About Zugg Software

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Zugg Software was formed in September, 1996, to produce high quality software for the Internet. Zuggsoft is based upon the new software paradigm of the Internet age in which rapid application development techniques can be taken to their next level. In the Internet age, software can be updated and distributed very quickly and inexpensively. At the same time, feedback from customers can be very easily collected via electronic mail. This combination results in software that is driven to customer needs, and software that can change as needed to keep up with new technology and directions.

All software developed by Zugg Software is driven by five key principles:

Software that hooks you from the first time you run it,
Software that is updated frequently based upon customer input and feedback,
Software that is easy-to-use for novice users,
Software that is completely customizable and programmable for advanced users,
Software that is affordable.

Who is Zugg Software

Zugg Software was created by Mike Potter (Zugg), the creator of the popular zMUD program. Starting as a hobby in 1995, then moving into Shareware in 1996 as an official business, Zugg was able to quit his daytime management position in September 1997 to pursue Zugg Software fulltime.  Zugg Software incorporated in January 2006.

Mike's Internet handle, Zugg, has its origin in the Dungeons & Dragons role playing games of the 1970s. If you are interested in the story behind Zugg, you can read both the role playing story, as well as the real-life story.

Zugg Software is a S-Corp, with two employees (Zugg, and his wife Chiara). Zugg is the owner, programmer, and floor sweeper. However, Zugg has had lots of help in bringing quality software to the Internet.   zMUD "Gurus" help with answering questions on the Forums and with testing pre-release versions of zMUD.   Gurus nominate and vote for other Gurus based upon the quantity and quality of messages being posted to the forums.  Last, but not least, Zugg's wife, Chiara, handles most of the day-to-day email support.

The zuggsoft.com web site is run by Wolfpaw.net which provides 24-hr system support, a dedicated 2 Ghz Pentium server running linux, and a fast OC3 connection to the Internet.

Zugg Software Timeline

Aug 1995     Zugg releases v1.0 of zMUD to fellow players on the Dark Castle MUD
Sep 1995   Zugg creates a web site to distribute zMUD as Freeware to the world
Sep 1996   zMUD v4.0 is released as Shareware -- Zugg Software officially formed
Feb 1997   zMUD registrations reach 1,000 much sooner than ever expected
Sep 1997   Zugg quits his day job to pursue zMUD and Zugg Software full time
Jan 1998   zMUD registrations reach 5,000
Jul 1998   Zugg Software joins the Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP)
Sep 1998   zMUD registrations reach 10,000
Oct 1998   zChat peer-to-peer chat client released as Beta
Aug 1999   zMUD registrations reach 20,000
Sep 1999   DoctorZ released
Feb 2000   AC Explorer released (free version)
Nov 2000   zMUD registrations reach 30,000
Feb 2001   AC Explorer Pro released as Shareware
Jun 2001   Zugg Software moves to Colorado
Dec 2001   AC Explorer registrations reach 5,000
Jun 2002   zMUD registrations reach 40,000
Jun 2002   Initial version of zMapper released
Sep 2002   zExplorer project released
Mar 2004   zMUD registrations reach 50,000
Jul 2004   zApp Development system released (Beta)
May 2005   zApp Public version released
Jan 2006   S-Corp Zugg Software Inc formed
Jun 2006   CMUD v1.0 released (Beta)
Dec 2006   CMUD Public version released