COM 125 Week 2: The Evolution of the MUD
Introduction:
Like any other modern Internet technology, the MSN (Microsoft Network) messenger is one of the results of the evolution of an older technology dating way back to 1977. This was the early form of instant messaging--MUD (Multi-User Dungeon or Multi-User Dimension), a program which the Generation Y would most likely be unfamiliar with. Now, let us look at how the technology of instant messaging has evolved and improved over the years.
1977-MUD
A MUD is basically a multi-player computer game that allows players to communicate through chat rooms as they play the game. This feature of a MUD allowed its users to have the earliest form of communicating with other users in real-time. Real-time communication via the Internet is now known to us as instant messaging. According to Rheingold, "A MUD is communications soup in real time, with a flavor of improvisatory theater."
This early form of instant messaging existed on a Bulletin Board System. The Bulletin Board System allowed the exchanging of simple text messages between users and was the primary kind of online community before the World Wide Web (WWW) was introduced (Layton, Scott, et al., 2005).
1984-MUT
UNaXcess, the first talker, was introduced in 1984. MUT (Multi-User Talk), also known as talker, is similar to the idea of a MUD. However, a MUT does not contain the element of a game and is solely for users to engage in real-time communication that is text-based.
Being an early system of instant messaging, MUT did not possess a central authority nor did it collect a database of its users ("Talker," 2007). Thus, without proper information about its users, those who communicated through MUT could take up any identity simply by changing their display name.
1988-IRC
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) should sound more familiar to most of us. Indeed, it has definitely earned its recognition in the history of the Internet. Created by Jarkko Oikarinen in 1988 to replace MUT, "IRC gained prominence when it was used to report on the Soviet Coup attempt of 1991 throughout a media blackout" ("Internet Relay Chat," 2007).
IRC consists of a wide range of channels where users of different groups or interests can gather together to chat in the main channel and engage in private one-on-one conversations through private chat. IRC ensures that no two users are logged on with the same display name. However, it also allows one to register a user name so that no one else can use it.
IRC users can receive messages from any other users unless they choose to block him/her. Thus, the likelihood of receiving a chat message from a stranger is high. Similar to MUD and MUT, IRC is a simple text-based program. An example of would be mIRC which can be "beautified" with mIRC scripts downloaded off the Internet.
1996-ICQ
ICQ (the play on the phrase "I seek you") was developed by Mirabilis by four Israelis: Yair Goldfinger, Arik Vardi, Sefi Vigiser and Amnon Amir ("ICQ," 2007). ICQ users are assigned with a unique UIN (Unified Identification Number) upon signing up. Users can add one another onto their list of friends by email or UIN. Unlike earlier forms of instant messaging, ICQ allows its users to select who they want to add onto their personal list to ensure that users have control over who they want to engage in conversation with. Thus, the likelihood of receiving messages from strangers is much lower.
Most of us would remember ICQ as the program that plays an "eh oh!" sound upon receiving a new message. I would say that the popularity of ICQ marked the start of an instant messaging program that keeps a database of its users and gives you the privilege of selecting who you want to add to your list. An improvement from earlier instant messaging programs is that ICQ is able to run in the background ("New Solutions for P2P Communications").
1999-MSN messenger
MSN messenger can be classified as currently the most widely used instant messaging program in Singapore. Apart from the exchanging of simple text messages, the newer versions of MSN messenger allow audio and video conversations, transferring of files, and two-player games. In addition, emoticons (small images that replace the usage of expressions through text), animated winks, and display pictures allow users to personalize their messenger and liven up conversations ("Windows Live Messenger"). Similar to ICQ, MSN messenger runs in the background and allows one to have control over who is added to their list of contacts.
Analysis
What started off as a mere exchange of simple text messages during gaming through the Internet has now evolved into an age of real-time communication through instant messaging programs. Such technology has also reduced the need to send e-mails to one another if both parties are logged online at the same time.
With the improvement of instant messaging programs, they no longer only satisfy the need for casual online conversations. Due to globalization, companies can now effectively communicate with overseas staff via instant messaging programs. By simply signing on to your account, you can communicate with friends or colleagues all over the world. Such programs contribute to the fact that we are now living in a global village. To add on, communicating through instant messaging is not only convenient but it's free!
Cons of instant messaging programs:
Like most things, instant messaging programs come with an opportunity cost. The lack of a physical presence makes interpreting messages more inaccurate. Also, the fact that we can now communicate with numerous people simply by logging on to an instant messaging program makes interpersonal communication lose its personal touch. So, embrace what technology has given us, but do not become an Internet "junkie"!
_______________________________
References:
ICQ. (2007). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 25, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICQ
Internet Relay Chat. (2007). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat
Layton, A., Scott, J., et al. (2005). What is bulletin board system? Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci213807,00.html
New Solutions for P2P Communications. Retrieved January 25, 2007, from
http://www.icq.com/info/press/press_release2.html
Rheingold, H. (1993). Visionaries and Convergences: The Accidental History of the Net. The Virtual Community. New York: Perseus Books. Retrieved from http://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/3.html
Talker. (2007). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUT_%28software%29
Windows Live Messenger. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from
http://get.live.com/messenger/features
Like any other modern Internet technology, the MSN (Microsoft Network) messenger is one of the results of the evolution of an older technology dating way back to 1977. This was the early form of instant messaging--MUD (Multi-User Dungeon or Multi-User Dimension), a program which the Generation Y would most likely be unfamiliar with. Now, let us look at how the technology of instant messaging has evolved and improved over the years.
1977-MUD
A MUD is basically a multi-player computer game that allows players to communicate through chat rooms as they play the game. This feature of a MUD allowed its users to have the earliest form of communicating with other users in real-time. Real-time communication via the Internet is now known to us as instant messaging. According to Rheingold, "A MUD is communications soup in real time, with a flavor of improvisatory theater."
This early form of instant messaging existed on a Bulletin Board System. The Bulletin Board System allowed the exchanging of simple text messages between users and was the primary kind of online community before the World Wide Web (WWW) was introduced (Layton, Scott, et al., 2005).
1984-MUT
UNaXcess, the first talker, was introduced in 1984. MUT (Multi-User Talk), also known as talker, is similar to the idea of a MUD. However, a MUT does not contain the element of a game and is solely for users to engage in real-time communication that is text-based.
Being an early system of instant messaging, MUT did not possess a central authority nor did it collect a database of its users ("Talker," 2007). Thus, without proper information about its users, those who communicated through MUT could take up any identity simply by changing their display name.
1988-IRC
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) should sound more familiar to most of us. Indeed, it has definitely earned its recognition in the history of the Internet. Created by Jarkko Oikarinen in 1988 to replace MUT, "IRC gained prominence when it was used to report on the Soviet Coup attempt of 1991 throughout a media blackout" ("Internet Relay Chat," 2007).
IRC consists of a wide range of channels where users of different groups or interests can gather together to chat in the main channel and engage in private one-on-one conversations through private chat. IRC ensures that no two users are logged on with the same display name. However, it also allows one to register a user name so that no one else can use it.
IRC users can receive messages from any other users unless they choose to block him/her. Thus, the likelihood of receiving a chat message from a stranger is high. Similar to MUD and MUT, IRC is a simple text-based program. An example of would be mIRC which can be "beautified" with mIRC scripts downloaded off the Internet.
1996-ICQ
ICQ (the play on the phrase "I seek you") was developed by Mirabilis by four Israelis: Yair Goldfinger, Arik Vardi, Sefi Vigiser and Amnon Amir ("ICQ," 2007). ICQ users are assigned with a unique UIN (Unified Identification Number) upon signing up. Users can add one another onto their list of friends by email or UIN. Unlike earlier forms of instant messaging, ICQ allows its users to select who they want to add onto their personal list to ensure that users have control over who they want to engage in conversation with. Thus, the likelihood of receiving messages from strangers is much lower.
Most of us would remember ICQ as the program that plays an "eh oh!" sound upon receiving a new message. I would say that the popularity of ICQ marked the start of an instant messaging program that keeps a database of its users and gives you the privilege of selecting who you want to add to your list. An improvement from earlier instant messaging programs is that ICQ is able to run in the background ("New Solutions for P2P Communications").
1999-MSN messenger
MSN messenger can be classified as currently the most widely used instant messaging program in Singapore. Apart from the exchanging of simple text messages, the newer versions of MSN messenger allow audio and video conversations, transferring of files, and two-player games. In addition, emoticons (small images that replace the usage of expressions through text), animated winks, and display pictures allow users to personalize their messenger and liven up conversations ("Windows Live Messenger"). Similar to ICQ, MSN messenger runs in the background and allows one to have control over who is added to their list of contacts.
Analysis
What started off as a mere exchange of simple text messages during gaming through the Internet has now evolved into an age of real-time communication through instant messaging programs. Such technology has also reduced the need to send e-mails to one another if both parties are logged online at the same time.
With the improvement of instant messaging programs, they no longer only satisfy the need for casual online conversations. Due to globalization, companies can now effectively communicate with overseas staff via instant messaging programs. By simply signing on to your account, you can communicate with friends or colleagues all over the world. Such programs contribute to the fact that we are now living in a global village. To add on, communicating through instant messaging is not only convenient but it's free!
Cons of instant messaging programs:
Like most things, instant messaging programs come with an opportunity cost. The lack of a physical presence makes interpreting messages more inaccurate. Also, the fact that we can now communicate with numerous people simply by logging on to an instant messaging program makes interpersonal communication lose its personal touch. So, embrace what technology has given us, but do not become an Internet "junkie"!
_______________________________
References:
ICQ. (2007). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 25, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICQ
Internet Relay Chat. (2007). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Relay_Chat
Layton, A., Scott, J., et al. (2005). What is bulletin board system? Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci213807,00.html
New Solutions for P2P Communications. Retrieved January 25, 2007, from
http://www.icq.com/info/press/press_release2.html
Rheingold, H. (1993). Visionaries and Convergences: The Accidental History of the Net. The Virtual Community. New York: Perseus Books. Retrieved from http://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/3.html
Talker. (2007). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUT_%28software%29
Windows Live Messenger. Retrieved January 26, 2007, from
http://get.live.com/messenger/features
Labels: Assignments
posted by Amanda at 1/27/2007 02:29:00 PM
5 Comments:
Excellent. A different take from the usual instant messaging crowd by talking about MUDs. Full grade!
Hey,this is good stuff. The result of technology and technique. Impressive!
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No racist comments please...
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