OOC:ZMO

OOC	This article is strictly OOC. Referencing anything in this article in-character is likely to make people look at you funny.

The following is a short adaptation of the forum's howto on Zone Master Objects (ZMOs). As always, you can consult the help files for additional details, which with zones are substantial.

What most people would like to do when building is to have a neat little bracketed portion of the room name. For instance, [Yuriba] Village Center. This is done by use of ZMOs, though it's worth mentioning that this is only part of how useful a ZMO can be. But first, the basics:

Let's say you and your friend Susie want to build an area named Sparkling Waters. Here's what you'd do :

@create Sparkling Waters
@lock Sparkling Waters==me|=*Susie
@lock/zone Sparkling Waters==me|=*Susie
@lock/chzone Sparkling Waters==me|=*Susie

There, ZMO created! Some explanation, since it's always good to know why you're typing in these commands: the first command simply creates an object. The second locks it; in this case, you and Susie are the only players allowed to mess with the object. The third ensures only you and Susie can modify anything in that zone. Last, the fourth command says that only you and Susie can add objects to the zone.

In general, people also set the object DARK, but it's not a necessary step. It simply keeps things tidy, and in general you don't really need (or want) to see your ZMO in order to use it.

@set Sparkling Waters=dark

But... how do you get things added to the zone? Well, let's assume the Sparkling Waters zone is object #123. So when Susie builds a new room, she'd stand in it and type this :

@chzone here=#123

Or, if it's an object :

@chzone This Thing=#123

Any object on the zone can be controlled by those on the @lock/zone. Anyone on the @lock/chzone can add new things to the zone. And that's about it! Nice and easy. You can have as many objects and rooms in the zone as you like, subject of course to your own quota. And, more helpful, this allows you and a friend to collaborate on a building project, without forcing one or the other to do all the work. Needless to say, this also means you should probably only share zones with people you trust. Also, there's no requirement you share the zone with anyone; they'll still work perfectly well locked to yourself, and certain parent-related advantages will persist.