At DesktopMates.com we endorse the Ultra Hal program and we are very particular what programs we will endorse to our customers as viable options to operate our characters and at the present time we only endorse Ultra Hal and CyberBuddy. And it's not because they both offer free versions (which is very cool) it's because we feel these two programs are the best available in their respective fields (paid or free) and believe me, we have tried most of them and have researched AI technology fairly extensively, and from our findings Ultra Hal is about as advanced as your going to find that's available to the average end user.
Also, our research produced no evidence that even NASA has a more advanced AI program (at least in this category). Your right whisper, I believe many people's expectations are a bit too high and are expecting it to be on a similar scale as the high tech computers displayed in Sci-Fi movies such as Star Trek, but guess what folks? ... that's just in the movies but here in the real world, AI technology has not spawned or progressed to that level, YET! However, by supporting pioneers of AI projects and programs like Zabaware, it will one day get to that level and change how we all interact with our computers.
Is Ultra perfect and absolutely bug Free? of course not! but not many programs are, we spend $100's on indvidual high tech programs to aid us in our software development and trust me, even the real expensive programs contain bugs that can drive us crazy at times, but are they worth it and do they do the job? You Bet! We couldn't do what we do without them. Also, more times than not it isn't bugs within the program that don't allow them to run properly on your system, but more often due to inefficient operating systems and user errors from lack of basic computer knowledge. This is a high tech program and takes a reasonably high tech system to make it run properly, the old saying "you only get out what you put in" certainly holds a lot of merit here. People demand bigger, faster, better programs but in turn is going to take bigger, faster, better systems to operate them.
There's nothing wrong with asking for help in forums, because we all could use a little help from time to time, but before you post keep a few things in mind ... Don't assume right off because it isn't working properly on your system that it's because the program is crap, instead try first assuming maybe you overlooked something or that your system just may not be up to par. By posting nasty comments or excessive negativity certaintly won't get you too many worth while responses because most will feel you've already made your mind up that it's totally the program's fault and that it's just plain crap, therefore why would they want to waste their time trying to convince you otherwise or getting into petty arguments. There's nothing wrong in expressing what you don't like about a program or possible bugs you think you may have encountered, or offering suggestions because if done constructivley can aid in improving the program for all of us in the future.
Don Gillett
DesktopMates.com
