Neko (computer program)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
Neko falling asleep and waking up again.
Neko falling asleep and waking up again.

Neko is a cross-platform open-source animated cursor-chasing cat screenmate application.

The name of the program is named after neko (wiktionary:猫, ねこ), which is the Japanese word meaning cat.

[edit] About Neko

Neko was originally written for the NEC PC-9801. It was later ported as a desk accessory to the Macintosh in 1989 by Kenji Gotoh, followed by an X-Windows version by Masayuki Koba. There was no real objective for the program except for entertainment purposes.

In the game, a sprite would follow the mouse cursor around. In the System 7 version, the cursor could be modified to various cat toys such as a mouse, fish, or bird. When Neko caught up with the cursor, it would stare at the screen for a few seconds, scratch an itch on its body, yawn, and fall asleep until the cursor was disturbed.

As a program, Neko attributed some characteristics of artificial intelligence.

[edit] Other Appearances

The Neko Cat has been used as sprite a in many other programs.

  • In 1995, a shareware game for the Macintosh called Kitten Shaver had used sprites that looked similar to Neko. The object of the game was cruel but humorous as the player would have to shave the cats, with various layers of fur, as they ran across the screen within a limited time. The game was a parody of a game called Bunny Killer. Kitten Shaver was such a success, that a sequel called Kitten Shaver 2: Kitty's Revenge was released in 1997.
  • There is also a Neko screensaver for NEXTSTEP. It has been ported to Mac OS X. Neko.saver waited 5 years to move from version .91a to version .92, a universal binary.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../n/e/k/Neko_%28computer_program%29.html"
In other languages