I wrote this book in 2000 and finally pulished it in 2002. It includes all of my development notes, third-party, and open-source resources for building your own basic Chatbots, Web Bots, IMBots, and Virtual Humans.
Includes some simple and effective code to give your chatbots voices using free TTS (Text to Speech).
My humble beginnings:
My fascination with computer science, became apparent in the summer of 1977, when I was just seven years old. My dad bought a Tandy TRS-80 from the local Radio Shack in Massena NY. He was studying during his free-time to learn computer programming with the hopes to get a better job than working in the pot-rooms of Reynolds Aluminum Company. He was a strict disciplinarian, but I have always been as motivated to succeed and stubborn as he was ;) He told me that his new computer was NOT A TOY, and insisted that I never touch his computer. My dad worked most of the time though, so we rarely saw each other. As soon as he would leave the house, of course I would go play on his computer. I was seven years old and his C Programming books and computer were my toys.
In 1977, I programmed my first chatbot style application using basic if-else statements. The computer told a 'never-ending' story that allowed the reader to continuously choose what the story character was going to do next. Based on the reader's choices, the story would twist and turn, so it was a differant story every time the reader interacted with the computer. That amazing computer was just a black screen with white text back in those days, but it entertained me nonetheless. I was amazed and thrilled that I could teach a computer to communicate with people in a friendly, positive, and entertaining way. It was a wonderful outlet for my childish creativity and energy too.
My mom is a Mohawk woman, born and raised in the St Regis Mohawk Territory. As an adult I am shocked to learn of the traumatic past of my Mohawk relatives. As a rebellious teenager, I used to wonder how any Mohawk person could ever walk tall and feel proud to be Mohawk. Like anyone else in this world, I was teased about who some of my ancestors are. As an adult I became frustrated that I had no one to practice my first language (Mohawk: Kaniekehake) with, which was causing me to forget things that are best to be remembered. Many of my ancestors spoke english, french, and many of today's 'endangered languages' fluently. I think they must have been very smart people and I am happy to do what I can to keep those endangered languages alive. My technology solutions will actually bring any endangered or dead language back to mainstream; if people decided to use the innovative technolog solutions that I have developed. ie: virtual humans, chatbots and endangered languages A.I. matrixes.
Today, I get my kicks by creating useful solutions and tools for personal, educational, and business requirements. I am thrilled at how much technology has progressed and how it can and is being used in healthy positive ways to enrich the quality of our lives. Check out my website to find out what I do for fun and profit. You can feel free to Contact me anytime to request that I help you with your professional IT projects.