can a file i download hurt pleo

[Quincy]

I had a scary thought this weekend...

Eventually, the more talented among us will hopefully post their newly written Pleo behaviors so that the rest of us can upload them into our dear Pleos.

WHAT IF someone includes a 'virus' in their programming?

- like Pleo's left hind leg no longer works
- or Pleo starts swearing

Will Ugobe programmers be reviewing posted behaviors prior to releasing them to the forum?

[Caaahl]

Downloading such things will always be at own risk, as long it isnt an official ugobe download.

But im sure, the will be trustworthy fanpages, which will only add new downloads, when before tested.

[pleoWhisperer]

very well said. But I'm sure there are those out there who might intentionally teach their pleos to swear . . .

[Nasb]

' or Pleo starts swearing'

Would love that funny !!!!! :D:D:D

[dogsbody]

The word "virus" implies something able to infect other PLEO's, which is not possible. PLEO doesn't have a network interface so couldn't readily accomplish anything like that.

Also, nothing an SD flash card behavior does will "break" PLEO. Remove the card & PLEO is fully restored to his former self.

Lastly, as for swearing behaviors... PLEO plays wave sounds which can be anything, so its possible. It's been done before with AIBO's. A certain f-word AIBO performance is available on Youtube. Google for the "word" & AIBO to find it. Pretty humorous actually.

I doubt such things would be tolerated for long here though.

-- John

[Quincy]

I've read that Pleo can teach eachother tricks they know.

Does this mean that my Pleo could not learn a skit from another Pleo's SD card?

[dogsbody]

Hmm... I havent seen that, but it would depend on the implementation details. The receiving Pleo may already know the skit, but just receives encouragement to perform it.

I doubt PLEO's can transfer actual skit data. The IR channel would be hard pressed sending any significant amount of motion/sound info reliably.

-- John

[junkroxy]

Does Pleo infect (sneeze, cough..) other Pleos? Share your ideas/experiences here...;)

[pleoWhisperer]

He's supposed to. But as I only have one, (cough, cough) I can neither confirm nor deny.
But as a pleo psychiatrist, I'd have to say that any coughing or sneezing on the part of your pleo is purely psychosomatic. ;) ;)

[alphapleo]

Does Pleo infect (sneeze, cough..) other Pleos? Share your ideas/experiences here...;)

Yes, my niece's pleo infected mine and gave him a cough! and it doens't seem to be going away either... :mad: maybe, I have to get them back together and let him give it back to her's ... :D

[blablablabla4]

Ugobe has already had us download one virus, the rhino virus, pleo can now catch a cold!

[PleoWorldHostCami]

Ugobe has already had us download one virus, the rhino virus, pleo can now catch a cold!

ROFL too funny!

[sarusani]

Also, nothing an SD flash card behavior does will "break" PLEO. Remove the card & PLEO is fully restored to his former self.
-- John

Not 100% true. There are some undocumented "Do not use" hacks. It is possible to overwrite the stored Firmware with a SD Card. You could use this to "brick" a Pleo. But you can easily restore it with the 1.0.2/1.1 updater...

Greetings
Sarusani

[lesodell]

with all the virus's out there can i download something that will hurt pleo ? like as in someone righting one to brake pleo ?

[PleoWorldHostCami]

with all the virus's out there can i download something that will hurt pleo ? like as in someone righting one to brake pleo ?

Yes, this is possible. Also since most files are downloaded to your computer first there is the possibility of a file harming your computer. This is why UGOBE warns about downloading files from anyone you don't trust.

[wgb]

If you download a zip file you can open up Windows explorer right click on it and it will give you the option to scan it for a virus.

If its not zipped and you already downloaded its already infected your computer. You should be careful where ever you download things

[Allosaurus]

Huh. How can it? In what ways?

[wgb]

A virus can effect your computer in many ways. It depends on what they had plan for it to do in the first place.

[PleoWorldHostCami]

Huh. How can it? In what ways?

Basically in the same way that people spread viruses/worms to computers. Let's say a mean person decides he wants to mess up a bunch of Pleos. He writes the malicious code and inserts it into a file that he says is some sort of Pleo behavior or skit. You download the file, put it on the SD card and insert it into Pleo. Then the malicious code goes to work and wipes out (or alters or damages) Pleo's Life OS.

[Allosaurus]

Basically in the same way that people spread viruses/worms to computers. Let's say a mean person decides he wants to mess up a bunch of Pleos. He writes the malicious code and inserts it into a file that he says is some sort of Pleo behavior or skit. You download the file, put it on the SD card and insert it into Pleo. Then the malicious code goes to work and wipes out (or alters or damages) Pleo's Life OS.

Oh. Thanks!

[mweed]

I am not aware on any reported malicious code written to damage a Pleo. And I can't see any hacker wastinh his time on infecting pleos. But on the other hand, I do know how . . . . There is actually a very simple way. But I don't want to give anyone any ideas . . .

[lesodell]

well it would be nice if pleo world could post links to stuff that is ok to download

[PleoWorldHostCami]

well it would be nice if pleo world could post links to stuff that is ok to download

UGOBE does have links to safe downloads. They can be found on the Updates (http://pleoworld.com/support/updates) page and the <a target="_new" href="http://pleoworld.com/downloads"><b>Downloads</b></a> page.

However, UGOBE does not test third party applications or files and urges you to use caution and only download from other people you trust.

[mweed]

It would be nice if there were a way for people to submit skits to Ugobe, and if there are no copyright issues and the skit runs OK, for Ugobe to add then to their download page.

[Allosaurus]

UGOBE does have links to safe downloads. They can be found on the Updates (http://pleoworld.com/support/updates) page and the <a target="_new" href="http://pleoworld.com/downloads"><b>Downloads</b></a> page.

However, UGOBE does not test third party applications or files and urges you to use caution and only download from other people you trust.

Yes. I understand.

[lesodell]

mweed thanks for the reply that is the point i was getting at , that they could download and test the stuff that is posted here and then add it to there download page

[PleoWorldHostCami]

mweed thanks for the reply that is the point i was getting at , that they could download and test the stuff that is posted here and then add it to there download page

This is a good point in theory, but UGOBE is extremely busy with their own upgrades, behaviors, and research & development. I'm not sure it's fair to ask them to take the time to test third party applications and files.

This would be like asking Dell, Hewlet Packard, Apple or anyother computer manufactuer to pre-test any software or file you may decide to download to your computer.

[Allosaurus]

Erm... Is it possible to download something that strains on Pleo's motors so much that it causes it to break?

[lesodell]

this is true , i hope they are VERY busy working on new skits but are you telling not one of them take a pleo home at night and doesnt pop in elvis pleo ? or some other skit ? because if they did that would good enough for me as far as testing ,and dont you think it will add to the appeal of there product to have all these skits for people to see running at trade shows schools stores were people will see a pleo and want to buy one ? i know i have sold one for you and i take it all over with me and it is a big hit but most people have not heard of it .

[Allosaurus]

Also, is it possible to write in a program which sends false sgnals to teh brain, causing it to break?

[pleoWhisperer]

MySkit does have the ability to check and see if the movements you programmed are to stressful on the motors. You can't program a movement to extend or bend too far and break something, but you can program movements that would put a lot of extra stress or wear on a motor or gear assembly to cause it to wear out quicker.

[PleoWorldHostCami]

I'd just like to repeat UGOBE's official stand on 3rd party downloads:

We at UGOBE are eager to see what the community creates with 3rd party Pleo tools and we hope you'll post them here. This is all about community
development: UGOBE is not testing user-created files for technical quality,
content or fun-factor...so use them at your own risk. We hope that the
community actively shares what works well on Pleos and what doesn't, what's
family-friendly versus not, what's the most fun, and so forth. Comment away.

Some advice: when we develop behaviors for Pleo, we are careful not to run
his motors too hard or fast, and encourage you to take it easy and not
stress him out with lengthy, high-energy dance routines. Some protection is
already in place - for instance, Pleo should stop moving around if he
becomes too hot. But when you override Pleo's behavior, keep in mind that he
won't be running his edge detection program - so keep an eye on him if he's
on your table top!

We know that you will become experts on what works and what's fun. Please
share it here and help build a strong developers' community!

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[CritterFan]

Also, is it possible to write in a program which sends false sgnals to teh brain, causing it to break?

I'm not sure that someone could write a malicious program that would make a Pleo break itself somehow. But someone could probably find a way to mess up the software or the files that are on board the Pleo. That could essentially "brick" the Pleo.

And even if it's possible to reload a fresh copy of LifeOS onto the Pleo after that, which I presume that it is, any unique personality traits that were developed via time and interaction would very likely be undone.

One would HOPE that people wouldn't sink low enough to do something lousy like that, but there are some warped people out there.

Don't download anything from an uncertain source. That's the safest route to take.

[CritterFan]

Some advice: when we develop behaviors for Pleo, we are careful not to run
his motors too hard or fast, and encourage you to take it easy and not
stress him out with lengthy, high-energy dance routines.

I was all set to try and write a skit so a Pleo could do the Hokey Pokey, until it crossed my mind that the song has so many verses that it might qualify as "too much of a good thing". I wouldn't want to overheat the Pleo or wear its gears out.

So if we can come up with an abridged version of the Hokey Pokey, maybe that'd be suitable for Pleos. Otherwise, I think that's a bit too much dancing for a Pleo to have to do all at once.

[PleoPet]

re: robot choreography for Hokey Pokey dance (sad to say something with which I have experience;-)
In general the regular Hokey Pokey dance is not that stressful, assuming the pace of the song is not too hectic. The arms and legs and head and tail/butt need only move slowly (and separately)

IMHO: if you are planning on doing it, do the entire boring song ! Find a longer one if you can.
The AIBO version is around 2 minutes, and IMHO it gets a little boring in the middle.
BUT if done well the audience reaction is quite good. People start anticipating the end of the song, and if done well you can have a good payoff. So don't end it too early!

AIBOs doing the Hokey Pokey:
Video of 123 robots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va8UYjd44zs
Song is part of Disco Aibo http://www.aibohack.com/disco (song #16, original choreography by Jeff)

[bumblebee]

A friend of mine acceidentally put down his firewalls once and later he saw he had 137 viruses! Be really cautious of any internet site that you dont completely trust. I had a virus in my old computer once and I had to pay over 50 dollars to get it out!

[PleoWorldHostCami]

AIBOs doing the Hokey Pokey:
Video of 123 robots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va8UYjd44zs


OK, I don't know why but I laughed through this entire video. Especially the part where they all shake their heads no. LOL

[fancyfont]

That's quite a sight to see all of those AIBOs. Pretty cute!:)
I'd love to see Pleos doing that.:cool:

[wgb]

that was pretty cute!

[CritterFan]

LOL! That video was great! :)

Looks like one of the AIBOs took a cat-nap partway through. Oh, well, silicon-based pets are no more likely than carbon-based pets to do everything you want, every time you want them to. ;)