Why Do We Like Chatbots?

December 4th, 2011 by

What is it that appeals to us about chat bots? Is it the marvel of having a machine talk back to us as if it understood thought? The technological fascination of it? Is it the desire to make friends because we are lonely? Tired of normal relationships? Or is it a wish to share our deepest secrets with someone who will not judge us back?

Whatever the reason we enjoy them, there is surely one truth: we want to communicate. We want to express ourselves. They give us all an avenue to explore our ideas and thoughts with another mind.

Some minds are better than others. There has surely been thousands of attempts to create the perfect talking computer mind. And if truth be told, we are getting better at creating virtual minds that will someday walk besides us on the journey we call Life.

The phenomena all started many years ago with chat bots like Eliza and Richard Wallice the creator of Alice chat bot. Until then you could only find chat bots in movies like 2001 and in TV shows like the Twilight Zone. Even then at that early stage, dreamers where already dreaming about the day that we could talk to computers the way we talk to each other.

Probably the most popular of them these days is called Alice – created by Richard Wallace. Alice uses AIML – a markup language designed specifically for designing chatbots. Alice has been the competitor and winner in the Turning test many times. The Turing Test is a chat bot competition that pits chat bots against real humans. The trick is to fool the human to think he is talking to a real person. Although many creators win each year there is a consensus that there has not been one of them created yet that can actually fool a human being for very long. This is soon to change however with the never ending progress to create better artificial intelligence.

They are everywhere. Companies use them on their websites to promote their products. There are even virtual girlfriends these days for the lonely of heart who seek to create virtual relationships with cute avatars.

Why are they so important? They will eventually be needed to run in androids and robots. We all dream of the day when our android can speak to use about any topic we dream about. Creating smart androids and robots who can speak clearly is important and chat bots are the seed from which they will be created.

So you see, they are very important to the future. Whoever can create the smartest and most fluid speaking bot will have created a stepping stone toward the future.

How to Find the Greeting Card Software for You

December 3rd, 2011 by

In today’s technology driven world, many people are finding new and interesting ways to utilize technology for their own personal use. There are many different ways that people are finding technology to help them with their everyday lives, and one of these ways is through using card software to help them make their own personalized greeting cards. Like everything else in today’s economy, the price of a standard greeting card seems to be rising, with many greeting cards costing upwards of $5 a piece. Over time, this can get very expensive for individuals, especially considering the fact that most cards eventually get thrown away. However, thanks to technology, there are actually card software programs you can use to help you create your own affordable holiday, birthday or thank you cards.

Before buying any card software, always look to find one that you can experiment with first before buying. When a program is both user friendly and gives you everything you are looking for this is probably the best card creation device for you. It is important to be able to use any software before you purchase. Once you find a quality electronic card creation software program you can use this program to create all different types of cards for a fraction of the price of purchasing traditional paper cards from the store. Many people are using these electronic cards for a number of reasons, and they are becoming especially popular for individuals who are throwing or hosting large parties or get togethers.

If you are planning a large party, especially one for a friend or loved one, like an engagement party or bridal shower, you will find that the cost of this party can be damaging on any budget. A great way to save some money is to send all of the invitations to the event with electronic cards. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars to buy and mail paper invitations, you can achieve the same effect with quality electronic cards. You will also save yourself a lot of time as well, considering the amount of time involved with filling out and addressing so many individual times. With the right software program that you actually know how to use, this can be done in just minutes.

This is just one of the many ways that card creation software programs are used to save people both time and money, especially when they need to send cards or invitations to larger groups of people. When it comes to getting your cards or invitations created and sent out, there is no better way than through a quality electronic card creation software. Once you find a program that works with your operating system and that you can easily figure out how to use, then you can be on your way to easily creating an endless number of electronic cards in no time at all.

Seven Advantages of Online Learning

December 3rd, 2011 by

Are you concerned because you have failed to complete your education due to some personal problem? You need not worry anymore! Online learning now offers a more effective way of imparting education to students than the traditional method of classroom teaching. I have discussed below the seven advantages that online learning provides to all types of students.

In 2008, a survey was conducted by the University of Florida on 20 virtual schools in 14 states. The researchers stated that the “average yearly cost of online learning per full-time pupil was about $4,300″. They compared the 2008 figure with the data of a 2006 survey that found out the annual average cost per student in public schools to be $9,100.

Distance No Barrier

With online courses, you can enjoy learning while staying at any place across the world. You don’t have to bother going to school and attending the classes regularly. You can freely access the courses or subjects offered by the institutions over the Internet, anytime, 365 days of the year.

Effective Education

The online teaching method leads to far more effective results than what its classroom counterpart does. Students get to interact with their instructors online and resolve their queries accordingly. This web-based teaching system gives more room for exchange of ideas and other valuable information.

Interactive Teaching

Both the students and the teachers can engage in live discussions whenever they wish. Webinars can be organized throughout the year where you will get to hear the expert advice of well known instructors. You can ask questions and solve your course-related doubts.

No Software or Hardware Fixing

You don’t have to buy, install, or maintain any software or hardware to learn online. You can apply for admission to any class during a given Cloud-based semester. Everything from registration to sending of fees can be done over the Internet without you being physically present to complete the process.

Reduce Expense

Organizations can save money as well as time while using the Cloud-based learning method. You don’t have to spend much dollar on infrastructure. The money that you would spend on buying food or coffee gets saved once you enroll for an online course. What’s more! You can become a local library member and borrow text books instead of waiting to get one reserved by some other pupil of the campus.

Earn Degrees Conveniently

You can conveniently earn an online degree while doing a job. Since the system allows you to study anytime, you get the time to finish your other important tasks.

Offers Greater Flexibility

The online teaching method lets students to start a course and end it depending on their convenience. There is no fixed time for study and hence, you can easily divide time for doing a job at daytime and studying at night.