bot n
[common on IRC, MUD and among gamers; from
`robot'] 1. 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 bots are less common on MUDs; but some others,
such as the `Julia' bot 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. 2. An AI-controlled
player in a computer game (especially a first-person shooter such
as Quake) which, unlike ordinary monsters, operates like a
human-controlled player, with access to a player's weapons and
abilities. An example can be found at
http://www.telefragged.com/thefatal/.
Note that bots in both senses were `robots' when the term first
appeared in the early 1990s, but the shortened form is now
habitual.
[common on IRC, MUD and among gamers; from
`robot'] 1. 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 bots are less common on MUDs; but some others,
such as the `Julia' bot 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. 2. An AI-controlled
player in a computer game (especially a first-person shooter such
as Quake) which, unlike ordinary monsters, operates like a
human-controlled player, with access to a player's weapons and
abilities. An example can be found at
http://www.telefragged.com/thefatal/.
Note that bots in both senses were `robots' when the term first
appeared in the early 1990s, but the shortened form is now
habitual.
Related:
- robot: [IRC, MUD] n. An {IRC} or {MUD} user who is actually
a program.
On IRC, typically the robot provides some useful ... - jupiter vt.
[IRC] To kill an IRC bot or user
and then take its place by adopting its nick so that it cannot
reconnect.
Named after a particular IRC user who did this to ... - IRC: /I-R-C/ [Internet Relay Chat] n. A worldwide "party
line" network that allows one to converse with others in real
time.
IRC is structured as a network of Internet servers... - IRC /I-R-C/ n.
[Internet Relay Chat] A worldwide "party
line" network that allows one to converse with others in real
time.
IRC is structured as a network of Internet servers... - spam vt.,vi.,n.
[from "Monty Python's Flying
Circus"] 1.
To crash a program by overrunning a fixed-size buffer... - bug n.
An unwanted and unintended property of a program or
piece of hardware,
esp. one that causes it to malfunction. Antonym... - toad vt. [MUD]
1. Notionally, to change a MUD player into
a toad.
2. To permanently and totally exile a player from the... - jupiter: [IRC] vt. To kill an {IRC} {robot} or user and
then take its place by adopting its {nick} so that it cannot
reconnect.
Named after a particular IRC user who did this to ... - netlag n.
[IRC, MUD] A condition that occurs when the
delays in the IRC network or on a MUD become severe
enough that servers briefly lose and then reestablish contact,
causing messages to be delivered in bursts, often with...
