[E-Lang] Re: Pet Extensions and such (was: what is good about E?)

[Ken Kahn]

MarkM wrote:
>
> These reviewers may dislike both the CapWT desktop and the RedWire/EROS
> systems described.  Again, it depends how hostile the world becomes to
those
> who operate insecurely.  Absent dangers, our cars, homes, and bank
deposits
> would all be more usable if all safety measures (like doors, keys, and
> locks) were removed.  But consumers, including grandmothers, put up with
the
> usability costs of doors, keys, and locks anyway.  Indeed, doors are a
mass
> market consumer success.  Keys and locks haven't done too badly either.
>
>
Well, doors have lots of other uses: keeping in the heat (or cold), keeping
out the bugs, reducing sounds, etc.

I was just thinking about how cars and homes with locks will be much more
usable once they are smart enough to recognize people so you won't need keys
(other than your hand, voice, or appearance). That got me thinking how maybe
what grandmothers need is an intelligent agent that grants capabilities on
their behalf. While AI has a long way to go, such an agent need only do at
least as well as a typical grandmother. I'm trying hard not to be insulting
to the stereotype grandmother but I don't think it is so hard to define a
set of rules that will work better than she will. Or are there decisions
that require lots of "common sense"?

Best,

-ken