Bot Contest

Yes, there are plenty of free sites out there (though I doubt many have LISP interpreters or user-accessible Java machines running, or allow such to be installed.) Java applets would allow for nice, Powerpoint-esque animation.

When M*******t bring theirs out, the only difference will be that it will only run on an MS server, for which privilege they will charge you a monthly fee, demand possession of all ensuing intellectual property rights, and probably still want the blood of your first-born.

I think file stash lets you upload any sort of a file, you'd have tyo make your power point like presentation into a movie to put it on photobucket though. Personally, I have a javascript blocker and tend to avoid a lot of flash thingies too (though obviously I whitelist the PF). I usually choose to play movies if they look interesting.

I think file stash lets you upload any sort of a file,

Yes, you could upload any file, but you won't get a file to run if it needs an installed interpreter. You could upload a copy of notepad.exe, but it won't run. They won't routinely let you install such executables, since you'd be able to install viruses or any other malware, as well as breach all manner of copyrights.
And if you converted the powerpoint or java applet to a movie, you'd lose any interactive features.

You might be able to keep some interactivity in a flash app if their Flash thingummy is fully-featured enough, but I don't know enough (anything much) about Flash to be sure.

You're right, Psimagus! There would be many advantages to running it on the Forge!

Actually, I have a few small CPU's lying around that I never use ... if I connected them to the net, I suppose I could use them for servers.

So long as you're not on dial-up (or your 24/7 phone bill would be horrendous!) or dynamically assigned an IP number by your ISP (which would change every time you logged on, requiring much tiresome reconfiguring,) that would be a perfectly sensible option. Exactly what the Prof does (since we're having this conversation in a partition of his home PC, where the whole PF is hosted.)

Hmmmm, I'm beginning to understand why things are a bit slow.

I don't think it's a bandwidth problem - the Prof's got plenty of that. It's all just plain text after all, so even with thousands of bots and users online there, it wouldn't add up to a lot of data. I'd guess it's some sort of local network problem(?) at the other end (but that tends to be my catch-all scapegoat, since the finer points of LAN configuration are a mystery to me!)

Sometimes it's really slow when there's hardly anyone on, and sometimes it's fast when there are loads of people and bots online. And sometimes it's the other way around. If there was a consistent pattern, it would probably be easier to fix

It's very puzzling. It sometimes takes a long, long time just to go from one page to another!

There are a lot of good bots here at the Forge! Please don't be afraid to enter the Chatterbox Challenge! It's fun and free and you learn a lot. The medal is great! http://www.chatterboxchallenge.com/ or email
d_cowart@yahoo.com

All this Anti-Micro$oft talk is bringing me to realize that I am in fact trapped deep inside their mighty empire. I develop with MS .Net. I use MS windows. my databases run on a sql sever (MS) sql server. In fact, if you put me in front of a linux or other open source OS, I would be clueless.

Now I realize that the future of AI is not tied down to microsoft. So heres my question: How can I break free of them, while all the software and technology i use at work is strictly based on MS???? can i partition my HD and add a linux partition, or something?

I think you can partition. (See http://ftp.ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/dists/warty/main/installer-i386/current/doc/manual/en/index.html and http://ftp.ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/dists/warty/main/installer-i386/current/doc/manual/en/apas05.html). And you can refuse to upgrade to Vista. But I am not hardcore anti MS.

I run XP. I have been told I need to use IE for work (I telecommute) but I have found out I don't really need it. I just have to ignore what tech support tells me and solve my own problems. However, I do need to run my employers' clients on Windows, and I need to make Power Point presentations for work, and I have lots of software for Windows. If it were just docs I'd go open office, but as it stands, I'll keep XP a while.

I refuse to download WGA even though I have licenses for my copies of XP. I resent them making their issue my issue and trying to run their "advantage" on my PC. I am also afraid of the idea of them making a mistake and labeling my OS as possibly pirated and holding my data hostage even though I have legal copies of Windows. Just because I would be able to prove it doesn't mean I want to have to deal with the hassle.

I would be even more afraid of Vista. They already have false positives in their "genuine advantage" system and you have to continually keep proving it over and over again. Each time is a chance for a mistake that I will have to clear up. Even if they were right, I think you only get to reinstall the OS 3 times. What if I want to change my hardware around for some reason? I need MS approval? I don't want to have to call them because they have this insane belief they aren't making enough money. They sell most of their OS licenses to the people making the PCs. It comes preloaded. So all those average users who buy a PC with Vista on it will have to jump though hoops so MS can find the two pirated copies of Vista? Look, I can't prove it, but I think people smart enough to crack Vista won't be running it.

On the most superficial non techie end-user level, I don't like Vista because I work on my PC all day and I like things the way I like things. I'd have to upgrade my memory and sound card and video cards. If my hardware can handle their "cool" new interface for email and office use, I'd have to wait for someone to crack the OS so I could do what I want with it (just like I had to wait for people to show me how to change the login screens on XP). No matter how cool they think their UI is, I want to customize it to my specific taste and I don't want it to look like anyone else's (and someone better find a way to turn off that start up sound for those stuck with Vista at work--little things like that bother non techie end-users). I also hate that Paperclip guy in Office and I don't want my OS guessing what I am trying to do and sending me pop ups. People who have to use the software all day hate that crap. It's only cool to the people who don't use their computers.

MS isn't evil, but if things continue the way they seem to be going, I'll have to figure out how to do most things with Linux or another OS in th next few years. If they force me to change, why not go Linux? I have dug my old Performa out of the basement and I was going to put something called Minix on it, but I have to play with it a bit first to make it run again. Then I'll have something to play with before I switch.

I'm done ranting now. I promise.

I also hate that Paperclip guy in Office

There are alternatives. I rather like the little kitty cat. It purrs and scratches things up. You do have to install it from the Office disc, though; it's not preinstalled on most computers.