Agent Sourcebook

Ask the computer any question and it will figure out how to give you a correct answer. At least, that's always been the science-fiction scenario, a dream still far removed from real-life computing. But the growth of "intelligent agent" software appears to be bringing that scenario closer to reality. Is it all just hype, as many believe? Alper Caglayan and Colin Harrison examine the realities of today's intelligent agents and discover that while we're still a long way from the Hollywood picture of business computing, today's very real agents are already powerful business tools. They examine agents for Internet, Intranet and desktop use, evaluating processes that users can customize or automate. They look at agents that seek and screen information, sort e-mail, simulate human conversation, streamline processes for users, and much more. But they go deeper, delving into the processes and trade-offs of introducing agents into a workplace--including security risks. Perhaps equally important is that Caglayan and Harrison offer a clear and sensible taxonomy, providing a means for cogent discussion of agent technology.