[lrh9]

The only feature I found to be slightly impressive was the if then remembering. You can make a statement in the form of If... then... and Hal will remember the ....

Maybe I was expecting too much though.

I didn't read what UltraHal was billed as.

[Maviarab]

Out of interest...what 'were' you expecting from Hal to be let down?

[lrh9]

Something a little more than preprogrammed or programmed responses.

What that something is exactly is a little hard to define.

Edit: Maybe it isn't exactly the fact that you have to program responses. Rote learning would be important for a chat application. Besides, I couldn't reasonably expect any more than that. Computers just haven't really advanced to the state of independent or original learning yet.

I think the main disappointment is that the way it learns is fixed. You have programmed responses, the if then learning, and maybe a few other ways, but that's it. It comes with a script of some sorts, but I'm not sure you can work new methods of response into it.

[Maviarab]

There are others way to get Hal to learn...and over time with repetative asking telling he/she will learn whatever it is you want him/her too but....

The if-then mehod is the most reliable, but as you say...then you are just merely becoming a bot master...

As you say....the technology (as far as were aware) just isnt here yet for what we want.

[lrh9]

Not trying to toot my own horn, but I think that my project could easily learn how to do if then responses. Of course, that is the easy, but then it could still learn other methods of response. I don't know the exact algorithm of how Hal responds to other statements and questions, but I think it would be possible for my project to accomplish that too, and more. Of course, I'll eventually have to show up or shut up so to speak.

[Maviarab]

hehe very true lrh 

Either way, look forward to your findingsand what you accomplish

[one]

The Ultra Hal Assistant , you might find, is clever at times and does have the ability to impress ,, from time to time.

P.S.
The 'Because' ,, I have found is as effective as an 'if-then' statement try an 'else' statement as well.

regards,
J.