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Well, you've got the game loaded and downloaded the latest patch. Now you have to find the best server. For this, you really need Gamespy (see where to get it on the links section). The idea is to find the server with the lowest ping and most players with a map you like. For you LPB's this is not a problem but for people with higher pings there are a couple of things you can do to get a ping that is as good as possible.
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A lot of game servers are hosted by gaming companies. For example, in the UK we have Barrysworld and Wireplay. If you use their dialups you have a couple of advantages. Firstly, you dial almost directly into their servers. You don't have to traverse a load of hops before you finally get onto their game servers. Secondly, their connections are optimised for gaming. They often have tips on how to make your connection better like little tweaks in the dial up networking configuration. This helps you get good comms to their servers and can help getting good comms to other servers.
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If you use the Half Life built in server browser you will find it hard to find decent servers quickly. However, use Gamespy and bookmark your favourite servers. I basically hang around on Wireplay, Demon and Barrysworld servers - they offer a large selection of maps and there are players on pretty well all the time.
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The main point is to firstly optimise your comms, and secondly find servers that are geographically close to you as your ping is likely to be better and you're more likely to find players on when you want to play.
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When you use Gamespy and look at a list of servers, select one and have a look at the various server variables - these affect how the game is played. They will be much of a muchness but there are a couple you should take note of.
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cr_class number (eg cr_sniper 2)
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This is a class restriction. If you see "cr_sniper 2" it means that the game is limited to 2 snipers per team. This may or may not be relevant to you but if you are an ardent sniper then you may want to avoid these servers. If it is set to 0 there are no class restrictions.
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allow_spectators 1 / 0
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If this is set to 1 the server allows spectators. It is easy to overlook spectating but it has its uses. Firstly, newer players can watch more experianced players to see their strategies, see where flags ands cap points are and the routes that the more advanced players use. I also use it to watch players that are very good just to try and pick up a few pointers - plus, it can be a real pleasure watching highly skilled players.
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decalfrequency number
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This controls how often (in seconds) you can spray your decal. A value of 30 (the default) means to can spray it every 30 seconds - if this is set too low then it is likely that people will be spraying their logos here, there and everywhere which is annoying.
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mp_autocrosshair 1 / 0
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If this is set to 1 it enables autoaiming for clients - this must be set also in your TFC multiplayer config. This is useful for newer players to help them hit other players so newbies look out for it.
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mp_footsteps 1 / 0
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If this is set to 1, you can hear footsteps - this setting is interesting as, if you are playing on a server that allows it, you can hear players coming and you can have a guess at their class by the speed of their footsteps. Useful for someone in defence waiting for attackers - stand still and listen and you'll be forewarned of any approaching attackers. Newer players must take this into account as, if you go charging into the enemy flag room and there is a defender there who seems to be able to forecast your arrival, then this is why.
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mp_friendlyfire, mp_teamplay
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These affect whether you can damage your teammates health and/or armor. There is a broad range of setting for this but the most likelt setting you'll come across is mp_friendlydire 0 and mp_teamplay 21. This mean that you can damage your teammates armor but cannot affect their health, thus cannot kill them. If these settings are set to anything different be wary. It is likely that you will be able to kill your teammates which is bad for a couple of reasons. Firstly is it VERY annoying to be killed by a teammate,
espicially if it is a result of their spamming, and secondly, you can only kill a teammate a certain number of times in a set time period - you could be automatically kicked for this. So, if you see these flags set to anything else make sure you take care and don't take out any teammates. If friendly fire is on it also makes you vulnerable to the lamest thing in TFC - a teamate sees you carrying the flag, teamkills you and takes and caps the flag - unbelieveably lame but it happens more often than you'd expect.
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mp_timeleft number
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This shows the number of minutes left on the current map. If you see a map you want to play but mp_timeleft is very low then obviously look elsewhere as the map is going to change very soon.
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sv_allowdownload 1 / 0, sv_allowupload 1 / 0
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These affect whether you can upload and/or download maps and decals, important if you either want to use a custom decal or join a server running a map you don't have but want to play.
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sv_password 1 / 0
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If this is set to 0 there is no password for connecting clients, if this is not set to 0 the server is password protected and you'll need to know the password to join.
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