Encarta Archives - Successful Blog

For Research, Homework, Fun

Keith Dsouza could carry on an intelligent conversation with anyone. So when MSN made a robot toanswer questions based on the information in Encarta. Keith was the perfect guy to challenge the robot to a conversational test run.

He did it to make sure that children everywhere would get the right answers on their homework.

Great Find: Talking to a robot on MSN Chat

Permalink: http://techie-buzz.com/technology-buzz/talking-to-a-robot-on-msn-chat.html

Audience/Topic: Anyone with MSN Chat and questions to research or kids with homework

Content: It’s easy to tell that Keith had fun doing the research and writing this article. He also spent the time to see exactly how and how well a the robot interface works. You can follow his questions and see word for word what the exchange was. The value the robot offers for kids who want to learn more about their favorite subject is right in Keith’s post. I can only imagine what my son might have done with this had it been around when he was young.

At the end of the conversation, Keith explains the easy as 1,2,3 how-to that is working with MSN Instant Messenger encarta@conversagent.com. MSN has found a great way to take on the ubiquitous Gmail with this one.

Keith has a future in reporting for kids. He kept me spellbound. He also might have a budding friendship with the Encarta robot.

–ME “Liz” Strauss