Talk to Strangers Again

April 10, 2009 6:09 PM

Hey guys, remember way back in 2005 when I had that AIM bot that let you talk to random people on the net? It melted down frequently due to some restrictions of the AIM network, and I lost interest in it. Apparently, the community didn't because people have MeMailed me about it since. I talked about doing a AJAX version, but never got around to it. So I thought you might like to hear that someone else did.

Here is to hoping he makes a big pile of money on ads.

posted by phrontist to etiquette/policy at 6:09 PM (12 comments total)

On the blue
posted by majikstreet at 6:11 PM on April 10

There was a post about it a week and a half ago, in fact.

Also, jesus butts, Projects has been around since 2005? Didn't we like just launch that thing a little while ago? That's freaking me out a little.
posted by cortex at 6:12 PM on April 10

Well, apparently I'm the last one to hear!
It's kind of cool, the apparent author is exactly the age I was when I wrote my version.

This strengthens my conviction that memes percolate out of cultures, not individuals. Hmm... even the phrase "my conviction" seems off now - maybe it would be more accurate to say, the conviction that's taken up residence in me.

If one ant decides not the do his part in grabbing the twig, it doesn't slow the colony down much, does it?
posted by phrontist at 6:21 PM on April 10 [1 favorite has favorites]

Hail, fellow!
posted by unknowncommand at 7:07 PM on April 10

cortex: "There was a post about it a week and a half ago, in fact."

Thanks for pointing me toward that FPP (which also led to the one about Salmoning)... the thread is fucking hilarious. Not gonna try it out, though... those heady days of IRC, before I had Windows... Everyone was a stranger! It was like worldwide DDial -- you weren't gonna run into anyone in the mall... (Except this one guy on #truth who turned out to be this kid I went to high school with... but anyway...) yeah, thanks.
posted by not_on_display at 8:43 PM on April 10

I tried it a week or two ago. People kept talking about dicks. The posted thread conversations were awesome though. If this could somehow be between anon mefi members it would be ultra fabulous.
posted by cashman at 8:49 PM on April 10

Almost every time I have used Omegle so far it has resulted in ASCII pictures of Rick Astley. I don't know if this represents a hostile takeover of the service by hardcore Rickrollers or just my own shitty luck.
posted by the latin mouse at 2:21 AM on April 11

All my conversations turned out to be with bots. Phhhhblt.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 8:22 AM on April 11

I said hi, but the robot didn't want to talk to me :(
posted by milarepa at 8:47 AM on April 11

I met three Brazilians and two Chinese! It's awesome for penpals if you have patience.
posted by StrikeTheViol at 9:31 AM on April 11

This is fun.
posted by roll truck roll at 12:34 PM on April 11

I'm working on my own version of this called Billy Bot Thornton. It allows you to have really uncomfortable conversations with complete strangers.
posted by panboi at 2:33 PM on April 11 [1 favorite has favorites]