We have just updated our chat bot PamBot on the servers. We have fixed the error message in Wikipedia requests (like “what is skype”) and were able to improve the conversation flow a lot. The bot is now able to react better on what you have said in your previous message. So there is a kind of “brain” which keeps the previous messages to be able to refer to those messages from you.
Additionally, we have fixed the games in PamBot: try it by typing LUCKYSLOTS, WORDPLAY or BLACKJACK.
Since the initial release of Pamela in February 2005 and after the last main release in May 2008, we now released Pamela for Skype version 4.5.
4.5 has some new features and changes which I will describe in this post.
The new version has two new main functions: Call Scheduler and Auto Conference Call Manager
Call Scheduler: This function allows you to schedule Skype calls and Pamela will popup a reminder at the preset time before the call is supposed to happen. The call scheduler has several options like recurring calls (great for those weekly/monthly calls). When a call notification is shown you can easily click on an icon which initiates the call for you.
Conference Call Manager: With this tool you can remotely start conference calls, bookmark conference calls or join calls. The situation of use would be where you are to start a conference call but need to attend other business. In this case you can define that when a particular Skype user calls you that Pamela creates the conference call (and you can record it also). The same works for outbound calls, you call a collegue and Pamela will create the conference call for you. You can also click on a call button and Pamela will automatically create a conference call with all people you have defined in the group.
In addition we have done major redesign of the birthday section which now shows a list of all past, current and future birthdays of your contacts. Those that do not have a date set in the Skype profile do not show obviously. New is also the option to customize the standard birthday chat greeting message before sending it.
We’ve had requests from people who installed Pamela on another computer, to be able to import older recordings. This function has been added to 4.5 and you can now easily import recordings into Pamela.
The video recording component, although not yet there where we want it to be, has been improved. Many had issues with Pamela unable to locate the Skype video, this has been fixed. Stay tuned for more development here.
The sound options in Pamela have been simplified as the configuration in 4.0 was very technical and many could not figure out how that worked.
The audio engine in Pamela has been updated and performs better. We have also achieved considerable performance improvements when starting Pamela.
Furthermore icons have been updated for better clearity. Menus have been resorted so they are more logical. Some settings regarding default setting of various options changed based on user feedback.
If you are a current Pamela user (not Call Recorder!), you can upgrade for free by downloading the latest version. To do that open Pamela and click on the Help menu and then “Check for update”. Download the new 4.5 version and run the installer. There is no need to uninstall Pamela for the upgrade.
Be one of the first to test the new mcePhone for Skype Beta 1! This complete overhauled version 3 brings Skype chats and video calls to your TV using Microsoft Media Center (2005 or Vista). We have spent large efforts on improving the user interface and usability of mcePhone. Just download and try out the new version here:
Be aware that there are still edges and problems in this beta version. Just let us know what you think or if you experience any problem. Our contact form is the best way to submit any feedback about mcePhone.
Written by Christoph on 13. November 2008 in category PamConsult
We’ve done posts before about PamBot but yesterday I was talking to a future client and demo-ed PamBot. It was a cool experience seeing that PamBot, powered by the Alice AI engine and a funny AIML character, just chatted away with us. It was fun being in a Skype multichat and having the bot in it to ask questions and search the internet (I created a Skype multichat with PamBot). I also did a demo of searching Ebay, the results came back instantly. A very easy and quick way to fetch and share (live) data.
The project has been a bit dormant but this is mainly due to the fact that it is operating perfectly. The backed is extremely scalable and can handle literally millions of simultaneous chat sessions. Btw – the same platform we also use in PamFax for sending Skype chat status notifications.
So, if you’re up for some fun just lookup the Skype user “pam_bot” in your Skype and add her to your contact list. Open a chat window and type “help” (without the quotes). Then you can just type away and PamBot will answer based on what you type.
There is also a website with further details. The site is www.pambot.com.
Note that the download is not required when you just want to experience artificial intelligence in a Skype chat.
Written by Dick on 17. October 2008 in category PamConsult
We are proud to announce the new version of mcePhone for Skype, which brings Skype to your TV using Microsoft Media Center (2005 or Vista). This next version 2.2 will have integrated Skype Video calls and Skype chat support.
This is a screencam of the complete overhauled version with new UI:
Unfortunately, Skype was unable to add an API to Skype in the past 3 years to give us access to the video of Skype calls directly, although we have asked and pushed hard for so long. As Skype video calls on TV was the most requested feature of mcePhone, we have invested a vast amount of time to make this possible even without any change from Skype’s side. With this new version, you will get fullscreen Skype video of the person you are calling on your TV and even see your video in the lower left corner (see ~1:30 in the video above).
Another very nice new feature is Skype chat integration: While you can still see the current media playing in the lower left corner of your TV (i.e. while the commercials are playing), you can chat with your friends and family. You even get a notification overlayed over your current media (TV, DVD, …) if a chat message comes in. With one click, you are in the chat conversation to answer the incoming chat message (see ~3:30 in the video).
We plan to make a beta of this new version available very soon to you. Be prepared to get a totally new feeling of Skype in your living room
Let us know what you think.
Written by Christoph on 1. August 2008 in category PamConsult
We recently started to notice that people enter fax numbers in the most interesting ways. Instead of the standard format, numbers were entered like +0049 and other variations. This obviously resulted in a bad fax experience as the fax could not be sent.
We did some thinking and came up with a solution for this which just went live. Basically as of not it does not matter how you format the phone number, PamFax will figure it out for you and correct any non-standards.
In addition we added a blocker for satellite area codes as sending a fax via satellite is very very expensive.
In addition we noticed that many people install PamFax but then do not send their free fax. This could be because they don’t have a fax to send to or no document. To remind people, PamFax will send a reminder chat after five days so that people are reminded to send their free fax.
Written by Dick on 12. June 2008 in category PamFax
The new build (.49) addresses not only some minor issues but more interestingly has a new recommend to a friend option. This is a function where, after you sent your fax, you can easily have PamFax send a Skype chat to your friends and once five people start using PamFax we will add a cash bonus to your account automatically. For every five new users you will get a bonus! So, the more you recommend the more bonus (cash) is added to your account.
Note that only people that do no yet have PamFax show on the recommendation contact list. Also people you already have recommended do not show again . To prevent overuse, the maximum contacts you can recommend to (per fax job) is ten.
Another great feature is the support of PamFax in the upcoming Skype toolbars. Take a look here. Pretty cool stuff, so download the beta toolbar and give it a go.
No client update is required, so just keep faxing away.
Written by Dick on 21. May 2008 in category PamFax
I am just coming back from Prague, where PamFax was announced as the winner of the Skype Mashup Competition 2007!
This competition honored the best mashup of Skype’s API with other API(s). The Mashup Cup was presented to Dick and me by Paul Amery and Sten Tamkivi of Skype at Skype’s Developer and Beta Tester event last night in Prague. Read the complete announcement from Skype. Photos of the event will follow.
We are very proud to win this competition after being awarded as “Most innovative buyer’s applicatuion 2005″ by eBay Germany and getting the “eBay Star Developer Award 2006” from eBay USA.
Thanks for this honor and all the congratulations.
Written by Christoph on 15. September 2007 in category PamConsult,PamFax
Welcome to PamNews.com
Read PamNews.com where we share news and updates about our products: PamFax, Pamela for Skype, Pamela Call Recorder, mcePhone, TapiRex, Jaast and our services company called PamConsult.
