As early as 1994, in a speech she gave at the Doors of Perception 2 Conference, Maes described the need for software agents. There is just too much information. Much remains to be done before software agents realize their potential. If agents are to collaborate and form a vast network of superprocurers, standards must take hold to address communication and security issues. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is working on developing the Knowledge Query and Manipulation Language, which will double as a message format and a message-handling protocol.
Agents are sure to revolutionize industrial espionage, too.
Its free tool sends bots out to gather information. If nothing else, agents serve as another reminder to brush up on security procedures. Click here to learn more. Find out at a free Windows XP launch event starting 10.25.01. Computerworld Inc. All rights reserved.