[Raesanos]

You may have heard the news about the iPhone SDK today. I'm thinking about making my learning-the-tools project a MUD client.

How much interest is there in a MUD client for the iPhone? Would you use it? This would be a free program that you download through the iPhone App Store that launches in June, which does not involve unlocking your iPhone.

To me the biggest use of this would be for MUD administrators, since for playing it'd be hard to type fast enough to really do much. Since there will inevitably be a generic telnet client, I'd be interested in adding some features that full MUD clients offer in order to differentiate this application.

[Newworlds]

Originally Posted by Raesanos You may have heard the news about the iPhone SDK today. I'm thinking about making my learning-the-tools project a MUD client. How much interest is there in a MUD client for the iPhone? Would you use it? This would be a free program that you download through the iPhone App Store that launches in June, which does not involve unlocking your iPhone. To me the biggest use of this would be for MUD administrators, since for playing it'd be hard to type fast enough to really do much. Since there will inevitably be a generic telnet client, I'd be interested in adding some features that full MUD clients offer in order to differentiate this application.

I personally think it would be great. My staff and I would enjoy it, no doubt.

[Brigala]

I would love a client for my iPhone. I have thought about porting TinyFugue. It should be a fairly straightforward port, it's already open source, it is already well-suited to a small screen, and it's designed for unix. My problem is that I haven't done anything like that in so long, I've forgotten how; and I am too busy right now to re-learn.

[Milawe]

Might want to poll and see how many mudders (at least on TMS) use iPhones.

[ShadowsDawn]

Though there are no phones released yet that make use of it.. but you might also want to consider the Android platform. The SDK for it can be found here: Android


edit: Phones using Android will be out, just still a little ways away. However, they have released the SDK for it quite early.

[Threshold]

I think it would be a huge boon for MUDs if someone created a good iPhone client.

It might even be better though if someone were able to make a clean, fast client for the Windows Mobile platform. The Windows Mobile phones seem to more commonly have a "full" keyboard.

[Newworlds]

Yes, but then let's look at something for the Blackberry.

[Threshold]

Originally Posted by Newworlds Yes, but then let's look at something for the Blackberry.

As far as I know, the blackberry is fading fast. They got a big head and started charging businesses GIGANTIC user fees for email server licenses and such, and as a result a lot of business users have dropped it. That has given Windows Mobile and iPhone a huge benefit in trying to break into those markets.

[Markov_AU]

Originally Posted by Threshold As far as I know, the blackberry is fading fast. They got a big head and started charging businesses GIGANTIC user fees for email server licenses and such, and as a result a lot of business users have dropped it. That has given Windows Mobile and iPhone a huge benefit in trying to break into those markets.

I take it you don't work in It, Blackberry is pretty much the only supported enterprise smart phone platform out there form what I've seem there is the smattering of windows mobile devices and the ocational iPhone, but Blackberry is the one that is supported by companies, and it the most widely used

[Zenn]

I wish my PSP had touch-screen, or even an attachable minikeyboard, would make using the PSP MUD Client alot easier.

Can't wait for 4.0 to come out so I can get custom firmware so I can try the client

[Threshold]

Originally Posted by Markov_AU I take it you don't work in It, Blackberry is pretty much the only supported enterprise smart phone platform out there form what I've seem there is the smattering of windows mobile devices and the ocational iPhone, but Blackberry is the one that is supported by companies, and it the most widely used

Well, you gotta get with the times. What you are saying was true a year ago, and may still be true in SMALL companies, but in the big companies, that is changing... and changing fast. And most likely, if the big companies change, that will trickle down to the small companies as well.

Last year we were vacationing in Disney World with our best friend who happens to work for one of the Big 4 Accounting Firms. He was annoyed because the company was in the process of switching away from Blackberry to Microsoft. He informed me that this was a widespread and growing trend. And he'd know, since he visits a huge portion of Fortune 500 companies to do audits (he specializes in computer security audits).

I asked him about it recently, and he told me that the trend has definitely continued. He barely sees any blackberries now in the Fortune 500 companies.

Blackberry got the big head, jacked up prices through the roof, and they may destroy their company as a result.

[the_logos]

Originally Posted by Threshold As far as I know, the blackberry is fading fast. They got a big head and started charging businesses GIGANTIC user fees for email server licenses and such, and as a result a lot of business users have dropped it. That has given Windows Mobile and iPhone a huge benefit in trying to break into those markets.

In Q4 2007 (the most recent quarter for which data is available), the different smartphone platforms broke down like this by OS (according to the Canalys Worldwide smart mobile device market, Q4 2007 report).

1. Symbian OS - 65%
2. Windows mobile - 12%
3. Blackberry - 11%
4. iPhone - 7%
5. Linux - 5%

Now, that's worldwide, of course. Symbian doesn't have much penetration into North America, and Linux's boost comes largely in China.

--matt

[Threshold]

Originally Posted by the_logos In Q4 2007 (the most recent quarter for which data is available), the different smartphone platforms broke down like this by OS (according to the Canalys Worldwide smart mobile device market, Q4 2007 report). 1. Symbian OS - 65% 2. Windows mobile - 12% 3. Blackberry - 11% 4. iPhone - 7% 5. Linux - 5% Now, that's worldwide, of course. Symbian doesn't have much penetration into North America, and Linux's boost comes largely in China.

Thanks for the info. The fact that Windows has now passed Blackberry doesn't surprise me, given the information I already posted.

Wow @ Symbian though. I guess the fact that they aren't heavily involved in North America explains why I don't know much about them, but that it still a staggeringly huge market share.

[Newworlds]

Originally Posted by Newworlds Yes, but then let's look at something for the Blackberry.

Okay, I found a client for myself and logged on to NW on my Blackberry today. Very interesting way of mudding, not to mention handling Administration. Just to have fun, I ran an invasion to see how hard it would be to handle from an iphone. Not too bad, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you are like me and want to log on in a movie theater or at a bbq without lugging a laptop.

[hogarius]

Newworlds, what client are you using for your blackberry?

[Newworlds]

Originally Posted by hogarius Newworlds, what client are you using for your blackberry?

Midpssh. It is similar to Windows Telnet and believe me it is difficult to use because of the inability to control screen scroll. You really have to set up many server side aliases to help you speed things up because typing is slow. But it is very effective for the staff to check out things when out of range of a computer.

Here is the link to download: MidpSSH | SSH and Telnet client for Mobile devices (MIDP/J2ME)

Warning: some versions of this thing didn't work right and I had to mess with it a bit to get it to work properly.

[Lasher]

Originally Posted by Newworlds Midpssh. It is similar to Windows Telnet and believe me it is difficult to use because of the inability to control screen scroll. You really have to set up many server side aliases to help you speed things up because typing is slow. But it is very effective for the staff to check out things when out of range of a computer. Here is the link to download: MidpSSH | SSH and Telnet client for Mobile devices (MIDP/J2ME) Warning: some versions of this thing didn't work right and I had to mess with it a bit to get it to work properly.

I use the same thing to MUD from a Blackberry Curve (TMobile). I ssh into my shell account and use tintin++ from there, so aliases etc are all available.

Interestingly, there's been times when I'm out in the middle of nowhere I can't use the browser on the curve, but midpssh somehow always works. You can also tether the curve to a laptop effectively using it as a cellular (slow) modem. Being able to get a full screen on the laptop from pretty much anywhere is very nice. As a bonus, calls made over wifi vs the cell network never count towards your minutes, so all calls made while home are free.

[the_logos]

Originally Posted by Lasher I use the same thing to MUD from a Blackberry Curve (TMobile). I ssh into my shell account and use tintin++ from there, so aliases etc are all available. Interestingly, there's been times when I'm out in the middle of nowhere I can't use the browser on the curve, but midpssh somehow always works. You can also tether the curve to a laptop effectively using it as a cellular (slow) modem. Being able to get a full screen on the laptop from pretty much anywhere is very nice. As a bonus, calls made over wifi vs the cell network never count towards your minutes, so all calls made while home are free.

I lurve my Curve. Tethering is awesome.

--matt

[Zivilyn]

Bump. Er a bit anyway.
I'd love to see a mobile mud client though, I've started to have more players logging in with a cellular IP and found them most to be using some kind of SSH/Telnet. Honestly, with the way phones are going, and how muds are text.. I could see this being something that revitalizes MUDding in general. Look at texting and it's impact.

[Brody]

I agree, generally, that the iPhone can help text games reach new users - just look at how Frotz made a bit of news by offering the old Infocom text adventures on the iPhone!

It's possible with current iPhone apps to Telnet directly via iPhone to a MUD. That part's easy. The interaction, though, isn't much to write home about - and trying to run a roleplaying scene using that tiny virtual keyboard would be infuriating.

Texting is popular, sure, but no one expects decent prose from texting.

However, if all we're looking for is the ability to go NSEW or repeatable commands over and over - iPhone may be a great way to go.

Regardless, any venue that gives MUDs more exposure is a good thing.

[Zivilyn]

Yeah, I think without a client it'd be ok for checking in on your game, hanging out maybe etc, but actual play might be a hassle. Though, with a nice client so you could touch directions, have a kill ____ box, drag/drop names into it, look button, get button (with drag/drop boxes)...

I guess we'll see where it goes, but I'm already looking at a BRIEF_COMBAT toggle for people, something that takes out all of the nifty other messages and boils it down to You <hittype> <them> (damage). etc. Heck, quite a few would like that for large battles anyway, 20 attacking, kind of insane wall-o- text to watch otherwise.

I did find a couple MUD clients out there, one for iphone, one for Portable PC (er windows hand helds?), but both looked kind of 'blah' the iphone one didn't have color etc.

[Lasher]

Does the iphone support Flash? If it does, FMUD might be a good alternative.

[Newworlds]

I'm not sure of the availability, but if there is a windows phone that is setup up like windows, a windows client would be easy to build, even specific phones. I might build it myself.

The trouble is the typing speed. Aliases would be the big helper there unless you get a fancy plug in short keyboard (which is possible). Still the text size is an issue. With my blackberry client it is very small in order to see more.

Give it some time, we might get some slightly larger screens and better attached pocket keyboards. But then aren't we turning our phones into laptops?

Speaking of laptops, perhaps they will come out with a half-n-half. Sort of a laptop with wifi that has phone capability that is the size of a small dvd/tv player.

Food for thought.

[Zivilyn]

Yeah, exactly, Laptop Mini's, sounds perfect.

[Fate]

I would love an iPhone mud client.. I currently use telnet once in awhile just to check in on my mud, but you can't seriously or even half seriously play

[Newworlds]

Originally Posted by Fate I would love an iPhone mud client.. I currently use telnet once in awhile just to check in on my mud, but you can't seriously or even half seriously play

Amen, brotha.

[Fate]

Well look what I found today:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/M...289223874&mt=8

Has anybody purchased it and tried it out? It looks pretty smooth, only one review so far.. Im thinking about it.. Im just not sure how "feasible" mudding on an iphone would be, regardless of how good the tool is... but man.. it's tempting

[the_logos]

Originally Posted by Threshold Last year we were vacationing in Disney World with our best friend who happens to work for one of the Big 4 Accounting Firms. He was annoyed because the company was in the process of switching away from Blackberry to Microsoft. He informed me that this was a widespread and growing trend. I asked him about it recently, and he told me that the trend has definitely continued. He barely sees any blackberries now in the Fortune 500 companies. Blackberry got the big head, jacked up prices through the roof, and they may destroy their company as a result.

The opposite has happened it looks like. Blackberry has doubled its market share since last year. RIM doubles market share in tough quarter

Blackberry had a 17.4% marketshare last quarter while Windows mobile only had about 12%.

--matt

[Newworlds]

Has anyone noticed any further developments here? Blackberry, Iphone, et al?

I remember Threshold mentioned some company that had millions of clients related to a text only product, but I can't find the thread or remember the product/company.

[Zivilyn]

I did find that iPhone'd don't support flash yet, so the FMUD option wouldn't work even if there was an FMUDmobile or such. Still waiting on more info on the clients too.