/*************************************** * http://www.program-o.com * PROGRAM O * Version: 2.4.7 * FILE: README * AUTHOR: Elizabeth Perreau and Dave Morton * DATE: MAY 17TH 2014 * DETAILS: Gives an overview of the script, along with basic instructions on installation and use. ***************************************/ ***NEWS:*** Program O version 2.4.6 introduces changes to the config file, so will require at least an overlay install. Please see http://blog.program-o.com/2014/12/program-o-2-4-6-available-bug-fixes-security-enhancements/ for more details. Introduction --------------------------------------------------------- Program O is an AIML interpretor written in PHP, and uses a MySQL database to store chatbot information, including the AIML files used to formulate the chatbot's responses. Configuration --------------------------------------------------------- Program O supports the creation of multiple chatbots. The individual bots are configured from the admin area. Bot specific variables are stored in the database. Configuration of Program O itself is done in /config/global_config.php Using the bot --------------------------------------------------------- After installation you can chat with your Program O chatbot using several methods: -Through a static HTML page (example in /gui/plain/index.php) -Through an AJAX enabled web page (example in /gui/jquery/index.php) -Through the Program O API (example in /gui/xml/index.php) For advanced botmasters and programmers, it is possible to use the Program O API to access a chatbot from stand-alone applications through HTTP requests. for information on how to create and/or use such a stand-alone application, please visit the Program O Support Forums at http://www.program-o.com Foreign Language Support --------------------------------------------------------- v2.2 and higher now supports Unicode characters, allowing chatbots to be created that use non-English languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Russian, Turkish, Thai, and many others. Upgrade --------------------------------------------------------- Upgrading from version 1 to version 2 is no longer supported. If you want to "upgrade" your chatbot from version 1 to version 2, you will need to save your AIML files from the current chatbot, perform a "clean install" of Program O, and then upload the AIML files to the new installation. With the release of Program O version 2.2, the differences in structure and functionality between version 1 and version 2 became too great to continue supporting the transition. If you need assistance with the process of migrating from version 1 to version 2.2+ of Program O, please contact us on the Program O forums at http://www.program-o.com/forum/ Clean install --------------------------------------------------------- Starting with version 2.0.1 and later, there is an automatic installer provided for clean installation. Simply point your web browser to your freshly uploaded Program O directory to run the install script. Then follow the instructions on the page. The installer is designed to only run once. Please note that the installer script will NOT create your database for you, nor will it install your bot's AIML files. The database, along with the username/password used to access it, needs to be created in advance. See the file FRESH_INSTALL_README.txt for more information. After you create the database, and once you complete the installation process, simply go to your new Program O admin page (e.g. http://www.example.com/ProgramO/admin) and log in using the admin credentials you provided during the install process. Then select "Upload AIML" from the navigation link on the left and upload your AIML files. Then sit back and enjoy your new bot! Program O has a WordPress Plugin! --------------------------------------------------------- If you have a WordPress driven website, and wish to incorporate your Program O chatbot into your website with a minimum of fuss and hassle, then maybe the Elizaibots plugin is what you need! Add an Elizaibots chatbot to your wordpress site using the shortcode to embed the bot and conversation on your blog. Keep your readers amused! Check out http://wordpress.org/plugins/elizaibot-chatbots/ for more details.