robot
robot n. [IRC, MUD] 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 {nick}s 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.
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