Chat with Instant Messaging 'Bots for Information and Entertainment
Everyone online likely uses the Internet's two prime services: e-mail and Web browsing. Another popular application -- but one perhaps still more widely used by youngsters than seniors -- is instant messaging, or IM. While e-mail is perfect for medium or longer-length messages, it's ponderous for such matters as negotiating when and where to have lunch. And while the Web is superb for research and reading, it's a too-powerful tool for looking up small items such as words, ZIP codes, area codes, the weather, and stock quotes.
IM is the perfect "lightweight" tool for small messages and quick transactions. If you're chatting with a person, you can exchange many instant messages in the time it would take for one e-mail round trip. And consulting an automated IM query tool -- a software robot programmed to answer questions -- avoids interrupting thinking and current tasks by waiting for a Web page to load.
Many people have IM access; all it takes is a small software application. AOL's free IM (AIM) service is available to anyone using AOL and also by downloading a small program; other free IM applications and services (MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, etc.) are also available online.
Phone Books are for Weightlifting
I almost expect the telephone company to warn us that two hands are required to lift phone books. And I'm frustrated that Yellow Pages listings aren't organized by geography, so it's tedious to find a plumber or deli anywhere near me. An IM 'bot I use frequently, provided free by AOL and called AOL Yellow Pages (AIM screen name AOLYellowPages, available on AIM only) solves both problems. I haven't touched the printed Yellow Pages since I started using it.
It's friendly and easy to use. Once you add the screen name to your buddy list you can ask it questions after telling it the geographic area you're interested in. Send a message beginning "cl" (without the quotes) and containing the area of interest. You can use ZIP codes or placenames. So I send "cl 22312" to tell it to search in my neighborhood. Now enter what you'd like to look up -- plumbers, subs, eye doctors, whatever. It returns listings, many with clickable Web and map links and, often, the distance from you. Listings marked "Featured" have paid for favorable placement in the results -- they're advertisements.
The IM 'bots responses may be listings or categories to allow you to focus your search. For example, I searched for "eye doctor", it replied with a list of categories (Ophthalmology, Optometrists, etc., each numbered. I entered the number for Ophthalmology, it gave me clickable listings, each with phone number and distance from my search location. Enter "m" (for "more") to see more listings or another "cl" command to change locations. It's very convenient and always current -- not like an updated-yearly phone book. The only caution is to beware too-picky matching, for example, using (or not using) "the" in a store name.
Another Great Online Reference
My other favorite IM 'bot is SmarterChild. As with AOLYellowPages, add the screen name to your buddy list (AIM or ICQ), then send the "menu" command. You'll see categories of information and services it provides. Many lookups can be abbreviated: enter a five-digit number, you'll get the location that matches that ZIP code. Enter a three-digit number, you'll get the location of that telephone area code. Enter "areacode somewhere" and it provides the area code for that location. Enter "markets" and you'll see how the stock markets did. Enter "spell someword" and it either tells you the word is correctly spelled or suggests other spellings. SmarterChild is free for a month, then costs $9.95/year to use. I'd hate to be online without it -- I can look things up instantly without losing my place or train of thought. Its Web site shows the many diverse features available and its Web interface lets you converse without installing any IM software to see whether you like it.
AOL lists many more AIM 'bots; other networks have their own proprietary offerings. People interested in what's behind 'bots may be interested in Instant Messaging Planet.
IM 'bots aren't just for quick reference; corporations use them to avoid long customer waits on telephone hold and potential awkwardness phrasing questions. For example, Comcast offers Ask Comcast for automated dialogues. While it's not perfect -- and will never fully replace talking to a human being -- it provides instant round-the-clock answers to simple questions that could be frustrating.
It may feel strange conversing this way, but sometimes a friendly and ever-patient robot can be a handy pal to have around.
