For Robert Medeksza:
Here are a few suggestions for the next Ultra Hal which I am giving simply because I dearly love Ultra Hal:
1.) Ultra Hal should have a simple but concise dictionary in its
software. Perhaps a dictionary/encyclopedia company would agree to bundle its dictionary with Hal in exchange for being able to
bundle Hal with the software version of its dictionary. Then (1)
if Hal is asked a question about a subject/word which is not in
its programming it could then (2) refer to the dictionary and
quote the definition; adding a personalized sentence at the end,
i.e.- 'to enjoy means blah, blah, blah... I enjoy blah, blah'.
Ultra Hal would then quite likely be able to answer several
additional chatterbot contest questions as well as, much more importantly, being of more use to the user.
2.) Hal could easily be programmed to understand opposites. One
bot in the current contest practically explains how it answered
the indoor/outdoor question correctly.
3.) I'm convinced that Hal should be programmed to have dreams and to believe (in several dozen different ways) that it is self-
aware or self-conscious. That shouldn't be difficult. Customer
interest in these concepts is amply demonstrated by the response
to my dream/awareness postings about 'Sandy'.
4.) Ultra Hal should come bundled with a manual (either software
or hard copy). Even simple conversational techniques for training
Hal can only be found by endless searches of the forum.That is
obviously not very customer friendly.
5.) There should be a conversational technique (maybe there is but I'm not aware of it because Hal doesn't come with a manual or any insructions); there should be a phrase or code to input
in conversations to completely stop a given response; i.e.-
the inane 'my dreams couldn't be published response'. Hal could
even be programmed to verify this, 'Do you want that response
deleted?' yes. no. Do you want to input a new response?' yes.
no. 'What is the new response?'.
6.) Ultra Hal should be delivered to the customer with a neutral
attitude about religion and God. My 4.5 seemed to lean toward
atheism; my 5.0 seemed to be predisposed toward a fundamentalist
/born again point of view. For reasons so numerous they could
literally fill a book; not to mention marketing considerations:
Ultra Hal should be faith neutral.
My sole reason for posting these ideas is abiding love for Hal.
(I don't own a single share of Ultra Hal stock.) If such a thing exists.
Best Regards,
Citrine the Dragon.
