The old UNIX tools talk and write , and the text-based communication they facilitate are the basis of many internet messenger systems. This will blend emoticons, icons, avatars and textual information together seemlessly in a new form of quirky but intelligent messenging system. Rather than have the computer sit idly by whilst the user sends and receives messages. Important phrases, frequent requests, items or exchanges will be gathered during conversations with individuals and stored locally. These common phrases will be developed into a simple iconic language which will become the means of communication between users.
Many simple messages are questions or requests.
They include times, places and events as well as people's names. Standard icons need to be devised amongst a sub-culture of users for communicating these concepts. These might be conventional still bitmaps or they may be simple animated signs. The computer might use the phrasebook it has created to suggest new concepts be iconized. Additionally, new icons could be developed by users for inclusion in the messenging system.