[Brawndel]

Hi there. I am new to the world of topmudsites, and could use some assistance
First of all, I am blind, and use software called a screenreader which reads what is
on the screen to me verbally. I have been mudding for 10+ years, and am now looking into creating my own little piece of computer generated paradice.
My question is this. I use windows, and I have heard from admins/gods on a couple different muds which I have played that it is basically impossible to
run a mud on a windows machine. It is rather difficult to get the accessibility software for Linux, and I would like to avoid Linux as much as possible.
Is there any possible way to run a mud in windows? Or does it even matter if I am using a commercial server? Are there any codes which might work ok on
windows?
I would appreciate any comments on my situation

Thanks a lot
Brawny

[Caladan]

Hey,

There are a couple of codebases that you can run on windows, (A Smaug I recall from somewhere, and I believe a ROM..) But it is certainly not the most efficient way of doing things. You would be severely limited in improving and expanding the code, and it would not be nearly as stable.

However. That would only be running the server from a windows machine, and I doubt you plan to run your own server, at least to start. Using a commercial server (Most of which run some form of Linux/Unix) with a shell account you can telnet into from a windows machine, is a very common and viable way to run a MUD yourself. I have worked as a developer on a few MUD's and never needed to install Linux on my own personal machine.

I hope this helps, if it doesn't feel free to ask for clarification on any points. More than happy to help.

[Kylotan]

I don't see why there would be any problems with extending the code, or even stability these days. Windows XP should handle a mud just fine.

[Hajamin]

Even XP is extremely unstable compared to Linux, my Linux machine has been running for months, where XP has to restart every week or so. Cgwin is a linux emulator for windows, but again it won't be as stable.

As was mentioned most people don't run their own server. Putty is a program that will allow you to connect into a linux server from windows using SSH, your reader should be able to read that(but you will still need to learn the basic linux commands).

I've seen a couple Java based mud sources out there, which in theory should run on windows just as well as linux... CoffeeMud is one, I think. If you do a little searching you should be able to find a couple of them.

[Protoss]

I believe Dgd is another codebase you can use to program from Windows.

[Brawndel]

Kay, That helps some. I would most likely be using a commercial server, and if I could telnet to it... nod nod, sounds easy enough. Is it possible to access the code and everything by telnetting to the server? And also, I am extremely lacking in linux/unix knollege... what exactly is a shell account?
I have looked into coffeemud, and I like it... but the databasing bothers me... it slows the mud down way to much. *shrug* I would most likely be using Circle, as most of the muds which I have played have ran under circle. Also, could anyone suggest a good commercial server to use? And, would you suggest loading the basic stalk version of circlemud onto the server to begin work on it?
Thanks for your help everyone, I really do appreciate it!!

Brawny

[Brawndel]

Ahhh... and I forgot to mention that on a slightly different note, I am needing some help learning C. I have learned a bit over the years, but no where near enough to dive into coding without a hard core coder by my side. I could also use any suggestions as to a good tutorial on programming in C.
Thanks a lot!! Brawny

[Hephos]

Make your mud in Java and it runs anywhere!

I code our mud on my windows machine, test runs it there, and later upload it to our unix server where it will run for real.

You dont need to change a single thing in the code for it to run perfect on both systems Sweet java!

[shadowfyr]

There is a version of the old MUDOS for Windows. At least NT or better anyway, it commits suicide on 9x. lol There is some stupid issue with some clown complaining about GPL and not providing the source with it or some bull, so I don't know it that has been resolved yet, but you can/could find it here:

http://dead-souls.sourceforge.net/

MUDOS is a true lpmud. Most of the code bases for Windows are far more limited database driven jobs that while easier to use sometimes, tend to also limit options for design, sort of like picking VB over C++.

[zombiedepot]

CoffeeMUD is open source and made in Java. It's been a close kept secret of mine as I've developed my MUD for my buddies, but it's a very good codebase. Runs very well on Windows, and it's got an integrated web based builder with tons of documentation.

The guy who develops it Bo Zimmerman has made it open source and stepped back to maintain it. I recommend it to everyone now, it's getting quite the community too. This way, you won't need Linux.

[Mabus]

Originally Posted by it's getting quite the community too

There are a few folks. CoffeeMud is a wonderful piece of MUD programming. I find it easy to modify, and even have one version where I added timed-combat.

Originally Posted by This way, you won't need Linux.

Runs great there.

If you are going to have it hosted on a server be aware that it IS Java-based. Takes a boatload of memory, and I have had a host complain about the number of threads it generates.

Runs fastest with an external DB as well, although it comes with a stock internal DB. MYSQL can usually be found on most host servers. Pretty easy to set up.

All in all, I like it. Though I know a lot of C programmers (which I do a bit of) might find it odd to use a Java MUD codebase.