MOO setup

MOO: MOO is an acronym that stands for Multi-User Domain Object-Oriented. A MOO is a chatroom-like environment that offers online space for communicating in real time with other MOO users. Some people play games through MOOs, but since the 1990s, MOOs have become increasingly used for educational purposes.

Ohio University instructors are welcome to use Bobkatz MOO as a meeting site. Instructors from other institutions should look for a MOO open to the general public. "Rachel's Super MOO List" offers a starting place for finding such a MOO.

For Bobkatz MOO access (only available to instructors at OU), teachers should contact the current MOO administrator. If you are a student, your teacher should provide you with account and MOO access info. You can reach the MOO by going to http://wac.ohiou.edu. The first screen you should see on the OU's Bobkatz MOO is the following (various components of the page have been highlighted in the picture below):

MOO experience will differ according to instructors and individual classes. The following resources are suggested:

Bobkatz MOO’s Web Page. Offers info about services, troubleshooting, and links to CWE/WAC and CITL (affiliated centers). http://wac.citl.ohiou.edu/moo/MOOWebPage/index.htm

EnCore Guide. An easy and accessible guide to enCore MOOs like Bobkatz MOO:
http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/4guide/

For Bobkatz MOO problems, questions, and requests email the current MOO administrator as designated on the MOO Web page or wac@ohiou.edu

After you've logged on familiarize yourself with the MOO interface and basic commands. The screen will look like this:

If you are having a problem with the graphical side of the screen (right hand side) you probably need the Macromedia Flash Player plugin which can be found here.

If you are having a problem with the text box (left hand side) you probably need the Java plugin which can be found here.

You may encounter problems if your pop-up block is on. Through Internet Explorer you can disable this through the Tools button.

In addition to the situations listed above, be advised that you may encounter more problems if logging into the MOO on a Mac. In that case, try using Mozilla's Firefox browser which can be found here.

This document details the button bar.

For basic MOO commands check out this document.

Teachers may wish to check out this document for an explanation of creating objects on the MOO.

Teachers may also be interested in seeing an example of how a MOO session might be structured.