Where the Bots Are
In Web parlance, ''bots'' are software ''robots'' that do your bidding. Among the more sophisticated are digital bargain-hunters.
JUNGLEE
Searches databases and Web sites, including job listings from 450 employers, such as AT&T and IBM. Also lists prices and products from 70 merchants. Partners Yahoo! and America Online offer the service for free and share with Junglee a percentage of the revenue they get from merchants.
EXCITE'S SHOPPING SEARCH
Available on Excite's site, the free service seeks out products, prices, and reviews from 500 merchants. The technology is Netbot's Jango, which Excite bought for $35 million last October.
AGENTSOFT
Develops software that lets companies build their own agents for comparison shopping of suppliers and subcontractors. It has four test services on the Web, including book shopping on the Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble sites.
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