a discussion
Here's some of the many things written during the prehistory of the modern internet about MOOs, MUDs and social software generally.
The Design of Online Communities (CS6470 at Georgia Tech) will bring you up to speed on social software. This is a class by Amy Bruckman, a giant in the field since her days at the MIT Media Lab. Her syllabus recommends several other of her writings.
My Tiny Life: A Rape In Cyberspace by Julian Dibbell will give you some important clues into the rich societies that can be formed in multi-user constructionist evironments. Other readings at his site are recommended, if you can figure out how to get to them.
The Lessons of Lucasfilm's Habitat by Morningstar and Farmer tells a long story short about an early experiment in GUI virtual reality-- one that was way ahead of its time, like all good things.
By Psydeshow on November 23, 2002 at 3:54pm