operating system, which interprets users' commands
to the computer. MOO server is one such application. Many applications can run
simultaneously on a multi-tasking server, competing
for its time.
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A MOO server is said to be checkpointing when it is in the process of saving the MOO database, stored in its RAM, to the server computer's hard disk for more permanent storage. Necessary to ensure that database contents are
permanently stored on disk, in case contents of RAM are lost due to server shutdown,
server problems, power outage.
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A file stored permanently on disk on the server computer, and also held in
memory while MOO is executing. The database reflects every piece of information
about the virtual world that is the MOO.
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Emotes are the verbal commands such as smile, wave, and other verb phrases rpoduced by short simply "macros" called Feature Objects or by typing a verb phrase prepended by a colon. For example, typing :smiles and waves would produce:
Your_character smiles and waves.
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An object that extends the players ability to do short hand commands. Eg. smile for
Character smiles. These are generally shared features when made "fertile."
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Similar to multi-tasking Doing two tasks at once.
In context of checkpoints, forking means saving the database to disk ("checkpointing") while
simultaneously continuing to run the MOO server and interact with connected users. Alternative is
not forking - MOO stops responding to users while checkpointing, then resumes normal
operation. A MOO checkpoints by default every hour, although wizards can change this. It is desirable for the MOO to fork at checkpoints, since not forking would would mean that all users would have to wait for response until after the MOO has finished the checkpoint.
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Syntax: @gender < gender >
@gender
The first form, with an argument, defines your player to have the gender you type in.
If gender is one of the standard genders (e.g., 'male', 'female', 'neuter',...), your various pronouns will also be set
appropriately, making exits and certain other objects behave more pleasantly for you.
The second form tells you the current definition of your player's gender, your current pronouns, and
the complete list of standard genders.
It should be noted that some of the "genders" on the standard gender list need verb conjugation in
order to work properly and much of the MOO isn't set up for this (...yet). For example, you should
expect to see `they is' a fair amount if you @gender yourself `plural'.
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The hub is the "first room" object of the MOO data base, #11. This may not make sense,
but #11 is the central room which users content to on most MOOs. Some MOOs create an
alternate "help" or "welcome" room to orient new users which tend to "quiet" rooms where users cannot talk or emote. Sometimes these rooms are interactive tutorials. In any case, #11 *is* the public, socializing room of the MOO.
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This term is used in a variety of ways and is evolving.
Some basic definitions:
Some examples:
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A delay between the typing of a command to the MOO on a user's terminal, and the
receipt by the user's terminal of the results of the command. Two types:
- "Netlag": delay in transmitting the signals from user's terminals to the
MOO server and back, due to congestion of Internet link connecting the two.
- "Server lag": delay in execution of users' commands by MOO, caused by an
overburdened server.
Lag can be very annoying to the users of the MOO if extreme. Even a few seconds'
lag (delay) can make conversations disjointed and annoy users slightly.
For more on Lag see Yduj's
MOO Lore Pamphlet
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A (large) social MOO run by the Xerox Palo Alto Research Centre, California; first MOO. All other
MOOs are ultimately based on this one. It is accessable via telnet at the address
lambda.xerox.com 8888
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- A file the MOO server automatically keeps, keeping records of
important actions the MOO has performed, such as accepting/rejecting users' connections,
accepting/rejecting users' logins, checkpointing, starting/stopping
the server.
- A conversation or other action on a MOO that a user has recorded and saved, for later perusal,
research, etc.
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Jargon File
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A term for a newbie MOOer, new MOO user, MOObait, kludged by Mick Doherty.
Some things MOObies might want to know about.
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Jargon File: MUD
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The running of more than one program simultaneously, by an operating system that
supports this. UNIX has very good multi-tasking abilities. An example is a UNIX
server simultaneously running a MOO server program and one or more
UNIX operating-system session(s) ("shell(s)") for other users.
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A new user to the internet, characterized by certain responses to interaction with others. Newbies come in different flavors.
Innocent, Apologizing Blunderer
Arrogant Bully
Gleeful Hacker's Apprentice
Jargon File
While newbies, at times, can seem to be *complete* morons, they usually just need a helping hand and LOTS of patience. It's always nice to keep in mind that we all started somewhere...
See also MOObie
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Basic program running on a server that provides a way for the user and his/her
applications to interface with the server's hardware. UNIX, Linux, DOS, OS/2,
MAC OS, Windows NT and Windows 95 are all operating systems.
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MOOs have a variety of news groups or local MOO mailing lists.
DaMOO's *Qooc
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The amount of bits and bytes a person can use.
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Memory space in server computer used by server program for storing MOO database
while MOO is running. Stored on RAM chips inside server computer. Capacity measure
in "megabytes" (about 1 million characters). Generally costs circa $30-40/MB.
Contents of RAM lost when power shut off/interrupted, so if contents are to be
saved, must be written to hard disk.
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- The computer that the MOO server program runs on. Usually is a medium-size
to large machine running some form of UNIX, although
IBM-compatible PCs running Linux (a variant of UNIX) and even Macintoshes
FAQ here) have run
MOOs reasonably sucessfully. There must be a way for users of the MOO to
access the server to communicate with the MOO;
usually this entails connecting the server to the Internet. A dialup
account is barely adequate; a permanent connection is very desirable.
- The program running on the server computer that receives input from users,
processes that input and sends the resulting output to users, modifying
the database as necessary.
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This name taken from the canned meat product refers to the production
of numerous text lines produced by a user to fill the screen of another user.
There are several "flavors" of Spam.
Harmless Spam
Ignorant Spam
Malicious Spam
Dangerous Spam
See also J. Cobbs version
Jargon File
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Saving unused portions of data in RAM to a hard disk, thus
freeing the RAM memory to perform other tasks; after completion of these other
tasks, "swapped" data on disk is then read back into RAM, restoring original state.
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An operating system developed by many different companies and individuals,
existing in various versions designed for different server types, from huge
mainframe computers to small desktop machines.
Very widely used; allows multi-tasking, very good support for
networks, eg Internet.
Jargon File
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Lambda Programmer's Manual for a programmer's version of what a MOO verb is.
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Hard disk space used to simulate RAM when RAM space is insufficient.
Slower than RAM because hard disks are slower to read and write data from than RAM.
Jargon File
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Jargon File
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Players within the MOO who are not subject to normal user's restrictions.
All-powerful, corresponding to UNIX super-user. Power brings with it duty and
responsibility; wizards need generally to know how to fix the inevitable
problems that any MOO will face, avoid (as far as possible) causing more problems
through accidents/inexperience, and need to be responsible, so as not to abuse
their power and potentially destroy the MOO. Wizards may often need to help
users with problems.
Jargon File
WebWeavers for this document are:
Janet Cross,
Kristian Fuglevik, and
Matthew Sanderson
except for linked material.
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