Tephra's MPI & MUF Code

It had been a while since I was really active with either MPI or MUF so I decided the best way for me to remember what all my notes and files meant was to put them up on pages for other people to use. As it's turned out writing these pages has gotten me back on the mucks and playing with MPI so these pages might grow even as I work to complete the backlog. Some of these pages aren't necessarily the best ways to accomplish the effects, I'm just blowing the dust off my first MPI efforts. If I feel the urge to clean up and find better ways to do them I'll update the pages.

EVERYTHING ON THESE PAGES IS COPYRIGHTED

Given the nature of MPI, and the way I present it here as simplified forms in tutorials, you're going to have to learn something to use it. :) No 'deluxe edition' will be published. Do not ask me for "Tephra's Pan-dimensional Closet" because I will not give it to you. The bulk of such things are simply properties full of descriptive phrases, sentences, or lists anyway.

My MUF programs may be installed on MUCKs only if unaltered. My header information (with my name, email address, revision date, and all program documentation) MUST be preserved. If a program needs to be altered to work on a MUCK contact me first.

You will need an M (mucker) bit to install MUF code. MPI requires the B (builder) bit. Most mucks give all characters the B bit, but some limit it just like the M bit. Always check your MUCK's rules about the use of MPI and MUF before installing code.

Some Helpful Sites to Visit:

The MPI Reference Guide would be a good companion site to visit as would the MPI Manual for TinyMUCK. Both sites are very complete references for primitives.

An Introduction to MPI is a bit less 'techie' and easier for a beginner but has limited reference value once you get started.

Most MUCKs will have links to recommended MPI and MUF reference sites on their homepages. Also check the resources available on the MUCK itself, generally typing mpi will give you the MPI Manual and typing news often will present you with assorted help and policy files.

Always read the policy files regarding programming, ignorance of the policy won't keep you from being @toaded and banned for breaking the rules.

MPI in character descriptions:

Adding a changeable property to your character - Why use the morph hammer to change your clothing or eye color? Save that for big changes and add a few MPI properties to handle the small details.

Making a command to change one property - Well the properties are cool but you have to do that @set me=prop:description thing when you want to change them. By storing the descriptions on your character you can use MPI to make a simple command to switch them with ease.

Making a 'pan-dimensional closet' - Now that you have MPI in your character @desc and a how to make a basic command to change properties let's put all those properties on an object (to reduce the clutter on your character) and attach the command to it.

Enlarging your closet - Why change just one type of prop? By making your command more versatile you can change many types of properties while only using one command with multiple names.

A fur of a different color - Tired of one command changing only one property at a time? Here's how to change multiple properties at once. The details behind Tephra's 'colorme' command.

Morph hammer? We don't need no steenkin' hammer. - Tired of the limited properties handled by the standard morph hammer? Here's now to make your own MPI morph command that changes the properties you want to change, and leaves the rest alone.

But your eyes were open! - How to make a sleeping description for your character. Note that combining this with the MPI morph command could get really complex, but it can be done!

Snuggling your sweetiepie honeybunch - Have someone (or ones) that you like to snuggle in your sleep? Here's how to adjust your sleeping description to change based on if your sweetie is snoring in your ear or out roaming around.

MPI in room and object descriptions:

Parents and environments - If you do complex building you really should have your own parent or environment room. It gives you a place to put your custom MPI macros and MUF program scrolls, as well as giving you someplace to hang your area wide actions.

Write your own obvious exits macro - Don't like the way exits are listed by default? Here's how to write your own.

The scent of a room - On Sociopolitical Rammifications smell here shows only the scent of players in the room. This wrapper adds in the scent of the room as well.

Looking through a window/door - Have a room that people should be able to see into? Here's now to add a listing of players, with correct grammar, to your description.

Functional MPI objects:

A locket for remembrance - A locket that opens and closes. Very simple but with carefully crafted descriptions also very elegant.

Lock a door for privacy but don't lock yourself out - How to lock a door with MPI but have it unlock if the person in the room falls asleep or teleports out.

They check in... and they check out - Make a guest book that people can sign in, and sign out. Ideal for hotels and dormitories.

MUF programs:

Watch your step - A trap door program originally written for Realms and available on Timescape and FurryMUCK. Requires an M2 bit because it moves players around.

Did you see that fish fly by? - Move an object randomly through a fixed set of rooms.

The MUCK on the Edge of Forever - Who wouldn't want a portal that shows you different worlds, and lets you enter them if you time it right?

 

MUCKing Page
Diversions

 

©1997-2001 Lynn A. Davis

The background is a line of MPI code used to display the occupants of a room in the description of the door into the room.