Quote - I haven't found a good tutorial on how to make a MS agent from a poser figure, nor a wide range of voice files (kids, adults, cartoonish voices, etc) Any links come into mind?

Here's the best resource I have been able to find as far as how to create one goes: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/msagent/agentstartpage_7gdh.asp

I have also just posted my first msagent charater for use with the Cynthia 3.0 program:
http://cyborspasm.freehostia.com/
There is a ink there to download it. She can talk, smile, blink, breath (occasionally) and has an arm animation. Pretty simply, but like I said, it's my first. :) She is also smaller than Cynthia, so doesnt take up as much desktop realestate.