Desktop assistant/character creator?

[Hollister Man]

Everyone has probably seen these little people, anywhere from Winnie the Pooh to animated strippers.  I saw one a while back, on someone's sig I think, that was a custom made one of Roger (made in Poser, though).  

Does anyone know if there is a program or developer kit to make these?  I downloaded a really nice little hottie the other day, but I was thinking of making a very different one.  The ones I have downloaded are practically unnoticable when you're busy, but if you go idle for a few moments it (she, in this case) pops up and starts dancing, or fighting Darth Maul, or swimming across the screen, any number of goofy things.

The only thing I could remember that resembled them was "Clippy" in Microshaft Office, if that helps.  Suggestions?

[Dragonrosee@parents]

For the one of Roger, that would be TerranRich's "Desktop Roger" I believe. I think he programmed it with VisualBasic.

Thank you and goodnight.

[TheYak]

It's fairly limited but Mascot's another one.  I used it to make a GIR mascot for awhile until it irritated me and I killed it.

[Pau]

I played with this stuff some time ago to create a character of one friend.

This helpers use the Microsoft Agent technology (more info: http://www.microsoft.com/msagent/)

First, you should create the character (a .asc file) whith the Microsoft Agent Character Editor and then create a program (I used python for this) or use an existing program (you can use your characters with MS Office).

[Hollister Man]

Thanks.  I have very little knowledge about programming, and am really too busy to learn.  I think I might use the Microsoft Agent one, but if anyone has another option, I am still watching this.  In case anyone has ever downloaded the "Deskmates" style character, such as Tahni or Kahli, I am thinking of something exactly like these, but with new art.

[Eggie]

go to http://www.nonags.com and look for 'Sideshow Homer'
Ity comes with a rather spiffy editor. I used it to make a screen-mate of my chemistry teacher.  

[TerranRich]

Sadly, after many, MANY months of support, Desktop Roger has now fallen into the deep, sorrowful pit that is abandonware.

Seriously though, I'm working on a much better Desktop Assistant type program. And, holy crap, MSAgent looks mighty good...

[Ishmael]

I have a santa claus that runs around the screen, playes piano, strips to underwear and reverse and whistles, and a sheep that walks on top of open windows, and if you close the window, it'll take a second for the little fluffball to notice it, followed by it's eyes enlagening, and finally a fall... and it eats flowers that pop up from the bottom of the screen.. I heard sometimes a UFO cames to pick it up... But they both are on floppy disks which are somewhere... Where can I find Mascot?