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"IMHO, having students do computer games projects is absolutely the best possible way to teach programming, graphics, software engineering, object oriented programming, etc."
- Rudy Rucker

Daily Schedule (DS)  
  The DS was an artificially intelligent day planner, a schedule keeper with voice recognition features; it also talked back when necessary.  

There is an exchange that runs over several pages in the novel, giving an interesting glimpse of what this technology holds in store for the rest of us in years to come. Interestingly, Herbert uses a machine to cause his character to introspect.

The Daily Schedule began playing to McKie as he emerged from the bath. The DS suited its tone to his movements and the combined analysis of his psychophysical condition.

"Good morning, ser," it fluted.

McKie, who could interpret the analysis of his mood from the DS tone, put down a flash of resentment. Of course he felt angry and concerned.

"Good morning, you dumb inanimate object," he growled... He'd been meaning to for some time to reprogram the damned thing. No matter how carefully you set them, they always got out of phase. He didn't bother to bridle his mood, merely spoke the words in full emotional spate: "Now you hear me, machine: don't you ever again choose that buddy-buddy conversational tone when I'm in this mood!"

"Your admonition recorded and new program instituted, ser." The DS adopted a brisk, matter of fact tone as it continued...

From The Dosadi Experiment, by Frank Herbert.
Published by Berkley Putnam in 1977
Additional resources -

Personally, I'm not sure that I want to have a day planner built into my house - especially if I have to argue with it!

Its voder is described as "fluting" its responses; it is interesting to compare this kind of voice (like a woodwind instrument, as opposed to a digital reproduction) to a similar device in Neuromancer (see the Talking Head), by William Gibson.

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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from The Dosadi Experiment
  More Ideas and Technology by Frank Herbert
  Tech news articles related to The Dosadi Experiment
  Tech news articles related to works by Frank Herbert

Daily Schedule (DS)-related news articles:
  - Mood Recognition Technology: Pivo 2 Driver Experience Enhanced
  - Mr. T Pities The Fool Who Won't Turn Left
  - Robo-Rucksack: Six-Year-Old Designs Talking 'Smart Backpack'
  - Voice Interactive Alarm Clock By Moshi

Articles related to Artificial Intelligence
Hopfield Neural Net Helper AIs For Astronauts
Computer, Heal Thyself - With ClearView
Emily Howell - The Computer Is The Composer
Aroxo Intelligent Agents Negotiate For You

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