[Thunder]

In case you haven't heard, the 2011 Chatterbox Challenge is open and accepting contestants.  Several rule changes should allow a lot more bots to enter (no clone restriction) and a top prize of $1,000, thanks to new sponsorship, is expected to draw lots of competitors.  There's also a return to Public Voting, which affords all bots an equal chance at proving their popularity.
 
 
This is a chance for any botmaster of any bot to gain recognition for hard work, creative thinking, and for putting in a lot of long hours.
  

The entry deadline is March 15th.

CLICK HERE to read the rules.

[Freddy]

Thanks Thunder, you should pop in more often 

I know GeekCaveCreations is entering, not sure about our other bot creators yet though.

[squarebear]

I wasn't going to after getting disqualified last year but I guess the lure of $1,000 heals old wounds! 

[Art]

Steve,

You really should. Look upon this as a new opportunity with a fresh, clean slate!!

A lot of life is about "missed opportunities" and trying not to have them!!

You can quote me on that if you want! 

[DaveMorton]

Well, Mitsuku is a lot sexier than Morti, but I think Morti has the better (well, more entertaining) personality. ALICE is a grand old lady, but I'm tired of hearing about her green dress. Jaberwacky is just confused, and Chompsky has no sense of humor. Do I think Morti has a shot at the title? Probably not. Do I want him to at least do well, or even possibly win? ab~so~LUTELY!!!

[Bragi]

I've entered this year. Mostly to get some experience and exposure, cause Aici isn't nearly ready for prime time.
@ squearebear: I know there were some troubles last year (don't know the details though), but why exactly did they disqualify you last year?

[Freddy]

Wow so three members to support so far, impressive.  Best of luck to all of you guys 

[Thunder]

@ squearebear: I know there were some troubles last year (don't know the details though), but why exactly did they disqualify you last year?

I hope my friend Square Bear doesn't mind my responding to your question.

There was (and is no longer) a rule against entering clones.  That meant that no more than one Pandorabot could enter and since Pandorabots are mainly ALICE, that cut the rest of us out.  It's not sour grapes, I'm just reporting, but several "clone" bots slipped through the cracks and made it into the finals even after Mitsuku left the competition, and not only AIML bots.  Some made the argument that the best known AIML bots had been substantially altered, and were not merely clones of ALICE.  At the time of Mituku's disqualification, she was in the lead in the final round... even ahead of ALICE.  Truly, the disqualification (based on one question) was a fluke and shouldn't have occurred

Lots of us complained about the infamous "clone rule" and this year it's been dropped.  The contest organizer is hoping that this will lead to a large number of bots entered which will, in turn, will offer the sponsor greater exposure.  The key to keeping the contest coming back next year is, no doubt, having a large field of entrants this year.  If you have any friends with chatbots, you might encourage them to enter.

[Bragi]

I see. Makes sense to allow everyone. If you spend the time at it. I talked a little with Mitsuku and I wouldn't have said it was based on AIML. I had expected more something like what Bruce is using (it was picking up repetition in the questions nicely). It's a very good bot.
I've already been poking here and there to get people to enter. 50% luck so far 

[DaveMorton]

To be honest, I wouldn't mind at all if a few folks stopped in and chatted with Morti a bit, so that I could generate some new conversation logs to go over. That would help me to locate and correct some responses that may need improvement. And, of course, I'd be more than willing to return the favor, should someone else ask.

[squarebear]

Thanks Thunder for explaining. Saves me a lot of typing!

Dave(GeekCaveCreations) - Do you want me to promote Morti through one of MItsuku's pickup lines? She says a few random lines when a user connects to her. I can soon change one of them to "Do you want to chat to my friend Morti"? I did this for a few other chatbots in the past and their owners reported that it was useful.

[DaveMorton]

That would be awesome, Steve (SquareBear)! In return, I'll see about doing the same for Mitsuku. We'll form our own little "mutual admiration society".

Of course, I'm still working on some technical issues, so don't be surprised if your visits turn up some odd responses, or error messages. I'm working my tail feathers off to get them fixed.

[squarebear]

Ok that is now set up. She will ask 1 in 5 people if they wish to talk to Morti and open Morti's website if they say yes. I get all sorts of visitors to Mitsuku, some sensible and some not, so you might get a mixed bag of logs to check.

Hope it helps.

[Freddy]

Very nice of you SquareBear

Actually, while you are about; I was wondering about putting your site with all the AIML code in the Member's Project page here.  Let me know if you are interested.  Would need an image the same size as the ones we are already using...

[squarebear]

Sure Freddy. That sounds good. You can use this picture if you like:
http://www.square-bear.co.uk/aiml/sbaiml.jpg

My AIML site is at: http://www.square-bear.co.uk/aiml/