compiling and rendering within a day.

  75. Compile.. by Atzanteol · · Score: 1
    Doesn't seem to compile for me:

    > make
    gcc -c -o pragmas_gnu.o pragmas_gnu.c -DUSE_I386_ASM -Werror -ansi -pedantic -funsigned-char -DPLATFORM_UNIX -O2 -g -Wall -I/usr/include/SDL -D_REENTRANT -fasm -fno-omit-frame-pointer
    cc1: warnings being treated as errors
    pragmas_gnu.c: In function `qinterpolatedown16short':
    pragmas_gnu.c:2141: warning: string length `623' is greater than the length `509' ISO C89 compilers are required to support
    make: *** [pragmas_gnu.o] Error 1
    --
    "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge"

    - Charles Darwin
    1. Re:Compile.. by goatboy_14 · · Score: 1

      You have to remove -Werror from the makefile and it will.

    2. Re:Compile.. by radoni · · Score: 4, Informative

      remove -Werror... you know that if you quit complaining and hack a little, it goes a long way.

      remember the authors' notes that there is no support for this game *unless you contribute code*

      --
      SIGERR: laziness exceeds quota
    3. Re:Compile.. by crouchingpenguin · · Score: 1

      you are using gcc-3.2.... edit the make file and change CC=gcc to CC=gcc-2.95

      should work like a charm thereafter

    4. Re:Compile.. by Atzanteol · · Score: 1

      Quit complaining? I said "It wouldn't compile for me." I didn't bitch, or moan. Just stated a fact. I'd never seen that error before. I looked at the code where it said the problem was, and couldn't figure it out. I *did* hack a little you elitist fuck, and I *didn't* write the authors for help so I don't know who's ass your second comment came out of.

      --
      "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge"

      - Charles Darwin
    5. Re:Compile.. by Atzanteol · · Score: 1

      I'd tried "make CC=gcc296" (don't have 2.9.5) and that gave the same error. Others had suggested removing -Werror, and that seems to have worked.

      --
      "Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge"

      - Charles Darwin
  76. Re: what is a ricer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    what's a ricer b*tch you almost made me laugh

  77. Re:win32 ? by SeanAhern · · Score: 1

    The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is uncopyrightable.

    Incorrect. The word "dermatoglyphics" is also 15 letters long and never repeats a letter.

  78. Which is interesting. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    That's pretty interesting. Cause now that I think about it, setting up sound, video, and CDROM access in Linux is a million times easier than it was in DOS not but 9 years ago.

    People these days are just pussies.

    1. Re:Which is interesting. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      And setting all of that up in windows today is about a million times easier than it is in linux today... what's your point?

      Nine years ago it was nigh impossible to set all of that stuff up in linux.

  79. Open-source goofs at it again.. by fzammett · · Score: 1

    So much for the much-vaunted speed and efficiency of the open-source model.

    Four days?!? What the hell took so damned long?!?

    Just tell me this... how many different, completely incompatoble codebase forks now exist? Damn SourceForge! Damn it to hell!

    (Need I tell anyone this is sarcasm at it's worst?!? Ok, yes I do... THIS IS SARCASM!)

    --
    If a pion (n-) collides with a proton in the woods & noone is there to hear it, does lamdba decay into the source pa
    1. Re:Open-source goofs at it again.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No one ever said open source wasn't good at stealing other people's code. And look at all those features that work so well, like mouse/network support. I can't imagine why you would want to use a mouse or a network connection in an FPS game, anyway.

  80. Re: what is a ricer? by Rayonic · · Score: 1

    A "Ricer" is one who performs all sorts of crazy modifications on his low-end automobile.

    Click here for details.

  81. Redneck Rampage? by jmorse · · Score: 1

    Wasn't Redneck Rampage based on the Duke 3D engine? Think we'll ever see a GPL-based port? There's nothing like a chicken with a stick of dynamite up its ass acting as a homing device after being launched from a crossbow :0

    I think I'm gonna go crowbar me some jackelopes...

    --

    "You done taken a wrong turn."
    -Bill McKinney, in Deliverance
    1. Re:Redneck Rampage? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually, it was done with the BUILD engine, which is at http://www.icculus.org/BUILD/ . Looks like they have several of them working, including both Redneck Rampage and Redneck Rampage Rides Again.

  82. Re: what is a ricer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    It is a racist expression for an American of Asian descent.

  83. Whoooo want's some wang? by TheAwfulTruth · · Score: 1

    Shadow warrior?

    --
    Contrary to popular belief, coding is not all free blow-jobs and beer. Those things cost MONEY!
  84. Re:win32 ? by mgs1000 · · Score: 1

    But can you copyright the word "dermatoglyphics"?

  85. Re:win32 ? by SeanAhern · · Score: 1

    Probably not. Considering that Dr. Harold Cummins invented the word in 1926, he (or his estate) would be the only one could could even stake a claim to the word.

  86. Re: what is a ricer? by Anon,+a+musk+award · · Score: 1

    Ricer aka rice-boy

  87. But the real question is... by heXXXen · · Score: 1

    I wonder how long before the TI-83+ port is out?

  88. Brainless :Linux Joke... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    "No mouse, demos, or networking just yet..."

    When's Linux going to support those?

    1. Re:Brainless :Linux Joke... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 1

      Man, an assumption about Linux from the PoV is a troll, but if somebody makes a BSOD joke it's funny as hell. Go fig.

    2. Re:Brainless :Linux Joke... by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "...but if somebody makes a BSOD joke it's funny as hell. Go fig."

      That's probably because the Linux zealots aren't up to date about the much greater stability of Windows 2k and even to a lesser extent, XP.

      Making fun of Windows blue screens is like making fun of cell phones because of bad reception. It was really true a few years ago, today it's only likely under expected circumstances.

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    3. Re:Brainless :Linux Joke... by Anonvmous+Coward · · Score: 1

      "That's probably because the Linux zealots aren't up to date about the much greater stability of Windows 2k and even to a lesser extent, XP."

      Well, that's sort of understandable though. 2k is MUCH more stable (and network friendly) than ME. It is a much stronger OS in nearly every aspect.The problem is that ME came out after 2k. As a result, I can imagine people see how shitty ME is and think "Man, 2k must be worse!" So yea, I could see that.

      Still, though, if I'm going to get modded down for making a silly Linux joke from the point of view of a Windows user, then BSOD jokes shouldn't get modded up.

  89. Ported To Win32 by PhreakinPenguin · · Score: 1

    Check the post here along with screenshots:

    http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?id=7144651

    --


    My sig of choice is Marlboro
  90. Re:win32 ? by bigmouth_strikes · · Score: 1

    I give in, better now ?

    --
    Oh, I can't help quoting you because everything that you said rings true
  91. Duke 3D is just begging for.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    ... a sequel. No, really. This game out about seven or eight years ago, back when DOS was still widely used. And we've had the Quake engine games and the Unreal engine games come out in the meantime.

    Now, with a character like Duke, doncha think that a decent sequel could be made using these engines? Sounds like a natural to me: greater interactivity, new locations (imagine Duke in Las Vegas!) and best of all, true-3D dancing babes.

    I'm surprised no one's thought of doing this just yet, But here we are, nearly ten years after Duke last graced us with his mighty presence, and there's no sign of a real sequel to Duke 3d.

    Think maybe someone from the mod community oughta get on the ball?

  92. It figures by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I submitted the news that the source code was available early in the morning on April 2, 2003, 2 hours from midnight, yet my submission was overlooked. I posted about the Linux port, and my post was probably overlooked.

    It never fails.

    At this rate tomorrow, we'll see an article titled: this just in: we've landed on the moon!

  93. Re:win32 ? by SeanAhern · · Score: 1

    I give in, better now ?

    Yep, all better!

    (I couldn't let a challenge like that stand... :-)

  94. Re:M$ Supp0rT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    then what i get for paying $150/hr to a brain-less M$ support tech

    If you've ever paid ANYONE that much for ANY type of tech support, via phone or otherwise, I think your money would be better spent getting your head examined.

  95. Re:M$ Supp0rT by reinard · · Score: 1

    Actually that was a discounted price. The standard M$ fee for a support call is $250/incident, usually less than an hour. Go look it up. Someone posted links to their pricing page.

    --
    Reinard
  96. 4 Days by CAIMLAS · · Score: 1

    You say 4 days as if that's a long time.

    --
    ~/ssh slashdot.org ssh: connect to host slashdot.org port 22: too many beers
  97. this will probably attract tons of flames, but... by Insert+Clever+Nick+H · · Score: 1

    this is the reason I run Windows. I played Duke3d 7 years ago. I can play games when they actually get released! Of course, I'm a gamer, not a programmer or anything like that. Linux is superior for programming and networking, but not for gaming. So I'll stick to my Windows machine and enjoy playing my UT2K3, Neverwinter Nights, and Freedom Force.

    --
    Upwards, not forwards!
  98. Sorry, I just hadda do it by shadowbearer · · Score: 2, Funny
    In a stunning turn of events, Lord Stallman is hired by Microsoft.

    Ballmer: Palladium is now the ultimate power in the cyberuniverse. I suggest we use it.

    Stallman: Don't be too proud of this technological terror you've constructed, Mr. Gates. The ability to dominate the planet is insignificant, next to the power of Open Source.

    Ballmer: Don't try to frighten us with your Hippy ways, Lord Stallman. Your sad devotion to that ancient religion hasn't given you the power to conjure up the stolen code, nor helped us find the rebels hidden serv- *urk* *gaak*

    Stallman: I find your lack of faith disturbing.

    Gates: Enough of this! Stallman, release his server!

    Stallman:As you wish. *virtual thud*

    Gates: This bickering is pointless. Lord Stallman will provide us with the IP of the rebels hidden server by time Palladium is operational. We will then crush the rebellion with one swift lawsuit.

    --
    It's old. The more humans I meet, the more I like my cats. At least they are honest.
  99. Why not... by xRelisH · · Score: 1

    Why not port this to the Quake3 engine? I mean, it would probably catch on a lot faster if a newer engine was used.
    Of course, this would make it required for everyone to actually own (or warez) quake3, but imagine those strippers in hi-res! (assuming someone spent a few hours grabbing high res pics off the net and importing them)

    1. Re:Why not... by m1chael · · Score: 1

      thats why duke nukem is taking forever is taking forever. its because they want to get the strippers just right.

      --
      I know you are psychotic, but please make an effort.
  100. Obligatory troll by nobodyman · · Score: 1

    "Ironically, a win32 port has yet to be released."
    Maybe the win32 community isn't as starved for games?
    1. Re:Obligatory troll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      True, all us Windows users that cared played that game and all it's add-ons to death years ago. But worse than that, it actually WAS was out for win32 by the time this article was posted so this is just more /. FUD...

  101. Re:win32 ? by gl4ss · · Score: 1

    because if it's native it can behave better, use less resources, use the gfx card better, get it to talk the new soundcards, use the directx gfx modes for higher or smoother resolution, and useless stuff like that, and you could play it on linux before through dos emulation too.. all that, but sdl(or some other) port is very important just for the fact that after that it is easily ported to *anything*, though, i would bet that nobody is really excited about being able to play duke nukem3d, i except everyone(me included) to be anxious to see what can be done with the source(doomsday..).

    a freaky amount of free software exists because they're coded as some exercise or another, why do you think theres so many doom engine derivates around? because there's really desperate need for so many? or because writing such things and tweaking around with them can be very fun indeed?

    why bother to port ANYTHING, 'why not just write emulators for everything'(dosbox is coming nicely for dos games, afaik no 32bit stuff yet though), and "if you want to play the game just get the original hardware, who would bother to write any useless emulators anyways"(a lot of people don't have space for 'junk', and that couldn't compare to opening up new possibilities for playing the old games).

    who would bother to write another os when there is a working one already..

    --
    world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
  102. VESA is a set of resoulutions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    While it was used for video cards, that has nothing to do with the posible video resolution.

    Sorry, you're wrong. One of the VESA standards certainly does define some standard video modes. Vesa 1.0, 2.0 & 3.0 defines a set of video modes and the Vesa BIOS Extension (VBE) which provides a standard way to access and use them. VESA modes are are one level up from standard VGA/XGA modes, but offer no accelerated drawing functions (E.g. all you get is a framebuffer, and the VBE which lets you configure that framebuffer).

    As another poster pointed out, try using Google next time.

  103. Re:win32 ? by operagost · · Score: 1

    It doesn't work on NT kernels with sound unless you use vdmsound, which is in itself a PITA to set up.

    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  104. OpenGL by rf0 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Now if someone would like to port this to OpenGL with the Nvidia XFree86 Drivers now that would be cool. I would never have to boot back into windows to satsify my gaming twitch

    rus

  105. It demonstrates the power of free. by twitter · · Score: 1
    Could someone explain why this is 'News'?

    Releasing the source to an age-old DOS game and making it work under Linux is news because?

    It is embarrasing to see this happen. It is embarrasing that a release of a game should constitute news on /. Even if it is for Linux. This only goes to show that most game producers couldn't care less about Linux.

    No news is good news for you?

    In another universe, the original company did not care at all about free software and destroyed the source code to Duke3D. In this universe someone cared, knew they would have no more sales for an old game and released the source. So today, instead of the waste of closed source software, you have a game to play on free software, Linux. It may have it's quirks yet there it is, a resource has been created. Where there are resrouces, there is money to be made.

    Summary: Releasing the source brought publicity and saved lots of work. If you don't like it, don't use it or see if you can get your old DOS floppies to work.

    --

    Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.

    1. Re:It demonstrates the power of free. by IdleTime · · Score: 1

      I still can't see why this is news.

      Releasing the source to an old game, no matter how popular it was at that time and then porting it to Linux is just going to have the effect that people say: "See, Linux is only running ancient games. Nobody makes new games for Linux"
      I know this is not comnpletly true, but I can't see what releasing the source for a very old game is bringing to Linux?

      I never played Duke anyway, so I have no interest in the game, but news, hardly! A nice touch from the company, sure, but nothing that I would consider worthy space on a news website like /. Oh well, I guess this says more about what is happening in the world today than the state of Linux in general.

      --
      If you mod me down, I *will* introduce you to my sister!
    2. Re:It demonstrates the power of free. by twitter · · Score: 1
      I never played Duke anyway, so I have no interest in the game, but news, hardly!

      So, why are you here?

      --

      Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.

  106. Woohoo! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Finally someone who sees the *real issue* here. Duke3D was one of my all-time favourite first person shooters! As the poster says, it was incredibly "fun". So all I can say is, "Yay!"

  107. rott by GoatPigSheep · · Score: 1

    I'd still like to see a win32 port of rise of the triad!

    --
    GoatPigSheep, the 3 most important food groups
  108. cheet codes by slyguy420 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I wunder if the good old nukem 3d cheet codes still werk. Funny thing is i still remember em! :) God Mode = dncornholio All Items = dnitems All guns = dnstuff

    --


    C:\earth\humans\del *.m0ronz
  109. Ditch BUILD? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
    I was browsing 3drealms forums earlier today and noticed someone's todo-list:
    • TCP/IP Support
    • Server Support
    • GL/D3D Support
    • Partical effects for rain and snow
    • Model Support
    • Mutlplayer Modifyers (simialer to unreal tourny)
    • Console
    • True over/under briges
    • Team Play
    • Vechical Support (like in shadow warrior)
    ..and all I could think about was that they should take some more modern engine like Quake1/2 and modify it to work with DN3D. Quake has all these features plus it is highly portable. Adding all the stuff on the list and making it portable (BUILD uses a lot of ASM I'm told) would mean rewriting a lot of code, so why not take some existing piece of code that satisfies the requirements?
  110. zaurus! :) by stmpynode · · Score: 2

    anyone working on a zaurus port yet?

    --

    Blah.

  111. Re:M$ Supp0rT by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Fees of $/hour and $/incident are two VERY different things. I once had an incident take a month to fix. At $150/hour I would have paid an absolute fortune compared to $250/incident.

  112. I did this years ago by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I know this is done natively and all, but I was running the duke3d games in linux through DOSEMU years ago. It was a slightly hacked version of DOSEMU, but it worked very well with protected mode applications. I even was able to run wacky wheels. I remember having duke3d with sb16 emulation. It would have been easy to set up modem play, and networking play probably wouldn't have been to bad either. I do recall years back that I would occasionaly have hard lockups when running duke3d in linux. They'd crash the whole system, but it didn't happen too often. Maybe they fixed dosemu by now? Anyone still work on that project?

  113. Re:win32 ? by Billly+Gates · · Score: 1

    Duke will not run on NT4, w2k, or winXP because it does direct hardware access.

    Like Linux/Unix, WindowsNT uses wrappers or calls to access hardware to make it more stable and prevent the dreaded GP faults or illegal operation errors. In unix you can make direct hardware and memory calls as root but you can not do this under administrator under NT.

    I have been using NT since 4.0 because I can not stand the instability and bugginess of windows95 and 98. Alot of slashdotters bash it but for a desktop os its pefectly stable. A win32 port would enable duke to run and also would work with my soundcard. In dos the game developers had to write a driver for each soundcard themselves since it was such a pieace of crap.

    Same problem with doom. Since ID releases the source the win32 versions that came out supported directsound, opengl, and networking. I predict a similiar thing will happen with DukeNukem.

  114. Re: what is a ricer? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No, it's not.

  115. Re:this will probably attract tons of flames, but. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Bad example I'm afraid.
    Both UT2k3 (included a linux executable on the cd) and NWN (downloadable client) are available on linux. :)
    Dont know about Freedom Forces though.

  116. sox by SamMichaels · · Score: 1

    Doesn't the sound utility 'sox' have the ability to convert files correctly? Works for me...

  117. dreamcast port by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0



    hi im a dreamcast port devver ive ported quake 1 to dc ultima VI etc i cant get on the cvs for the source just will not login for me if some kind
    person can tar it or zip the source for me ill
    give the port a go for the dreamcast thanks

    reaper_angel@hotmail.com

    http://www.imrtech.mirrorz.com

  118. Guess we're on schedule... by Jellybob · · Score: 1

    told you so :P

    http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=59435&cid=56 52 582

    [Lameness filter, blah, blah, blah... is my time up yet?]

  119. Bzzt--wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hell, I can't even find any Linux distro that recognizes the network and sound cards in my laptop, made last year.

    Yep, you guessed it--Windows XP recognizes and uses them perfectly. Everyone knows XP supports more hardware and has more drivers. It's a fact.

  120. next, Space Invaders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I can hardly wait!

  121. "a ricer" is .... by Fallen+Kell · · Score: 1

    "a ricer" is actually a reference to another blog that I am on, forgot to remove it when I ported the list here. Basically there was a post that was a quote unquote to sell "ricers", i.e. those kitchen gadgets that "rice" or "mince" difference things. Primarily used to make spatzel (a German type of noodle). Basically it became a long going thread that lasted several thousand posts of people either complaining about the product once they got it, or others just plain not letting the subject die, so it became just something that people called others when someone wouldn't let something die. Again, sorry about missing that one, thought I had ported the list over fairly well (first time I decided to post it here obviously).

    --
    We were all warned a long time ago that MS products sucked, remember the Magic 8 Ball said, "Outlook not so good"
  122. Re:win32 ? by bigmouth_strikes · · Score: 1

    Hehe, I already knew about that since a guy ran it against the dictionary file a few months ago...maybe that was you as well ? :)

    --
    Oh, I can't help quoting you because everything that you said rings true
  123. Duke3D is not at all free by alienw · · Score: 1

    While the game source has been released under the GPL, the BUILD engine that the game builds on top of is released under a very restrictive non-commercial-use-only, strings-attached license. Thus, you can't even legally distribute the binary produced by linking the two, since AFAIK GPL software can not be statically linked with non-free stuff. Also, you can't distribute the BUILD source by any means other than through the Internet. Why do people pull these stupid licenses out of their ass?

  124. Re:win32 ? by bigmouth_strikes · · Score: 1

    Agreed, but I think you are missing my point; duke3d already runs on win32 OSs. It runs on win2k under the DOS emulator.

    --
    Oh, I can't help quoting you because everything that you said rings true
  125. Re:win32 ? by SeanAhern · · Score: 1

    Probably me.

    I did run a dictionary search a few months ago and posted my result: "dermatoglyphics". I wasn't sure if you were the same guy I responded to last time (and didn't feel like hunting that post down), so I just rewrote my bit of python.

    You may find this amusing: I had to keep finding larger and larger dictionaries until I found another word that fit your criteria. The dictionary that did it had 213,557 words in it (much more than the standard Linux install), and "uncopyrightable" wasn't one of those words! :-)

    I'd love to run against an even larger dictionary, but I don't feel like spending the time hunting one down...

  126. Source by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Don't you love the support you get with Linux software?

    Use the Source, Luke.

  127. This is part of the hype machine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    All my sources say DNF (Duke Nukem Forever) is headed for a JUNE 2003 RELEASE. 3DRealms and their zealot crowd of forum fans will say, "n0 it's Wh3n 1t's D0n3!" but I'm betting the release of this source code is just the hype machine kicking into gear.

    The Linux port of the Duke3d code has already seen amazing progress. Come June when DNF is IMO released I predict the small amount of coders working on their Duke3d source code projects will drop what they're doing and switch over to making maps and other fun stuff in DNF. A few people may remain, but who wants to work with Build when the DNF editor comes out?

    If people want to see Duke3d with TCP/IP play and better graphics, they'd better hurry. Now is the time to get things done. When DNF is released Duke3d will disappear from the majority of people's minds. Of course we always have hope within the open source Linux community, where you still have people playing text based games. :)

    Watch and see: JUNE 2003, hail to the king.

  128. x86 only? by Dan+East · · Score: 1

    I took a quick look at the Duke3d sources to determine the feasibility of porting to Pocket PC. There is a substantial amount of x86 assembly code, which would have to be converted to C to allow non-x86 builds.

    On a side note, I swore Slashdot had a story on my port of Quake 2 to the Pocket PC platform in December of 2001 (3 days after the source was released). I've searched and searched but can't find any mention of it. I also can't find the story that reported the release the GPL'ed Q2 sources. Odd.

    Dan East

    --
    Better known as 318230.
    1. Re:x86 only? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I happened across this about an hour before reading the slashdot story... http://quake.pocketmatrix.com/download.php - see down the bottom of the page for a download link. No idea if it works though!

  129. It's not 3D Realms doing the work by DrSkwid · · Score: 1

    3D Reals, the creators of Duke3D, are not porting the software to Linux, or anywhere else.

    What they have done is release the Source Code to the public to do with what they will. This code will only compile the original game with the original Watcom32 compiler and then for the Dos/Windows9x platform. Although I've not tried it, it might not even work on XP based machines. Even if it does you might not be able to get sound support. Many of these games used a kind of VM called a DOS Extender and had their own drivers for sound & video.

    There are plenty of talented people in the world that could get it to run but most of them won't want to dedicate the time.

    The guys in the story have, in 4 days, tweaked the code enough to get it to compile and RUN on LINUX.

    The news part is old DOS software that we know and love now runs on Linux in a restricted form, you can look forward to playing Duke3D in Linux very soon.

    It is an accomplishment that these guys have done it at all and that they've done it in 4 days is something for some of us to go "yeah, nice one".

    Once it works as advertised on Linux (& Linux-emulated on FreeBSD I hope!) then even more talented and creative people will expand on the Duke3D universe. Probably replacing sprites with 3D models and adding nifty modern features such as dynamic lighting, real time shadows, reflection mapping, bump mapping etc. etc.

    Nobody sees Linux as an acceptable gaming platform in competition with Windows or the game consoles.

    That's right. But what is seen is "I wish my Linux computer had a few more games" and "I wish I had Duke3D still, that game was kick-ass"

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  130. Re:Jesus Saves! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Iä! Cthulhu ftaghn! Grglglrgrlrlr

  131. PLEASE MOD PARENT UP!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    this AC posted some links to places where to actually get the game. i don't know why on earth it is scored below the guy who asked questions which this AC answered. but this is slashdot, alright, questions are insightful and interesting, but not the answers!

  132. your .sig by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you know you're REALLY cool only when you spell porn, prOn!

    it's pr0n, not prOn, you moron! and you call yourself a pervert? i'm sure you don't even know why it's spelled that way! you kids these days just sicken me...

  133. You are completely irresponsible! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Congratulations, I hope you are happy now. Have you read answers to your irresponsible post? No? Then please take a look. Yes, I mean this post in particular. When GNU/Linux starts to be known as a pirates' O/S of choice, we all should thank you.