Resource of the Week
Instant Messaging: SmarterChild is Back With a New Beta
SmarterChild is an instant messaging chatbot that might be of interest to you. It’s important to remember that this implementation is only a BETA from a technology company called ActiveBuddy. Nevertheless, I don’t think it will be difficult to vision how this type of technology could be used by a library or information center. Last year another version of SmarterChild was available but it went offline in July.
So, How Can You Test and Use SmarterChild? It’s simple!
1) Open Your AOL Instant Messaging (AIM) Client and IM: tobesmarterchild
2) Note: If you don’t have access to AOL IM Software You Can Use AIM Express (a Java Based IM Client). You’ll Still Need to Have an AIM Account. Don’t Have an AIM Login? You Can Get One Here for Free. You Do NOT Need to Have an AOL Account.
3) If These Options Don’t Work for You, You Can Demo the Technology Using a Web Based Interface. This Version Offers A Few Different Choice Than the AIM Beta Version.
What Type of Content is Available With This Beta?
* You Can Start Asking by Asking a Question. However, I Suggest Getting a Quick Overview by Asking SmarterChild, “What Can You Do?”
* Content includes news, sports scores, dictionary, thesaurus, calculator, translations, and more!
Here are a Few Questions I Asked SmarterChild
* What is the Capital of Australia?
* What is the Definition of Librarian?
* Please Translate “we need to leave for the airport in an hour” Into French
* Encyclopedia Tristan da Cuhna
See Also: Direct to the SmarterChild Home Page (SMS, E-Mail, and WAP Versions Available)
See Also: Direct to the ActiveBuddy Home Page

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 30th, 2003 and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.