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> I ran into MUDs and MOOs on the list of topics for The IEEE
> Transactions on Professional Communication. Forgive my ignorance,
> but can someone please clarify these acronyms? I asked around
> my place, but was unable to get a coherent response. Thanks in
> advance.
Here's some sketchy information. If you have access to the World Wide Web,
check out Yahoo/Entertainment/Games.
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MUD: Multiple User Dimension, Multiple User Dungeon, or Multiple User Dialogue
MUSE: multi-user simulated environment
MUSH: multi-user shared hallucination
MOO: MUD, object oriented
WOO: Webbed MOO
A MUD is a computer program that allows users log into and explore a
virtual environment constituted as a database. In a typical MUD, each user
takes control of a computerized persona/avatar/incarnation/character. You
can walk around, chat with other characters, explore dangerous
monster-infested areas, solve puzzles, and even create your very own
rooms, descriptions and items.
The Tiny- and Teeny- family of MUDs are usually more social in
orientation; the players on those MUDs gather, chat, meet friends, make
jokes, and discuss things.
The LP- family of MUDs are based on roleplaying adventure games. In these,
your character runs around killing monsters, finding money, and making
experience in the quest to become a wizard. DikuMUDs and AberMUDs are a
bit like LPMUDs, except that LPMUD wizards have access to a very powerful
programming language with which they can add more sections to the
database. BSXMUDs are LPMUDs with simple graphics.
There are still other programs, called MUCKs or MUSHes, that extend the
TinyMUD programs by including a usable programming language. MOOs have an
object-oriented programming language, and are more social in nature.
UnterMUDs can connect to each other directly, and have both a scripting
language and a programming language.
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Bonnie Nestor
mnj -at- ornl -dot- gov
DISCLAIMER: I work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, for Lockheed Martin Energy
Systems, which is under contract to the U.S. Department of Energy -- but I
don't speak for any of them, and they return the favor.
