http://www.landsend.com/spawn.cgi?target=OTHELIVE0999&mode=GRAPHIC&refer=&sid=0941894466654

     The problem with a live salesperson, however, is that you feel pressured - you are taking up
     their time and think you have to buy something.  How much better it would be to chat with an
     intelligent machine.  You could have conversations such as, "Can I get a sports coat like the
     one I got last spring, only heavier for fall?"  It would say, "yes, we have several.  Do you
     prefer a traditional style with 3 buttons, or one that is more modern?"   "Are you still
     wearing a size 46 long?"  "Would you like a matching necktie?"  "How's the black belt you
     bought last spring working for you, we have some nice brown ones that would match this
     new jacket."

     You could go on like this forever without worrying that you were taking up anyone's time.  If
     you logged on later, it would resume where you left off with perhaps a comment about the
     weather - "well, looks like winter's here for sure now, think you might like some wool socks
     for that Minnesota winter..."  It could suggest new styles which would go well for a woman
     of your age and measurements and hair color and skin tone, etc., etc. - all very politely, of
     course.  It could alert you to new styles that everyone will be wearing this year, etc. etc.   It
     could show pictures of how you would look in the new styles - Land's End already offers that
     feature, Webmind's role would be to choose the best items to show.

     I think this is a huge market.  Retailers are desperate to win in the competition
     for Internet marketing and this would give them an edge.  No store would want to be without
     it;  it would make it fun to shop, whereas clicking through WEB sites to look at goods is not
     really much fun.

     It depends, of course, on the conversational interface.  Otherwise, I think the basic Webmind
     system could easily handle the intelligence required.