Please read the disclaimer and copyright for these documents.
How to Connect to a MUSH/MOO/MUD
Telnet and Client Programs
Synopsis: This series of documents covers the following topics:
- what software you need to connect to a MUSH (MOO/MUD/MUCK/MUSE)
- where to get it for your system (Unix, Windows, DOS, Macintosh, etc)
- how to set it up and use it
- how to configure your browser to use telnet:// links
- tips, FAQs and touble-shooting
While geared specifically to MU* game usage and telnet connections using
port numbers, these documents should also serve as an overall introduction
to telnet.
[How To Connect Index]
[MUSH Resources]
[Site Search]
Introduction - What do you need to connect to a MU*?
Telnet
Web Browsers and Telnet
Client Programs
Getting More Help -
Please read before you email me!
What do you need to connect to a MU*?
In the past, people learned about MU* games from friends, who could show
them the ropes, or through certain newsgroups, where people were available
to answer questions. The majority of people used Unix (or similar) systems,
so a question like "How do I connect to a MU*?" could easily be answered in
a Usenet message or a FAQ (frequently-asked questions) document.
With the proliferation of WWW information and use, many people are now
learning about MU* games through Web pages. These pages usually have a
"Connect to the game" link, but people unfamiliar with how to connect to MU*
games often get an error message when they try to use such links. People now
access the Internet from a variety of systems, not just Unix. Many of them
are new to the Internet, and may need more detailed help on connecting to
MU* games.
There are two methods of connecting to a MU*: telnet, or a client
program specifically designed to play these games. Versions of both exist
for most operating systems. Most Web browsers do not incorporate the telnet
protocol into their programming. However, most Web
browsers can be configured to launch a telnet program when you select a
telnet:// link.
Most client programs can't be used with a Web browser. But as they are
specifically designed for playing these games, they offer many useful
features that are unavailable in a telnet program. It is suggested that you
read all of the following information before deciding which method you'd
prefer to use.
What is Telnet?
Do I Need Telnet to Play a MU* Game?
Telnet For Your System
Other Definitions of Telnet and its Uses
Telnet is a multi-use protocol that has been around for over a decade.
Telnet makes a connection between your machine and another, remote
machine. For instance, if you have a user account on that machine, telnet
allows you to access it as though you were directly connected to the remote
machine. While telnet began as a Unix function, versions now exist for most,
if not all, other types of systems (Windows, Mac, Dos, etc.)
Telnet can be used for much more than just MU* games. Prior to the
advent of the Web, it was the main way to access resources like library
catalogues and other databases of information, many of which are still in
use. It can also be used to connect to Bulletin Board Systems (BBS), and
other types of games servers. Telnet allows multiple people to be connected
to the same resource simultaneously.
Please see the section on Internet addresses
for more information on decoding addresses to reach remote machines and
services.
As there was already an existing, commonly-used Internet protocol that
allowed multiple people to connect to a resource on a remote machine, the
programmers of MU* games incorporated the telnet protocol into these games
when creating them. Telnet, or a client program that makes use of the telnet
protocol, is required to access a MU* game.
See the section on Web browsers and Telnet for
information on connecting to MU*s from Web pages.
As mentioned above, versions of telnet exist for most, if not all, operating
systems, such as DOS, Windows, Macintosh, Amiga, Atari, Unix, VAX and
Linux. If you're only interested in telnet to play MU* games, you should
first read the section on client programs, as you might prefer one of those.
Information on where to find telnet for various
systems.
The following links provide other definitions of telnet and how it's used.
Most assume the use of a Unix system and are not specific to MU* game use,
but they might help you understand telnet a little better. Versions of
telnet exist for systems other than Unix.
-
Zen and the Art of the Internet's Telnet Page
- A general overview of telnet. Includes information on port numbers,
which are used for the vast majority of MU* addresses. Part of the
Zen and the Art of the Internet Beginner's Guide to the Internet
- Ed Snible's
Telnet Page
- A general guide to what telnet is, a few things it can be used for,
and using it from Netscape.,/DD>
- San Diego State's Telnet
Page
- Detailed look at telnet and its uses. The focus is on telnet for
Unix and VAX, but it contains some info for other systems.
Most Web browsers can be configured to launch telnet when you select a
telnet:// link. Just having the software installed on your
computer isn't enough, you need to tell your Web browser what software you
have and where it is, so it can start up the appropriate helper application
when you select a link.
Information on configuring your Web browser to launch
telnet.
What is a Client Program?
Why Use a Client Program?
A Client Program for Your System
Other Sources of Information About Clients
Players of MU* games use the term client to refer to
programs specifically designed for the play of MU* games. MU* clients
incorporate the telnet protocol for connecting, but include features that
are particularly useful for MU* players.
Because MU* client programs are specifically designed for playing MU* games,
they include commands and features that make play easier or more enjoyable
than when using straight or "raw" telnet.
Some of the features a MU* client might provide:
- simultaneous connections to multiple worlds and/or characters
- separation of input and output (the screen is divided so that what you
type is in one screen area, and what you see is in another)
- formatted input and output based on individual preferences (highlighted
with colour or bold text, indented paragraphs, wrapped lines, etc.)
- output formatted into pages, so it doesn't scroll by too fast to read
- creation of macros (key sequence "short forms") for your frequently-used
commands
- save copies of code or description to your account as text files
- upload code or description text files from your account
- save records (called logs) of meetings, role-playing sessions or
conversations to your account as text files
- repeat the previous X lines of output to allow you to reread
- repeat commands to save typing the same thing over and over, or to fix
errors
Client programs exist for most operating systems, including Windows, Unix,
Macintosh.
Information on where to find clients for various
systems.
The following links provide definitions of MU* client programs, and/or other
information about them you might find helpful.
-
Schmooze MOO's Client Page
- Why a client is useful, and links to download clients for a number of
systems.
- Tecfa MOO's
Client Page
- Factors to consider when selecting a client, reviews of clients for
Unix, Windows and Macintosh systems.
Read All These Pages
Consult Your System Administrator
Contacting the Author - Please read before sending me email!
These are a few suggestions for where to get more help connecting to a
MUSH, setting up software, etc. PLEASE read through this before
sending me email.
For the sake of length, the information on this topic has been split into
several different Web pages. Please skim them all to check if your problem
or question is covered. A complete list of topics is provided in an index page.
For questions specific to your network connection (such as whether your
service provider's telnet accomodates port addresses), the best person to
consult is someone who knows your network. There are hundreds, maybe
thousands, of providers and ways to connect to the Internet, it's impossible
for this document to cover all the possibilities. (It's likewise impossible
for the author of this document to even know all the possibilities.)
Most service providers have a department or contact person who handles
user questions. This might be called Help Services, Technical Support,
Customer Support, etc. If you pay a service provider, you have every right
to ask for assistance in making use of all the services you're paying for.
Please try not to email to me asking for more detailed help. I wrote these
pages because of the large amount of email I was receiving from people
wanting to play MU* games, but who were having trouble connecting. I hope
this information will be of service to the MU* community in general, but I
simply don't have the time to personally help all the thousands of players
of the hundreds of MU*s in existence.
Virtually everything I know on this topic is included in these pages.
If you email me a question that's covered here, I'll probably just refer you
back to the appropriate Web page.
I haven't used all of the software or operating systems mentioned here,
I haven't even used most of them. I am somewhat familiar with the following:
Unix, Unix telnet, Unix TinyFugue, Windows, Windows95, Ewan, Netscape, MSN's
Internet Explorer, NetTerm and zMUD.
If you do email me,
please include as much relevant information as you can. Telling me "I click
and nothing happens" (I really do get email like that) doesn't tell me
anywhere near enough to try and help you figure out what the problem
is. The information I'll need to help you includes the following:
- How you connect to the Net (dial into remote host, PPP, winsock, etc)
- What operating system you use (DOS, Windows, OS/2, Unix, etc)
- What software you're using or want to use (Netscape, etc)
- Any error messages you're getting, and under what conditions (what
you're trying, and what happens, or doesn't happen, when you try it)
[How To Connect Index]
[MUSH Resources]
[Site Search]
The information in this series of documents is also available in a single
document via FTP.
Last modified: 1 August, 2001 - general update
Installed: 1996
Page design, text, misc graphics: ©
Rhonda Peters, 1995-2000
Chapter icons: © Tor
Books, used with permission. Original chapter ornaments by
Matthew C. Nielsen and Elissa Mitchell, 1989-1997.
Please feel welcome to link to this page, or print a copy for your personal,
individual use. Any other use, including, but not limited to: republication on
another Web site, inclusion in a printed or televised publication, or inclusion
in MU* online news or information files requires the permission of the
author.