I n the mid-1960s Joseph Weizenbaum created a stunning piece of software. Years before HAL 9000's screen debut in 2001: A Space Odyssey, this software, Eliza, made it possible to have a conversation with a computer. Eliza's most famous script,Doctor, caused the software to parody the conversational patterns of non-directive therapists during an initial visit. While Eliza/Doctor can seem quite s...