[MUD-Dev] Client platforms for rapid development of experimental worlds

[Ola Fosheim Grøstad <olag@ifi.uio.no>]

Computers are now quite fast and hardware graphics acceleration is
pretty much standard. What viable platforms are out there for
graphical client development?

Some technology platform requirements:

  A. provide reasonable customization through a programming language
  B. reasonable access to networking streams
  C. easy to implement chat interface
  D. reasonably fast rendering engine / graphics interface
  E. architecture which promotes evolutionary development
  F. sound playing capabilities
  G. desirable: no proprietary installation requirements
  H. desirable: portability

Given these requirements, what are my options? Hopefully somebody on
the list have some suggestions or answers to my questions. I am so
far aware of these options:

1. VRML
-------

This is of course one of the most promising technologies. Although I
am uncertain about whether they browsers let you access networking
streams. My impression is that those that implement multi-user
features use java and vrml. And the chat interface also seem to be
somewhat troublesome. Anyone with some hands-on experience?

2. multi-user clients
---------------------

Blaxxun's Contact 5.1 seem to be one VRML based option, but I have
no idea how it interacts with the server. What kind of protocols are
involved? Is it feasible to write your own server or do you have to
buy a license?

Adobe's Atmosphere is proprietary, but of decent quality and is to
support javascript. It probably meet most requirements to some
extent.  However I haven't seen any documentation of protocols.

3. DOMs and javascript
----------------------

Using the browser DOM is the most portable and perhaps versatile
option, especially with high quality plugins such as Adobe's SVG
implementation. I am however not sure of how to implement the
networking code in a reasonable manner by using ECMAScript
(javascript). Anyone know how to implement a smooth chat interface
in ECMAScript? (assuming HTTP 1.1 persitent connections and a
customized webserver).

4. DOMs and java
----------------

I have no actual experience with this. Does most plugins provide a
java DOM? What are the disadvantages?

5. Pure java
------------

Clearly the most versatile solution, but demanding in terms of
development time and probably not as efficient when it comes to
rendering as VRML/DHTML/SVG solutions.

--
Ola - http://folk.uio.no/olag/





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