CNET Editors' review
Most of us have encountered online chat robots, virtual people who can hold conversations--at least sort-of--with mixed and sometimes hilarious results. Verbot lets users create their very own such robots. It takes some effort to learn how to use Verbot, and even more to create a bot that's capable of decent conversation. But if you're willing to invest some time, Verbot can be a fun and useful program.
Verbot comes with both an editor, which lets users create rules for their Verbots, and a player, which allows users to interact with their Verbots. Several sample Verbots are included so that users can get a feel for how they work and what they're capable of. Creating a Verbot that can have a reasonable approximation of a normal conversation involves creating rules about how it will respond to user inputs. This can be as simple as having the Verbot respond with a specific location when a user asks where it's from or as complex as having the Verbot parse out specific components of user inputs and respond accordingly. The built-in Help file explains how to create various kinds of rules and specify synonyms; it takes some work to get the hang of it, but it's not terribly difficult once you figure out what you're doing. In addition to verbal responses, Verbot can also launch programs and Web sites, which makes them useful as well as fun. We do wish that the Help file were more thorough and that it addressed such issues as customizing the Verbots' appearance and voices; as far as we can tell, this can only be done by downloading additional agents from a Web site. Still, Verbot is a lot of fun to play around with, and it can yield some pretty impressive results if you're willing to invest some energy into it.
Verbot comes as a ZIP file. It installs a desktop icon without asking but uninstalls cleanly.
Publisher's Description
From Conversive:
A Verbot (Verbally Enhanced Software Robot) can be your personal assistant, your teacher, and friend. Verbots combine natural language, artificial intelligence, and real-time animation with voice synthesis to create engaging virtual personalities. Using XML and .NET architecture, Verbot is cutting-edge technology, and extremely user-friendly. You can easily change your character's face and voice, or create your own skins for a custom look. Verbot can run programs, read aloud to you, launch Web sites, and speak other languages.
What's new in this version: Version 5.0.1.2 is a bug-fixing release.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 54 votes
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Current version:
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"Dont work for Xp"
Version: Verbot 5.0.1.1
Pros
For xp users this latest issue dont work so there is no pros only cons
Cons
if you down load this while having xp you will be asked to down load a bunch of different things that will end up to a dead end with no program my suggestion is to not waste your time if you have xp, maybe there is a other way to make it work...
Summary
This version is not Xp friendly if you have xp and are thinking about getting this program I would suggest against it but its possible I missed something and maybe you could figure it out but be warned it will ask you to download a bunch of different stuff that will take you to a dead end and if you can manage to get it to work after hours of tinkering then congrats you will have gotten farther then I did... but I still will not suggest it to any xp user
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"Sylvie is as smart and clever as you make her"
Version: Verbot 5.0.1.1
Pros
the Verbots are extremely flexible and relatively easy to script. With clever scripting you can make an awesomely intelligent conversation agent.
Cons
The animation needs updating and it would be nice to have the ability to have her interface with the outside world.
Summary
I've taken Verbots all over the world to demonstrate what a virtual human interface might be like. Ray Kurzweil took Verbots with him on his book tour for The Age of Spiritual Machines. People were amazed. Don't sell Sylvie short because you didn't put in the time to make her as smart as you need her to be.
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"Waste of time"
Version: Verbot 5.0.0.3
Pros
None......
Cons
Wouldn't install
Summary
"Unexpected error 2908"
Fell flat on its face when my XP tried to install it. -
"Product Fails review."
Version: Verbot 5.0.0.3
Pros
Simple user friendly interface.
Cons
Had multiple compatibility issues. Still does not work right. Some things like new people or voices need all sorts of confusing registration.
Summary
I would love to experiment with the various components of this software but the simple fact that it takes 15 minutes to start and then after it starts I receive a plethora of error messages, one window with a persons face that won't do anything and then another window a few minutes later that I can type into and get responses but there is still no person.
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"very good"
Version: Verbot 5.0.0.3
Pros
Fast respond
Cons
nee just a little bit more work not much
Summary
I like it is good
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"this is great software."
Version: Verbot 5.0
Pros
its a fun chatbot, plus it can run your computer for you, type in what you want it to do, and it will open whatever you want.
Cons
im pretty taken with it; i had verbot 4 for a couple of years, whats not to like. and its free! i paid 10 dollars for verbot 4. love it!
Summary
bottomline summary? it has ms agent characters, like cartoon characters, who actually have conversational databases. they talk to as well as open your programs for you. and now its free? wow!
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"Interesting."
Version: Verbot 4.1.3.2
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"easy to use ."
Version: Verbot 4.1.3.2
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"Cool,but needs a little user time.ie.building your own knowledge base."
Version: Verbot 4.1.3.2
Pros
A technology in its infancy.Room for users to have developmental input and the ability to make it your own.
Cons
A technology in its infancy.Does that need an explanation?
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"hello , i everybody"
Version: Verbot 4.1
Pros
is very good
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