Half-Life 2 runs on top of the Steam game engine, so before you can play Half-Life 2 on your computer you'll need to download, install, and log in to Steam.

The first step is to visit the web address that I e-mailed to the class, where you can enter your eight-digit UUID number and obtain your Steam login name and password in return. You should change your password the first time you log in. If at some point during the semester you forget your password and ask to have it changed, the request will be mailed to Prof. Bob Kessler (kessler at cs dot utah dot edu). You'll need to work with him to have it reset.

The second step is to install Steam on your computer. Once you have installed Steam, you will have free access to Half-Life 2 as well as a variety of other games. There will be no need for you to buy anything. If you are tempted to buy a game to play for fun, create a new Steam account for that purpose. The account that we have set up for you will disappear next fall, and anything that you buy will disappear with it.

The installation steps follow. If you are using one of the computers in the Windows lab, you can simply run Steam (which is c:\program files\steam\steam.exe), log in, and skip ahead to step 6.

1. Visit http://www.steampowered.com.

2. Click on the "Get Steam Now Free Download" button.

3. Download and run the Steam inztaller, SteamInstall.msi.

4. When you run the installer, it will lead you through a series of dialogs.

5. After a while, a login window will appear. Click on "Login to an existing account" and enter your account number and password. If you are using a lab computer, don't tick the box that offers to remember your password.

6. Once you are logged in, click on File > Settings and change your password. (Everyone has the same password initially, so it's crucial that you change it!)

7. In the Steam window, click on the My games tab. You should find Half-Life 2 in a list of games that have not been installed. Select it and then click the Install button. This will copy a large number of files onto your computer, which will take a while. (If you are working in the Windows Lab someone may have already installed the game. In that case, you can skip this step.)

8. Once Half-Life 2 has installed itself, you must play it. Simply select it and click the Launch button. You can quit immediately after it starts if you like, but do start it.

9. Most students seem to know how to maneuver through a first-person shooter. Unfortunately, I don't. If you need help with the controls, ask someone else!