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Overview
/ F.A.Q
• What are Interactive Agents?
Interactive
agents are "Smart Buddy's". Computer
programs connected to instant messaging networks
which can be used to deliver high-speed content
and services to users in a conversational manner.
Interactive Agents can be used to provide their
users with everything from customer service help
to stock quotes, horoscopes, games and more. The
functions an Interactive Agent can perform, much
like a modern web site, are limited only by the
creativity and skill of it's owner.
• What is "Open Interactive Agent"?
Very
costly options already exist for companies and
individuals who would like to have an Interactive
Agent of their own. Companies have already begun
to capitalize on the Interactive Agent market.
"Open Interactive Agents" is a term
Brian uses to describe his Free (Open Source)
implementation of the Interactive Agent concept.
mindflip.org's Open Interactive Agent was designed
to be free to download and free to use by anyone
and everyone.
Due
to OIA's open source nature, programmers from
all over the world can help to contribute new
functionality. As a result, OIA is constantly
growing and becoming a more robust alternative
to other costly Interactive Agents.
• How can you provide OIA for free?
The
most valuable payment I get is watching the OIA
project, and the open source movement as a whole
grow and thrive. I do offer low cost services
like OIA installations, custom OIA development
and hosting which helps me pay for and maintain
the project's funding.
• How can I run an OIA myself?
Simply
click the link that matches you operating system,
save the file, unzip it, and following the instructions
in the README.txt.
Download the Windows Version
of OIA
Download the *nix Version
of OIA
•
What messaging service does OIA run on?
Currently
OIA only runs on AOL's AIM service. Plans are
being made to port OIA to ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, and
IRC.
• How can I connect to an Interactive Agent?
Any
number of devices can be used to contact an Interactive
Agent from traditional computers running Instant
Messaging software to cellular phones, handheld
computers, and as technology progresses many new
devices will be supporting Instant Messaging.
In the case of OIA, you would use AOL's AIM client
and add simply IM your OIA.
• What real world uses are their for Interactive
Agents like Brian's OIA?
Individuals
can use Interactive Agents to:
• Create a personal assistant
• Create a "customized message
per user" away message system
• Create an IM game
• Use your imagination!
Business
can use OIA to:
• Provide an instant Q and A system
• Acquire new customers
• Develop more intimate customer relationships
• Increase customer retention
• Build and extend their brands
• Generate revenue by selling new
ad inventory and more
• Someone on staff must be paid to
use their imagination!
• What about support?
You
should always feel free to contact
me if you have any comments or questions.
I make every effort to answer the tech support
questions I receive. Unfortunately I cannot afford
to offer free unlimited tech support. If I do
not respond to your question within a few days
it is safe to assume I'm currently to busy to
offer free tech support. Should you still need
immediate help you will need to contact me for
some form of paid technical assistance.
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