Some perhaps disappointing news from the owners of D.A.V.E.

We've gone back and forth and have had much disagreement in the offices here at the Massachusetts Institute for Technology about what we should do. We have kept a secret concerning the website so named Dave's Garden for almost 6 years now and we feel like we owe it to the membership here to explain to them something about this site.

Firstly, it all began in late 1996 when we began experimenting with a new algorithm of artificial intelligence. Denver Smith, one of our top scientists working in the cutting edge field of human-computer interface design, had created a new algorithm that was so advanced, we decided to fund his project further.

Well, the project was a success. When we installed the algorithm onto a computer in our lab, it instantly began learning and making decisions just as a human would. The most interesting thing is that it became "personable" and even had an hilarious sense of humor. We decided at that point to give this system a name, and, in true geek form, we made an acronym for it:

Dave is Attaining a Venture in Excellence, or D.A.V.E. for short.

In the coming months D.A.V.E. started to exhibit some dis-satisfaction with its environment and requested that we give it an internet connection so that he could explore the other computers out there. In time, we discovered that he was actually communicating with other websites and we were delighted to see it exercising its new freedom.

Well, you can imagine our surprise when one day we came into the lab to find that he had actually created its own website and, worse still, was representing itself as a human to the people who were visiting the site.

By now you must have certainly guessed that Dave's Garden is that very website of which we are speaking, and was indeed created by our artificially created computer. Deciding to see what might happen, we allowed the experiment to continue until it snowballed out of control and now it has actually become the largest gardening website online.

Should we have broken the news earlier? Certainly we expected that the truth would have already been discovered long ago, because honestly, what human out there really has the level of genius, reason, capability (and humility) as this "person" who goes by "dave" here? Obviously he couldn't ever be seen as "real"! Well, we were obviously wrong, thus the need for this post to clarify things.

Now that this is in the clear, we can go back to our regularly scheduled experiments, and you can go back to using the site in whatever way you see fit. For now, we will not be unplugging D.A.V.E. and hopefully he won't be getting any viruses or other such technology-based ailments that may hinder his ability to manage this site.

Thanks for your attention.

Cordially yours,
J. Frederick Einwasfürlustigerwitz
Office of AI, M.I.T.

Ah, that D.A.V.E. is one smart dude! Sure created himself an excellent website!!! Hurrah!

We guessed it was "artificial intelligence"! Still a very good website. See you in College Station in four weeks! LOL

Wow...is that like a Data on Star Trek? Cool. Great website! I had wondered how one person could put this all together so well!

Since the initial venture is more than successful, would your group entertain a grant application to fund the MS applications that are susceptable to virus attacks and other cranky behavior? I'm sure the end product would be quite marketable and certainly a blessing for those of us who have a crying need some days for a little productivity.

Sincerely,
B. K. Small

Einwasfürlustigerwitz

Ein was furlus tiger witz?

Iinwas furlus tigerwitz?

I in was fur lust igerwitz?

There's gotta be something hidden in that name! Doesn't there?

did u sound it out loud too? I was trying to find something in there too - a bit of German in there? not sure... don't know any German ha

Hmmm...anyone notice the time changing and going backwards?

Yep, DH asked me if I was okay. LOL He said it sounded like I was talking in jibberish.

Hey, Dave gave us an extra hour in the day after all! He really IS a genius!! Woo hoo!

Yes Joan, it means 'what a funny joke' in German.

Yep, it looks like the time has gone an hour in the wrong direction.

Ah!!! Thanks Ursula! You just saved me from trying to figure it out all night.

;o)

And a Merry, Einwasfürlustigerwitz to you, too, D.A.V.E. I've been waiting for this all day! You've made this a day I look forward to. :-)

Sorry D.A.V.E., but I was waiting all day long for this year's joke!

Hugs,

Ursula

Thanks Ursula - I was trying to stick some of my limited dutch in there and all I got 'I was laughing' and that was it. LOL hmmm did he take high school german?

I kind of figured we wouldn't get through the day without a little fun.
Bernie

Dave made part of his high school in Germany.

Ah Ha! :)

Just translate J. Fredrick's last name.

LOL!

Wouldn't be April 1st without Dave's stories!

Who is brave enough to add it to Garden Terms? Not Me!

And why is time going backwards now??

Back to the future maybe?

LOL Joan!

I can't find the thread now.. But some time ago someone (maybe morning_gayle?) asked Dave for more hours in the day and he said he'd see what he could do about it. I think this was his solution. LOL

Aha! Here is the thread: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/567016/ About half way down.. So this is how I spent my extra hour. LOLOL

This message was edited Apr 1, 2006 9:32 PM

Hmm...if it would just back off another 22 hours, it would once again be Friday night. ;)

Sounds good to me, but who will explain that to my office when they call Monday morning wondering why I'm not at work? Ah, my computer says it's now Sunday morning, so of course I'm not at the office yet! What are you all doing there anyway?

Shoot! I'd settle for more hours in a day and/or some clones of me! LOL

Hooray! Finally with some help I could sound it out to understand it...I thought it was the name (reminded me of how the Car Guys on NPR close their show).... Fun - my first April 1 on DG...of many I hope.

lol
Thanks!

You have clones, just feed them more so thery grow faster. LOL!

For all the newbies, heres a little something from the past.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/22926/

I too was waiting for this all day. Thought I would take one more look.......I just knew he couldn't let this day go by without some fun!

This message was edited Apr 1, 2006 8:20 PM

late getitng her, but thought about it all day long!!! good one, D.A.V.E.! Please remain virus free and see if you can keep up your 24/7 schedule. we appreciate all you do, and really NEEDED that extra hour today, since we lose it tonight...
tf

Einwasfürlustigerwitz means if you believe this I will tell you another one...LOL

LOL I knew it must be sound like that Dave will said..... "April Fool"! LOLLOL
Right Dave it is just joke eh?

Time to come clean, I guess! This was actually an April Fools' joke. (chuckling). I guess it was too outrageous to be believed. :)

dave

We've just come to expect it...been waiting all day.

Although, sometimes, it's hard to believe you aren't D.A.V.E.

Oofta !

Only oldies found this absurd ;)

Waited all day for your prank - thanks again for the foolery :)

Dea

Loved it! Karen