So you want to start your own MUD?
Finding
a Site to run your MUD - Undoubtedly the biggest challenge
facing the would-be MUD runner.
- Universities - We have seen many MUDs run from University servers.
It might be a good place to look.
- Interent Providers - They will sometimes have space on a server or
an extra machine that can act as the server.
- Your Own Server - Requires some kind of line connection (ideally T1
for the best speed, but at least a modem), your own machine (server) and
TCI/IP address.
What
is a MUDServer? - A server is a machine which accepts connections,
receives data, mulls it over, and sends out some output. In the MUD world,
the server keeps track of the database, the current players, the rules,
and sometimes the time (or the heartbeat).
- Another person's server - You get space to run your mud and the Internet
access.
- Your own - At least a 486/50 (or equivalent speed machine in a MAC)
with 16megs of RAM, at least a 500meg hd, LINUX or UNIX operating system
(there might be some MUDs that will not run under Windows, we're pursuing
that information!). Access to a connection (we'd all hope for a T1 ;-),
but some other type of direct connection is best) or at least a modem with
access to an Internet Provider.
- If you have the money you can buy more expensive machines, and accessories.
A MUD should run successfully on the above mentioned hardware though :-)
What
is Source Code? - usually very large C programs which maintain
a small-to-enormous database of the objects, rooms, players and miscellany
of the MUD. You can get raw source code, make any changes, additions or
deletions you wish, compile it and WALA! you have your own mud. Since there
are so many different kinds of MUDs there is also lots of different source
code. Pick your souce code, Pick your MUD :-). Here are excellent sources
for source code.
©deep
water design