MUDSOCK
                      WinSock MUD/MUCK Client
                           by Timothy Fay

Welcome to MUDSOCK, a MUD/MUCK WinSock client for Windows! If the
version number on your copy is 0.x, then this is one of several
Beta-test versions.  Chances are a newer version already exists and
you can find it via my homepage at:

         http://www.tc.umn.edu/nlhome/m279/fayxx001/mudsock

Page down and click on the MUDSOCK icon.  Otherwise, e-mail me at
fayxx001@maroon.tc.umn.edu, and I will send you a copy.

MUDSOCK runs under Windows, so you'll have to set up a new Program
Item from the File menu of the Program Manager (Windows 3.1) or in
the Windows Explorer (Windows 95).  I assume you know all this stuff,
but if you need any help just let me know and I'll be happy to
assist in any way that I can.

Unfortunately, there's no on-line help as of yet.  But I think that the
program is intuitive enough to use, especially to anyone familiar with
Windows applications.  MUDSOCK works like a regular "Telnet" client,
except all your output goes to one window while your input is typed
into another window (similar to TinyFugue, a popular MUD/MUCK client
for UNIX-based systems).

When you start the program, MUDSOCK will prompt you to enter the name,
address, and port of a MUD/MUCK.  You can also connect by selecting
File | Connect to a MUD from the Main Menu bar, or by pressing the F2
key.  Once you have connected to your MUD/MUCK you can connect to a
character by selecting Game | Connect, or by pressing the F3 key.  The
program will prompt you for a character/password combination.  MUDSOCK
will then connect you to your character and initialize the program for
you.

There are several functions and buttons available in MUDSOCK to help
make MUD-ding a little easier for you.  Be sure to look at the
MUDSOCK.INI file for more information on some of the advanced features
of MUDSOCK.  MUDSOCK works best with TinyMUCK's using MPI (such as
FurryMUCK at furry.org 8888; or Brazilian Dreams at brazil.tbyte.com
8888), but it should work with almost any MUD/MUCK (though some of the
features, like the "who" buttons, may not work on all MUDs).

You can connect to multiple MUDs/MUCKs by launching multiple copies of
MUDSOCK.  You can switch between them by using the Alt-TAB key or the
taskbar (Windows 95).

IMPORTANT NOTE:  This program is still in beta-test mode, so there may
still be one or two bugs left in it (though my testers haven't reported
any serious problems with it).  You are granted unlimited use of this
program, free of charge.  But you also assume all liabilities and all
responsibilities for its use.  Because it is still a beta-test version,
I request that you do not copy or distribute this program to anyone
else without my permission.

I hope that you'll find MUDSOCK useful.  It runs well under Windows 3.1,
Windows for Workgroups, and Windows 95.  However, if you should spot any
bugs please let me know right away.  Also, I welcome any and all
suggestions and ideas you might have to improve the program.

Thanks for giving MUDSOCK a try!  I hope to hear from you soon.

-Timothy Fay
fayxx001@maroon.tc.umn.edu



*** A NOTE ABOUT MUDCOMM ***

MUDCOMM is an older program, similar to MUDSOCK, only it uses a standard
modem connection instead of a SLIP/PPP connection.  Use this only if you
don't have access to a SLIP/PPP server.  I don't currently support
MUDCOMM development, and it is different in many ways from MUDSOCK (and
probably has more bugs in it).  If there is enough interest I may update
MUDCOMM.  Otherwise I reccomend that you get a SLIP connection and go with
MUDSOCK.

-Tim