Microsoft Agent - Details

Details

"Microsoft® Agent is a set of software services that supports the presentation of software agents as interactive personalities within the Microsoft Windows® interface."

In order to view web pages or applications that use MS Agent characters you need to install the following MS ActiveX controls:

  1. Microsoft Agent 2.0 control.
  2. Lernout & Hauspie® TruVoice text-to-speech engine.

Once the Microsoft Agent controls are installed you need to choose which way you would like the characters to load.  There are two versions of the Microsoft Agents Characters available. 

  1. The HTTP versions are automatically downloaded as needed from the Microsoft web site and stored in your browsers cache.  This way can be slow and it may take several minutes for the characters to appear. 
  2. The local versions are downloaded from Microsoft web site in advance and placed in a the Microsoft Agent subdirectory called Chars.  The characters start instantly without delay.  (The preferred method)
Automatic Installation
Automatic installation is available by following the directions below.  The page will automatically install all required components from the Microsoft Web Site.  Each control is digitally signed by Microsoft. 
  1. Verify your security settings are set to medium.  This options is available by clicking the menu View, then Internet Options  and selecting Security Tab.  The ActiveX controls will not install without changing this to medium or lower.
  2. Click here to proceed to the installation web page.  Installation may take several minutes.  Its worth the wait!
Manual Installation
Manual installation is available from the Microsoft Agent web site.  This will allow you to keep each file for future re-installation (if needed).  You can always download these files at a later date if you wish to choose the automatic installation.
  1. Microsoft Agent Web Site
System Requirements
  1. Windows95 or WindowsNT
  2. Internet Explorer 3.02 or later.  (I recommend 4.1)
  3. A Pentium 100 MHZ PC or faster.
  4. 16 Meg of RAM or More (Memory is so cheap now)
  5. Sound Card and Speakers (If you plan to use Lernout & Hauspie TruVoice text-to-speech engine)

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