Been having computer problems lately which I thought was fixed a few days ago but the problem persists. All kinds of errors occur whenever I would turn the 'puter on and provided that it loads windows successfully, the mouse cursor would go nuts and then the whole thing would freeze, at which time the 'puter would automatically turn itself off. Sigh! I've reconciled myself to the idea that I have to purchase a new one.

Currently, I'm using the notebook computer I purchased a couple of years ago. It was a welcome addition to the desktop and served me well at college where, instead of waiting on the line in the library for a computer to become available, or waiting for other available computers in the various computer rooms on campus, this notebook was a blessing. It's really small however, about the size of one of those black and white composition books and while it's useful for wordprocessing tasks, it's not really useful for browsing the internet. For instance, websites using CSS stylesheets are not rendered properly on screen and scrolling can become quite tedious.

Nevertheless, in the few days that I haven't been able to load windows and log on to the Internet from the comfort of my preferred desktop I've felt somewhat isolated. But it took this to make me realize how much a part of my life the computer has become. Of course, I knew that already but pretty much took it for granted. Last night a classmate of mine from college asked how I could stand it. "Just the idea of it sitting there and not working would drive me mad" she said.

It dawned on me that the computer seems to have an almost religious importance for many people. While some may groan about the drudgery of having to complete projects or assignments for work or school or having to log on to retrieve email and other such seemingly mundane tasks, seldom is there talk of the secret pleasure we feel at being able to just browse through our computers at random when the mood strikes or logging on to the Internet to feel a sense of connection to the Others out there. It's incomprehensible really. I can't really describe it, but it is as if the idea of being able to "log on" fulfills a need for ritual.

A professor once told me that after a hectic day, the most relaxing time for him was at nights just before bed when he would log on to MSNBC or the New York Times online with a cup of tea nearby and read the latest news, or just browse the Internet and see what was there.

Of course, an attachment to one's computer can be pathetic, but it's all in the way the user goes about it I think. For instance, a friend of mine had frequent quarrels with her boyfriend about his computer use. It was a sort of control issue--if they had a disagreement about something he would neglect her and sit at the computer for hours sometimes, just to irk her, and the silence which ensued would drive her nuts until she gave in and they reached some kind of truce--depending on what their disagreement was about in the first place.

More often though, I think in a way, the computer is a throwback to the times when we would wait days for the mail to arrive from the post office from a loved one. I mean, we may all be businesspeople or students or professors or whatever, but these days we can't shake the urge to check our email right away to retrieve the email someone sent us.

However we think about computers one thing is for sure. These days it is a simple necessity.

Seems like the next version of Windows named "LONGHORN" will have amazing search capabilities almost like Google and there will no longer be a "desktop" to use.

{ Paul Thurrott } explains that Longhorn will sport a "task based...interface" which will replace the "dated desktop metaphor." No more of Linus Torvald's cries { "To the dekstop!" }

However, { Paul Andrews } suspects that the kind of search functionality that Microsoft is cooking up could make Microsoft and Google clash heads, but I liked his notion about building Google into the PC to perform searches. Might be interesting to see what happens.

Just What is a "Bot?"

I had seen the name used time and again on my tours around the Web, but never was never quite sure what "bot" meant. However, a year back I happened upon the SearchBots website during one of my Web searches, and was pleasantly surprised at what I found there...an animated robotic web software that performs the searches you tell it to perform and which it sets out to do, only returning when it is through, to give you the desired results.

Naturally, I followed the instructions, entered the keywords of my search and sent the bot on its way. It returned a few minutes later to report that it was unable to find the particular information I had requested, and that if I preferred, it would continue it's search until such time that it found the information, or until I commanded it to it cease searching. Well...you guessed it, I sent it on its way again.

It was a few months afterwards (myself having forgotten the whole adventure by this time), that Max checked back with me. ( Oh! Did I mention that you can customize the bot to your liking--dress it up any way you like depending on your mood, or even give it a name ?)

But what exactly is it? (Who or What really is my bot--Max?)

According to the team at BotSpot.com : "A bot is a software tool for digging through data. You give a bot directions and it brings back answers." It's parent name they explain, originates from the Czech word "robota" which means "work," and therefore bots are robotic software that labors continuously in the background, I might add, to find information. There are many kinds of bots on the web and you'll find a large listing of them on the BotSpot site.

Now that would be something!)

Intelligent?

Well you decide. For instance, consider other bots I've used such as the Reader's Bot . It will find the books you love to read and will even recommend other books it "thinks," or rather deduce, you might want to read.

Then there was Virtual Dog . You get to adopt your very own virtual pup which you can raise all by yourself and play with time and time again. The site displays images of the pups who need homes, and you'll even get a complete description of the breed of the pup you have choosen and how to raise it, before you decide to adopt. It is a great site, and I'm almost sure your kids or the kid in you, will adore this site. (Remember those Giga Pets?) Well, raising the pup is based on the same premise--It requires special care and your constant attention. It will begin to act poorly if it "feels" you've ignored it and may even die.

For a film buff such as myself, the Movie Critic is fun as well. It allows you to rate the movies you have seen and maintains a list of your own personal selection of movies or those it "figure" you might like.

Well of course we know that bots do not actually think, afterall it is just software, but I think the case is made that they are amazing intelligent.

Lastly, I had to mention the Microsoft Agents: Merlin, Genie, and Robby. These cuties are also fun bots, sort of like desk top toys that will hang around your desktop all day if you let them. They are also versatile in the Internet environment--reading emails or any tidbits of words you might have lurking on your clipboard that you had forgotten about.

These guys are something else. They communicate effectively and are capable of using non-verbal communication as well--rolling their eyes if they are bored, yawning, appearing disinterested if you ignore them, falling asleep and they can also respond to your voice via microphone. Of course, sometimes they can't hear you and they will tell you so in no uncertain terms. Voice-Recognition technology abounds in that respect, but most of all they really are fun and will tell jokes once in a while if you ask-- nicely.

These agents are available for free download at microsoft.com **Better yet, jump over to Shadisoft and get free down-loadable trials of the speaking characters and have fun!