The Secret Agent Man

An example of Microsoft Agent technology

Despite its relatively recent and low profile introduction, Microsoft Agent is already appearing on numerous Web sites (visit Sites using Agent at (http://www.microsoft.com/intdev/agent/agent-f.htm). Agent InfoSpace (www.argolink.com/agent) offers an intriguing simulation illustrating how an animated talking character can work in parallel with a traditional graphical interface to make online banking easier. Exhibit 2 shows Genie welcoming you to the online banking simulation Web.

Once Genie finishes with his introduction, he hangs around to assist you in filling out the banking form. Agent actors, like Genie, always appear on top of the applications on your desktop (i.e., they are assigned the first, or front, ordering). So opening another application, say Word or Excel, won't obscure your view of them.

The author of a Web page is free to assign a wide variety of handlers (or behaviors) that trigger actions from Agent actors, including voice commands. Mouse actions, like clicking the Advisory Alert button in the bank form, are often used to activate an animated character. When Genie is summoned, he speaks and displays text balloons to advise you on the number of checks to order, where to put your money, and how to save better based on your spending habits.

You can tell Genie, or any other agent actor, to vanish at any time. This is an important capability and one stressed in the documentation for Agent (see the Microsoft Guidelines for Designing Character Interaction). The controls to hide Agent actors are easily accessible and always readily available on your desktop. To make the little blue fellow disappear in a puff of smoke, simply right click the Agent icon in the lower-right corner of the Status bar and select the Hide Genie command

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