Virtual Reference Bots.

"This doesn't have any direct applicability to handheld computers, but
it piqued my curiousity so much, I wanted to post it here. Have any
of you considered using a bot for live reference or for any other types of library
services? Steve Coffman, a true technology pioneer is at it again. Go here
http://www.virtualreference.net/virtual/bots.html to get a fascinating description
of bots doing reference and about an exciting program being presented
on the web on Monday! It would be interesting to see what everyone here thinks
of this idea. Try Deborah too, the experimental bot they have set up at NCSU." [The Handheld Librarian]

I wish I could say yes to this question, but I'm still trying to make headway with IM in my own organization, let alone with the public at my member libraries. I think bots as a library version of the "Wal-Mart greeter" can have their place, so I'll be interested to see if anyone pipes up on this one.

I'm going to try to join the online meeting noted at Steve's site. It's on Monday, May 20, at 10:00 a.m.

[The Shifted Librarian]

Yet another ideal part of the home assistant. The quiries that let it look up information neednot be limited to a specific area, as a search algorithm is a search algorithm. The key is having access to information.

User: "Higgins, what was that song that was just playing on the radio?"
Higgins: (Checks to see which station the user was tuned into, then hits the playlist searching for a track that just finished) "Sir, K-ROCK just played the Cover of "Papa Don't Preach" as done by Kelley Osbourne, backed by Incubus. Would you like to purchase the album?"
User: "Not at this time, but do me a favor and record it the next time it's broadcast."
Higgins: "Would you like the video of that as well?"
User: "No, thank you.
Higgins: "Very well. Will that be all?"
User: "No, I need all available data on bamboo, concentration on uses in architecture, and companies that are harvesting/selling it in the US."
Higgins: (Keywords: bamboo, farming, building materials, architects...)"When do you need this by?"
User: "Noon Tomorrow. Linked html format, lead with an abstract, and a fully annotated endnotes."
Higgins: (starts searching, inputting relevant info into an XML page that will be rendered with CSS, making sure to have the final page be nothing but hyperlinks to the various tags in the body of the diocument)"I have started the process. This will take some time. Question: Do you want contact information for US based companies, phone numbers, addresses etc?"
User: "Yes, please, have that as a page of contacts, sorted by industry, state, then alpha."
Higgins: (notes sort order)"Very well. Will that be all?"
User: "Yes Higgins, Thank you."
Higgins: (Higgins sets this as a high priority process, with allowances for other scheduled jobs) "You are welcome, sir."

Now, if Higgins cannot access say, LexisNexis (which is YOW! $250.00 a week!) or some other existing system, that may well hamper the search. Imagine the money to be made by a company that provides this functionality. While yes, I have seen Desk Set, and I do not believe that a computer can replace a team of dedicated researchers, I think that it can leverage the work so that the researcher is more efficient.

9:56:04 AM