def _raw_input(prompt=''):
            sys.stdout.write(prompt)
            sys.stdout.flush()
            try:
                sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
                sock.connect((input_host, input_port))
                userdata = sock.recv(1024)
            except socket.error:
                userdata = b'<user-input-unavailable>'
            finally:
                sock.close()
            return userdata.decode()