Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Oh yeah? Well, eureka too.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                                     

Virtual Computer Buddy

The friend that lives in your computer
  (+1)
(+1)
  [vote for,
against]

Consider a software program that resides on your computer. You have the choice of selecting different personalities or if you are adventerous, you can allow the program to pick a random personality. The personalities can be quite specific in that it likes certain weather, sports teams, markets, news etc. The computer program has the ability to access certain information online such as weather, whether a team won or loss, or how the markets are doing, and will reflect a mood based on what is happening in the real world. The program will also react to your actions- if you are nice or abusive or if you have not communicated with your computer buddy for awhile.

The interaction with the computer buddy can be via 3 ways: directly using the program, email, or instant messaging. This will give your computer a real personality and provide you with an intriguing companion. For example, if you are having a bad day and the things that make your happy are all in-line (e.g. weather, news, you have not neglected it, etc.), then your computer will be sympathetic. However, your computer buddy could be in a bad mood as well and it would be less interested in sympathetic. I know some may say that you already have a significant other than gives you grief. The idea is that now you have a virtual buddy to communicate with and has much less downside.

The program is a game and a computer buddy's personality can be changed at anytime. However, the more you use it, the more it gains intelligence about you and understands you. There is obviously a lot more that would go into it but wanted to get your feedback on a quarter baked concept.

ksnyc, Jul 22 2003

Google search for +virtual +computer +buddy http://www.google.c...2Bcomputer+%2Bbuddy
About 80,000 hits. [phoenix, Oct 04 2004]

TalkingBuddy (first link from above search) http://www.talkingb...googlegreetings.htm
"Your buddy is your interactive computer assistant" [phoenix, Oct 04 2004]

Your Math Buddy http://www.homescho...thBuddy/default.asp
Helps one learn math. No avatar. [phoenix, Oct 04 2004]

Android cruelty http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/SPCA
Abuse your buddy? Go to jail! [dweeb, Oct 04 2004]

Bonzi Buddy http://www.pchell.c...rt/bonzibuddy.shtml
The next worst thing to a virus. Exactly as described above. [bungston, Oct 04 2004]

IMDb: "Electric Dreams" http://us.imdb.com/Details?0087197
"An artificially intelligent PC and his human owner find themselves in a romantic rivalry over a woman." [waugsqueke, Oct 04 2004]

[link]






       I keep thinking - paperclip. can you wring the neck of a paperclip?
po, Jul 22 2003
  

       I can see the thinking is more along the lines of a help program. This idea is meant to be very different- it is a game where the personality reacts to you and surroundings, changing accordingly. Perhaps this personality decides to travel for a week in Europe and shares details with you. You do not know where the game is going- it is based on your interaction and what happens in the world causing the game and the personality to change. Would anyone find this to be an enjoyable concept?
ksnyc, Jul 22 2003
  

       //if you are nice or abusive// This might get the SPCA (link) onto your case. I have enough difficulty with unpredictability on my system without creating unpredictability (i.e, personality) intentionally.
dweeb, Jul 22 2003
  

       Would this link to your local government to provide population monitoring? How can you be sure? (-)
silverstormer, Jul 22 2003
  

       Doesnt this just reek of that bloody Bonzi Buddy program? My god, if I see that frigging purple gorilla appear in my start menu after I install something again....
sloaned, Jul 22 2003
  

       Exactly my thinking. Bonzi is pure evil, and is exactly what is described here. However, it is loads of fun to download Bonzi onto your workmate's computer. If you do, remember to tell Bonzi your workmate's name, and turn the volume up loud so they can have a nice chat.
bungston, Jul 22 2003
  

       Wasn't this a really bad 80s movie?
waugsqueke, Jul 22 2003
  

       [waugs]: I think you're having a flashback to "Buckaroo Bonzai".   

       Even though there was actually not a single character with the name, I can't stop thinking of Microsoft Bob.
Cedar Park, Jul 22 2003
  

       Couldn't be that one... never saw it.   

       Looked it up... it was "Electric Dreams" (link). Stinky movie.
waugsqueke, Jul 22 2003
  

       I thought that you meant that the Bonzi Buddy program was reminding you of a movie....
Cedar Park, Jul 22 2003
  

       I hate to diverge but "Electric Dreams" was a pretty good movie. It reflected the fear people had of the computer, its complexity, and its eventual takeing over of jobs. Little did they know in the 80's that they were exactly right.
Antioc, Jan 22 2004
  

       Bonzai Buddies main flaw however is not in its function, but in its expense and adds. It is always trying to sell you something. Thats not like a virtual buddy. Its more like a virtual insurance salesman.
Antioc, Jan 22 2004
  
      
[annotate]
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle