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:
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.
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 | |