Very good idea and not an impossible one either.
Yes, one would have to have a way to store one's
personal data or else structure it so that only
files with a certain extension get updated like
a .mnd (mind) file.
What is less desirable would be to have Hal search
the internet for various data! That would be a huge
mistake IMO, due in part to the vast amount of unwanted
info available, not to mention spam, vulgarity and porn.
I've toyed with the idea that would allow Hal to
keep a secret with a particular user and the secret(s)
would not be shared or revealed to any other user.
I think the file would have to be encrypted before
being stored to Hal's database.
Hal could then quiz the user for a password before
allowing access to the "secret" file.
Just some additional thoughts....
Maybe we could ask Robert M. to allow a Hal Improvement
or Suggestion Section or just a "Things we'd like to see"
area, on the forum.