Books are like a collection of notes. Each book has a bunch of chapters or pages, each with its own text that can be read individually or as a whole.
To create your own book, type @create #1709 named <name of book>. For example, you could create MyBook by typing
@create #1709 named MyBook
To open or close any book, use the commands open <book name> and close <book name>. You would open your newly created book by typing
open MyBook
You will want to make sure that you go to the appropriate page or chapter before you begin writing. To change pages or chapters, use the turn <book name> to <anything> command. If you want to write in Chapter 1, you would first type
turn MyBook to chapter 1
Each book comes preprogrammed with two chapters already containing text. You will want to erase this text by typing erase <anything> in <book name>. If you wanted to erase chapter two, you would type
erase chapter 2 in MyBookYou could also use the tear <anything> from <book name> command to remove a page or chapter. For example, tear chapter 3 from MyBook.
With write <anything> in <book name>, you will be able to add your own text to the book one line at a time. The text will be entered under the current chapter you have opened in the book. If you want to enter a line of text in chapter 1, you would turn to chapter 1 and type
write It all started late one day in August. in MyBookThe MOO will return:
Text added to end of chapter 1.
When someone reads chapter 1, they will now see
MyBook is currently opened to chapter 1.
It all started late one day in August.
You can write in chapters 1 and 2 because they have been programmed into the parent Chaptered Book object. However, you must insert subsequent chapters before you can write in them or title them. Use the command insert-chapter <anything> in <book name>. If you want to add a new chapter, for example, you would type
insert-chapter 5 in MyBook
To give your chapters headings, type title-chapter <anything> in <book name>. If you want to title your first chapter The Beginning, you would type title-chapter 1 in MyBook. You would be asked to enter a title, and you could then enter The Beginning.
If you want to check statistical information, such as the number of chapters, total number of words, or shortest chapter in a book, you can type statistics <book name>.
There are a number of commands that you can use once you have created a book or have found one that you are interested in viewing. The following is a list of these commands and their uses.
- contents <book name>
- Provides a table of contents if one exists--that is, if you have added headings to your chapters.
- read <book name>
- Read the current chapter/page of the book.
- read <anything> in <book name>. For example, read 2 in MyBook
- Read the chapter/page of the book whose number you specify.
- next/forward in <book name>
- Go to the next chapter/page and display its contents.
- prev/back in <book name>
- Go to the previous chapter/page and display its contents.
- turn <book name> to <chapter> For example, turn MyBook to 2
- Go to a specific chapter/page in the book.
- lookup/reference/index <anything> in <book name> For example, lookup metempsychosis in MyBook.
- Look up a specific word or phrase in your book. The MOO will respond with a list of the chapter, paragraphs, and section headings where the word or phrase can be found.
Once you have completed your book, you will need to drop it in a room so that other visitors are able to read it. To do this, use the commands drop <book name> or throw <book name>. For example, you would move to the desired destination and type:
drop MyBookIf you don't want to leave the book in a room, you can give it to a particular person by typing give/hand <book name> to <anything>. To ensure that your book returns to you or to the room in which you have placed it, use the @sethome <book name> to <anything> command. If you want MyBook to return to its proper location after people are done reading it, you would type
@sethome MyBook to hereHere refers to your current location, so make sure both you and the book are in the room you want when you issue the command.
If you want a copy of something you find in one of the books you read, or a copy of an entire book, you can have a copy emailed to you. You can type @mailme <chapter> in <book name> to have a chapter/page emailed to your address. To have an entire book emailed to you, type @mailme <book name>. Make sure you are aware of the length of the text before you request the entire book, since some books are extremely long.
For a complete list of these commands or help on using the Generic Chaptered Books, you can type either help <book name> or @examine <book name>: for example, help MyBook.
Written by Chelsea Kuzma. Revised by Leslie Harris. Please send comments and corrections to leslie.harris@plattsburgh.edu.