Mr. Hope B1.0

[Computer Hope Admin]

I've posted an updated version of Mr. Hope, now Beta 1.0. If you have any suggestions, feedback, or if you have common questions you encounter that you could not resolve using this solution please post them on this thread.

http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/mrhope/mrhope.cgi

Some things that were added since the earlier Alpha release.

1. More available options.
2. New interface.
3. Logging.

The logs can be accessed by any user (assuming the ID is known). Still needs work but it's a start. Below is an example of my log for tonight. The id is partially date based so if a user happens to visit again on a later date a new log will be created.

http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/mrhope/mrhope.cgi?71004237

As can be seen it just links the id, so for example on one I was pretending I was trying to solve a dead pixel I found the solution going to the below pages:

start  h38  h110  h113  h115  h123

Looking at just that I don't think it's too helpful, however not exactly sure how to format it properly at this time.

Again, it's beta so something new and by no means complete. All feedback is appreciated and hopefully this will be yet another tool to help users find answers to their questions.

[Computer Hope Admin]

Update. Wasn't happy with the logging so did some additional revamp before calling it a night. Version B1.0c will now display a much better log as shown in the below example.

----------
start:
h33: Now troubleshooting a computer monitor. Is anything displayed on your screen?
h110: Is the video displayed on your monitor distorted and/or impossible to read?
h113: Are you missing any color?
h115: Are there one or more black dots or dead pixels on the display?
h123: See document CH000316 for additional information about troubleshooting dead pixels.

Link to this above log.

http://www.computerhope.com/cgi-bin/mrhope/mrhope.cgi?71004247

[unlovedwarrior]

ill look at it later after i do some other stuff

[Raptor]

That is so much work, Nathan and did you forget Windows comes with such a tool? It is RARELY used. Actually, I think only 1% of the XP users even know they can fix their PC this way..

Nice idea, though, but I think it'd be better if you had a system which scans people their posts for keywords and then provides articles that are likely to be related to their question...?

Ah, I don't know. I'll see you in a few months and check what's changed.

[CBMatt]

You know, it'd be really nice if Mr. Hope could work like Programmable Artificial Intelligence.  It reads a document and once it's done, you can ask it questions and it will answer them based on what it's learned from the different documents it has read.  It's a bit rudimentary, I suppose, but still pretty nifty.  I've got an older version on my program (for the life of me, I can't remember how I got this thing) and I make it read my blog.  When I'm bored, I can talk to it about my friends and it'll tell me how annoying they are.  Heh.

Anyway...I like the addition of the logs.  Not sure how many people will actually use them, but they're definitely good to have.

[M1CH431]

start:
h33: Now troubleshooting a computer monitor. Is anything displayed on your screen?
h110: Is the video displayed on your monitor distorted and/or impossible to read?
h113: Are you missing any color?
h115: Are there one or more black dots or dead pixels on the display?
h123: See document CH000316 for additional information about troubleshooting dead pixels.

Maybe, for the log also have what the user answered.

h33: Now troubleshooting a computer monitor. Is anything displayed on your screen?
User: Yes
h110: Is the video displayed on your monitor distorted and/or impossible to read?
User: No
h113: Are you missing any color?
User: No
h115: Are there one or more black dots or dead pixels on the display?
User: Yes
h123: See document CH000316 for additional information about troubleshooting dead pixels.

That way the logs could be more useful. An example where a log would be useful,would be if someone has a CD/DVD drive problem. Instead of having to ask them if it can play burned Cd's, music cd's etc.. You just say post a Mr. Hope log.

[Zylstra]

Neat

I've got Mr. Hope in my bookmarks
(now that I look, thats a lie)

Maybe you could link to it in the news?

[Computer Hope Admin]

CBMatt, It would be awesome to have something with that capability but AI is not easy and I've tried A LOT to make a solution like that. That was the original intentions of the chatbot Zero, which after a year of off and on programming I pretty much abandoned because it wasn't working.

M1CH431, I completely agree, I'll see if that's something I can add onto the log.

Zylstra, I'll link it on the major spots of Computer Hope once it's a little more better. Still needs more work.

[CBMatt]

Heh, neat, I never knew about Zero.  Looks like you were taking kind of an A.L.I.C.E. approach.  That would be incredibly handy, but also incredibly hard to program.  I tried my hand at it once myself and I too had to give up.  There's just so much involved and it quickly becomes overwhelming.

[Computer Hope Admin]

It had some similarities to A.L.I.C.E, but there are a lot of things I didn't like about that bot, primarily pre-programmed responses, Zero learned everything from other people people who chatted with it and from other IRC logs I imputed into it. This was probably a big cause to frustration on my part as most people chatting on the Internet to a bot are not too friendly and/or just want to cyber. So that's pretty much what he learned. 

[CBMatt]

This was probably a big cause to frustration on my part as most people chatting on the Internet to a bot are not too friendly and/or just want to cyber. So that's pretty much what he learned. 

Ha!  It's the chatbot version of Seaman!

[Zylstra]

Mathetes was a very cool bot that you at one time could chat with (and no logs) through a client like MSN, AIM, or Yahoo, but the messenger protocol system failed, and Pistos (the creator) cannot access the main library file anymore

[Computer Hope Admin]

Posted another updated version of Mr. Hope (B1.0d). New version improves log again (implementing suggestion by M1CH431) and also posted some more updated data files.

Example of new log:

start:
User: Keyboard
h32: Now troubleshooting a computer keyboard. Is your keyboard working or at least a few of the keys?
User: Yes
h76: Are all the keys working on the keyboard?
User: No
h79: It's likely that you have a bad keyboard. Suggest replacing the keyboard with a new one. *

* After reviewing h79 it will be updated instead of saying the above to instead refer user to: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000305.htm

[CBMatt]

Thank you for updating that keyboard scenario.  I was actually going to say something about it because it bugged me, since there could be a number of reasons for a keyboard to not work.

[linuxlover]

CBMatt, It would be awesome to have something with that capability but AI is not easy and I've tried A LOT to make a solution like that. That was the original intentions of the chatbot Zero, which after a year of off and on programming I pretty much abandoned because it wasn't working.

M1CH431, I completely agree, I'll see if that's something I can add onto the log.

Zylstra, I'll link it on the major spots of Computer Hope once it's a little more better. Still needs more work.

pretty impressive all the same...
a few problems:

*** CH695 [[email protected]] has joined #zero

*** Channel created on Sat May 26 21:53:43 2007

<Zer0> .

<Zer0> Greetings -- I am Zer0 version 2.3a my database currently consists of 137,475 entries and a vocabulary of 53,306 words, I continue to grow every day and currently need to learn 56,394+ things. Additional information about me can be found at: http://www.computerhope.com/zero/

<Zer0> .

<Zer0> ** If you want to talk to me type: "hi", "hi Zer0" or talk privately by double-clicking on the name Zer0. **

<CH695> hello

<Zer0> CH695: Hello CH695.

<CH695> can you talk tell me about the wii

<Zer0> CH695: Yes Should I?

<CH695> yes

<Zer0> CH695: That sounds like agreement to me.

<CH695> it is

<Zer0> CH695: Your confusing me.

<CH695> it refers to the previous noun i referred to

<Zer0> CH695: Some lady just called my cell and was like "Hi CH695 I'd like to place an order" So I took it! She's gonna be pissed when the pizza doesn't arrive.

<CH695>

[Zylstra]

Zero does not help people with their computer problems, it is a chatbot. (Zero learns from people, so its more of a round knowledge bin... of random facts, and responses.)
Targeting keywords, I think
(and programmed in Perl)

[Computer Hope Admin]

Correct, Zero is just a chatbot. Although I occasionally work on him when I'm burned out he's pretty much been abandoned in the cruel world to defend for himself.

[Zylstra]

Correct, Zero is just a chatbot. Although I occasionally work on him when I'm burned out he's pretty much been abandoned in the cruel world to defend for himself.

At least he sensors himself....

Maybe you should prevent learning from people who frequently have inappropriate text?

[Computer Hope Admin]

He actually does already ban users who swear a lot or have a lot of inappropriate text. However because he learns what has been said before that. I really never liked the idea of filtering too much because eventually I wanted him to learn and do it himself.

[M1CH431]

*** Channel created on Sat May 26 21:53:43 2007
<CH036> hi
<Zer0> CH036: Hi CH036.
<CH036> hi Zer0
<Zer0> CH036: Hi CH036.
<CH036> What's Up
<Zer0> CH036: Not much
<CH036> sup?
<Zer0> CH036: doom!
<CH036> Hows computer hope these days?
<Zer0> CH036: how do i get my computer to shutdown when i am booted on 56k
<CH036> Doom???
<Zer0> CH036: Doom de doom da doom de doom.
<CH036> Cheats
<Zer0> CH036: How does he cheat?
<CH036> Cheats
<Zer0> CH036: where can get the source code for credit card validator?
<CH036> He just does
<Zer0> CH036: That's no explanation.
<CH036> ?
<CH036> So
<Zer0> CH036: no
<CH036> You shouldn't want to know
<Zer0> CH036: I already know.
<CH036> Thats stuff is bad
<Zer0> CH036: what does bad mean to you
<CH036> Zer0 order me a medium pizza with the usual ingredients
<Zer0> CH036: Don't tell me what to do. Well then your no wiz!
<CH036> Propane
<Zer0> CH036: how do you think you will conquer that ?
<CH036> No Wiz Eh?
<Zer0> CH036: Don't worry, . If you are using IE, nothing bad will happen. Come on, say 'big window'. Don't be afraid. I won't change it unless you ask me.
<CH036> You're no WIZ!
<Zer0> CH036: I guess I can dream cant I. I'm sorry I'm trying my best.
<CH036> 1f 1 t41k 1ik3 7h15 c4n
<Zer0> CH036: According to the calculator it's 73.
<CH036> BIG WINDOW
<Zer0> CH036: Please dont talk in all uppercase, it makes it LOOK LIKE YOU ARE YELLING!
<CH036> LIAR
<Zer0> CH036: I am not.
<CH036> Pie is great
<Zer0> CH036: He sure is.
<CH036> one one one one
<Zer0> CH036: repeat
<CH036> One?
<Zer0> CH036: yes
<CH036> Pie isnt a he, it an inatimate tasty treat
<Zer0> CH036: Yes you are.
<CH036> So my name is CH036 what is your name?
<Zer0> CH036: No my name is zero.
<CH036> Hmm?
<Zer0> CH036: what's your name?
<CH036> You're not making any sense to me
<Zer0> CH036: it doesn't make sense to me. I know star trek that I think you're referencing, but it makes me think they trained you to be shady and maybe a little dishonest?
<CH036> What color is your computer?
<Zer0> CH036: My resolution is currently set to 1024 by 768.
<CH036> CHCHCHC
<Zer0> CH036: ya probably but i shouldnt have you do n't have it .
<CH036> You calling me dishonest?
<Zer0> CH036: I sure am.
<CH036> Well you're very rude to me, and all I want to do is have a polite conversation
<Zer0> CH036: it 's ok .
<CH036> Once again, you're speaking in german
<Zer0> CH036: I dont know much German.
<CH036> Would you like to fight me?
<Zer0> CH036: i would like to s**t on your maker, because he don't know anything about programming
<CH036> Bring it on

 I guess someone thinks Nathan has bad programming skills...

Edit: It just asked me what *censored* organs I have...

[Zylstra]

CH036: i would like to s**t on your maker, because he don't know anything about programming

There is a guy who is holding a bit of a grudge on the Zero channel, and the attempt to take the name Zero. (Since he think the name is his, even if the Zero channel and user name has been around longer than he has)

[unlovedwarrior]

how do you know??

[Zylstra]

how do you know??

Knowing if it really is him or not is unsure
But I ran into the guy
and for some reason
he wouldn't shut the f*%(*%$ h#)) up.

Like having the same name was all my fault or something.

He kept complaining (at least it was only one day)
And when I asked him what he wanted me to do, he said "nothing"
Friggin idiots of the world.

(This was quite some time ago, so who knows)

[unlovedwarrior]

umm

[CBMatt]

I wish Zero would let me talk to him.  *sniff*

[Computer Hope Admin]

I wish Zero would let me talk to him.  *sniff*

Did he ban you? If so I restarted him and you should be able to talk to him.

[CBMatt]

Oh no, it's not that.  I just can't ever get it to load.  When I try, it's all blank and it says "No Channel" in the top-right corner.

[Computer Hope Admin]

Oh no, it's not that.  I just can't ever get it to load.  When I try, it's all blank and it says "No Channel" in the top-right corner.

Ohh.  Well if you really wanted to you could always connect VIA IRC, IRC server details also posted on the page.

[CBMatt]

Hmm, not sure what I'm doing wrong here, but I can't connect to Zero through an IRC client.  I tried mIRC and that wouldn't let me connect to any servers I tried.  I'm using HydraIRC right now and I can connect to servers just fine with that, but not Zero.  Granted, I don't have much experience with these IRC clients, but it seems pretty straightforward.  Does anyone else have trouble connecting via IRC?  Or am I just missing something?

[WillyW]

Hmm, not sure what I'm doing wrong here, but I can't connect to Zero through an IRC client.  I tried mIRC and that wouldn't let me connect to any servers I tried.  I'm using HydraIRC right now and I can connect to servers just fine with that, but not Zero.  Granted, I don't have much experience with these IRC clients, but it seems pretty straightforward.  Does anyone else have trouble connecting via IRC?  Or am I just missing something?

You forgot to say exactly the things you tried.   

How did you go about trying to connect to a server when using mIRC?

Was it   irc.blitzed.org    that you connected to with Hydra?
When you said,  "but not Zero",   you meant the channel named Zero... right?    How did you attempt to connect to it?

For what it is worth,   I keep an old version of mIRC around, just in case I need it.     Just a moment ago,  I connected to   irc.blitzed.org   with it.  Behaved normally.      I could also join the #zero channel normally.

[CBMatt]

For what it is worth,   I keep an old version of mIRC around, just in case I need it.     Just a moment ago,  I connected to   irc.blitzed.org   with it.  Behaved normally.      I could also join the #zero channel normally.

D'oh, without even getting information from me, you helped me figure it out.  Heh.  See, I was going by the IRC instructions on the page (haven't used IRC in years) and it said to connect to irc.chatbot.org.  Silly me.  I tried blitzed and it connected just fine.


And for the record, what I meant was that I couldn't connect to the server.  Sorry for the confusion.  And thanks for helping me realize what I was overlooking.

[11:12] CBMatt: Do you get bored?
[11:12] Zer0: yes
[11:12] CBMatt: How do you cure your boredom?
[11:13] Zer0: I think my life is good, but I wish I had more self confidence
[11:13] CBMatt: You need a girlfriend.
[11:13] Zer0: I do not have a girlfriend and I never will because one, I am a female and I am NOT a lesbian, and two, I am attracted to someone of the opposite sex.  Ohh.
[11:13] CBMatt: Oh, I apologize.
[11:13] Zer0: No need to apologize.  I was just paying you a compliment.
[11:13] CBMatt: How so?
[11:13] Zer0: It just is
[11:13] CBMatt: Um...okay.
[11:13] Zer0: And what did you make?
[11:13] CBMatt: So, who are you attracted to?
[11:13] Zer0: No i'm attracted to girls.
[11:17] CBMatt: That's lovely.
[11:17] Zer0: I'm a fleshbot.  I'm a fleshbot.  I'm a fleshbot.

[2007-06-01 11:33:45] <CBMatt> Nathan doesn't like you.
[2007-06-01 11:33:50] <Zer0> when im the ruler of the world and you my right hand we can make him clean toilets on India, you like that?

[2007-06-01 11:40:07] <CBMatt> Where'd you go?
[2007-06-01 11:40:09] <Zer0> had to go to the toilee
[2007-06-01 11:40:19] <CBMatt> Do robots pee?
[2007-06-01 11:40:22] <Zer0> I actually used to live near him this is one of the few times I am not jerking off with what I'm writing

He's such a little angel, Nathan.  Ha.

[unlovedwarrior]

interesting convo

[Computer Hope Admin]

Thanks for pointing out that error, I can understand the confusion when I list the old server on the page. Even though not really doing much with Zero I fixed the error and will have it uploaded with the next update. Since this seems to have turned into a Zero conversation I thought I'd also mention that he actually placed on the list for this years chatbot competition, which is surprising since I haven't really done anything to him in over two years. But I guess he is technically still learning with people talking to him.

http://www.chatterboxchallenge.com/

[unlovedwarrior]

thats pimp

[WillyW]

For what it is worth,   I keep an old version of mIRC around, just in case I need it.     Just a moment ago,  I connected to   irc.blitzed.org   with it.  Behaved normally.      I could also join the #zero channel normally.

D'oh, without even getting information from me, you helped me figure it out.

Nothin' to it.     

Seriously -  glad you got it figured out.

  Heh.  See, I was going by the IRC instructions on the page (haven't used IRC in years) and it said to connect to irc.chatbot.org.  Silly me.  I tried blitzed and it connected just fine.

Unfortunately,  I didn't note where I found that info..  the blitzed server.
It is around here on CH somewhere.   I suppose I could find it again.

Based on your above,  apparently the address of the server was listed in two different places here, with two different addresses.    I got lucky and hit the right one.

And for the record, what I meant was that I couldn't connect to the server.  Sorry for the confusion.  And thanks for helping me realize what I was overlooking.

But you said that you couldn't connect to any servers with mIRC.   That is why I inquired as to details about how you were going about it.    Something sure was amiss.
It sounds like you figured it out now though.

All well and good.       

[CBMatt]

I'm really not sure what the problem is with mIRC.  As far as I can tell, I'm basically taking the same steps.  Of course, the interface is a bit different, so perhaps I'm missing something.  Doesn't matter a whole lot to me, though, because I like HydraIRC a lot better anyway.

As for the location of the address...they're both listed on the same page.  The blitzed server is mentioned towards the top when you go to login to chat with Zero.  However, I was looking further down on the page where it gave instructions on how to connect.  Basically, I didn't realize that the instructions were old, and I didn't notice the mention of blitzed up at the top.

[WillyW]

...on the same page.    ...

Where is the page?

[CBMatt]

Here ya go, Willy...

http://www.computerhope.com/zero/

[WillyW]

Here ya go, Willy...

http://www.computerhope.com/zero/

Yep,  that's it.  I recognize it.

Still don't know where I got url for it the first time.     But if you hadn't posted it, it would have bugged me.
Thanks