Decking and the matrix has been discussed in bits and bats throughout these forums and, infact, the topic of 'webifying' them like the QT's was also discussed recently, somewhere… in the thread for that 'Decker' game I think.
Anyhow, here's the gist of what I had to say over there... First up, ICly, at the moment, matrix VR technology is outlawed in Withmore. Yes, that's a sly way for us to justify it not being coded but it will also lead to a fairly extensive IC uber-plot when the matrix is coded and the anti-matrix laws are repealed. We plan a two tiered system for hacking using two IC OS's. The first to be released and the one that can be assumed to already exist in Withmore will be the CLI only matrix. No fancy graphics, no point and click, just you, your keyboard and your skillz. This will hopefully become the OS of choice for 'hardcore hacker' characters, something akin to today's alternatives to the M$ domination. The CLI system is already pretty extensively coded but the matrix itself isn't built up enough to release it. Once all that is in place the IC world will see political manouverings by some huge software dev company to move in on the prime Withmore market. This will lead to the release of the 'graphical' VR OS which will interface with the exact same 'matrix' but give you a whole new way to interact with it.
The problem I find with -many- CP games, online and paper RP, is that the 'matrix' or their equivelant always comes across as the exclusive domain of the hackers. The matrix I want to release will be accessible by -everyone- and there will be legitimate reasons for everyone to access it, however, hacker characters will have the skills and abilities to do all the 'extra' good stuff. Average Joe on the street will more than likely use the VR OS while Happy Hacker will need to use a combination of the VR and CLI OS's to perform to the peak of his potential. That said, both OS's will be quite usable on their own, just having the knowledge to use both will be beneficial in learning to best utilize the exploits and loopholes unique to each system...
Anyhow, back to DaveK's point about webifying the matrix. At this point in time I'm against doing that, the reason being that the matrix is an inherent part of a characters IC existence where-as the QuickTerms are simply a device used for accessing information. Already, the QT's don't see as much use as I'd like to see them getting and the mail system they offer is woefully inadequate. The hopeful/eventual addition of the Sindome client will help this situation by bringing the MOO itself and the web parts of the MOO together in one program, giving us the integration we need on the front end of the MOO to match the current integration of back end technologies. Once we can get that front end integration where your entire Sindome experience exists within one single client program capable of handling the MOO, QT's, character sheet, inventory window, SIC window and a variety of other game aspects, then I'd love to see a web driven matrix system. Until then, I see any additional IC web features as potentially harmful to the game, or at best, they will be underused and a wasted effort.
On top of all that, right now I simply don't want to see Sindome become one of those strange web/M* hybrids and so called 'evolutions' of M* gaming. I've played a few that, while technically impressive considering their non-commercial origin and state, are sadly lacking in community, enforced RP and/or playability. Going 'graphical' is our pipedream, yes and one day I'd love to see that happen, but I'm a firm believer that such a move needs to be thoroughly planned and -very- carefully implemented. Once we have a client capable of handling a major evolution of the game, the game will evolve, until then, I'm vary wary of any big steps to the web.
All that said, let it be known that the Sindome client I speak of is most definately an existing project. We have no definate information on a date when you might get to see any kind of release, alpha or otherwise, but from what I've heard the client is taking shape and already bears an impressive list of functioning and evolving features. Stay tuned.
