PerlMUD Java Client Manual

What is the PerlMUD Java Client?

The PerlMUD Java Client is a friendly, easy-to-understand way for your users to access your PerlMUD server. Since the client is written in Java, any user with a Java- capable web browser can access your PerlMUD system without understanding the telnet command or installing any special MUD client software. Users can just access your web server and log in through the Java client.

What web browsers support Java at this time?

Netscape 2.0 or better and Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 or better both support Java. We don't recommend Netscape 2.0; use Netscape 3.0, especially on Macs. If you are using Windows 3.1, try Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 for Windows 3.1, which is the only Windows 3.1 browser we know of that supports Java.

What must I have BEFORE I can use the client?

First, you must have three things:

1. A working PerlMUD server for users to connect to.

2. A web server on the same machine as the PerlMUD server. This is a security restriction imposed by your web browser, not by PerlMUD.

3. A java-capable web browser such as MSIE 3.0 or Netscape 3.0, in order to try the client yourself.

How do I install the client?

The PerlMUD Java Client is distributed in the form of two Java .class files, MudClient.class and SlaveFrame.class, which must be placed on your web server for use by your PerlMUD users. These two files are found in the java subdirectory of your perlmud2.0 directory. Copy them to a directory in the web space of your web server.

Next, create a simple HTML page like the following in that directory, or copy the example index.html file from the java directory and make appropriate changes to specify your host and port.

<h1>Access PerlMUD</h1>
If you have a Java-capable web browser, a handy
PerlMUD client applet will appear below.
<p>
<applet code="MudClient.class"
width=100% height=420>
<param name=serverHost value="boutell.com">
<param name=serverPort value="4096">
</applet>

VERY IMPORTANT: you must change serverHost and serverPort to the host name and port number of your PerlMUD server. Due to Java's security rules, the PerlMUD server and the web server must run on the same machine.

How do I test the client?

First, make sure of the following:

1. You have downloaded MudClient.class and SlaveFrame.class and installed them on your web server.

2. You have created a web page as shown above, using the <applet> tag to properly access the applet.

3. You have a PerlMUD server up and running on the web server machine.

Now, you're ready to test it! Start up your Java-capable browser and access the page. Don't open the page as a local file. Be sure to access the page through the web server. Netscape security restrictions are the reason for this requirement..

How will my users access the client?

Once you've set it up and tested it, just give them the URL of the page. As long as they have Java-capable web browsers, your users will see a login screen when they access the page. If they do not have Java-capable browsers, or they have disabled Java, they will get access to the "vanilla" web interface. They will not have to install any special software!

What features does the Java PerlMUD client offer?

In addition to the convenience of a client that appears "built-in" to the browser, the Java PerlMUD client offers several convenient features your users will appreciate:

Separate windows for keyboard input, PerlMUD output, and review of past commands.
Automatic recognition of URLs: if a URL is mentioned by a user of the MUD, it can be immediately accessed through a convenient button built into the client! This includes email addresses.

How can I get Java source code for the applet?

Java source code is included in the java-source folder.

Boutell.Com, Inc.