I'm very much a newbie to the list
Hi Linda
I remember reading a story in a paper fanfic slash content which stated
that
Orac was programmed not do anything that would in anyway harm the
federation
since the origional aim was to sell him to the Federation
Which would make three members of the crew constrained by 'limiters' imposed by enemies (if you include Zen).
IMO this is a very likely reason he was not used to bring down the evil empire internally.
It's a much better explanation than any they gave on the show.
Perhaps it is impossible to create a device intelligent enough to be useful, but without an agenda of its own. Your only solution is to try and build in a 'personality' that means its agenda ties in with your needs. Thus you make Slave subservient, or make Orac selfish, proud and inquisitive.
Alison