The following are common questions from DoomGate users. If you have a question, please look for the answer here before sending mail. Also see the rec.games.computer.doom FAQ, even if you don't read newsgroups.
When this FAQ refers to the DoomGate main index, it means http://doomgate.cs.buffalo.edu/. When it refers to the main Doom archive, it means ftp://ftp.gamers.org/pub/idgames/. References to any Doom archive site mean any site that keeps a copy of the files in the Doom archive.
A list of known Doom archive sites is listed whenever you access the main archive.
DoomGate is not a multiplayer game server, and you cannot play Doom on the DoomGate web site. You have to buy it at the store to play on your PC or Macintosh. You can download trial (shareware) versions of id games from the internet, as detailed below.
Shareware versions of id games are available from the "idstuff" subdirectory of any Doom archive site.
Ultimate Doom is the original Doom game with an added fourth episode. It is sold in stores, but people who already have Doom can upgrade to Ultimate Doom. The patch files are in the "idstuff/doom" directory of any Doom archive.
Since DoomGate and the main Doom archive are under heavy user load, they sometimes cut off large downloads before they are finished. This could be a bug or a survival strategy. In any case, try downloading from another Doom archive site.
There is no shareware version of Doom II. You only get one free ride.
The file format for Doom levels is platform-independent. If the level does not explicitly require you to run some utility program to install it, then it will work with any version of Doom. However, the level might include demo recordings which are incompatible with your version. In this case you must either warp directly to the level, or start the game quickly, before Doom tries to play back the demo.
Secrets for any game are available from the DoomGate main index by selecting "Games," then the appropriate game, then "Spoilers."
Simply type them while you are playing. For a level-warp code, you must then press the episode number and map number (Doom or Heretic) or the two-digit level number (Doom II).
Press the 'R' key while launching Doom. You will get a menu of various play options.
The Doom TCP Howto is one of the best online references available on Internet Doom.
Ask around your local computer bulletin boards.
First and foremost, you will need an FTP client program. If you don't have one, there's no hope. Also, you need a zip compression program, such as PKzip or Info-zip. Write a text file describing your level; by now you should have seen enough of these to know what one looks like. It should say near the top what game and mode of play the level was designed for. Zip the level files and the description file together, with a '-9' on the command line for maximum compression. Run a test on the zip file to make sure the compression was successful. The zip file and description should have the same filename except for the suffix, the description suffix being "txt".
To upload the level, use your FTP client to connect to ftp.gamers.org. It has to be the main site, not a mirror. Go to the directory /pub/idgames/incoming/. Upload your description file in ascii mode, and the zip file in binary mode. That's all! You should see your file in the newstuff subdirectory within a day or so.
Such levels can be found under the "themes" subdirectory of any Doom archive site.