Telnet enables you to enter text-based virtual reality and communicate in real-time with other people who are online wherever they might be in the world. The names of these digital worlds are usually either MUD (Multi-User Domain), MOO (MUD Object Orientated) or MUSH (Multiple Shared Hallucination). It must be admitted that an awful lot of these virtual worlds are based around role-playing games where Elrond the Troll slayer (really a bored undergrad in Seattle) will rescue virtual princesses and live out his Tolkienesque fantasies.

However there are a few MOOs about which are more pointedly academic in their interests and have brought into being the idea of the virtual classroom and seminar. A couple have even held virtual poetry slams! Below are a few of the MOOs which may interest writers, although it must be stressed that visiting a MOO is a writing exercise in itself, for the whole thing is text-based and you must describe your character and all it does. The better the writing the more interesting the world will be for everyone involved.

When you get to a MOO, connect as a guest (usually the command is simply "co guest") and if you've never visited one before it is highly advisable to read the HELP file before you begin so you can at least learn how to communicate and move from place to place. It really is very simple. A final word of warning. MOOing can be highly addictive. Families have been destroyed by members believing they were walking begonias in real-life as well as in virtual life. 

LambdaMOO
lambda.moo.mud.org 8888 

If "hell is other people" then at LambdaMOO you can create your own hell. This is the biggest and most populated MOO. There are usually between one and two hundred characters inhabiting Lambda at any one time. Although it's more of a social MOO than an academic one, it is popular and friendly, and therefore a good world to begin your MOOing experiences in. Role-playing is a strong feature of this MOO and let's face it, there aren't many places you can run into people/characters such as Mistress_Kali, Orphanslut, Canis_Lupis or Siva. It's an interesting place to explore and if you get your own character you can build your own rooms! It's rumoured that some famous people come here in various guises so the company can be pretty interesting. The only limits are those of your imagination. 

MediaMOO 
Based at the MIT Media Lab, MediaMOO is a virtual community which consists solely of people doing media research to "explore the serious side of the new medium." 

The Netoric Project
Once resident at MediaMOO where it discussed the use of computers in teaching writing, the Netoric Project is now based at MOO Connections. 

PMC-Moo
hero.village.virginia.edu:7777  

This is the MOO that is related to the journal Postmodern Culture and is the hangout of many an academic. It is a theme MOO in that it deals specifically with the postmodern. Amongst the attractions here are virtual seminars and virtual poetry slams. To find out about any seminars it's advisable to e-mail someone at PMC Journal. The poetry slams usually occur every other Friday night (EST) and are held in conjunction with the Nujorican Poets Cafe in Manhattan. If you want to read the proceedings of one of the slams then read to this slam report. When in the MOO the Virtual Poets' Cafe and Clam Bar can be reached by typing in @go #6216 (this is the teleport command). 

PennMOO 
ccat.sas.upenn.edu:7777  

PennMOO is based at the University of Pennsylvania and is another MOO that has held poetry slams in the past and is hoping to continue doing so in the future. The slams were held in the language room (#8230). For more info see  Slamming at PennMOO. 

ZooMOO
moo.missouri.edu:8888 

This is the MOO at Missouri University and although you can visit it as a guest to get a character usually entails that you have an academic background or are a student there. Creative writing tutors are often to be found in the writery (@go the writery will get you there) and are willing to discuss work with you. For more information they have a page accessible via The Online Writery. 

MOO Related Web Pages

Absolute MUSH
Background information, reference information and pointers to other MUSH-related material that is relevant to players everywhere. From how to get an online character to how to meet up with fellow MUSHers in the real world. For absolute beginners, there's a downloadable manual. 

Becoming Virtual
Sue Thomas has written the definitive guide to getting a life - a virtual life, that is. Newcomers need look no further. Consideration is given to notions of identity, multiple identity come to that, as well as who you're likely to meet online. The niceties of communicating and moving around an imaginary universe described by text may take some getting used to conceptually, but all the necessary information on how to do it is presented here in a lucid and easy to follow manner. 

The Borders on the Classroom 
The Daedulus Group Inc. produce writing and teaching software and the page linked to here specifically deals with using, learning, playing and teaching in MUDs. It includes Resources and documents for all this including a MOO Teachers Tip Sheet. If you're interested in the idea of the virtual classroom then this is a good place to start. 

The Lost Library of MOO
Never mind the library of Alexandria, if you're looking for a one-stop resource for finding manuals, tutorials and FAQs about MOOs, this is the place to visit. Whether you're a newbie who wants to join in the fun or a programmer in search of code, Jerome P McDonough of the University of California at Berkley has links for you. He's posted some fascinating links to research papers too, looking at topics such as Gender Swapping On The Internet. 

The MUD resource collection
This is a comprehensive list of homepages for MUDs of all types as well as MUD-related FTP archives. There are links to FAQs and software as well as assorted MUD and MOO servers and resources.