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Intelligent Software Agents
 
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Intelligent Software Agents (Paperback)

by Richard Murch (Author), Tony Johnson (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 300 pages
  • Publisher: Prentice Hall (30 Dec 1998)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0130110213
  • ISBN-13: 978-0130110213
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 17.7 x 1.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,305,731 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description

Software is about to get a whole lot smarter, with the introduction of a new generation of intelligent software agents that can manage, organize and sift through enormous amounts of data on behalf of their users. Some agents are simple daemons patrolling networks to find available resources; others are sophisticated programs that navigate WANs seeking relevant data, performing tasks, even making decisions on behalf of users. This complete guide to agent technology covers a wide range of applications in industries ranging from medicine to finance, publishing to data warehousing. It reviews the state-of-the-art in agent technology, which is increasingly adaptable, mobile, transparent, accountable, rugged, user-centered and autonomous. It covers the major concerns facing agent developers, including security, privacy, legal issues, control and performance. It also covers advanced research in multi-agent systems, called "agencies," as well as efforts to endow agents with emotions, attitudes, cultural knowledge and multilingual expertise.



From the Author
An important technology suffering from early everhype
Agent technology hit the covers of Time and the headlines of newspapers two years ago. Since that time it appears that it was another case of hype, another revolution that is not happening.

The truth is that information contained in the the web of today is far too simplistic and insufficiently structured for other than very simple and fairly dumb agents to operate within and deliver any business value. This simplicity has been holding up what we believe is a massive explosion of tools and software that can only be likened to the explosion that followed the invention of HTML and HTTP (the web) itself.

XML is the key technology which will begin to unlock the potential of intelligent software agents that can deliver real value back to business. XML allows those agents to identify the information they need to act. Yet XML was only ratified this year. It is this delay which has given technology watchers the impression that agents are a non event.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Richard Murch and I have tried to explain the importance of agents and the key driving technologies which companies need to absorb NOW so they can benefit from the coming explosion of business agents.

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (11)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars A book of who, what, and where, but little how., 12 Feb 1999
By A Customer
This is a book targeted for those who are interested in agents, what they can do, what institutions are working on them, and descriptions of many application areas with some discussion of existing programs. The authors are to be congratulated on the scope of their research and reporting. In my view the book discusses much more of the "what" agents can do rather than the "how" and dwells on the market potential of agents. While such a review is of interest to many readers, it left me unimpressed. Any reader who is interested in an overview of the potential applications of agents and agent technology without having to dwell much on the detailed workings of the technology or what the current research issues are, this is the perfect book. For those who have some familiarity with the topic of agents, and desire more specific information about how to develop them, this book is a poor choice. Books I prefer to this one include Agent Technology, Jennings and Wooldridge (editors) , The Design of Intelligent Agents by J. Mueller, and Artificial Intelligence: a Modern Approach by Russell and Norvig.
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4.0 out of 5 stars A good place to start when acquainting yourself with agents, 21 Mar 2000
By A Customer
For quite some time I have wanted to know more about agents so I plumped for this book and was pleased I did. As mentioned in other reviews it is not about the nitty-gritty of how agents work, but it got me to the stage where I felt I could move onto that. It is great at covering the necessary jargon and has extensive references to companies and websites so you can carry out your own further research. A bigger bibliography would have been nice.

The only downside is it needs tidying up. It reads as if it has not been checked by its authors or its editor after writing. This is a minor niggle but stops it getting five stars in my opinion.

I would recommend it to anyone who, like me, is new to the field and wants a thorough primer.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, 7 Jul 1999
By A Customer
The authors have developed an important book with immaculate detail, strong writing, an excellent grip on the material, and a strong sense of direction for the future. The book is particularly strong in its earlier section, dealing with the development of agent technology. Despite the avalanche of books written about agents in recent years, there have been comparatively few books that deliver a comprehensive account of what it all really means.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly readable - Plain english
If you're looking for a technical code to solve agent problems, then this is not the book for you. If you want a comprehensive analysis of the possible effects of agent... Read more
Published on 6 Jul 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best on the Market
This book cover a lot of ground in a short space of time and gives one a detailed taste for how agents are created from current technologies, and more importantly, what they... Read more
Published on 25 Jun 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Worth Reading
This book is high quality on the subject matter. It is a thoughtful exploration of the facts and a conservative appraisal of the potential of agents. Read more
Published on 29 April 1999

1.0 out of 5 stars $45 for an Arthur C. Clarke interview + a rough draft
This one escaped the editing stage. It gives Franklin and Graesser's references for definitions of intelligent agents and never even gives the name of Franklin's book, much less... Read more
Published on 25 April 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars The best around
If you want a good understanding of agent technology - buy this book. Good content, well written, and interesting. Read more
Published on 19 April 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive - recommended
I read this in book quickly, and I was impressed. This is not a book for techno-geeks, but rather a treatment for management. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 1999

1.0 out of 5 stars Non-technical broad brush, lacks depth
This book is aimed at non-technical readers who want a broad brush of the field with little depth. The focus is on what agents can (or might) do, and what the potential business... Read more
Published on 20 Feb 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
What an Amazing book! Get it at once ... You will find yourself reading the book from cover to cover and more importantly, will use it as a reference manual, to dip into from... Read more
Published on 1 Feb 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written - Good value - recommended
I am impressed with the quality, breadth, scope and recommend it for anyone interested in agent technology. It is clear, and to the point. Read more
Published on 19 Jan 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read - could become a classic
This is one of the best books I have read on agents. It covers the whole field, products,standards and much more. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 1999

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