robot
1. <robotics> A mechanical device for performing a task which might
otherwise be done by a human, e.g. spraying paint on cars.
See also cybernetics.
2. <chat> An IRC or MUD user who is actually a program. On IRC, typically
the robot provides some useful service. Examples are NickServ, which tries to
prevent random users from adopting nicks already claimed by others, and MsgServ,
which allows one to send asynchronous messages to be delivered when the
recipient signs on. Also common are "annoybots", such as KissServ, which perform
no useful function except to send cute messages to other people. Service robots
are less common on MUDs; but some others, such as the "Julia" robot active in
1990--91, have been remarkably impressive Turing test experiments, able to pass
as human for as long as ten or fifteen minutes of conversation.
3. <World-Wide Web> spider.
[Jargon File]
(1996-03-23)
Nearby terms:
Robert T. Morris « ROBEX « RoboHELP « robot »
robust » Rockwell Protocol Interface » Rocky
Mountain Basic
|
