Using SVN for gmodBeta2007 and wiremod

Introduction
SVN is the protocol name for subversion, a software revision control system.
It is primarily used for software in development (like most open source) as a way for many people to work on the same project at the same time. One nice feature is that it can be set up so that public users can download a directory recursively.

The Client
The only negative for SVN is for regular end users and is that you need an SVN client.
Windows has a great SVN client that integrates with windows explorer (which makes svn brutally easy).
This client is called Tortoise SVN, and it is pretty popular.

1. Download Tortoise SVN
2. Install it
3. Restart your PC (required for Windows Explorer integration)

GmodBeta2007
The beta version of our favourite HL2 mod, gmod, uses SVN.
1. Download http://www.garrysmod.com/gmbeta/gmbeta2007.zip
It is from the official site, so you don't need to worry about viruses etc.
2. Extract to your sourcemods directory
For most people this is "C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\SourceMods\"
3. Right click the gmbeta2007 directory that you just extracted to your sourcemods directory
4. Click "SVN Update"
5. Allow tortoise SVN to download the gmodbeta2007 files and directories (about 200MB)
6. Restart steam (required!)

Wiremod
1. If you have a previous installation of wiremod installed, delete the 'wire' directory from your addons directory 
2. Navigate to your garrysmod addons directory (don't go inside it, just be able to see it)
This should be found at "C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\<your steam username>\garrysmod\garrysmod\"
3. Right click the addons folder
4. Click "SVN Checkout"
5. Set "URL of Repository" to "svn://wiremod.com/wiremod" and click OK
6. If asked for a login/password, use anonsvn/anonsvn
7. If everything worked as it should you should now have 3 new directories in your addons folder, 'Adv Duplicator', 'wire', and 'wire model pack 1'

Updating your version of gmodbeta2007/wiremod
This is really where SVN shines. To get updates you only need to download files that have been changed or added. This saves a LOT of time and bandwidth.
1. Navagate to your wiremod or gmodbeta2007 installation (directories are listed above)
2. Right click the root of each directory.
('wire' for wiremod, 'gmbeta2007' for gmodBeta2007)
The full paths are listed above in the individual installation instructions
3. Click 'SVN Update'


I hope this helps anyone interested in garrys mod. If you have any problems or see anything that I have missed, post about it below and I'll add it to this OP.
-Album


sources:
http://www.wiremod.com/index.php?showtopic=4

EDIT DEC 18 2007:
Users are reporting errors with tortoise and Vista. I don't use vista (and likely never will) so I am unable to confirm or provide assistance. If anyone can post a workaround it would be very much appreciated.

In addition,  you need at least episode 2 or the orange box to run the gmod beta. Thanks to fluffy for this tip.

excellent idea! Tortoise might be a little too much for first-timers. SVN seriously is great stuff!

hmm...i tried this and it keeps saying that my path is invalid. i'm following the directions to a t and i'm on vista.

Any help guys?

I have installed the Beta but I can't play it! No new content shows up in my prop menu, and I don't have any games added to my Steam list.

I'd love to help both of you with your problems but you need to tell me more about them.

Nofear: Which are you trying to install? and when does it tell you the path is invalid?

random: Did you restart steam? There should be a new game in steam called "Garrys Mod 2007"


feel free to message me via steam

i'm trying to install gmodbeta only. it tells me the path is invalid whenever I try to do the svn update. I've tried in several places to no avail. Funny enough, whenever I try to update ANY folder or access any function or SVN, it gives me that error. I can give a screenshot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/nofear2004/Untitled-3.jpg

must be vista, every problem, that we cannot scientifically explain must be vista... same with god!
Remember you need The Orange Box or at least EP2 to run the beta

Well that may explain it, I bought TF2 alone.

me as well....zowell. :'( but shouldnt all that info be in the GCF's regardless if they're locked?

Quote:

GCF's are not locked unless it is for a pre-ordered but unreleased game.
Using a program called GCFscape you can extract whatever you want.

I've updated the original post with a vista caveat and game requirements.