What Else is in Our House?
Let’s explore around a bit. If we click on the door on the left, we are given the option to leave the room and go somewhere else.
![Let](./FileRepository/ca7518c3-4bbb-4c1b-b887-61e2b239b155.jpg)
Let's Switch Rooms
And here it is, “The Public Family Room”:
![The Family Room](./FileRepository/d907a74b-74aa-4b4a-b765-1815a73a9a05.jpg)
The Family Room
Notice that the stuff here is different, and the ticking clock now looks a little different. Also of note: the truly awful art design. We also noticed around this time that, like the Office Assistants, Rover has certain idle behaviors that are invoked if you don’t do anything – little animations designed to demonstrate how lifelike he is. Unfortunately, one of these is a bark. Talk about annoying: the last thing I need when I’m trying to get work done is a barking virtual dog that won’t shut up.
Bob Programs
So what are these special active objects that come pre-installed? Each one launches a special BOB-themed (read: dumbed down) program that performs a specific function. These objects are littered about the house, and can occur in separate rooms simultaneously. Let’s take a look at Letter Writer:
![BOB Apps Have Splash Screens](./FileRepository/9e3a9a38-84f9-4cec-b2c7-4a6ec92329ad.jpg)
BOB Apps Have Splash Screens
Letter writer is essentially a stripped-down Works-like word processor. A simple wizard guides you through creating a letter and then you are taken to the main screen:
![Letter Writer](./FileRepository/8feae024-3c0b-486c-a2b9-77e8365f147e.jpg)
Letter Writer
One feature that makes it different from most word processors is that the user is not required to save their documents. When you create a new document you are asked for a name for the document. Saving is automatic. It’s certainly no replacement for Word, but it does handle the basics reasonably well. I would have to say, though, that rather than simplifying the process of writing a letter, it actually just dumbs things down.