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MSN Messenger Adds Two New IM Bots

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

December 2, 2005, 2:30 PM

Microsoft announced two new MSN Messenger bots this week, but took a noticeably different approach in introducing them to users by first asking. Competitor AOL caused quite a stir last month when it automatically added two AIM bots to its users' Buddy Lists, which resulted in a flood of complaints.

The bots from MSN offer answers to questions from Microsoft's Encarta encyclopedia, as well as BBC television listings. Users can start sessions with the automated services by saying "hello" and following the prompts. Those interested can add encarta@conversagent.com and bbcbackstage@hotmail.com to their contact lists in order to test out of the bots.

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By ismail_majzoub

edited Jan 28, 2006 - 3:56 PM

....

Score: 0

By xosourliciousxo

edited Dec 22, 2006 - 4:00 PM

her is my im xosourliciousxo

Score: 0

By RoSmecher

posted Dec 5, 2005 - 6:02 PM

that's pretty cool. do they have any other bots out there on MSN or just the two ones mentioned in this article?

Score: 0

By pinksockz14akt

edited May 7, 2006 - 8:51 PM

yea go to google and put in msn messenger bots and click on the first link and it will give you a whole list of them

Score: 0

By johnsony

posted Dec 5, 2005 - 9:30 AM

for those msn lover that could be the good news. but this just look like AIM bot hmmmm copying cat...*.*

Score: 0

By Curlytopz

posted Dec 4, 2005 - 11:05 AM

This is good I like it it would be great to have a dictionary one also

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 3:37 PM

OMG. I totally called this one.

From: http://www.betanews.com/..._Buddy_Lists/1132158803

"By JeRrYFaR posted Nov 16, 2005 - 1:47 PM

Wouldn't surprise me if the other big names (ie.. Yahoo, MSN) don't follow suit..

It's sad.. really sad..

-------------------------------------------

By wincement posted Nov 16, 2005 - 3:35 PM

Microsoft probably will. They seem to like
copying all the other big ideas recently.

Virtual Earth, the Book index project,
Windows Live...."

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 3:17 PM

Well at least MSN asks you whether or not you want the darn things. I found AOL's addition of bots rather rude myself.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 10:54 PM

Indeed!

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By JacenSolo

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 9:31 PM

I know what you mean. I have IM accounts on all major networks and had to remove the IM bots on AIM cause they are bloody annoying. I don't live in the USA.

MSN's bot idea is ok through. Encarta is added to my list :)

Score: 0

By school1012

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 3:52 PM

Total agree

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By ServerMechanic

edited Dec 2, 2005 - 3:14 PM

MSN messenger is the best IM app out. Skype is cool but it makes too many goofy background connections.

Yahoo is also very good.

AIM and ICQ really stink.

Google Talk is just "fair".

At least MS handles the bots in a decent way.

Score: 0

By Murphy71984

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 3:01 PM

I actually like the Encarta Instant Answers bot. :o)

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 2:58 PM

Why in the hell is MSN trying to Copy AOL??....Didn't they see the whole "BOT" idea was a huge mistake!?!?

Score: 0

By Secret Agent Man

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 10:05 PM

No, they saw that automatically adding the bots to everyone's buddy lists was a mistake. What they did was merely offer the service, not force the bots on its users.

And (as previously noted) IM Bots have been around for a while. Yahoo's help IM bot has been around for years.

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 3:35 PM

IM bot is available for a long long time. I remember like 2 to 3 years ago, there is an IM bot that give you weather, movie schedule, restaurant, etc.

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Dec 5, 2005 - 7:42 AM

And if you used IRC, they went back well over 10 years ago.

Score: 0

By rijp

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 2:55 PM

What no Fem Bots?

Score: 0

By IgnacioJN

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 6:40 PM

http://www.spleak.com/

Score: 0

By spiffyjeff

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 3:20 PM

LOL, if you find any, let me know

Score: 0

By beta_animal

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 3:30 PM

Just watch out for the "machine-gun jumblies"!!!

Austin Powers joke for those of you that didn't get it!

Score: 0

By alexweber15

posted Dec 2, 2005 - 7:20 PM

way to completely kill all the humour in this thread

Score: 0

By velasco

edited Dec 2, 2005 - 6:24 PM

what do you guys think of a bot thats more light in nature where you can chat with daily to get your daily horoscope, celeb gossip, music recs, etc.?

Score: 0

By a7knight

posted Dec 4, 2005 - 10:53 AM

Hasnt anyone ever heard of Smarter Child from AIM. He's a bot that's been around for ages. He'll give you your "horoscope, celeb gossip, music recs, etc". Downside is: he, like all other bots, is as annoying as crap.

Score: 0

By blackwing837

posted Dec 3, 2005 - 10:30 PM

Didn't they already have that with Zoe?

Score: 0

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