MOO resources


MOO stands for Multi-user domain Object Oriented. A MOO is one of several types of multi-user domains. They are virtual environments accessed via the Internet that originated as multi-player role-playing games. They function similarly to chat rooms in that they provide synchronous communication between many users. However, in a MOO users can build all sorts of spaces and objects.

"Object oriented" means that the virtual space is populated with places, people, and things that exhibit their own characteristics and behaviors and that can be created and manipulated by users. For example, you can create, examine, take, and drop an object such as a flower. Some objects may have additional verbs associated with them, different things that users can "do" to that object. For example, one may be able to "smell" the flower. The help documents available in our MOOs will explain these capabilities in greater detail.

In the CWRL, Mappa Mundi (2004- ) is the successor to Silver Sea MOO (2000-2004). Both MOOs use the enCore Xpress client, which works through your web browser and allows you to enhance virtual spaces with images, audio, video, and animations. Prior to 2000, we used Cheshire MOOn, a text-based MOO.

Help guides and tutorials can be found in the MOO itself. For ideas on how to use Mappa Mundi in your pedagogy, see the resources and links below. Many of these resources were designed for Silver Sea MOO, but all of the principles and most of the details apply to Mappa Mundi as well.

Spotlight:

  • MOOing in the CWRL This page discusses MOO projects designed by several former CWRL instructors

Instructor Tutorial:

  • Setting Up MOO Chat Sessions This tutorial explains how to obtain MOO accounts, change your password, and use the MOO for group discussions.

Exercises and Advice:

  • Group MOO Activity: Rebuttals This activity is designed to accompany the tutorial "Setting Up MOO Chat Sessions." It seeks to answer the question, what should we chat about?
  • MOO Scavenger Hunt (Word .doc 26.5KB) and Key (Word .doc 24KB) This activity is designed to familiarize students with moving through the MOO and communicating in synchronous time.
  • Building a MOOspace (Word .doc 21KB) This activity is designed to familiarize students with building objects and rooms in the MOO.
  • Building on Silver Sea MOO This six-step process takes the instructor from the planning stage through building and on to the trial run.

General Resources:

CWRL Articles:

Miscellaneous Articles:

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