MOO: The Basics

MOO Topics:
Environment (how to participate)
MOO Characters
MOO Commands

What is a MOO?

MOOs are online virtual environments, in which you and other Internet users have casual chats, academic discussions or organizational meetings. Pronounced like it's spelled, MOO stands for "MUD, Object-Oriented". MUD (Multi-User Domain) is a program in which you and other Internet users create characters and role play in various fantasy world settings.

A MOO is a special kind of MUD, different because there are no goals or score. You and others talk, wander around and interact in a virtual environment, which is full of interesting places and objects to handle (thus the "object-oriented" part of the name). Like a MUD, it's a text-based program with no images. Everything you "see" or act upon is described with words.

Why do I want to use a MOO?

Like MUDding, MOOing is a popular tool for communication and entertainment. You can chat with old friends, no matter how far away, or you can make new friends by chatting with individuals who are also using the MOO. When a person logs on to a MOO, not only do they have the opportunity to chat with friends next door or other users from all over the world, but they have the opportunity to so in a fantasy setting. You could simply exchange comments in a regular Internet Relay Chat environment, but a MOO provides a rich backdrop of fun places, often lavishly described. The setting often has a theme, and you can choose from many MOOs, each with their own identities.

These "places" often are filled with "objects," and you can type actions to perform on them. For example, if you "see" a cute kitten, you could type Pet kitten. The MOO answers by detailing how the kitten purrs and arches its back. You and other Internet users in the "room" might be inspired to have a long chat about cats and other pets.

What do I need to use a MOO?

You need Telnet client software to use a MOO, as your browser cannot directly connect to them. However, it is easy to locate one, and simple to get the Telnet application up and running. If you're using Windows 95, it has a built-in Telnet application, and it's just a matter of making sure your browser knows how to start it. See Telnet Basics to locate and configure the Telnet client software.

How do I use a MOO?

This site will explain the basics of using a MOO, but much more in-depth and advanced information is available. MOO information and addresses can be found most easily through newsgroups or through running a "search" on MOO in your browser. Some "Navigating the Internet" or "Index to the Internet" style books might also contain various MOO addresses. And some follow right here...

Find a MOO Address

MOO Resources

Logging On

After connecting to the Internet, start your Telnet client software (see Basics of Telnet) and connect to the computer which is running the MOO. The actual computer running the MOO can be anywhere on the Internet, and anywhere in the world. Using Telnet client software, anyone who can connect to the Internet can connect to any of the MOOs running on the Internet. Therefore, people can connect to a single MOO from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection available. Once connected to the MOO, you first create a character with which to enter the MUD and play the game. Sometimes you don't have to create a character, and you can just wander around as a "guest." The MOO's introductory screen should help you.

The MOO Environment

When the character enters the MOO, the first thing they should always do is learn how to look around at their surroundings. By typing look and pressing ENTER, the user prompts the machine to provide a description of their character's surroundings. This includes all exits from the room the character is currently in. This command is always used for every room a character goes into, or any time the user wants a description of the room they're in.

Navigating Within the MOO

The directions a user can go from any given room are listed under the room description. Simply typing the letter of a direction usually causes character to exit in that direction (i.e. "u" for "up", "s" for "South", etc.).

How to Participate

Once in the MOO, the user encounters other users who have connected just as they have. The virtual world also is populated with virtual people and objects, which respond to appropriate actions or remarks. These may have names, as though they were other users connected to the MOO, but they are part of the program. Their only purpose is to make things interesting. There are no fights or competitions, just talking and interacting with objects.

Characters can only do what the program allows them to do. Every character operates by the rules of the MOO. The other characters are under the control of some other user who has logged on to the same MOO server. Users can either wander around alone, by simply navigating their character through the environment and the encounters therein, or they can locate other users and "talk." Talking consists of typing comments, which immediately appear on the other users' screens.

MOO Characters

Creating a Character

Once connected to the MUD, the user can either create a new character or use a character that was created for new users. The program prompts the user, once connected, to decide which of these options they wish to use. When the user needs to create a new character, they are given several prompts to create the type of character they want.

Most MOOs have three classes of characters: players, programmers and wizards. Players are generally new characters, users without much MOO or programming experience. Players can talk with other characters and create simple objects, but they have little programming ability. After gaining some MOO experience, a player can become a programmer. Programmers can add to the virtual environment experienced by everyone else by creating complex objects and rooms. Wizards, the smallest group, administer the MOO and have broad powers to alter the entire MOO environment. Now you are ready to enter the MOO.

What is a Player? Players are generally new characters, users without much MOO or programming experience. Players can talk with other characters and create simple objects, but they have little programming ability.

What is a Programmer? After gaining some MOO experience, a player can become a programmer. Programmers can add to the virtual environment experienced by everyone else. They can create complex objects and rooms.

What is a Wizard? Wizards, the smallest group, administer the MOO and have broad powers to alter the whole environment.

Who is controlling the other characters? The other characters encountered in the MOO are other people somewhere in the world who have connected to the same MOO server. Some objects have names, just like other users, but actually are part of the program. To find who's "real," type a command to see a list of people connected to the MOO. If typing "@who" doesn't work, consult the MOO's list of commands.

MOO commands

Here are some typical commands that work in most MOOs. Once connected to a MOO, you usually can access a complete list of commands to use there.

Look Used to gain information on the character's surroundings and the current exits to the character's location.

N, S, E, W, U, D Used to navigate through the game by telling the MUD program which exit the character will use or which direction that character wishes to leave by.

Look This command gives a description of the character's appearance being looked at.

HelpDisplays useful information about what's going on and what you should type.

@Who Displays a list of users currently connected to the MOO. Their character names are listed, not their real names.

MOO Objects

What are objects?

Objects are things with which you can interact in the MOO. An object could be, for example, something as simple as a chair. The program says there is a chair in the room, and you type, "Sit." The program says, "You settle down in the extremely comfortable chair." The text might describe a beautiful meadow and a blue sky, but those aren't objects. They're just scenery, helping to create a mood.

Return to Top
MOO/MUD Main Menu