MOOs, MUDs, and MUSHes

MOO Activity

     Remember that we defined these terms in Objective #1 (MUDs: Multi-user domains; MOOs: MUDs, object-oriented; and MUSHes: Multi-user Shared Hallucinations). Some people use these applications for frivolous pastimes, but FL teachers would never do that. }:-o These applications, and MOOs in particular, can be fruitful language learning and using experiences for our students. Several MOOs exist where native speakers (NSs) and non-native speakers (NNSs) interact in the target language (TL). Much like IRC, the communication in MOOs is effected via keyboard. Participants "speak" by typing and "hear" by reading the messages interchanged.

     However, MOOs go much further and create environments where people meet, mingle, converse, socialize, come and go. Participants can move around in this virtual environment to different rooms of a building, as well as locations outside their "home." Conversations can be private or public and can include objects being exchanged, personal notes passed, and the like. Some basic knowledge is necessary to begin exploration: commands exist for operating in these virtual environments, and they are generally intuitive.

     To connect to a MOO (or a MUD or a MUSH), you need a computer, a modem, and internet access with telnet capabilities. The most direct way (no extra steps) is to connect by using raw telnet. You just type the word "telnet" followed by the address given for the MOO (MUD or MUSH) you want to access (see addresses below). When using raw telnet, your screen will look something like this:

You can also connect to these virtual environments by using a client. You will need to download and install whatever client program you choose. Then just follow the instructions or menu for that client to connect to your MOO (MUD or MUSH). A typical window when using a client for a MOO might look like the one below. The client program used in this instance is Pueblo.

Assignment

Go to one of the language MOOs listed below, log on as a guest¹, and experience the environment. Visit at least 3 times and spend at least 20 minutes each time investigating the MOO, learning your way around (literally and figuratively!), and participating in TL conversation. Keep a journal of your impressions of and experiences in the MOO. Later, you will be asked to share your thoughts with the class. Try to envision using the MOO application in your FL class. Some questions you might ask yourself are:

At what level would this be appropriate? What can I expect my FL students to do in the MOO? Would participation in a MOO be helpful to my language learners? Which students and under what circumstances?

You have one week to complete this assignment. If you get hooked, you can also investigate MUDs and MUSHes, and some general information and links are provided for you below.

Foreign Language MOOs

     Below are several different foreign language MOOs, MUDs, and MUSHes. Some have a homepage associated with them, indicated by a link. You might want to explore these additional sites before connecting to the MOO, MUD, or MUSH.

MundoHispano
     telnet europa.syr.edu 8888
     or
     telnet moo.syr.edu 8888

ArdaMOO, a Spanish language social MOO
     telnet lince.las.es 7777

VCR MUSH: Virtual Classrooms MUSH. This MUSH consists of German, French, Spanish and English sections.
     telnet risky1.ssg.comp.uvic.ca 6250

Le MOO Francais, French langauge MOO
     telnet moo.syr.edu 7777

Little Italy, Italian language MOO
     telnet little.usr.dsi.unimi.it 4444

MorgenGrauen LPmud, German language MUD
     telnet mud.uni-muenster.de 23
      or
     telnet mud.uni-muenster.de 4711

UNItopia, German language MUD
     telnet infosgi.rus.uni-stuttgart.de:3333

MOOsaico, Portuguese language MOO
     telnet moo.di.uminho.pt 7777

SvenskMud, Swedish language MUD
     telnet svmud.lysator.liu.se 2043

schMOOze University (an EFL/ESL MOO)
     telnet schmooze.hunter.cuny.edu 8888

Latin: MUGIT at PennMOO
     telnet ccat.sas.upenn.edu 7777

In addition to the sites above, the following pages provide more information for those who are really into MOOs, MUDs, and MUSHes:

A Beginner's Guide to MUSH will get you started. It also includes MUSH connection information.

A helpful FAQ for MUD as well as descriptions of many clients to use can be found at Jennifer Smith's MUDFAQ page.

The Terradome page offers a MUD guide for those interested in finding out about MUDs.

The MUD Resource Collection , maintained by Lydia Leong, is a list of links to many useful sources of MUD information.