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This section is not exhaustive and does not cover exhaustively
advanced research. Also it is sometimes hard to separate technical
from non-technical research.
MUDs (and specially the MOO variant [Curtis, 1993]) can be be characterized by:
- Many persons can connect simultaneously to a server.
- The MUD has a spatial organization, e.g. people interact with people
or objects primarily within ``rooms''.
- Within a MOO, many real time communication actions exist, like ``saying''
or ``emoting'' things publically to the persons in a "room", paging people
elsewhere, "whispering" messages, using a "CB" channel, etc.
- Asynchronous communication tools include internal e-mail, Newsgroups,
News papers, tutorial rooms, "notice boards", etc.
- MOOs are extensible, and most imaginable (text-based) objects
and features can be programmed. Moos also can be used as backend for
various network services. A good example are http servers.
- The WWW-based HyperNews, see also Tecfa's HyperNews main Page.
- WWW server (Access): The Web can be regared as collaboration
system for people who are able to publish on it. It even has been
conceived that way! See also the http(?) ``Upload File'' directive.
- Lotus Notes
Email, News, Ftp and such
There exist several kinds:
- ColdX: A potential successor for MOOs.
- Distributed architectures (Munchkins)
To sum it up: The World-Wide Web is breaking a part somewhat and
there is an explosion of available tools for providers.
- Java
- JavaScript
- INDEX: Mobile Code (at W3c). There are many other alternatives
Look at what Netscape
Both ``light'' and ``heavy'' (interfaces to industrial strength DBs) versions
exist:
VRML/ is the 3-D extensions to the WWW. Right now rendering is very slow, but the VRML standard
and VRML clients integrate well the Web. In addition VRML 2 has animation
and communication extensions.
You don't need all the crap Alta Vista spits out :)
- e.g. Netscape's Atlas cooltalk
- Woos
- CL-httpd
- Built-in http in data bases
Here a short list of some software available and some
information about availability, installation and use.
Note that ``use'' does not include ``use'' in publications
or for tests or demos.
|
| Tools at TECFA | |
| Type | Source | Hardware | Installed | Used |
| MOO | free | ok | yes | yes |
| WWW Server | free | ok | yes | yes |
| WWW Upload | ?? | ok | - | - |
| WWW HyperNews | free | ok | yes | no |
| WWW Mail Gates | free | ok | yes | no |
| News | UniGe | yes | yes | no |
| Lotus Notes | UniGE | yes | no | no |
| MailingLists | free | no | no | yes |
| CUSEME | free | 4 cam | no | no |
| Whiteboards | UniGe/free | yes | yes | (y) |
| 3D (VRML) | - | no | yes | no |
Table 1: Some Software at Tecfa and UniGE
Next: 3 Issues for Research
Up: Interactive Cyberspace - TECFA
Previous: 1 What is Cyberspace?
Daniel K. Schneider
Wed Apr 24 02:00:59 MET DST 1996