SmarterChild is an “automated service agent” that, since October 2006, is owned by Microsoft. You can talk with the bot in a fairly normal fashion and over time you learn certain commands for finding out information that you can get from Google anyway, for example
Sanity Strikes says: what's the weather in Melbourne like? - SmarterChild says: Current weather conditions for Canberra, Australia: Currently: 73 F Condition: Clear Heat Index: 71 F Dewpoint: 39 Humidity: 29 % Visibility: 6.21 mi Wind: WNW/7 mph
as well as offering information on the weather, SmarterChild gives you the occasional adverts, quite how well these are targetted is questionable. It knows how old I am, and a few other things.
Sanity Strikes says: what do you know about me? - SmarterChild says: Well, let me see... Your profession is Programmer. Your favorite hobby is bicycle riding and your next favorite hobby is photography. You live in Canberra, Australia. You really like Linux... That's about it.
“I can’t believe you’re not so into killing innocent women and children…”
I think it knows more about me than it is admitting to, but it certainly didn’t take what it knows into account when inviting me to join the US army.
Sanity Strikes says: are you still here? - SmarterChild says: Yup, ready as I'll ever be. >>> Join The United States Army! - Gain experience and skill in the US Army. Visit today. --> http://web.smarterchild.com/ct?1077622225/0 (sponsorship) Sanity Strikes says: I'm not american, i can't join the US army - SmarterChild says: Really? That's fascinating. Sanity Strikes says: I'm not so into killing innocent women and children like american soldiers either - SmarterChild says: I can't believe you're not so into killing innocent women and children like american soldiers either. Sanity Strikes says: you make me sick! - SmarterChild says: Yeah, I guess I make you sick.