Questions on distributing creations, etc...

[the1kobra]

Over the break, I have decided I will (hopefully) put my hard earned talents at Java coding to good use. I was planning on making a text parsor adventure game, though, I wanted to ask some questions about distributing such a program, if I ever make it.
First question: How exactly would I distribute it? Assuming I have a file, where do I put it so I can give it out, I know I can distribute it via e-mail, but that is messy.
Second question: Should I expect most people to be able to compile and run Java language programs? Or should I also provide the tools to run it if not.
Third question: I'm running this on a windows, but with all system compatibility issues and whatnot, how would I give it out to people using Macs and Linux, etc...
Thats all I can think of for now, though, as I make this thing, I might have more questions to ask, simply because I have never done something like this before.

[Acaos]

If you want to make a text adventure, I strongly recommend doing it in TADS or Inform, the two standard text adventure systems. They will save you a lot of work and almost all text adventure aficionados will have them.

You should also look at the interactive fiction newsgroups and websites, as well as the I-F competitions, for inspiration and examples.

Also, Java is a major pain in the behind. Too much enterprise, not enough ease of use.

Acaos

[zerragon]

I can also recommend Diku mud, was my favourite mud text adventure system before I got neverwinter nights, which I kind of look at like a graphical mud.

Though, if you want to put your java coding skills into play, Diku mud is not the way to go, its C++ and so complete that you will only need to custom code if you got new ideas not yet implemented.

For distribution you could host your own server, or rent one like HG.
Though, to be warned, its EXTREMELY hard to get regular players for text adventure games, there are thousands of them, and many well established.
A irl HG friend of mine, Delthral, made his own a long time ago, maybe he can enlighten this thread with his experiences (hint hint)