Zugg Software :: Speedwalking with the Map

Speedwalking with the Map

While maps are useful as visual aids, they are even more important as a speedwalk tool. Once you successfully create a map of a MUD zone, you can then use it to quickly travel to any location.

Consider normal speedwalking using paths. You create a path to go from one location to another. For example, you might create a path the takes you from the temple to the magic shop. However, this path will only work if you are currently at the temple. If you are somewhere else on the MUD, you must first walk to the temple, then use your speedwalk path to go to the magic shop.

If you have the area mapped in CMUD, you simple double-click the magic shop room and CMUD will automatically generate the shortest speedwalk path to that location. With an accurate map, you can move to any location by just double-clicking on it! This makes maps one of the most valuable tools for a MUD client. You never have to worry about getting lost and can get anywhere you want quicker than most any other players (unless they are using the CMUD mapper too).

The mapper will perform speedwalking three different ways: Fast, Safe, Slow. You can choose your speedwalking preference in the Speedwalking section of the Map Properties in the Edit menu.

With Fast speedwalking selected, the movement commands to get to the destination room are sent all at once to the MUD. This is the fastest way to walk, but also the most dangerous. Because they are sent to the MUD at one time, any commands you enter are now received by the MUD *after* all of the speedwalk commands. Thus, if a monster attacks you along the way, your kill command will be delayed, and the mapper may also lose track of where you are (it will think you reached the destination when you didn't). Even though Fast walking is Fast, it is not recommended. Many mud also limit the numbers of commands that can be buffered, and even the shortest path can add up quickly.

Both Safe and Slow modes use #OK triggers to update map position. The mapper uses the room name to create such a trigger unless you check the Match Room description during speedwalk box in the Speedwalk page of the mapper configuration. When this is checked the first line of the room description is used to determine if a walking step was successful. If the Send #OK on speedwalk box in room properties is unchecked then the automatically created trigger for that room will not include the #OK command. Also, OK triggers that you have set up in the Slow Walking page of the preferences will confirm the mapper movement.

Safe speedwalking eliminates the problem of Fast setting your position to the wrong location. When using Safe mode the mapper sends the all direction commands, then watchs for the appropiate match before updating your displayed position. The advantage of this method is that you are only moved on the map when you actually successfully move on the MUD. Fighting monsters along the way is still problematic in this mode because all movement commands were already sent.

Slow speedwalking is very similar to Safe speedwalking, except that movement commands are sent one at a time. This is the most flexible way to speedwalk because the Slow Walk timeout can be used to abort a speedwalk in the middle, as can the #PAUSE and #STOP commands You can also send other commands in the middle of the walk. For example, if you encounter a monster and start fighting it, you would use #PAUSE, and then continue when done fighting using the #STEP command.