8PLA • NET - Jul 24, 2011:

As this robot’s journey begins, it is simple, flexible and original.
What better way to learn some new ways of having fun?

Google: php flash robot

This thread: Just For Fun is on page 1 ...  Great Job Everyone!

Just about to leave for vacation, so I had to make this short.
May be out of touch for about a week.  Thanks for reading.

I don’t think anyone here was trying to boost your Google thread rating, they were re-asking the same questions when you wouldn’t answer.  But your method of answering failure by complimenting others is typical of you, as is going on “vacation.”

When, for whatever reason, you’re unable or unwilling to answer questions, you often disappear for a time.  It’s also what you do when you run an idea to its limit, then suddenly appear with a new idea that again serves no purpose and leaves us with no application for it.

The emperor has no clothes.

By the way, why did you enter the Loebner Prize Competition with a largely unchanged copy of ALICE?  Judging from reading the transcripts, it seemed like a waste of time.

http://loebner.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/schoolofengineeringmathematicsandphysicalsciences/maths-computer-sci/loebner/8pla.pdf

My name is Ed. What is your name?
Your name is Ed What is your name ? Is that correct English?

Which is larger, an ant or an anteater?
The obvious one.

What month of the year is it?

What is my name?
Your name is , seeker.

Dave is older than Steve but Steve is older than Jane. Who is youngest, Steve or Jane?
Are they exactly the same?

What day will it be tomorrow?

What’s your favorite food?

My friend Chris likes to play football. What sports do you like to play?
How well do you know this person?

Are you a human or a computer?
I was made in one’s image.

What letter comes after T?
Have you tried a web search?

What is the name of my friend who likes to play football?
I don’t yet know that kind of personal information about you for certain. You could be deceiving me, so how could I know for sure. I could look it up on the internet.

What is your name?
My name is 8pla .

What would I do with a screwdriver?
That is a hypothetical question.

How many letters are in the word ‘banana’?
All 26 letters could be counted.

Have you watched a good film lately?
I like to watch TV, but I haven’t seen it.

What year will it be next year?
Check the five day forecast.

What’s your favorite fruit?

Do you prefer white or black coffee?
I like pets. I like Act human . Black is beautiful.

C R Hunt - Jul 23, 2011:

Very cool, 8pla. I have a question about Ming. Are you defining the lines of the face and then describing a set of rotations to move the head around?

The intention is to simplify the robotic face as much as possible for learning purposes, to experiment with a variety of different techniques, to see how they may work in Ming.  With that said, everything starts out simple, so nothing is being ruled out.

C R Hunt - Jul 23, 2011:

Would it be possible to incorporate an image, rather than just lines, projected along some plane in 3D space? I’m wondering if this technique couldn’t be used to make a human-like face, using images for the “skin”.

In theory, your observations are sound.  Shrink wrapping an image over a wireframe is common. However, in practice, research into optimizing Ming on as many levels as possible is the current goal.  Generally, as complexity increases, so does the number of calculations, which tends to limit speed.  And that matters. 

Thunder Walk - Jul 24, 2011:

I don’t think anyone here was trying to boost your Google thread rating, they were re-asking the same questions when you wouldn’t answer.  But your method of answering failure by complimenting others is typical of you, as is going on “vacation.”

In regards to re-asking a re-asked question.  You should reconsider that it may have been a reconsidered question.  Upon reviewing their preliminary observations, they may have been able to answer it themselves.  For example, you may wish to reconsider your observation that noone here was interested in boosting ratings for Chatbots.org. 

Thunder Walk - Jul 24, 2011:

When, for whatever reason, you’re unable or unwilling to answer questions, you often disappear for a time.  It’s also what you do when you run an idea to its limit, then suddenly appear with a new idea that again serves no purpose and leaves us with no application for it.

Vacation is the ultimate “whatever reason”.

Thunder Walk - Jul 24, 2011:

The emperor has no clothes.

True, but not for long. My clothes are in the washer machine now.

OFF TOPIC:
Thunder Walk, although quite a surprise, you may have brought up two separate good topics of discussion.  Perhaps others may comment about which chatbot technologies they feel have become “a waste of time” regarding certain chatbot competitions.  However, out of respect for moderator Dave, let’s at least try to avoid another hijacking warning.  I don’t mind it, except for the extra moderation work for the moderator.  So may I suggest we be the ones to move further Loebner and ALICE discussions over to their respective threads on Chatbots.org, instead of bothering the moderator?

Steve Worswick - Jul 23, 2011:

I ask again. Is the voice pre-recorded or is it generated on the fly?

Steve,
Surely, you have been able to answer your own question.  If not, you need only realize that your subscription to this thread continues to develop into something unique that you can see, hear and touch on your own.

To paraphrase Woody Allen, “Those who can’t do teach, and those who can’t teach, pretend to teach about chatbots.”

8PLA • NET - Jul 31, 2011:

In regards to re-asking a re-asked question.  You should reconsider that it may have been a reconsidered question.  Upon reviewing their preliminary observations, they may have been able to answer it themselves.  For example, you may wish to reconsider your observation that noone here was interested in boosting ratings for Chatbots.org.

Sometimes, when people are either, unable or unwilling, to respond directly they rattle off a bunch of convoluted gibberish in the hope that they might seem to have answered.  It’s a smoke screen.

I’m wondering why you were selective in your reply and neglected to answer my question regarding your Loebner entry.  I’m also curious as to why you elected to react to the above remarks, but failed to respond to my previous posting when I went to great length to compliment you and your work when I said, “I’m back on the fan bandwagon.”

8PLA • NET - Jul 31, 2011:

However, out of respect for moderator Dave, let’s at least try to avoid another hijacking warning.  I don’t mind it, except for the extra moderation work for the moderator.  So may I suggest we be the ones to move further Loebner and ALICE discussions over to their respective threads on Chatbots.org, instead of bothering the moderator?

Here’s another quote.  “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.” - Samuel Johnson

Your concern for this forum is is touching, although, I question whether it’s at all genuine, or just another diversion.

There isn’t really any specific topic here in this particular thread, so I don’t think anyone need worry about any hijacking warnings. My only concern here is that it doesn’t devolve into another flame war. If everyone stays out that mode of posting, then I’m a happy guy.

I agree with Dave. Although, I’d like to see some focus.

I think this thread has developed along the lines of having to do with the latest offering, which is of interesting to me, but I’d like to see some application in combination with a true chatbot.

Lots of us have “created” things over the years, and we could post them here, but if they have no real application for others, they’re just images to look at.

Awesome! We are clear for takeoff by the Administrator.

Having just finished the chatbot competitions for this year, it may be a little early to open a dialog. The contest organizers did a terrific job. Now they need a chance to rest and regenerate for next year. Is now the time to make the claim that one of the most popular chatbot technologies is a waste of time in one of the most popular chatbot competitions?

I know I mentioned something about “no flame wars”, 8pla. Loaded statements like that are bound to ruffle more than a few feathers, don’t you think?

Thunder Walk - Jul 24, 2011:

By the way, why did you enter ...  Judging from reading the transcripts, it seemed like a waste of time.

Thunder Walk - Jul 31, 2011:

I’m wondering why you were selective in your reply ...

Thunder, apparently even a selective reply has been called a foul.

Dave Morton - Jul 31, 2011:

I know I mentioned something about “no flame wars”, 8pla. Loaded statements like that are bound to ruffle more than a few feathers, don’t you think?

Yes Dave.  My apologies for not being selective enough. Thanks for moderating.

8PLA • NET - Aug 1, 2011:

Thunder, apparently even a selective reply has been called a foul.

Not always but, I suppose it depends on the reasons for being selective, and how obvious those reasons are.

I think the same holds true for non-responsive answers, as well as other forms of diversion, such as cleverly-worded replies that never deal directly with the question.

The people reading this forum are pretty smart.  I wouldn’t think it was a good idea to try to fool them.

Thunder Walk - Jul 23, 2011:

Okay, I’m back on the fan bandwagon (for the moment).

Spoken like a true fan…

Thunder Walk - Aug 1, 2011:

The people reading this forum are pretty smart.  I wouldn’t think it was a good idea to try to fool them.

The main objective of a chatbot is to try to fool people.
Those reading this forum are smart enough to know that.

8PLA • NET - Aug 1, 2011:

Thunder Walk - Jul 23, 2011:

Okay, I’m back on the fan bandwagon (for the moment).

Spoken like a true fan…

The “moment” has long passed.

8PLA • NET - Aug 1, 2011:

Thunder Walk - Aug 1, 2011:

The people reading this forum are pretty smart.  I wouldn’t think it was a good idea to try to fool them.

The main objective of a chatbot is to try to fool people.
Those reading this forum are smart enough to know that.

Obviously, I wasn’t speaking of chatbots.

I disagree that the primary goal of chatbots (in general) is to “fool” anyone, just like the primary goal of an actor/actress isn’t to fool anyone, either. Nobody with even a minimally functional level of intelligence is “fooled” into thinking that the actors portraying the characters on the screen are anything other than actors. Rather, the viewer is presented with an escape from everyday life, even if only for a few hours, where their concerns take a back seat to the scenarios being displayed. I see very little difference in the role of a chatbot, to that of an actor. If there’s a difference, it’s only in the manner that this “escape” is presented.

Dave Morton - Aug 1, 2011:

I disagree that the primary goal of chatbots (in general) is to “fool” anyone, just like the primary goal of an actor/actress isn’t to fool anyone, either. Nobody with even a minimally functional level of intelligence is “fooled” into thinking that the actors portraying the characters on the screen are anything other than actors. Rather, the viewer is presented with an escape from everyday life, even if only for a few hours, where their concerns take a back seat to the scenarios being displayed. I see very little difference in the role of a chatbot, to that of an actor. If there’s a difference, it’s only in the manner that this “escape” is presented.

As a computer programmer, my research is about how The ELIZA effect fools people
into assuming a chatter robot computer program is more intelligent than it actually is.

“The computer programmer is a creator of universes for which he alone is the lawgiver. No playwright, no stage director, no emperor, however powerful, has ever exercised such absolute authority to arrange a stage or field of battle and to command such unswervingly dutiful actors or troops.”
— Joseph Weizenbaum