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Topic: The Weirdest Programs

MinutiaeMan
Living the Geeky Dream
Member # 444

posted

This afternoon I was reading a manual I bought about some of the more in-depth features and capabilities that are built into Mac OS X and its Unix underpinnings. In one of the sidebars, there's a set of instructions for an "easter egg" that's built into the version of emacs that's included in OS X. (It's probably in all emacs versions, but doesn't say for certain.)

The undocumented feature is a fully unlicensed and automated psychoanalyst named Eliza. I decided to try this out. You can see the result:

(The first line is the computer's, and after that it alternates between the lines I put in and the responses.

Kinda scary, huh? Yeah, the responses aren't that helpful, but it still seems relatively... smart in a way.

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“Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov
Star Trek Minutiae | Memory Alpha

Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Nim
The Aardvark asked for a dagger
Member # 205

posted

That is weapons-grade computer satire, that is!
'Twould be good enough for Jehova! :-)

Registered: Aug 1999 | IP: Logged

Sol System
two dollar pistol
Member # 30

posted

I presume Apple's tech suppport is manned by Dr. Sbaitso? Or, you know, whatever that guy's name was.

Registered: Mar 1999 | IP: Logged

TSN
I'm... from Earth.
Member # 31

posted

Yes, the Eliza-psychoanalyst program that was packaged w/ Sound Blaster software a decade or so ago was indeed called "Dr. Sbaitso".

That said, you're a little behind the times, MM.

Registered: Mar 1999 | IP: Logged

MinutiaeMan
Living the Geeky Dream
Member # 444

posted

quote:
Originally posted by TSN:
That said, you're a little behind the times, MM.

Well, considering that Unix is a well-established operating system, I'm not too surprised. I'd just never heard of something on this level before... [Smile]

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“Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.” — Isaac Asimov
Star Trek Minutiae | Memory Alpha

Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Mikey T
Driven
Member # 144

posted

Hmm... I wonder if Windows XP has a program that helps me take over the world...

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"It speaks to some basic human needs: that there is a tomorrow, it's not all going to be over with a big splash and a bomb, that the human race is improving, that we have things to be proud of as humans."
-Gene Roddenberry about Star Trek

Registered: May 1999 | IP: Logged

Lee
I'm a spy now. Spies are cool.
Member # 393

posted

Fortunately MM lost the connection just before the program asked him to tell it about his mother. 8)

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Never mind the Phlox - Here's the Phase Pistols

Registered: Jul 2000 | IP: Logged

Harry
Stormwind City Guard
Member # 265

posted

Oh! Dr. Sbaitso was FUN! You could make him very angry by calling him names [Big Grin]

I remember him actually flooding the screen with nonsensical numbers a few times after I had repeatedly called him a "sh*thead" again.

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Titan Fleet Yards | Memory Alpha

Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

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