Teaching and Learning Festival: M*U*S*H, April 2007
M*U*S*H (mush.pennmush.org 4201) has designated April 2007 to be "Teaching and Learning" Month. Teaching and learning are two key components of M*U*S*H's theme.
We're looking for as many MUSHers as possible who want to teach something to other players during that month - and we believe that everyone has something to teach. Virtually any content: teach us a game, teach us about philosophy, show us how to write a poem or some poem-generating mushcode. Virtually any format: lectures, discussions, tutorials, workshops, one-shot or in a series.
Update: Lots of stuff is scheduled (see comments), but still room for more!
Interested players should create characters at M*U*S*H and can @mail Javelin with the details of their activity (what date(s), time(s), content, format, if there's any maximum or minimum audience size), or can post directly to the M*U*S*H calendar with +gda (See: +gda/help create). Offerings will appear on +gda and on the Festival Events bulletin board (+help bb). I'll also post about them as they're scheduled as comments to this story on c.p.o.
Look forward to seeing you!
Click 
Writing and running MUSH larps (by Javelin): Apr 4, 8pm CDT
A 2-hour workshop with Javelin on how to design (or adapt), write, and implement MUSH one-shot RP events (LARPs). Topics will include developing characters, plots, and goals; coding and building strategies; casting the LARP; running the LARP.
Javelin has adapted several LARPs (designed for live roleplaying events at parties and conventions) to MUSH format, and has written two original LARPs (for both live and MUSH use).
Philosophy of Science, by Stoko, Apr 2, 6-8pm
Philosophy of Science is the branch of philosophy which tries to analyze
science, the scientific community, scientists, and scientific theories with
the tools of philosophy, logic, and sociology. What is science? How does
science function? How and why do scientific revolutions happen? What is the
position of science in the modern world and is it deserved? What is the
best scientific methodology? Those are some of the questions which
Philosophy of Science tries to answer.
The lecture is primarily intended for those who know nothing about the
Philosophy of Science, but those who have a moderate knowledge of it might
learn something too, especially because there will be a questions and
answers part of the lecture, and a discussion.
The lecture will explain what Philosophy of Science is. Also, it will
give an overview of some of the most influential theories in Philosophy of
Science. The most important theorists and their most influential works will
be mentioned. Contents of the most major works on Philosophy of Science
will be briefly explained.
The discussion will give the audience the opportunity to share with
others their own answers to the questions asked by Philosophy of Science,
and to hear the other people's answers to those questions.
The Advantage of Ignorance, by Boris, Apr 7, 3-4pm
This is a one hour lecture with question and answers at the end. The
lecture will be a brief summary of my experience in schools, my current
position, and my thoughts about effectively using technology in education.
The point is, as digital natives, younger, curious IT teachers can
essentially do whatever they want to do, so long as they follow a few
simple rules. I will discuss the importance of blogging your successes. The
objective of the lecture is to pique the interest of fellow mush'ers who
might be interested in a role in technology education.
Regexp: Why? What? Where? When? by Cheetah, Apr 8, 2-3pm
If you've never used a regexp, more that likely they're a bit scary. If you
have, you might wonder whether you're getting the most out of them. Or
maybe you're so thrilled with them that you're over-using them? This
workshop with Cheetah will go over why you'd want to use a regexp, how to
write them, figuring out what looks like a 'regexp job', and when /not/ to
use them. There will also be time for more advanced regexp use, so even if
you already know regexps, you might learn something new.
MUSHing looks muddy, by Boris, Apr 14, 3-4pm
I would like to have a conversation about the future of mushing. It is my
position mushes must move to more code-based systems, and less on RP (as in
many muds). I see a fundamental demographic shift heralded by Everquest,
and cemented with World of Warcraft. I do not think standard pose-based
roleplay has a bright future. Some points I hope to cover:
re: April 14, 3-4 pm. Boris presents MUSHing looks muddy
I would venture that the future of MUSHing & bringing new players to text-based gaming is near and dear to all our hearts. Thank you for presenting a forum for this conversation, I'll be there with bells on. WoW scares the *** outa me as an RPer, because the kids love it, and they are the future. But then, I'm old and I tend to hate most "fundamental demographic shifts."
Impro with Elvie!, by Elvira, Apr 24, 5-7pm
A workshop on improvisation from comedy to drama and with influence from
Keith Johnstone and theatre sports. No experience necessary and lots of fun
and laughs to be had.
Holographic projector demo, Apr 3, 7pm
The Ghost of Trispis has taken residence in the 101 Schoolhouse. A new holographic projector system is now available in specific locations within the Schoolhouse for presenting past (present and future) 101 lectures. This event will demonstrate, describe, and explain the features of this new system, featuring a special never-before-seen appearance by "the ghost of Trispis" (that's just a spooky way of saying 'a holographic projection of Trispis').
How to attend
I suppose this is as good a place as any to mention this.
This is for those of you who might have been pointed here by a friend, but have never connected to a MUSH before.
Pay a visit to www.mushcode.net and you can find a list of software (called "clients") on the resources page. (While there, you can also see the 101 lecture logs in their current 'static' state.)
After installing a client, have it connect to M*U*S*H at
address: mush.pennmush.org
port: 4201
After creating a character on M*U*S*H, take the newbie tour before agreeing to the AUP -- the tour will teach you everything you need to know in order to attend these events. After you take the tour and agree to the AUP, you'll be able to get any further assistance you might need from the other connected players.
Writing Ruby bots by Walker, Apr 19 4-6pm
A simple tutorial on writing a ruby bot, aimed at beginning programmers and those new to bot writing.
Stage 1) Install Ruby and Interactive Ruby.
Stage 2) Connect to M*U*S*H and say hello with your bot.
Stage 3) Writing a script for your bot.
Stage 4) Using WalkerBot.
Stage 5) Adding Modules to WalkerBot
Indie RPG and your MUSH, by Ide, Apr 22 2-4pm
We'll be hosting a discussion on using the ideas from the new indie RPGs in your mush. What exactly is an indie RPG? What are these story games people keep talking about? Why would I want to use these ideas in my MUSH? We'll bring all these questions and more to the table. Join us