The following is an edited transcript of an on-line interview with Mehitabel (schMOOze identity of Julie Falsetti) and archy (schMOOze identity of Eric Schweitzer). They are being interviewed by Inbal (schMOOze identity of Barry Bakin). Mehitabel and archy are co-founders of the on-line community known as schMOOze U. In this transcript, since Inbal is transcribing from his computer, his statements are seen as coming from"You". The original Mehitabel and archy (from whom Julia and Eric got their inspiration) are the creations of writer and poet Don Marquis. True to character archy doesn't use capital letters since being a cockroach he can't reach the shift key.

These are the entrance gates to schMOOze University. To the north you can see a carved stone archway leading to the tree lined mall of the campus. To the south, you can hear the rumble of traffic on Bovine Way. To find out where things are on campus, just type MAP.

< connected: Inbal. Total online: 11 >

@who

Player name Connected Idle time Location
----------- --------- --------- --------

Inbal (#1691) 7 seconds 0 seconds Another room
+ Mehitabel (#78) 3 hours 18 minutes Another room
+ archy (#79) 3 hours 24 minutes Another room

Mehitabel says, "Hi."
archy says, "Hi"
Inbal opens his notepad
You ask, "Do you want to answer some questions?"
Mehitabel says, "Sure."
archy serves the coffee and crumb cakes
Inbal reaches for the crumb cakes
You say, "First question"
You ask, "How would you describe schMOOze U in general terms?"
Mehitabel points Inbal to the mission statement

help mission
===========================================================

schMOOze U. is a small, friendly college known for its hospitality and the diversity of the student population. It was established in July, 1994 as a place where people studying English as a second or foreign language could practice English while sharing ideas and experiences with other learners and practicers of English. Students have opportunities for one-on-one and group conversations as well as access to language games, an on-line dictionary, USENET feed, and gopher access. Although schMOOze U. was founded with the ESL/EFL student in mind, it welcomes all people interested in cross-cultural communication.

Mehitabel says, "But in general terms, a place for people to practice English and make friends."
You ask, "What distinguishes schMOOze U from other ESL sites that teachers and students can find on the WWW today? Why should the average ESL student choose schMOOze U over some other ESL site?
Mehitabel says, "I don't think they choose it *over* another one. It has a different purpose."
Mehitabel says, "But schMOOze is the only place where one can practice English and be part of a community at the same time."
archy says, "text is not the same as talking."
Mehitabel [to Inbal]: archy is a computer science teacher.
You ask, "It is interesting that you bring that up. Some instructors are starting to experiment with new voice-based Chat capabilities on the Internet. Do you see schMOOze remaining as a text-based interactive site or being replaced at some time in the future with a voice or image-based interactive site for language learners?"
archy says, "this is a completely text based medium. The students are practicing reading and writing skills"
Mehitabel says, "We will remain text based."
archy says, "voice would need much more advanced hardware to mediate the traffic."
Mehitabel says, "schMOOze is a virtual world. It takes imagination. We don't want to take out that factor."
You ask, "What is your personal favorite activity at schMOOze U?"
archy says, "just hanging out chatting with friends"
Mehitabel says, "We have made a lot of RL (real life) friends here."
archy says, "mehitabel and I got into this because we were gamers and saw a use for the medium in teaching ... we are still gamers"
you ask, "Is it correct that you are the co-founders of schMOOze U?"
archy nods
Mehitabel says, "Yes, we are the founders and owners."
You ask, "What does it mean when you say owners. Are you getting any financial return on the time you have invested developing and maintaining schMOOze?"
archy says, "nope"
You ask, "Nada, zilch, nothing, not a penny?"?
Mehitabel says, "No, but I put out money. I own the machine we are running on."
You ask, "Where is it?"
Mehitabel says, "At Hunter College. They give us the connectivity."
archy says, "it's a pentium1, I think 100mhz, 96 mb ram, 1 gb hard drive. "
Mehitabel says, "But, we receive no funding, no money at all."
You ask, "How much time do you spend at schMOOze U either interacting with users or upkeep type activities?"
Mehitabel says, "Too much."
archy says, "probably 3-4 hours / day"
Mehitabel nods.
Mehitabel says, "We keep an eye on things."
archy says, "but it isn't constant ... I often prep classes while idle."
You ask, "Has anybody ever pointed out to you the fact that that is a lot of time to invest in something that offers no financial return?"
archy says, "my spouse. frequently."
Mehitabel says, "Mine too."
archy says, "but we built it first, and then when we tried to get funding no one seemed interested."
You ask, "So other than increasing marital tension, just what do you get out of this whole process?"
archy exclaims, "the ultimate for a mudder (person who uses Multi-User Domains) ... we are wizzen!"
You ask, "So there is pride of creation?"
Mehitabel says, "Many people have thanked me for creating schMOOze."
Mehitabel says, "And yes, there is pride. We were the first ESL/EFL moo." (a moo is a type of MUD)
archy says, "actually, I'm serious about wizing, but there is pride of creation, knowing that one is aiding the educational experience of others, and just knowing that I've met folks here from all over the world"
Mehitabel says, "Plus, we are still going. It has been 5 _ years. That is a long life for a moo."
You ask, "When you are not mooing what else are you involved in? Do you have any official positions? Titles?
Mehitabel says, "Instructor at the International English Language Institute (IELI) at Hunter College. I Teach ESL and an intro computer science course. archy is an instructor in computer science at Hunter College."
You ask, "So both of you are pretty strong in the computer science field as well?"
Mehitabel says, "archy is more so than I am."
You ask, "You mentioned that you were gamers first. Is it accurate to say that the computer field was your primary area of interest at the beginning?"
archy says, "mehitabel has been using computers in daily life since the xt was new."
Mehitabel says, "ESL was my primary interest when I created schMOOze."
You ask, "What are the minimum technological requirements for a successful visit? What does one need to do to visit schMOOze?"
Mehitabel says, "I guess the minimum is a computer and internet access."
archy says, "that's about it ... any sort of connection that affords telnet will work."
archy says, "better to have a client (a special software program that makes using telnet easier), but there are clients for just about every platform out there"
Mehitabel says, "you could access schMOOze with the first PC ever made."
You ask, "Being able to visit schMOOze directly from the website is relatively new. Tell us what that involves and how it is different from using telnet?"
archy says, "it is much easier to read .. 'raw' telnet is a pain."
You ask, "would you recommend that first time users try visiting from the website if they can?"
Mehitabel says, "I would recommend using a client program."
archy says, "you need a java enabled web browser."
Mehitabel says, "A real client is better than the web interface."
You say, "So if your browser is java enabled to get acquainted with schMOOze it is ok to visit using the browser, but if you really want to participate in all of the activities a client program like Pueblo is worth the effort."
archy says, "check the place out with the web, if you like it get a client"
You ask, "What types of things are at the website? Why don't you let everyone know the URL?"
Mehitabel says, http://schmooze.hunter.cuny.edu:8888
archy says, "there is a link there to 'visit schmooze'"
Mehitabel says, "Links to moo help pages, moo articles, and links to player's homepages."
Mehitabel says, "Links to client info too."
You ask, "How many visitors to schMOOze U have there been?
archy wows ... 320,000 hits
You ask, "Can you put that in a frame of reference per year, per month?"
Mehitabel says, "That is how many people have looked at the website from the beginning."
You ask, "How about visitors who have acquired their own identities and visit schMOOze itself fairly frequently?"
Mehitabel says, "We have 638 registered players now. "
You say, "Do you have any statistics on number of ESL learners versus instructors or just folks who are having fun at schMOOze"
Mehitabel says, "Most are learners, maybe 75% non-native speakers."
archy says, "no statistics ... but my gut says more than 2/3 are learners"
You ask, "How about language level. Can low-level learners participate successfully?"
Mehitabel says, "If they can type and want to communicate."
You ask, "What developments do you see in schMOOze U's future?"
Mehitabel says, "That is up to the people who use it. For example, the culture center was created by the players here."
You ask, "So once players get more experience, they can add to schMOOze?"
Mehitabel says, "And teachers have ideas too as how they want to use it and what facilities they need."
archy exclaims, "oh yes! That is the fun part!"
Mehitabel says, "Yes, definitely."
You ask, "Do you have any final comments for readers of the article who have never visited schMOOze U?"
archy says, "a sense of place is very important to the fantasy here, and the reality is reinforced by the things players make."
Mehitabel says, "We are a very nice group of people and we invite them to come and join our community.
schMOOze isn't a 'chat room'. People here stay around for years. There are not tons of people coming and going. It is a lot like attending a small, elite college."
Mehitabel says, "you can include our email addresses:
"ershc@schmooze.hunter.cuny.edu
mehi@schmooze.hunter.cuny.edu."
You exclaim, "Thanks and good night!"
Mehitabel says, "Good night."
archy says, "good night"
Inbal goes back to RL
@quit

Barry Bakin is an ESL mentor teacher in the Division of Adult and Career Education of the Los Angeles USD. He teaches at Van Nuys Community Adult School