The Mud Connector
Encyclopedia
The Mud Connector, abbreviated TMC, is a computer gaming web site which provides articles, discussions, reviews, resource links and game listings about MUD
s. The site allows mud owners, administrators and enthusiasts to submit information and reviews about specific MUDs. Richard Bartle
has recognized the site as containing over 1000 MUD listings, while the NY Times has recognized the site for its virtual communities suitable for children. The Mud Connector website has been referenced in over 50 print publications and has received over 50 research citations.
server.
Shortly after the website was created it was believed lost due to a fatal hard disk crash and poor backup preparations; however, within a few months the webpage was found in a Netscape cache file and restored. Initial MUD data was gathered via frequent requests made on Usenet
newsgroups such as rec.games.mud.admin inviting MUD administrators to submit their muds to the TMC database. Over time the Usenet postings were phased out and TMC outgrew the capabilities of its host, eventually moving to a dedicated server.
, called Hyperthread. Discussion threads are readable by all TMC visitors, however, only TMC members may conribute to the discussions. There are currently 16 discussion boards available covering such topics as administrative ethics and legal issues, building and coding, promotions and more. TMC's discussion boards are not proactively moderated, instead a system exists for the reporting of topics which violate the website's terms of service.
in September 1995, LegendMUD
in October 1995 and Ancient Anguish
in November 1995. A two year hiatus followed, and in January 1998 the MUD of the Month feature returned, continuing until June 1999 when the program was discontinued permanently.
, player demographics
and virtual world
design. Notable contributors include Alan Lenton and Wes Platt
.
MUD
A MUD , pronounced , is a multiplayer real-time virtual world, with the term usually referring to text-based instances of these. MUDs combine elements of role-playing games, hack and slash, player versus player, interactive fiction, and online chat...
s. The site allows mud owners, administrators and enthusiasts to submit information and reviews about specific MUDs. Richard Bartle
Richard Bartle
Richard Allan Bartle is a British writer, professor and game researcher, best known for being the co-creator of MUD1 and the author of the seminal Designing Virtual Worlds. He is one of the pioneers of the massively multiplayer online game industry.-Life and career:Bartle received a Ph.D...
has recognized the site as containing over 1000 MUD listings, while the NY Times has recognized the site for its virtual communities suitable for children. The Mud Connector website has been referenced in over 50 print publications and has received over 50 research citations.
History
The Mud Connector website was founded on January 8, 1995 by Andrew Cowan and was hosted on the University of North Carolina at Greensboro mathematics department graduate assistants' LinuxLinux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
server.
Shortly after the website was created it was believed lost due to a fatal hard disk crash and poor backup preparations; however, within a few months the webpage was found in a Netscape cache file and restored. Initial MUD data was gathered via frequent requests made on Usenet
Usenet
Usenet is a worldwide distributed Internet discussion system. It developed from the general purpose UUCP architecture of the same name.Duke University graduate students Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis conceived the idea in 1979 and it was established in 1980...
newsgroups such as rec.games.mud.admin inviting MUD administrators to submit their muds to the TMC database. Over time the Usenet postings were phased out and TMC outgrew the capabilities of its host, eventually moving to a dedicated server.
Forums
The TMC Discussion forums are powered by a proprietary engine that is derived from Radiation's discontinued bulletin board systemBulletin board system
A Bulletin Board System, or BBS, is a computer system running software that allows users to connect and log in to the system using a terminal program. Once logged in, a user can perform functions such as uploading and downloading software and data, reading news and bulletins, and exchanging...
, called Hyperthread. Discussion threads are readable by all TMC visitors, however, only TMC members may conribute to the discussions. There are currently 16 discussion boards available covering such topics as administrative ethics and legal issues, building and coding, promotions and more. TMC's discussion boards are not proactively moderated, instead a system exists for the reporting of topics which violate the website's terms of service.
Admin and Player Submitted Reviews
TMC accepts review submissions from MUD administrators and owners as well as their players. These review submissions are not automatically posted to the website, they are first examined by TMC staff to verify that they fit with the site's review submission guidelines. MUDs listed on TMC are not required to allow review postings, when the first review submission is received the administrator of the mud is notified and has the option of flagging the listing to prevent all reviews from being posted.TMC Official Reviews
TMC provides staff-written reviews for muds which specifically request or accept an invitation by TMC to be reviewed. Over the years the TMC review team has changed frequently and often there have been large gaps of time between reviews. A typical TMC staff review is assigned to a single reviewer with the goal of breaking down the mud's gameplay into three main categories: Theme, Atmosphere and World. Additional notes are provided regarding anything that doesn't fit into one of the main categories and finally the reviewer's experience is summarized. Early reviews allowed the mud administration to include their feedback to the points covered in the review.The Mud of the Month
In September 1995 TMC introduced a section to the website called "Mud of the Month". MUDs chosen as MUD of the Month were seen by the TMC staff to stand out in some way, to exhibit excellence and provide high quality examples of games prospective players might find available. Initially the MUD of the Month program ran for 3 months, the MUDs chosen during this time were JediMUDJediMUD
JediMUD is a MUD, an online text-based role-playing game, one of the longest-running of its kind. It has been open to the public since August 28, 1992 and is based on the CircleMUD derivative of the DikuMUD code-base.-History:...
in September 1995, LegendMUD
LegendMUD
LegendMUD is a historically significant, award-winning MUD founded by a group of friends including virtual world designer Raph Koster. It opened publicly on February 14, 1994...
in October 1995 and Ancient Anguish
Ancient Anguish
Ancient Anguish, abbreviated AA, is a fantasy-themed MUD, a text-based online role-playing game. Founded in 1991 by Balz "Zor" Meierhans and Olivier "Drake" Maquelin, it opened to the public on February 2, 1992...
in November 1995. A two year hiatus followed, and in January 1998 the MUD of the Month feature returned, continuing until June 1999 when the program was discontinued permanently.
Articles
TMC publishes a number of articles on MUD-related topics such as roleplaying, data securityData security
Data security is the means of ensuring that data is kept safe from corruption and that access to it is suitably controlled. Thus data security helps to ensure privacy. It also helps in protecting personal data. Data security is part of the larger practice of Information security.- Disk Encryption...
, player demographics
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
and virtual world
Virtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
design. Notable contributors include Alan Lenton and Wes Platt
Wes Platt
Wes Platt is a former professional journalist, game writer/designer, creator of the online games OtherSpace, Chiaroscuro and Necromundus, and one-time Director of Content Development for Fallen Earth.-Biography:...
.