Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hplabs!hp-pcd!hpcvlx!mitchf
From: mitchf@hpcvlx.HP.COM (Mitchel Fry)
Newsgroups: comp.ai
Subject: Re: ES shells
Message-ID: <102930002@hpcvlx.HP.COM>
Date: 19 Jul 89 16:55:54 GMT
References: <355@cspi.cspi.com>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, OR, USA
Lines: 50

/ hpcvlx:comp.ai / 880716a@aucs.uucp (Dave Astels) /  4:04 am  Jul 18, 1989 /
>In article <102930001@hpcvlx.HP.COM> mitchf@hpcvlx.HP.COM (Mitchel Fry) writes:
>>I have written a DOS based expert system shell
>>...
>>A public domain version
>
>How about posting the PD version to comp.binaries.ibm.pc ?
>
>I would like to play with an ES shell a bit, after taking a very theoretical
>ES course last semester.  I'm sure there are many others that would like to
>see it as well.
>
>You don't mention the distribution methods for the other versions.

I would be glad to post the PD version of the system to comp.binaries.ibm.pc
however, I have not used notes/cs-net that much except for reading some of
the groups that I have interests in ( comp.ai ...).  So how do you send 
binaries to the system ( The total size of the Binaries and support 
files is about 250K)??

I have had a LARGE number of requests (30+) for the PD version of the
"Expert Consultant" shell and have just mailed all of those requests
out today via USPS (slug mail).  The student version and full versions
of the system I sell for nominal fees ( $15 and $75).  There is also
a runtime only version that has all of the development tools removed and
can be compiled with a developed and tested rule set for end user delivery,
so that rules cannot be altered by the enduser.  The only difference in the
systems is the number of rules that can be used ( 25 for PD, 50 for Student,
400-500 for the Full version).

My main design effort on this Shell has been to keep is simple and easy to
use so that it is practical to teach a short section on Expert Systems in
an undergrad AI course and have students be able to learn to use the shell
and write a small rule set within a 3 week period.

If there appears to be enough interest in the full version, I may port it
to OS/2 and Presentation Manager in order to add a better User interface and
to significantly increase its potential rule space ( possible up to several
thousand rules all present in real memory).

Included in the PD version of the shell are three example rules sets created
by some of my students ( a bankruptcy ES, a golf consultant, and a rock
identification system).  These are definately STUDENT projects though and
all three were done in 2-3 weeks, so...

For all of you who have requested copies, THANX for your interest, and I hope
that you find it useful.  I will be interested in any feedback you may wish
to give me.

MITCH