Many of us here at CPS like to change the appearance of our game characters by using 'skins' which alter the way we look in the game. Some of us have skins we always wear and others change skins as often as the map changes. Some of us also like to have a change of scenery by playing on 'custom' maps; maps created by members of the public.

Firstly, you'll need to download your skins. Have a look in our download section for some individual skins, or, as many of us do, use the GoS skinpack. This pack contains around 300 skins in one file so is a simple way to start out with skins.

Download them from here. When it downloads, right-click it and choose 'Extract All'. Click 'Next' twice then 'Finish'. Right-click the file you see (it will probably end with pk3) and choose 'Copy'.

Then, open your 'mainta' folder. Open My Computer (if you are using Windows XP), then double-click your C: drive. Look for a folder called Program Files and double-click it. Then, look for another folder called EA GAMES. Double-click this and the next folder called MOHAA. Inside here you will see a folder called 'mainta'. Double-click this to open it. Right-click somewhere blank in the folder and choose 'paste' (oddly enough) and paste the file you copied before into this folder.

That's it, close the open windows (no, not in your kitchen, on the computer ) and fire up Spearhead. Now, when you choose your player model you'll have a shed load more to choose from. Please try not to choose one that any of our regulars like to use as 'theirs'. Try to find one that suits you and be original.

If you want to download any maps, go to http://www.cps-maps.com/ for a great selection of custom maps, provided by our own man with a plan Spiritwalker. Please note that to play on these maps, you need to find a server that runs the maps you download, such as -=BK=- MANTA's server on 85.17.171.17:12203 and to learn how to make a shortcut to take you straight there, click here.

The process for installing the maps is the same, although you may have to paste them into your MAIN folder instead (or as well to be on the safe side).

If any of this seems too difficult, remember this:

"If at first you don't succeed, give up because you are obviously not up to the job".

I thank you.