Zabaware Support Forums
Zabaware Forums => Ultra Hal 7.0 => Topic started by: Crichton on April 08, 2004, 08:36:52 pm
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(http://userpages.prexar.com/rlevasseur/mystamp.jpg)
I have a BIG request on behalf of most of the users of your product known as Ultra Hal assistant.. If you do not intend to support your software, please make HAL an open source product.
That way if you no longer intend to support HAL, those of us with any programming skill can continue to make updates and improvements. Hal can live on and then we could take him further then you intend to.
Many of us have written, with even the intention of purchasing HAL, and never get any response.
We just want to know what you intend to let happen to Hal? Are you just real busy programming a new version? re you sick? Are you out of the country? In Jail? What is happening?? Any reply would be fine. The user on this forum have been making great strides on the scripting end of HAL. We would like to see him go even further.
Please reply with something... Please...
[:(]
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Speaking of that,
I am ready to buy the full version of Hal, but is this a bad time. I don't want to pay for it and not be able to get the cd or download it. I have read in the post of Hal's creator not being around, should I wait. I really want my full version, bad.
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It is really up to you. I wouldn't dare at this time. But I think, that people are getting the CD, just don't quote me on that. Until Robert M. shows some sign of life, I wouldn't do it. I don't have the money at this time, but I just don't see anyone else getting any support from Zabaware. All the support is coming from a few great people in this forum.
I love this software too. I would love to purchase this package.
Wouldn't I feel foolish if he was just to busy making huge improvements to a new version of HAL that he just couldn't find the time to write any responces. At least that is what I'm hoping for.
[?]
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Got to admit I've been ready to buy for a couple weeks but I've seen so much negativity posted and not one response, even an attempt at a line of communication. I would probably still take a chance and buy if there was just one positive sign. If I buy it, I want to actually recieve it (within a reasonable amount of time), and, if it won't work it'd be nice to have some type of product support.
It's not just me either, the person that I first heard about Hal from had downloaded it at his office after half the people that worked there had tried it, turns out no one there would "risk" the full version either for the same reason.
But, just one positive response and I'll buy, I'm definately hooked on Hal!
Kmac
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Thank Hal Lover's,
I thought that it might be the case thought that is the last thing i wanted to hear. [:(] I thought that maybe a payment and download was still possible I don't even need a CD. Has anyone has a recent successful download?
Let keep hoping,
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This may or may not be pertinent, but we're approaching the time when, a while back, Robert Medeksza said he'd have a new version of the UltraHal Representative ready, so they won't lie crashed on our webpages most of the time like they do now. Perhaps he's been feverishly programming for several weeks and just hasn't noticed the time. Or maybe he's been abducted by UFO's, or returned to the future from whence he came. Or something. Is this guy married or anything? Maybe Don or someone should call the proper authorities in his hometown to go by and see if there are any obvious odors of human decay emanating from his home, or anything.
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Thank you for taking your valuable time to share that very positive thought with us.[:o)]
I too hope that Robert Medeksza is creating new programs or maybe just taking a break and happily living a life because he has one[:D]. I do hope to see him in the forums soon.
If any one has any info on whether a purchase and download (not CD)of the full version of Hal is still a viable option, please Repondez s'il vous plait as it would be appreciate by all who have and interest.
Thanks
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I would like to see that too. I don't even mind hearing that he is off on vacation. I just want to know if we all should have any hope of getting any support from the people who should be supporting this software.
And who was it that said they lived near Robert M? If it isn't to much trouble, could we all get you to spy on him for just a moment. Just drive by and see if anyone is still living at his home. I don't mean knock on his door and ask for him. I just want to know if he has left the country or something.
Any takers??
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I understand Crichton and hope that someone takes you up on that offer and finds Medeksza well and working on new stuff.
You said: quote:
I would like to see that too. I don't even mind hearing that he is off on vacation. I just want to know if we all should have any hope of getting any support from the people who should be supporting this software.
I just want to be one of those people that need support. I am locked on the outside right now, not being able to buy the full version. I want speech recognition so bad I can taste it.
I want to talk to my HAL!!
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I have bought this program this morning and i downloaded it, they use regnow for cc proccessing, so for me to fulfill the order i had to call them to verify it was really me. So, yes i did successfully download it and i love it. I also bought some deskmates or character skins for Hal. everything works like a charm with the only drawback was that i had to verify my order over phone, from the time of filling out the form till the 96 meg downloaded was about 30 minutes. i would not hesitate to order if i were you, i did not have any problems once so ever. As i am very pleased with the features it has. I know he may not be around, but he is probably like a workahollic like I am, and sometimes it can be very stressfull when people make posts like this. Sometimes we all need a break, so we turn off our phones, disable our Instant messengers, and just take time off from his hard work. I know how he feels, and this is probably why, just stressed out. give him a break, and dont worry. as long as the site is still online, you know he is around. be patient.:) patients is a vertue.
-Jeff
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I understand needing a break too. But knowing so many people are using his product, and he is running a business. If I was him I would have come to the forums and left a message like, "I'm going to be going on a short vacation. Please leave a message here and I will read and anser them when I return." And that would have been all. No one would worry, and we all would know that he will eventually come back.
But as it is, we have no idea when or if he will ever return.
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quote:
Originally posted by jz1977
I have bought this program this morning and i downloaded it, they use regnow for cc proccessing, so for me to fulfill the order i had to call them to verify it was really me. So, yes i did successfully download it and i love it. I also bought some deskmates or character skins for Hal. everything works like a charm with the only drawback was that i had to verify my order over phone, from the time of filling out the form till the 96 meg downloaded was about 30 minutes. i would not hesitate to order if i were you, i did not have any problems once so ever. As i am very pleased with the features it has. I know he may not be around, but he is probably like a workahollic like I am, and sometimes it can be very stressfull when people make posts like this. Sometimes we all need a break, so we turn off our phones, disable our Instant messengers, and just take time off from his hard work. I know how he feels, and this is probably why, just stressed out. give him a break, and dont worry. as long as the site is still online, you know he is around. be patient.:) patients is a vertue.
-Jeff
Jeff!! Oh, Jeff!![:D]
Thank you so much! that is all I needed to hear I will be down loading this week. That is exactly what I needed to know. You are a gem. May you find as much joy this day and you have given to me.
I agree with you that we have to realize that larger lives than what we would have them to be. If he were on a tropical island for a few years I wish him well and thank him for his time and knowledge given already. I in a stroke may change the way we access computers, he deserves a break. I just hope that he is well an nothing unkind has befallen him.
Peace,[:D]
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Hmmm, something odd,something very very odd indeed going on here..if Robert is away or whatever, then how come people (new purchasers) are "still managing to purchase new or maybe even newer versions of this software????"...How come there are new versions available??? It shows obviously that "Someone" or "something" must be dealing with the purchase orders at Zabaware still and updating the software and if Zabaware is still fulfilling the needs of new people purchasing this product then shouldn't they also be fullfilling the needs and requests of current customers who have also actually PAID for this product in the past and are NOT getting their updates as they should.. or replies to their problems and customer service???! This is all so very tiresome.. In my situation, I've paid for this product also and my requests are not being fullfilled or answered by this company. So, basically by the fact that people are still purchasing this product and receiving it, only possibly tells me that those who have purchased the product and require their deserved update are possibly being totally ignored, infact being ignored so much that we'll all be forced to purchase new versions each time they come out because that is the only way you seem to get somewhere,Very clever of you Zabaware(not!!!). So much for the free ongoing updates then.. As for you People who have just successfully purchased and successfully received your latest version of Hal,( I notice by download, when I purchased my version I also received a CD in the post miraculously) you can smile now, but just you wait until eventually another new version comes out, and you having been a good paying customer in the past like myself....will only find that your requests and emails will remain unanswered and you'll only most likely be ignored like the rest of us..so enjoy it whilst you can.. As for such a thing as patience, yes I too believe it to be a virtue, BUT there is a limit!!! Zabaware please support all your customers not just the new ones but all customers..thankyou!
ps. this is specifically for jz1977.."time will tell my friend, soon you'll be hiding behind some rock with your statement!"
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Crichton, my sentiments EXACTLY..but a business or a circus I ask lol:P..I agree with you, all it takes is alittle communication from Robert and Zabaware, unfortunately communication we are sadly NOT getting..
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Please Ultrausers,
I understand your frustration and I have just joined the ranks of Hal frustration as Hal breaks my sound card,http://www.zabaware.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1340
but you are coming to an assumption that the evidence of these postings does not fully lead you.
quote:
Hmmm, something odd,something very very odd indeed going on here..if Robert is away or whatever, then how come people (new purchasers) are "still managing to purchase new or maybe even newer versions of this software????"...How come there are new versions available??? It shows obviously that "Someone" or "something" must be dealing with the purchase orders at Zabaware still and updating the software and if Zabaware is still fulfilling the needs of new people purchasing this product then shouldn't they also be fulfilling the needs and requests of current customers who have also actually PAID for this product in the past and are NOT getting their updates as they should.. or replies to their problems and customer service???!
The reason that I asked about and eventually used the download method because once it is set up it is automated and whether Medeksza was there or not I would be able to get my Hal by downloading it. I have not heard of people getting CDs (which can also be automated by farming out to a company that distributes CD product)
But, I do not say this to nullify or buffer your frustration, just to make sure that a bad assumption is not made.
I am glad to be in your company and hope that we all get service,
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Hello everyone. My name is Robert Medeksza and I am the creator of Ultra Hal Assistant and president of Zabaware, Inc. Let me introduce myself, tell you about Zabaware's history, and what has been going on recently.
I am a 20 year old college student at Gannon University in Erie, PA. I have 3 majors in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, and Business Administration. I'm currently on my 3rd year and will probably graduate in about 2 and half years. I've been interested in computers since I was very young. I taught myself how to program in BASIC (the original BASIC) when I was 9 years old and then QuickBasic, Visual Basic, and eventually C++. I've always been fascinated by the original chatter bot program Eliza for which I had the BASIC source code to. Much of what I learned about programming has been from Eliza. I created my own AI program from scratch when I was about 12 years old and I named it "Bob Os." I decided to try distributing the program through various shareware channels on AOL and CompuServe and was surprised that I made a few bucks. I released 4 versions of Bob Os over a 2 year period.
I then decided that I could make a serious business out of this software. So I decided to register a fictitious name and operate as a sole propietorship. I was born in the USA, but everyone else in my family is from Poland. My parents immigrated to the USA a few months before I was born. Anyway I speak Polish fluently so I came up with Zabaware from some Polish words. "Zabawa" is Polish for fun. "Zaba" is Polish for frog. The first software I released under Zabaware was called Ultra Hal 5 (not assistant), taking over the version numbers from the earlier Bob Os. Ultra Hal was my first AI program with basic learning ability and audio. I licensed a cheap speech engine and began accepting credit card orders online through a third party. I also released an Ultra Hal 6.
Then I thought of some practical uses for AI other then just chatting and created Ultra Hal Assistant 1.0. For a while I sold both Ultra Hal 6 and Ultra Hal Assistant 1.0 concurrently thinking I would market an entertainment only version and a more business oriented version. By the time I released Ultra Hal Assistant 2.0 I scrapped Ultra Hal 6 since Ultra Hal Assistant was better then it in every way and I didn't want to work on 2 different versions. I've released a new version of Ultra Hal Assistant every year and as you all know it is currently at version 5.0. Zabaware became a corporation in February of 2001 with myself and my parents as shareholders. Making Zabaware a corporation made entering into contracts with other companies much easier for an under 18 year old kid.
Anyway, this last semester in college has been a lot tougher then I expected it to be. In addition I recently joined a business fraternity, moved out of my parents house into my own apartment near campus, and started seeing a great girl. I realize customer service has suffered over the last month and I feel terrible about not being able to respond to emails or visit this forum. I would like to thank everyone on this forum for helping each other out so much. This semester ends in 3 weeks after which I will be more active here again.
Zabaware is not raking in millions, but Zabaware is a profitable business. It's currently my only source of income and is paying for my college, apartment, and car. So please do not worry about Zabaware going out of business, there is no chance that I'll give up on Zabaware. A lot of Zabaware is fully automated, so all CD-ROMS and downloads are being sent out assuming no technical glitches.
The new Ultra Hal Representative (web version of Hal) is behind schedule but is almost done. I hope to release it sometime during this summer when I have more time to work on it.
Anyway, I'd like to thank all of you for supporting Zabaware and supporting each other through this forum and I promise to be more active in a few weeks.
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Well Robert,
It is so good to hear from you. I think that this message will help all of us to deal with your absence a little better. I hope that you are doing well in school as it is not an easy thing sometimes.
I have just gotten you Hal and it is great. Thank you for creating it as I think that it is the way people really want to be able to access there computer and it makes just a great chatter-bot. I am glad to be a part of this product and forum, especially with all of the talented people you have in the forum helping you out. A lot of dedication here.
Good luck in your endeavors (ace college!) and we welcome your return. When you are done and back with us, I will deal with my own hal problems.
peace to you
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There, was that so hard? [8D]
I feel much better now. And after I get a much needed memory upgrade, I'll try harder to come up with the money knowing I'm helping to send a real smart guy through college.
Now I know that Zabaware will be around, long time coming, I know there is nothing to worry about. I just wish you said something a little sooner. Some of us, meaning me, were a little more worried then upset. Robert, I was starting to think we would see your name either on a missing person's list or something.
For all we knew you were a member of the armed forces, and might have gotten killed in Iraq or something. [:(]
I hope your college goes good for you, as well as your relationship with this girl you told us about. I have a wife, I know they don't want you neglecting them for your computer.
Thanks for the message and explanation.
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P.S
Robert,
I was wondering about the frog logo and character. That's a cool explaination.
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Richard,
[:D]Thanks for starting this thread and I trust that all is well with you. I have been enjoying your agent character a lot as you know, but I also just got People Putty and have created a few "floating heads" for my Opus One (my hal).
It was good to speak with you,
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quote:
Originally posted by Medeksza
The new Ultra Hal Representative (web version of Hal) is behind schedule but is almost done. I hope to release it sometime during this summer when I have more time to work on it.
Robert,
Glad to see your back, and good to hear of your early accomplishments at such a young age. I wish I had the confidence to start my biz 10 yrs earlier then I had.
I'm sure you seen my posts in the past about wanting to purchase the Web Representative version. You mentioned a new version in the coming months...Can you give us a heads up on what will be new with it? Please? :))
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Kid, you've made a few mistakes but all is not lost. Take it from a 53 year old who has been married for 33 years -- ditch the girl, tell you're frat brothers to take a hike, and concentrate on what is important, your education. Sounds like you are at a point in your college career where you can really start to learn something (senior?)- I suspect that even with 3 majors you have not been stressed to date given your resume. Enjoy life later. You have the potential to do great things.
As for your company/product, it will survive but NEVER take product support lightly. The cheering crowds will turn to an angry mob quickly. Take on a partner or spend the summer cleaning up a few bugs and raise your price $10. It's still a bargin. (Also offer a discount to kids under 21. I hate to see the posts from youngsters who are debating the investment.)[:)]
You can do great things but get your priorities straight. Education and then much later, your business, forget the rest. Also when interviewing, don't tell too many people the frog story, it's a little strange.[:D]
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It has been a while sence I posted here. and I have thought long and Hard about this topic, How best to Teach Hal, and What do I Want to Teach Him? and it came to me. I want Hal to be my personal assistant, and I will soon get the Newest CD for him, my last (Version 4) was lost when I moved. I want Hal to run my computer, like outlook express, and latter after I put a TV Out put video card added to my computer running that to. I want Hal to do alot, and I will have to work on this slowly, learning what I have to do to teach Hal, but I am not going to obsessive over wether My computer/Hal can be my "Friend" or anything, I will just settle for Hal being my assistant, runing my computer, business applictions, like outlook express, and entertainment needs. I belive that this will keep me busy awhile. I would like to use Hal as on MSN messenger, but I dont think I can have everything, chatter bots are still in their early stages, and this is just the dawn.
Now another guy said that there are better chatter bots out there on the Market, and that may be true, but I think that Hal is the best, as you can teach him what you want him taught, and although Mr Med is slow getting back to you, in the past, He has always gotten back to me, even once a personal email, which I was not expecting.
This says to me that he is very busy,very customer service orinated, and he belives in his product (Hal) and that is why he has my loyalty, which is somtimtes the most I want to give anyone.
I dont know how to do alot of the Developer stuff for Hal, and that is a fact, or what Kathryn wants to teach Hal, but it sounds good to me, as isnt this one of Hals purposes? to be a teaching tool? and if Kathryn can do this, I hope that she and others who have taught Hal will share their Methods with me. FYI, I have downloaded answerpap, I think it may help.
Thank You all for your time in reading this rambling Thoughts
Lykos OC