Animated character with external HTTP access?

I want to create an animated character that interfaces with an external HTTP server while it communicates with SL members that visit my land. Think of an intelligent Lassie chatbot (Lassie the dog).

I am a veteran C/C++ programmer and I have big ideas but not much time.

So, what is the fastest way for me to accomplish this? Is there a known tutorial with sample code that could jump start my efforts?

If not, or tell me about this anyways, is there a known gathering place like "rent-a-coder" for SL scripters and animators where I can hire someone to do the initial job for me, and I can tweak the rest? If so, what would be a fair price for A) the animation and B) the scripting?

On the animation side I would want about 25 different animations with triggered sounds and on the programming side, just one solid example of getting text from an SL member, sending that text to an external HTTP server, and relaying the response back to the SL member while possibly triggering a sound.

Thanks and congratulations to Linden on passing the 1 million mark!

Check the wikki.
There are plenty of good examples scattered through out plus theexamples andscript library Also have a search through this forum.
I'd suggest you look at the Communications page which should cover everything you want.

Triggering sounds will be down to your local script rather than anything in the animation.
Read through the sounds wikki page

Prices vary considerably depending upon how complex the animations you want are.

Try a post in Employment Ops and Help wanted or Products wanted if you want to pay someone else to code it for you.

if you want to try it yourself you will find more than a few people ready to help out.
Waves at Jesse

Newgate,

Big thanks. That post of yours was just the map I needed to start my scripting project.

Yw. Have fun.