The Sentient Office Is Coming 182
Roland Piquepaille writes "In this article, the Economist explains that "sentient computing systems are likely to be everywhere within five years -- listening and watching, and ready to anticipate their users' every need." "By adding sensors to today's computing and communications technology, sentient computing seeks to take account of a machine's environment in order to make it more responsive and useful. Sentient computing systems are always on, ubiquitously available, and can adapt to their users. In short, they seek to become real help-mates." ACM TechNews also wrote an analysis of sentient computing: "Challenges to sentient computing include the seamless integration of wireless networks, the spread of sensors throughout products and the environment, the accurate provision of location data, and the ability of sentient systems to merge vast volumes of widely disseminated data and customize its delivery for users. Other problems researchers will have to tackle include scalability, the development of cooperative file systems, and sentient applications' ability to find screens and network devices in close proximity to users." And of course, there are privacy concerns... Check this summary for additional details."
Clippy writes.. (Score:5, Funny)
* Help you write a suicide note
* Email your lawyer to set your main beneficiary to Microsoft
* Fax an order for another red swingline because someone stole it
At Last! (Score:5, Funny)
Coming soon... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Clippy writes.. (Score:0, Funny)
We already have that..... (Score:1, Funny)
The future (Score:5, Funny)
Oh, and your boss will be a cell phone. See, he's yelling at you right now.
God, I hope they have drugs in the future.
Sentient Office? (Score:5, Funny)
I'm still waiting for sentient office workers.
Re:For those who don't know... (Score:1, Funny)
-Stiles
Only 5 years? (Score:1, Funny)
Things we will also have in 5 years:
cheap fusion power
base on the moon
first man on mars
duke nukem forever
Nils
California will be spared (Score:5, Funny)
all in a day's work (Score:5, Funny)
I grabbed my lunch and headed out as fast as I could. It is now 12:45, and I am not sure what I will find when I return to the office, but judging from the terrorised faces of my coworkers, it can't be good.
Mr Clippy (Score:3, Funny)
I think I may just kill myself now instead.
Microsoft is leading on this (Score:1, Funny)
Already my system knows when I need to take a break and forces me to do so by coming to a complete halt, requiring a relaxing reboot.
Occassionally, my system will recognize when a document I am working on is moving in a completely hopeless direction and will shut down the application as I'm working on it, effectively tossing out all of my errant work. Who knew that starting over would be the best course of action? MS Word did!
And sometimes, when I am completely confused and wrong-thinking, I will attempt to play music files or view movies that I have not been authorized to view. Thank Bill that I don't pursue such behaviors, lest I be sued. Instead, this sort of thing is halted immediately.
Once I tried to use outdated software, but was reminded several times to upgrade to the latest Microsoft versions of all of my software, which while costly, was ultimately better for me. There again, my computer is looking out for me.
I'm being told that I should end this post now. I guess I gotta go.
Sentient Lifts ? (Score:5, Funny)
(Soft muzakky sort of voice) Hello. I am to be your elevator for this trip to the floor of your choice. I have been designed by the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation to take you, the visitor to the Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy, into these, their offices. If you enjoy your ride which will be swift and pleasurable then you may care to experience some of the other elevators which have recently been installed in the offices of the Galactic Tax Department, Boobiloo Baby Foods and the Sirian State Mental Hospital, where many ex-Sirius Cybernetics Corporation Executives will be delighted to welcome your visits, sympathy and happy tales of life out in the big wide world.
Zaphod
Yeah? What else to you do besides talk?
Lift
I go up or down.
Zaphod
Good. We're going up.
Lift
Or down.
Zaphod
Yeah, ok, up please.
Lift
Down's very nice.
Zaphod
Oh yeah?
Lift
Super.
Zaphod
Good. Now will you take us up?
Lift
May I ask you if you've considered all the possibilities that down might offer you?
Re:It is inevitable (Score:1, Funny)
"HAL I want to go home!" (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Clippy the ......? or "Stop trying to help me!" (Score:2, Funny)
I don't want my refrigerator watching my travel plans and spying on my every move. I pay the Government to do that.