Installing EOL
Requirements
You must have an original copy of Elasto Mania to install Belma. You may order the game from the Elasto Mania homepage. You may play the game on- or offline, but of course you would like to have an internet connection for the full potential of the game.
Actually, the only files from Elma you need are: Elma.res (must be already upgraded to the 1.2 version), Lev, Rec, and LGR folders, plus the default LGR file (or any other LGR renamed to default.lgr) in the LGR folder.
Installation
You can always get the newest Belma version from Zworqy's Elasto Mania site.
To extract the .zip file you require software such as winzip. The installation is rather simple, you extract all the files in the .zip into your Elasto Mania folder.
A backup copy of Elasto Mania folder doesn't hurt, in case something goes wrong.
Configuration
To connect to the server you must open the belmaServerConf.exe file and insert information such as your nick and the server IP address. The default IP-address might be wrong, you may always find the correct IP from this page or #ballelma channel on IRCNet.
Leave the password field empty for now, a password will be required in the next version however. The TCP and UDP ports are correct by default. A correct configuration can be seen on the picture.
You can configure the keymapping on the "Set keys" button, however it's recommended to keep the first 12 on the default F1-F12 buttons. There are three unbound commands, which are Show/hide chat, Show/hide battle status and Show/hide battle leader.
You may reconfigure various settings in the belmaConf12.exe file. Setting an alovolt key, replay control keys and a pleasant resolution/zoom should be the most important for starters.
Port Forwarding
If you are connecting to Belma through a router you will need to make sure that your firewall doesn't block incoming messages for belma.exe. (This will most likely not be necessary in Elma Online.)
Make sure that NAT is off, or enable port forwarding for the ports in belmaServerConf.exe (4460, 4461, 4462), otherwise you will not be able to see other players. (But other players can still see you.)
If all this seems too hard for you, this site offers a rather simple step-by-step process to help you enable port forwarding.