Le Jardin Mystique
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FAQ

MUCK (general)

Connectivity

Play

Problems
 
MUCK (General)

What is a MUCK? [top]
A MUCK is a variation of a MU* - a text based user environment. A talker, a place to socialize and role-play. Forums like this one have existed for more than a decade, the oldest MUCKs having been around that long. Some claim it means Multi-User Chat Kingdom or Character Kingdom, but there are those who believe it doesn't stand for anything, but is called a MUCK since there are opportunities for user-based code, so you can 'muck' around with the game.

It's unlike IRC or other strictly-chat protocols because there are rooms, usually connected together, and put together in much the same way as a city or country. You can interact with rooms, objects, and develop a character that has certain attributes completely foreign to IRC and other line text chat programs.

What is a MUCK client? [top]
A client is a program designed to help you connect to the MUCK server and make it easier for you to interact with the game than it would be to use raw telnet. Many clients have color-coding, command history, macro capabilities and other enhancements that make using a MUCK much easier and more intuitive. MUCK clients exist for all major operating environments.

Which MUCK client is best? [top]
There are a number of clients available, many you can locate with a search engine or on our Links Page. Some are shareware, some are freeware. Which one is best for you largely depends on your tastes, computer skills, and pocketbook. Here's a short list just to get you started:

  • gmud -Freeware (win32) Download from our server
  • MuckClient Freeware (Win 3.x and win32 client)
  • MUSHclient Shareware (win32 client)
  • Rapscallion Shareware (Mac client) Please keep in mind that as of OSX+, any POSIX compatible MU* client, such as TinyFuge, will work nicely.
  • SimpleMU Shareware (win32) Considered by many to be one of the best MU* clients around
  • TinyFugue Freeware (UNIX client) Ported to most other OS platforms
Do I really need a MUCK client? [top]
No, not technically, but using raw telnet can be a bit confusing. If you're typing in information to the MUCK and lines of text are sent to you, things can get a bit garbled. A MUCK client will help prevent that from happening. Also, some telnet sessions disable certain keys like the arrow keys, making it more difficult to revise written text without being familiar with the telnet program. Raw telnet is far from ideal, but that doesn't mean with a little patience and learning it can't be as effective.

How do I move, say, page, etc. in a MUCK? [top]
Command help can be obtained by connecting to Le Jardin either as a guest or a character and typing "help" (without quotes). Here's some basics, however, to get you started. (NOTE: <text> indicates variables you input. Do not include the < or > signs when typing the command. Commands separated with a ";" are indicative of synonymous commands.)

<direction> --Move in that direction (i.e. North, South, East West, Up Down, etc.)
get/take <thing>; drop/throw <thing>
look; look <thing>; look <direction>; l <direction>
say <message>; "<message>
:<message> --Shows your name, with the message after it. Used for actions. (i.e. player Pervis types, ":laughs" (without quotes), this translates so others see, "Pervis laughs")
whisper <player> = <message> --Whisper only to that player, similar to the page command
inventory --Check your inventory
news --opens the news files main menu
@describe me = <description> --This has been deprecated for the far superior editplayer command
@password <oldpassword>=<newpassword> --Change password
page <player> --Tell player that you are looking for them
page <player> = <message> --Gives the player the message long-distance
gripe <message> --Complain to the management.
home --Go home, but you will lose anything you are carrying. Recommend the command gohome (below)
gohome --Go home, but keep everything you are carrying
QUIT --Quit the muck
WHO --See who is online
where --See where people are and what they're doing in the MUCK

You can get more specific command help by typing "help <subject>" (without quotes). The following is a list of commands available for specific help information:

drop, gripe, look, page, score, examine, help, move, QUIT, take, get, home, news, read, throw, give, inventory, outputprefix, rob, whisper, go, kill, outputsuffix, say, WHO

NOTE: Most of the character information can be set using the "editplayer" command (without quotes). This is a very useful tool.
Some other common help commands:
wixxx #help
morph #help
pinfo #help
Still more help can be obtained simply by asking wizards, helpstaff, and other players. We were all new to this at one time or another, so feel free to ask. You can also practice by yourself in a room until the commands become more familiar.

 
Connectivity
What is the address and port number for Le Jardin Mystique MUCK? [top]
Named address: lejardin.org
IP address: 216.27.190.205
port number: 6969

How do I connect to Le Jardin Mystique with AOL? [top]

  1. Make sure you can connect to the Internet via AOL
  2. Make sure you have a telnet or MUCK client installed (if you do not have one installed, go to keyword: telnet on AOL. You will see a large list of available clients under "Internet Files and Utilities" or "Windows Telecom Files." To see more of this list, click on "Add More Files" to see a complete list. Then install using the download instructions provided.)
  3. Log on to AOL and connect to the Internet
  4. DO NOT MINIMIZE AOL or you will be disconnected form the Internet after 10 minutes or so (you still need to be able to see the "remain connected" dialogue boxes.
  5. Start your telnet or MUCK client software
  6. Use the hostname/port combination as per your client's instructions (lejardin.org 6969 or lejardin.org:6969) or the IP address/port combination (216.27.190.205 6969 or 216.27.190.205:6969)
  7. That should be all there is to it

If you experience problems, make sure AOL in not minimized, that you still have a connection to the Internet, and that you used the correct hostname/port combination. If you still can't connect, wait about five minutes and try again.

NOTE: Any AOL related connectivity issues or questions can be answered by going to keyword: HELP, select the "Internet and World Wide Web" topic, and then click on "Ask Staff". This will take you to AOL's technical support staff who can then assist you with your issue.
How do I connect to Le Jardin Mystique through my ISP? [top]
With telnet or a MUCK client, use the lejardin.org 6969 or 216.27.190.205 6969 to connect. If you are unsure of where to put these fields, check in the help menu item that came with your client or check their website for online documentation and how-tos. Most clients are very easy to use and you will only need to be pointed in the right direction to understand what to do here.

How do I connect to Le Jardin Mystique from my Mac? [top]
This will cover one way to connect to Le Jardin with a Mac, and offer some resource for alternatives.

Using Rapscallion:

  1. Open the program
  2. Under the menu option "File", click "New"
  3. Type in lejardin.org in the "address" box (or 216.27.190.205) and 6969 in the "port" box
  4. Click "OK"
  5. Click the "Connect" button in the main window to connect to Le Jardin

We strongly recommend after you connect to Le Jardin you click on "Save As" under the "File" menu item and type in "LeJardin" (as the file name) to save your configuration. A new Rapscallion icon, "LeJardin" will be created on your desktop for easy reconnection.

You also have the additional option of using NiftyTelnet (freeware version available) and Savitar. NiftyTelnet will give you a raw telnet connection while Savitar will provide you with a full MU* client. Please note that we have not tested NiftyTelnet or Savitar and can therefore provide no support for connectivity to Le Jardin using either of these applications.

I just want to connect and have a look around, how do I do that? [top]
Connect to the MUCK, and at the welcome page, type "connect Guest guest" (without quotes). You'll be connected to a guest character, which can move around and talk to people, but has the drawback of not having full user functionality.
 
Play

How do I get my own character? [top]
Please see the Registration Page for further details.
Why can't I use a freemail account? [top]
For legal reasons, meaning that if something goes horribly awry legally, we might need to be able to establish the actual people doing the playing. This is made more difficult with a freemail account. For information about our privacy policy, please see the next question.
What is your privacy policy? [top]
We don't use or give out any of your personal information, including your email address. We store it just in case the database explodes or if we need it for legal reasons. It is on a secure machine separate from the server for an added level of protection. For our complete description of your privacy rights, please visit the complete Privacy Policy.
What do I do if I've forgotten my password? [top]
Contact a wiz online (as a guest). Verify the email address you used to register, and the wiz can change your password and email you the new one. A good idea is to write your password down somewhere safe, preferably with no identification on where that password is used, or just try really hard to remember it. But we all forget certain things, and passwords happen to be one of them.
Can I get my own lejardin.org email account? [top]
Users can only get their own <username>@lejardin.org email account if they become wizards or become helpstaff that have a specific need for a lejardin.org email address.

Are there any restrictions on the use of the lejardin.org email account? [top]
Right now, there are no restrictions regarding the use of LJM email accounts except those outlined in the AUP and other Le Jardin guidelines, and we would like to keep it that way. However, please note the following:

  • We strongly urge against using this account for anything other than official Le Jardin business, but this will not be enforced at this time.
  • There currently is no storage quota, but would like each user of the email system to refrain from using over 5MB of storage.
  • File transfers over 500KB are strongly discouraged except in rare instances.
  • Be extremely protective of your email password, and share it with no one.
  • Due to the proliferation of viruses spreading via email, we encourage you to get a virus software suite to protect against sending out viruses via your lejardin.org email account. If your lejardin.org email account is used in this manner by a malicious program more than three times, your email account will be removed permanently and will not be reinstated.

When it comes to using your email account, use common sense.

How do I become helpstaff? [top]
If you show proficiency in an area (building, MUF, MPI, player relations), you can speak to the Head Player Relations Wiz or a Head Wiz and request being made helpstaff. You will be interviewed and expected to know the HelpStaff Policies.
How do I become a wizard? [top]
The Head Wiz(zes) select the wizcorps on a need to have basis. We keep the wizcorps to a minimum, depending on the needs of the MUCK. Chances are, if we need one, we keep our eyes out for people, but you can always apply. We're not always hiring, though.
 
Problems

What do I do if I can't connect to the MUCK? [top]
There are a few possibilities here.

  • Make sure you are connected to the Internet
  • Double check the hostname or IP address plus port number to ensure they are correct
  • Check to see if your client can connect to another MUCK
  • If none of these solves the problem, wait a few minutes (ten is a good number), and attempt to reconnect. Keep trying to connect for at least 60 minutes (around six times). If you still can't connect, send mail to taclis@lejardin.org.
The MUCK seems to be lagging, why? [top]
Sometimes there are periods when Internet usage becomes so heavy it lags everyone running through certain hops (i.e. routers). The server we're on has no congestion and plenty of bandwidth, so chances are, the lag isn't server-based, but Net-based. Another cause of lag is from clients interacting with your local machine. On some poorly written clients, memory usage and resource limits will sometimes cause lag on your connection. Still another possibility is your ISPs routing system. If you have had lag issues before, a good first place to look is your ISP.
The MUCK is misinterpreting my commands, why? [top]
Some clients go a little goofy after awhile, especially if your running a lot of commands or have several open windows. In other words, some clients are a bit buggy. If your commands start to become mangled, or you get unexpected output, we suggest logging off (if possible), or Maybe you're not using the right commands. You can always type "help" (without quotes) for help.
 
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