Collaborative Networked Communication: MUDs as Systems Tools
Rémy Evard
Experimental Systems Group, Northeastern University
Abstract
A systems administration group is only as effective as its internal
communication mechanisms. On-line communication has traditionally
been managed via electronic mail or news, which are neither real-time
nor truly collaborative. Communication tools which let multiple
parties work together in real-time have become widespread on the
Internet in the last several years.
In an effort to keep a physically disjoint systems staff working
together effectively, we have explored the use of MUDs as
communications tools. By allowing many people to interact in an
extensible environment, MUDs have solved many of the problems that we
had with on-line communication, and provided many unexpected benefits
as well.
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