Should I buy Hal - or Not?

[Neffster]

Right now I am kicking it around (again before it was a dumb reason having a demon, etc) I guess my big deal now is, what can I do with it? I mean there is what is listed on the page, but I would like to know its full usage. Is there a full version trial avaliable? The Free Edition doesn't impress me but something about this program says it would do wonders for helping me keep organized. Can I set it to automatically update my MS Money and accounts? Can I tell it schedual an appointment and it will do so? Can it analyze the computer periodically and tell me of any concerns? What free-plugins are avaliable? and What can I teach it? I will mine the forums for some answers, but these are the ones off the top of my head.

[Maviarab]

The main differences between the demo and full versions are only the extra characters and the speech reocognition.

Hal can do anything that you request him to do that your pc can do. So therefore Hal can open documents, read text, schedule maintenence....remind you off appointments...open programs etc.

yes i would buy the full version as when Hal6 is available you will be able to upgrade for free (apparently) and Hal6 looks like its gonna kick ass [8D]

[Art]

Well Neffster, like our old friend here, Spydaz says, "The scripts are out there."

Do the mining thing and you'll most likely find answers to your many questions. Hal is an ongoing experiment in the field of AI. The programs evolution as most of this type, happen over time, perhaps years, but we're now at a new horizon with Hal where it should take on more abilities, personas, emotions, topical responses and basically become more "human-like" in its conversation.

Some are doing experiments with computer vision, robotics, home control w/ X-10 devices, etc. so your field of interest is wide open.

There is a wide variety of free plug-ins, scripts, skins, textures (for the Paid version), TTS voices and brains.

Browse, ask questions here and welcome to the forum!

[Neffster]

I assume more artistic and patient people can help me on making custom characters?

[Neffster]

.. as well is there any sort of guide for non-programming people - but power pc using - people such as myself to automate teaching Hal?

As well; is there a Linux version avaliable?

And if I get Hal paid for, may I use it on each of my 3 computers?

[Dr.Benway]

Well, I don't know. Maybe.

[Maviarab]

Custom characters etc, there are many around the forum and also at myself/Benway & Freddy's forum (see link at bottom of my post).

I make numerous skins to change the look of the haptelk charcters and there are many ppl will happily work on a custom charcter for you (celebrity etc)

As for having Hal on more then one computer I cant see why not but should there be any problems in trying to do this then Im sure Robert Medeksza can tel you how to get around this.