BZFlagWiki - User contributions [en]

File:NewTux.svg

2009-04-24T04:19:32Z

Adrianrf: upload is a copy of http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/NewTux.svg -- since I couldn't embed a linked image directly. see http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NewTux.svg, which states: Copyright holders: Larry Ewing, Simon Budig and Anj

upload is a copy of http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/NewTux.svg -- since I couldn't embed a linked image directly.

see http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NewTux.svg, which states:

Copyright holders: Larry Ewing, Simon Budig and Anja Gerwinsk

The copyright holder of this file, Larry Ewing, allows anyone to use it for any purpose, provided that the copyright holder is properly attributed. Redistribution, derivative work, commercial use, and all other use is permitted.

Getting Help

2009-04-23T23:54:05Z

Adrianrf: /* Quickstart */ fix spacing in section name

Getting help on BZFlag is rather easy. There are a number of places to get help

==IRC Chat Room==
The BZFlag communities [[BZFlag on IRC|make heavy use of IRC]] for communication and collaboration.

The [http://freenode.net/ freenode network] is used for all IRC communications.
Common channels include:
* #bzflag ( development )
* #bzflag-chat ( help and general player talk )

A web interface is provided to these channels for registered forum users on the forum main page.

Please see [[BZFlag on IRC]] for more info.

==Web Forums==

BZFlag maintains a set of [[BZFlag Forums|official forums]], located at http://my.BZFlag.org/bb/

An older set of forums, now mostly unused, is located on SourceForge:
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/?group_id=3248 - main page
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=9554 - help forum

==Quick Start==

Just want to start playing? Get going with BZFlag right away, [[Getting Started|with this Quick Start page]].

==Mailing Lists==

There are a number of BZFlag mailing lists. The best one for support questions is bzflag-user. Archives and subscription information can be found on the SourceForge BZFlag project mailing list page at http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=3248

==Common Support Issues==
The [[Common Support Issues]] page lists a number of the common problems with the game, and their resolutions.

==Documentation==
The game is documented via a series of manual pages ( or man pages ).
On Linux and other Unix like operating systems they are installed by default and can be accessed by using the '''man''' command and one of the following pages.
*bzflag
*bzfs
*bzadmin
*bzw

On Microsoft Windows and Apple OSX the manual pages are in HTML format. They are installed in the start menu for Windows, or in the extras folder on the install DMG for OSX.

The man pages are also available online in HTML format:
NOTE: As of June 2007 there is a problem with the man page conversion to HTML and the web manuals are NOT CORRECT! Use the man pages from source.
Corrected versions are being made, and will be posted on this wiki.

*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzflag.6.in bzflag]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzadmin.6.in bzadmin]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzfs.6.in bzfs]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzw.5.in bzw]

==Further Support==
If none of these methods provide a resolution to your problem, the project maintains a support tracking system on SourceForge. New tickets can be opened at this URL:

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=3248&atid=203248

==See also==
[[BZFlag on IRC]]

[[BZFlag Forums]]

[[Common Support Issues]]

==External links==
[http://my.BZFlag.org/irc/irc.cgi BZFlag Web IRC gateway]

[[Category:Support]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]

Getting Help

2009-04-23T20:36:16Z

Adrianrf: /* Quickstart */ For helping a general audience, simple and direct beats verbose and indirect every time.

Getting help on BZFlag is rather easy. There are a number of places to get help

==IRC Chat Room==
The BZFlag communities [[BZFlag on IRC|make heavy use of IRC]] for communication and collaboration.

The [http://freenode.net/ freenode network] is used for all IRC communications.
Common channels include:
* #bzflag ( development )
* #bzflag-chat ( help and general player talk )

A web interface is provided to these channels for registered forum users on the forum main page.

Please see [[BZFlag on IRC]] for more info.

==Web Forums==

BZFlag maintains a set of [[BZFlag Forums|official forums]], located at http://my.BZFlag.org/bb/

An older set of forums, now mostly unused, is located on SourceForge:
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/?group_id=3248 - main page
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=9554 - help forum

==Quickstart==

Just want to start playing? Get going with BZFlag right away, [[Getting Started|with this Quick Start page]].

==Mailing Lists==

There are a number of BZFlag mailing lists. The best one for support questions is bzflag-user. Archives and subscription information can be found on the SourceForge BZFlag project mailing list page at http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=3248

==Common Support Issues==
The [[Common Support Issues]] page lists a number of the common problems with the game, and their resolutions.

==Documentation==
The game is documented via a series of manual pages ( or man pages ).
On Linux and other Unix like operating systems they are installed by default and can be accessed by using the '''man''' command and one of the following pages.
*bzflag
*bzfs
*bzadmin
*bzw

On Microsoft Windows and Apple OSX the manual pages are in HTML format. They are installed in the start menu for Windows, or in the extras folder on the install DMG for OSX.

The man pages are also available online in HTML format:
NOTE: As of June 2007 there is a problem with the man page conversion to HTML and the web manuals are NOT CORRECT! Use the man pages from source.
Corrected versions are being made, and will be posted on this wiki.

*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzflag.6.in bzflag]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzadmin.6.in bzadmin]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzfs.6.in bzfs]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzw.5.in bzw]

==Further Support==
If none of these methods provide a resolution to your problem, the project maintains a support tracking system on SourceForge. New tickets can be opened at this URL:

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=3248&atid=203248

==See also==
[[BZFlag on IRC]]

[[BZFlag Forums]]

[[Common Support Issues]]

==External links==
[http://my.BZFlag.org/irc/irc.cgi BZFlag Web IRC gateway]

[[Category:Support]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]

Main Page

2009-04-23T20:27:43Z

Adrianrf: thinking of a first-time visitor/would-be BZFlag player: why wouldn't there be a prominent link to the Quick Start page?

__NOTOC__
[[Image:BZFlag_2010_shiny.png|center]]
{|style="width:100%;margin-top:+.7em;background-color:#fcfcfc;border:1px solid #ccc"
|style="width:56%;color:#000"|
{|style="width:280px;border:solid 0px;background:none"
|-
|style="width:280px;text-align:center;white-space:nowrap;color:#000" |
[[Image:Bzflag-48x48.png|left]]
<div style="font-size:162%;border:none;margin: 0;padding:.1em;color:#000">Welcome to the BZFlag Wiki,</div>
<div style="top:+0.2em;font-size: 95%">The source for community information on most things related to BZFlag!</div>
<div style="font-size:162%;border:none;margin: 0;padding:.1em;color:#000">The BZFlag Wiki motto: [[BZFlagWiki:Be_bold|'''Be Bold!!''']]</div>
<div id="articlecount" style="width:100%;text-align:center;font-size:85%;">[[Special:Statistics|{{NUMBEROFARTICLES}}]] articles available</div>
|}
|style="width:15%;font-size:95%"|
[[Image:Bzflag-48x48.png|right]]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bb The Forums]
*[http://my.bzflag.org BZFlag Stats]
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/bzflag/ BZFlag on SourceForge]

|}
Welcome to the BZFlag Wiki. The number of articles is growing, but there is much more to do. Please see the section '''Things To Do''' at the bottom of this page if you would like to help. The intention of this site is to draw together all of the great information about BZFlag and BZFlag related items that is currently scattered in many different places. Bringing all of this information together will make it easier for people to understand and answer all of the questions they have about running a server (options, permissions, set-up, etc.), configuring their client, coding plug-ins, compiling the source code, and anything else they can think of. All are welcome to contribute and may edit most pages. With everyone's help we can make this site a great resource to the BZFlag community. Please remember the BZFlag Wiki's new motto, [[BZFlagWiki:Be_bold|'''Be Bold''']] (click the link for a full explanation of the motto), when editing articles.

If you are unsure of how to edit or add pages, there is always a link to the [[Help:Contents|'''Help''']] section on the links to the left no matter where you are on the site. Don't be shy; give editing the site a try and be proud of your contributions! You can edit whether or not you have an account created. The advantage of having an account is that you will be credited with the contribution on the ''History'' link/tab of the page. Please take a look at the [[BZFlagWiki:Content Policy|Content Policy]] page for an overview of adding articles.

==Google Summer of Code ==
BZFlag has applied to once again be a mentor organization in the Google Summer of Code. For details, please see the [[Google Summer of Code/2009|2009 Summer of Code wiki page]].

==General Information==
*[[Getting Started|Quick Start]]
*[[Getting Help]]
*[[:Category:BZFlagWiki_Policy|BZFlag Wiki Policy]]

==Areas of Interest==
*[[:Category:Client|Client]]
*[[:Category:Compiling|Compiling]]
*[[:Category:Concepts|Concepts]]
*[[:Category:Development|Development]]
*[[:Category:Gameplay|Gameplay]]
*[[:Category:Installing|Installing]]
*[[:Category:Leagues|Leagues]]
*[[:Category:Map Making|Map Making]]
*[[:Category:Maps|Maps]]
*[[:Category:Plug-Ins|Plug-ins]]
*[[Releases]]
*[[:Category:Server|Server]]
*[[:Category:Support|Support]]
*[[:Category:Tactics|Tactics]]
*[[Versions]]

==Things To Do==
*[[:Category:Stubs|Stubs]] These are short pages. You can help by expanding the content and adding more detail.
*[[:Special:Wantedpages|Wanted pages]] These are pages which don't exist yet but are pointed to from other pages. You can help by creating them.
*[[:Category:Items to be merged|Pages to merge]] These are pages which are similar. It is suggested that similar pages be merged. You can help by reviewing the pairs of pages and commenting on any proposals by using the "Discussion" tab at the top of each page.
*[[:Category:Old|Pages with old info]] You can help by updating these pages.
*[[:Category:Inaccurate|Inaccurate pages]] You can help by updating these pages.
*[[:Category:Pending Deletions|Pending deletions]] These are pages which have been nominated for deletion. You can help by reviewing these pages and commenting on any proposals by using the "Discussion" tab at the top of each page.

Getting Started Gets Up Close And Personal

2008-12-13T09:32:20Z

Adrianrf: this is a cut at a "Getting_Started For The Rest Of Us" -- where "Us" means people who Just Want To Play, vs. Wanting To Be Taught How To Think!

==Getting Started==
With a few simple steps, you'll get started playing BZFlag right away.

===Downloading and installing the game===

First, you need the game software. It's available to [[Download]] in pre-compiled binary form for most major [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system|operating systems]; or, you can obtain the BZFlag source code and compile it yourself.

====Windows====
The most commonly-used operating system is Microsoft Windows. There's a Windows Installer at http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/bzflag/bzflag-2.0.10.exe?download . Double-click the downloaded file to install the game.

====Mac OSX====
The next most popular operating system is Apple's MacOS X, for the Macintosh family of computers. The Mac OS X version is available at http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/bzflag/BZFlag-2.0.10.dmg. After downloading, double-click the .dmg file to open it, then drag the BZFlag icon to your Applications folder. With BZFlag installed, just double-click to open it.

====Linux====
The project does not distribute a pre-built binary package for Linux, but many Linux distributions include BZFlag in their package management systems ( APT, YUM, emerge, etc.. ). You can also build the game from the source code. Please see the [[Download|downloads]] page for more information.

===Registering a callsign(Optional)===
It is not mandatory to register a callsign (your in-game "handle"), but it is highly recommended. (And it's free!)

The benefits of registering include:

* Once you register your callsign, it cannot be used by any other player.
* Only Registered players can post on the BZFlag forums
* Only Registered players can join global groups, and leagues.
* Many servers allow only Registered players to connect.

To register, just visit the BZFlag forums at [http://my.bzflag.org/bb/profile.php?mode=register my.bzflag.org/bb]

===Running the game===

Once the game is installed, you can just start running it to play.

====Windows====
If you installed the game with the provided Installer, you'll find a shortcut to the game in the Start menu, under Program Files. Just select this shortcut to start the game.

====Mac OS X====
Double-click the BZFlag icon that you dragged to your Applications folder earlier.

====Linux====
With Linux, and other UNIX-based platforms, you can start the game by typing the command '''bzflag''' in a terminal.

===Joining a game===
When BZFlag first opens, it shows the main menu screen. You can navigate the menu by using Up and Down Arrow keys to highlight a menu command, and pressing Enter to activate the highlighted command.

{|
|-
|
====Main Menu====
The main menu includes several menu items that lead to sub menus. The most important menu for new players is the '''Join Game''' command.
|[[Image:MainMenu.png|right|thumb|300px|The Main Menu]]
|-
|

====Join Game Menu====
To join an internet game in progress, choose the '''Join Game''' command from the main menu.

The first time BZFlag runs, all fields in the Join Menu are empty. Use the arrow keys to select the '''Callsign''' item, and enter your player name. This name will be how other players see you. If you have already registered, enter the same callsign that you registered with. Next, enter your password in the following field marked '''password'''. This password is used only to verify your identity, and is NEVER sent to the game server.

The email string is optional, and many players prefer to leave it blank.

With this information entered, you can now find an available server to play on. Servers are games of BZFlag that are hosted on the internet. At present, there are over 200 servers to choose from; you can get a listing of all servers by choosing the '''Find Server''' menu item to see the server list.

|[[Image:JoinGame.png|right|thumb|300px|]]
|-
|
====Server List====
Use the Server List command to see a listing of all publicly-available internet games.

The list is sorted by the number of players connected to each server at any given moment, and changes continually.
You can scroll through the list with the Up and Down arrow keys. Information about the currently selected server appears at the top of the screen.

When you've found a server you'd like to join, press the Enter key to select it.

|[[Image:ServerList.png|right|thumb|300px|The Serverlist]]
|-
|

====Entering a Game====
Once you have selected a server, its information is automatically entered in the appropriate fields in the Join Game menu. You can either choose your preferred team color; or, just leave the setting on Automatic and the server will assign you to a team.

Now, choose the Connect menu command to connect to the server and join the game.

On connecting, if additional maps, textures or other resources are needed to play the particular game, BZFlag will download them automatically from the server before you join the game.
|-
|

====Playing BZFlag====
Once you have joined the game, you'll be able to enjoy the high-intensity gameplay that makes BZFlag one of the most popular Open Source games in history!
|-
|

=====Controls=====
The basic controls for BZFlag are simple and easy to learn.

By default, you control your tank's movement with the mouse. (BZFlag also supports joystick or keyboard control.)

With mouse control, to move your tank forwards or backwards, push the mouse forward or backward; to turn your tank in that direction, move the mouse left or right. To stop, center the mouse. To fire, click your left mouse button. In most cases, one shot is all it takes to kill an enemy tank.

Joystick control works similarly to mouse control.

If you prefer to use the keyboard, your Arrow keys control movement in the same way; to fire, press the Space bar.

Some servers allow your tank to jump. To jump, press the ''Tab'' key. Your tank's initial speed and direction are preserved during the jump. Depending on the map, it may be possible for tanks to land on various objects and continue to fight.
|-
|

=====Objective=====
BZFlag is a team game, with objectives varying by game type.

The default game type is '''Free For All''', commonly abbreviated as ''FFA''. This mode is similar to a team death match in other First Person Shooter games. The objective is to destroy as many tanks as possible on other teams, while minimizing your own team's losses.

'''Capture the Flag''' is another popular game type. Your team's objective is to pick up a flag from an opposing team's territory and return it to your base before the other team can do the same with yours. Tanks are destroyed the same way as in FFA games.

The most unusual type of game is '''Rabbit Hunt'''. In this game mode, one player drives a white-colored '''rabbit''' tank; everyone else drives an orange-colored '''hunter''' tank. The '''hunter''' tank(s) must chase and kill the rabbit tank. When a '''hunter''' tank kills the '''rabbit''', it immediately becomes the '''rabbit''' in turn.
|-
|

=====Rogue Teams=====
Usually, you may only shoot members of an opposing team. But there is an exception to this rule: the '''Rogue''' team.

'''Rogue''' tanks appear in black in the main view window; they are marked in yellow on your radar display. '''Rogue''' players can shoot all other players, and gain points for killing them. Each '''Rogue''' tank, in effect, is a one-player team. '''Rogue''' tanks are usually found on '''Free For All''' maps, but are occasionally found on '''CTF''' maps.
|-
|

=====Flags=====
There are four different kinds of flags on an average server:
* Team flags are colored to correspond with the teams on the map. Grab the other team's flag, and return it to your base.
* Superflags provide "power ups" for your tank. Superflags include
* '''Guided Missile''' (your tank can lock onto and shoot others; during flight, your round actively tracks its target)
* '''Laser''' (your tank's gun is replaced by an instant-fire, infinite-range laser cannon)
* '''Stealth''' (your tank does not appear on other players' radar)
* Bad Flags limit the movement or actions of your tank. Bad flags include:
* '''No Jumping'''
* '''Obesity'''
* '''Trigger-Happy'''
* '''Left Turn Only'''
* Antidote flags appear only when you are undergoing the effects of a Bad flag. Driving over an Antidote flag removes the bad flag from your tank.
|-
|

=====Customizing Controls=====
You can alter most of the controls in the GUI settings menu (or, if you prefer, by editing the BZFlag config file.)

To assign a keystroke, mouse button or joystick button to a particular command:
* select the command with Up or Down arrows;
* press Enter;
* finally, press the keystroke or button you wish to associate with that command.
You can assign two different keystrokes/buttons to a given command, by repeating the assignment process.

Note: you cannot assign a keystroke or button already in use for a different command, until you have deleted its current assignment.

To delete an assignment:
* select the command with Up or Down arrows;
* press Delete.
If the command has two assignments, the first (leftmost) assignment is deleted, and the second (rightmost) assignment takes its place.

|-
|

======Scoreboard======
Once you join a server, you'll want to quickly check a number of things, including the scoreboard.

Games commonly feature between 5 and 20 players.
* Player's names are listed in the scoreboard to the left of the screen. (To hide or restore the scoreboard, press the ''S'' key.)
* The scoreboard also shows each player's name, score, teamkill count, email string, current flag, total kills/deaths ratio, and the amount of kills/deaths you have scored against that player.
* Superflags and Bad flags are shown in white.
* Team flags appear in the color of their respective team.
* Other flags are shown in the same color as the player using them.

For example, this scoreboard shows that player "Andrey" has scored: 2 kills (since he was last killed); 0 teamkills; has an email string of "Andrey@andreypc"; is carrying the SW (Shock Wave) flag; has made a total of 8 kills for 6 deaths; has been killed by player "me1" 0 times; and has killed player "me1" once.

|[[Image:Scoreboard.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Scoreboard]]
|-
|

You'll also want to check out other server-specific game settings, such as the number of rounds you may have in-flight at a time.

======Team Scoreboard======
There is also a Team Scoreboard, showing:
* FFA: each team's kills; deaths; overall score.
* CTF: how many flags the team has successfully captured; number of times their own flag has been captured; their overall score.
The number of players on the team appears to the right.
The Rogue team is not included on the Team scoreboard.

|[[Image:Teamscoreboard.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Team Scoreboard]]
|-
|

======Radar======
The [[Radar]] (at bottom left), shows a "bird's eye" overhead view of the map, with your tank's position at the center, marked in white. You can zoom the radar range in and out with the 1 and 2 keys. The two radial lines drawn outward from your tank's central "blip" to the edge of the radar show your forward field of view (FOV) -- i.e. they enclose the area you see directly ahead of you on the main screen.

The radar is extremely useful for seeing the present location of other players, relative to your own position and heading; and for dodging incoming rounds currently in flight.
* Other tanks appear on the radar in their respective colors: Red players are shown in red, Green players shown in green, etc. Rogue tanks appear in yellow.
* Rounds in flight are shown as small, rapidly-moving dots. Your rounds are displayed in white.
* Flags are shown as little x's; Team flags are colored appropriately.
* Tanks carrying flags are shown as a "blip" marked with an X.
* A shaded square appears around each radar echo, representing the height of the object. The larger the square, the higher the object.

|[[Image:Radar.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Radar]]
|-
|

====Sportsmanship====

When you play BZFlag, keep a few simple rules in mind:

* Players should never shoot tanks on their own team (except, of course, for Rogue players). Accidents do happen in the heat of battle; but deliberate teamkills will rapidly make you very unpopular. The BZFLag moto is "Be Bold!", not "Be a jerk!".
* Players should be civil to other players at all times.

|[[Image:Screenshot1.jpg|right|thumb|300px|A Screenshot of a standard 2.0.9 client playing on Missile War 2]]
|}

Getting Help

2008-12-13T08:12:31Z

Adrianrf: /* Quickstart */ grammatical fix.

Getting help on BZFlag is rather easy. There are a number of places to get help

==IRC Chat Room==
The BZFlag communities [[BZFlag on IRC|make heavy use of IRC]] for communication and collaboration.

The [http://freenode.net/ freenode network] is used for all IRC communications.
Common channels include:
* #bzflag ( development )
* #bzflag-chat ( help and general player talk )

A web interface is provided to these channels for registered forum users on the forum main page.

Please see [[BZFlag on IRC]] for more info.

==Web Forums==

BZFlag maintains a set of [[BZFlag Forums|official forums]], located at http://my.BZFlag.org/bb/

An older set of forums, now mostly unused, is located on SourceForge:
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/?group_id=3248 - main page
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=9554 - help forum

==Quickstart==

If you want a quick overview of how to join and start playing, please [[Getting Started|see this page]].

==Mailing Lists==

There are a number of BZFlag mailing lists. The best one for support questions is bzflag-user. Archives and subscription information can be found on the SourceForge BZFlag project mailing list page at http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=3248

==Common Support Issues==
The [[Common Support Issues]] page lists a number of the common problems with the game, and their resolutions.

==Documentation==
The game is documented via a series of manual pages ( or man pages ).
On Linux and other Unix like operating systems they are installed by default and can be accessed by using the '''man''' command and one of the following pages.
*bzflag
*bzfs
*bzadmin
*bzw

On Microsoft Windows and Apple OSX the manual pages are in HTML format. They are installed in the start menu for Windows, or in the extras folder on the install DMG for OSX.

The man pages are also available online in HTML format:
NOTE: As of June 2007 there is a problem with the man page conversion to HTML and the web manuals are NOT CORRECT! Use the man pages from source.
Corrected versions are being made, and will be posted on this wiki.

*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzflag.6.in bzflag]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzadmin.6.in bzadmin]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzfs.6.in bzfs]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzw.5.in bzw]

==Further Support==
If none of these methods provide a resolution to your problem, the project maintains a support tracking system on SourceForge. New tickets can be opened at this URL:

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=3248&atid=203248

==See also==
[[BZFlag on IRC]]

[[BZFlag Forums]]

[[Common Support Issues]]

==External links==
[http://my.BZFlag.org/irc/irc.cgi BZFlag Web IRC gateway]

[[Category:Support]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]

Getting Help

2008-12-13T08:11:41Z

Adrianrf: /* Documentation */ grammatical fix.

Getting help on BZFlag is rather easy. There are a number of places to get help

==IRC Chat Room==
The BZFlag communities [[BZFlag on IRC|make heavy use of IRC]] for communication and collaboration.

The [http://freenode.net/ freenode network] is used for all IRC communications.
Common channels include:
* #bzflag ( development )
* #bzflag-chat ( help and general player talk )

A web interface is provided to these channels for registered forum users on the forum main page.

Please see [[BZFlag on IRC]] for more info.

==Web Forums==

BZFlag maintains a set of [[BZFlag Forums|official forums]], located at http://my.BZFlag.org/bb/

An older set of forums, now mostly unused, is located on SourceForge:
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/?group_id=3248 - main page
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=9554 - help forum

==Quickstart==

If you want a quick overview of how to join and start playing, please [[Getting Started|see this article]].

==Mailing Lists==

There are a number of BZFlag mailing lists. The best one for support questions is bzflag-user. Archives and subscription information can be found on the SourceForge BZFlag project mailing list page at http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=3248

==Common Support Issues==
The [[Common Support Issues]] page lists a number of the common problems with the game, and their resolutions.

==Documentation==
The game is documented via a series of manual pages ( or man pages ).
On Linux and other Unix like operating systems they are installed by default and can be accessed by using the '''man''' command and one of the following pages.
*bzflag
*bzfs
*bzadmin
*bzw

On Microsoft Windows and Apple OSX the manual pages are in HTML format. They are installed in the start menu for Windows, or in the extras folder on the install DMG for OSX.

The man pages are also available online in HTML format:
NOTE: As of June 2007 there is a problem with the man page conversion to HTML and the web manuals are NOT CORRECT! Use the man pages from source.
Corrected versions are being made, and will be posted on this wiki.

*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzflag.6.in bzflag]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzadmin.6.in bzadmin]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzfs.6.in bzfs]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzw.5.in bzw]

==Further Support==
If none of these methods provide a resolution to your problem, the project maintains a support tracking system on SourceForge. New tickets can be opened at this URL:

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=3248&atid=203248

==See also==
[[BZFlag on IRC]]

[[BZFlag Forums]]

[[Common Support Issues]]

==External links==
[http://my.BZFlag.org/irc/irc.cgi BZFlag Web IRC gateway]

[[Category:Support]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]

Getting Help

2008-12-13T08:10:47Z

Adrianrf: /* Further Support */ grammatical fix

Getting help on BZFlag is rather easy. There are a number of places to get help

==IRC Chat Room==
The BZFlag communities [[BZFlag on IRC|make heavy use of IRC]] for communication and collaboration.

The [http://freenode.net/ freenode network] is used for all IRC communications.
Common channels include:
* #bzflag ( development )
* #bzflag-chat ( help and general player talk )

A web interface is provided to these channels for registered forum users on the forum main page.

Please see [[BZFlag on IRC]] for more info.

==Web Forums==

BZFlag maintains a set of [[BZFlag Forums|official forums]], located at http://my.BZFlag.org/bb/

An older set of forums, now mostly unused, is located on SourceForge:
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/?group_id=3248 - main page
*http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=9554 - help forum

==Quickstart==

If you want a quick overview of how to join and start playing, please [[Getting Started|see this article]].

==Mailing Lists==

There are a number of BZFlag mailing lists. The best one for support questions is bzflag-user. Archives and subscription information can be found on the SourceForge BZFlag project mailing list page at http://sourceforge.net/mail/?group_id=3248

==Common Support Issues==
The [[Common Support Issues]] page lists a number of the common problems with the game, and their resolutions.

==Documentation==
The game is documented via a series of manual pages ( or man pages ).
On Linux and other Unix like operating systems they are installed by default and can be accessed by using the '''man''' command and one of the following pages.
*bzflag
*bzfs
*bzadmin
*bzw

On Microsoft Windows and Apple OSX the manual pages are in HTML format. They are installed in the start menu for Windows, or in the extras folder on the install DMG for OSX.

The man pages are also available online in HTML format:
NOTE: As of June 2007 there is a problem with the man page conversion to HTML and the web manuals are NOT CORRECT! Use the man pages from source, or
Corrected versions are being made, and will be posted on this wiki.

*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzflag.6.in bzflag]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzadmin.6.in bzadmin]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzfs.6.in bzfs]
*[http://my.bzflag.org/bzfman.cgi?bzw.5.in bzw]

==Further Support==
If none of these methods provide a resolution to your problem, the project maintains a support tracking system on SourceForge. New tickets can be opened at this URL:

http://sourceforge.net/tracker/?group_id=3248&atid=203248

==See also==
[[BZFlag on IRC]]

[[BZFlag Forums]]

[[Common Support Issues]]

==External links==
[http://my.BZFlag.org/irc/irc.cgi BZFlag Web IRC gateway]

[[Category:Support]]
[[Category:Tutorials]]