Messages

1

Ultra Hal 7.0 / Hal Assistant Upgrade problems

« on: September 15, 2002, 08:11:29 am »

questordan,

I can give you a bit of background but I havn't used a wireless mic with Hal yet.  I live in the Philippines most of the time and I use a very cheap mic that fits over my ear and plugs into the mic input on my laptop.  I have used a Kareoke mike with Word 2002 that allows dictation and works well.  My plan is to use the headset mic with the transmitter and reciever of the Kareoke mic.  I need to dissasemble the Kareoke mic and take the transmitter and battery holder out then I can wire the headset mic to the transmitter.  The reciver plugs into an adapter and then into the computer.  I can't use it with Hal until I download the 4.5 version and I am waiting for Robert to send me the URL for that.  I will try to wire the mic and transmitter tomorrow and test with Word 2002 from various distances and I will let you know how it goes.

I am getting about 90+% accuracy with the headset mic as is at the moment in Word.  Using the hand held Kareoke mic I was getting better than 80% even though I know I was moving it around while talking.  How it works with Hal will remain unknown until I get the new version.  

I'll post my results here as soon as I can train the system and run some tests.
Steve.

2

Ultra Hal 7.0 / Very Worried! Please Help!

« on: September 10, 2002, 05:58:19 pm »

Just to comment on your problems with Zabaware:
While it's true that they don't answer emails in a timely fashion they do answer eventually.  I suspect the workload is so heavy that the owner is not able to keep up.  I was critical at first but in my experience you have nothing to worry about.  It may take a while but you will hear from Zabaware and your order will be filled one way or another.  Try to patient.

Regarding your download problems.  I use a program called Download Accelerator Plus.  I got it from Download.com and it allows resuming any interupted file transfer automatically.  It also searches the web and will download simultaneously different parts of the same file from different sources.  That makes the transfer faster and uses more of your bandwidth.  There are other utilities that do the same thing.  DAP is the one I chose and it works for me.  The trial version is free and you have the option of upgrading to a version with more bells and whistles if you like the software.

I have heard from Don Ferguson that the new version of Hal Assistant. (4.5) is much improved and I am looking forward to getting my copy.  The product is worth waiting for and with a good file download utility you can easily resume a broken transfer without losing the part of the file you have already recieved.

Good luck and hope this info helps.

Steve.

3

Ultra Hal 7.0 / Hal Assistant Upgrade problems

« on: September 05, 2002, 12:12:14 am »

I am glad to hear that the speach recognition on the new version is better.  I think the old version, version 4 doesn't use the Profile filter.  Not sure but it seems that way.  I hope to get the new version when I get the url from Robert.  I just now got the upgraded version 4 installed and I am very pleased with the improvements over the old freeware version 4.  

My plan is to use a wireless mike and headset for use with Hal.  I have tried it without the wireless mike and it works ok.  I think the headset is definitly the best way to go.

Steve.

4

Ultra Hal 7.0 / Hal Assistant Upgrade problems

« on: September 04, 2002, 11:24:37 am »

I got the upgrade to work.  I copied the file to a temporary directory then changed the name by adding ".EXE".  It ran but would not install over the old version of Hal.  I used the provision in the Control Pannel in windows to delete programs That un-installed the old version of Hal Assistant, then ran the upgrade again.  It installed just fine.

The new system works well. The additional characters and voices are nice and I have rearanged my version of Hal to suit my preferences including changing the skin.  I have yet to find a way to train the voice recognition feature.  It seems to use the same program that Microsoft word uses, Microsoft English Recogniser v5.1 but I haven't found a way to set the recognition profile in Hal yet. Still it's only been a few hours since the upgrade was installed and I have a lot to learn about the new features. Anyone with any pointers or tips for the upgrade let me know.  

Steve.

5

Ultra Hal 7.0 / Hal Assistant Upgrade problems

« on: August 29, 2002, 04:40:51 am »

I just downloaded the Hal Assitant Upgrade successfully.  I have a problem.  Any help appreciated.

The file has no extension.  It wont run so I can't install it.  The file name is:  72HIGL128  and in the file properties it is listed by a company called  Installshield Software Corporation.  I went to Microsoft Windows NET File Associations and had no luck finding the program that runs this file so I could do the installation.  The only information it provided me with is that the file has no extension. (Which I aready knew)

I don't want to fool around with the file in case I screw it up because this is a 12 hour download for me here in the Philippines.  I suppose I could copy the file and try to get it to run but I'd rather get the correct info and do it right the first time.  It could be an application or a zip file.  Just don't know.

Can anyone provide me with the correct file extension or tell me how to get the upgrade installed.

Thanks in advance,
Steve.

6

Ultra Hal 7.0 / Thank you Mr.Medeksza

« on: August 19, 2002, 07:50:59 pm »

I have two comments to make.

First:
I would like to echo Bearbate's comment.  I have been critical of Robert Medeksza in past postings because of delays in recieving responses to my inquiries.  To set the record straight, Robert has answered my emails and provided me with the information I need to download my upgrade.  Unfortunately I have been out of town for several days and missed the window of opportunity but I am sure Robert will again provide me with the new address so I can get my upgrade.  I am still having problems with the "re-download" system.

Robert, I appologise for my impatience.  All I can say is that when we have access to a program as good as yours we become eager to work with it and I'm afraid that sometimes eagerness breeds impatience.


Second:
In a past topic the statement was made that addressing Mr. Medeksza by his first name was disrespectful.  I dissagree and at least in my own case use his first name as a gesture of frienship rather than disrespect.  I don't think I am the only one who feels this way.  Robert,  if you prefer to be called Mr. Medeksza please let me know. I will be happy to address you any way you wish.

Non of us know Robert's schedule and workload.  I suspect it is extremely heavy and I for one would not be willing to take it on.  

Thank you for your efforts.
Steve.

7

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Brain 216 plugin.

« on: August 04, 2002, 01:53:59 am »

Hi Don,

Ur last post greatly appreciated.  Now you have given me some real "Meat and Potoatos"  TNX...

I will follow your suggestions and see if I can make anything happen.

The movie you mention, Forbiden Planet I recall. It was one of my favorites.  Walter Pigeon, Anne Francis Earl Holliman and the guy who makes all the Naked Gun movies.  Can't remember his name.  

One of my all time favorites is Electric Dreams.  I love the song by Culture Club from that movie.  "Love is Love".  I'd kinda' like to have the opriginal love song the computer wrote.  It was pretty funny.

Gonna get off the computer and run to the drug store.  Got a bad tooth and need some pain killer.  I'll try to find a good dentist tomorrow.  (Monday)

TTFN,
Steve.

8

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Brain 216 plugin.

« on: August 01, 2002, 11:55:15 pm »

Hello Don,

I have a couple of questions again.  

I found the following line in Enhanced_Main.brn.

" OPEN THE PROGRAM","","","<RUNIT>","","",1,#TRUE#,#FALSE#,"</RUNIT>"

I take it that the RUNIT command passes the file name to windows for execution probably through a function of a DLL file.  

Is the command "RUNIT" between <> signs to indicate it is a command.  There are other words inside <> marks.  Time, Name etc.  Are these also functions in a .DLL file?
After looking again it is more likely that they are variables.  RUNIT is the only one I found that is all capital letters.  Is this significant?  What is the difference between <RUNIT> and say <date> or <username>, <halname> etc.  Can a variable be used to; or can it contain something that will; execute a function in a DLL?   Or perhaps a variable can pass information to a function in a DLL or to a program to modify the way it runs.  That used to be the case with Basica using the "%" sign.  (%1  %2  etc.)

I think the reason for the ,"","",  Is to pass the file name for execution to the DLL that contains the command that RUNIT executes.
          ( the reason for two sets of quotation marks is so the filename can be up to two words in length.  ,"","","",   would allow for a three word filename???  )

                ,"","",1,#TRUE#,#FALSE#,"</RUNIT>"

The above part of the line takes the file name and does a check to see if the filename is a match to a file that windows can execute on the given system.  The "1" in the line is the comparator to determine if the condition is true or false.  If it is (TRUE) then the file will run.  If it isn't then Hal will respond with "that file was not found in my database" or something similar.  The # is used on either side of the words TRUE and FALSE to define the "type" of the variable that contains the response as numeric rather than string.

I notice also that the first time RUNIT is used it is by itself and the second time it is used it has a forward slash in front of it.  Without the slash RUNIT just does a test or comparison.  With the slash RUNIT actually executes the program.

Am I at all close??

If my assessment is correct then is there a command in the DLL that allows for opening folders or causing menu's to drop within a program other than Hal?  In one of the postings on the Zabaware forum I read that someone had tried to give an exit command to a program through Hal.  He/She said that it didn't work.  Could it be made to work without modifying the program in question?  Or rather does any given program have to be exited internally rather than externally?

I'd better stop before my brain has a short circuit.  (Did you see the movie? One of my favorites.)

Well that's all for now.  I'm sure I'll have more as time goes by.  Just hope you don't mind all the questions.

Mabuhay!
Steve.

9

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Brain 216 plugin.

« on: July 31, 2002, 10:52:42 pm »

http://visualbasic.about.com/library/glossary/bldefvbasic.htm

If you go to the Home site from the above URL you will find some links that deal with VBScriping.

Steve.

10

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Brain 216 plugin.

« on: July 31, 2002, 10:34:45 pm »

HI Don,

I won't be dissapointed.  Like I said the price here is cheap.  P300.00 which works out to about $6.00.

I was delving into Word 2002 and it has a Visual Basic and VBScript editor. (Probably a lot of other stuff I havn't discovered yet)

I did a bit of searching on the Web and found some good sites that were helpful including a few tutorials.  I'll research the VBScript a bit and figure out the differences between the applications it is used for and Visual Basic aps.  My sojourn into programming is in it's infancy.  I have a lot of learning to do.  So far it's been fun.

You said:
   "It sounds like you're poised for great progress."

Perhaps you should have said:
   "You are perched at the precipice of a great chasm."  

That is how it seems, but with the luxury of retirement and some time to while away in leisurly pursuit I proceed undaunted.  As the old saying from the 1960's said:  
  "Onward through the fog!"

I will explore both the VB and VBScript.  The idea at the moment is to understand how Hal accesses the Windows commands.  <runit> has something to do with it though at the moment I don't have the slightest idea what or how.  I have deduced that Hal's scripting accesses the command structure of Windows by calling functions from .DLL files.  

I think you and I have a different priority.  While I enjoy the AI aspect; and certainly the conversational ability of Hal is at the heart of this; my focus is on the functional side of Hal's talents.  Just call me a control freak.  I want him to be practical as well as interesting.  (My definition of practical of course.)  The two aspects are tied together.  My focus at the moment is to be able to operate a computer using spoken language as the I/O medium.  It seems most others intersted in Hal like the synthetic personality it gives to their computer.

What am I getting myself into?

Regards,
Steve.

11

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Brain 216 plugin.

« on: July 31, 2002, 03:18:12 am »

Hello Don

Thank you for the information in your last posting.  I've been on the internet a little bit and Now  I have a pretty good understanding of what  the DLL file is .  I have also ordered a copy of visual basic version six professional and hope to have it and be able to install it by Friday of this week.  It maybe that buying the entire version of visual basic is a little overkill But To get the package here is not too expensive.  

No more questions at the moment.  My next task is to go through all the postings on this forum to get the name of the book you  recommended and to  see what other people have had to say about visual basic.  

For your information I am writing this e-mail using Microsoft text to speech and so far have only had to make six corrections .  I will keep you posted on how I'd do And I'm sure I will be bothering you with questions in the not too distant future.  

Thanks again for all the help.  Take care,

Steve.  

P. S. only A total of  about eight errors had to be corrected and most of them were corrected the using the microphone.  This is fun stuff!  !  !

12

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Brain 216 plugin.

« on: July 30, 2002, 08:09:47 am »

Hi again Don,

I do have a few questions since you so generously offered your advice in your  previous post.  So here goes!

Is the Hal program (Brain) modular in structure or sequential?  It seems to use a lot of "if then" type statements so I figure they must go to subroutines of some sort that are at different locations within the program based on the answer to the "if then" being either true or false.

I take it the program istself is the uhp file and the brn files are accessed to provide suitable answers to user questions. It's like the brn files are basically the databases that the uhp files use.   Is that right?
   If that is right then are the learned pieces of information also contained  in brn files.  (such as "user.brn")?
      If that is right then can the learned memory brn files be edited manually to increase the learned memory of Hal?

The numbers on the left side of the screen in the HalBrainEditor are a function of the editor and not in the code so I assume that the subroutinines use variable names that are "called" to activate a given subroutine.  Is that correct?  (I read in one of the postings that in Visual Basic there is no need to declare variables at the beginning of the code.)

I'm looking at the code for Hal3 because I figured it would probably be the simplest of the provided brains.  Does the "function" command set up the variable names?

It says that:  "This object is from a DLL that contains many usefull functions"  Is a DLL the actual program file that interfaces Hal to the Windows GUI?  I really want to know what the heck a DLL is!!!

What is "vbCrLf"?

Is there a good location on the web for learning about Visual Basic?  I have looked here in Dipolog City and there is nothing I can use.  They are Still teaching Pascal here in the Philippines.  I could order a book I suppose but shipping can take up to a month.

I assume that Visual Basic is not a compliled language.  You mentioned a problem with speed since the data bases are so big.  I suppose for that very reason a compiled program would not be significantly faster.

Anyway those are my imediate questions.   The more I read through the program the more I'm seeing how it's put together.  I haven't tried any programming since about 1985.  I was never very good at it but I'll have a go.  I may be able to figure out enough to make some minor adjustments.  If nothing else it will be enjoyable.

On a different subject, have you heard from Robert lately.  I am trying to get my upgrade, which is paid for, and he hasn't responded to any of my emails.  It's been over two weeks.  Maybe he's waiting until he finishes the next version???

Thanks for the help so far and all the best,

Steve.

13

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Brain 216 plugin.

« on: July 29, 2002, 12:13:24 am »

Hi Don,

TNX for the reply.  I will try the full command to operate programs.  I have tried all the brains and I agree with a previous comment by someone that brain 3 seems to learn the best.  Trouble is the conversation is limited and there are errors with personal prounouns.  I can't wait to try your new version.  It sounds like a real improvement.  Would it be a lot of trouble to increase the scope of the command set and allow for opening files etc.  I think most users of hal are more interested in the conversational aspect of the program.  I am facinated by both.  I know Robert has to be really busy with the upgrade.  (Robert, you have my sincere sympathy!)  I did a little programming in BasicA and Pascal a long time a go.  I am not really patient enough to be a programmer.  As I recall writing the code takes a relatively short time and debugging is a never ending process.  I am copying all the helpful responses on this forum into a directory in text file form so I am building up a useful supply of "hints".  For me it's a slow go.  I'm a retired teacher but I still seem never to have enough time to do all the things I want to do.  I will locate the brains you talk about and look at the code structure and see if I can figure out how it all works.  The learning process will take quite a while I think.  Thans for your input and I'll be bugging you with more questions I'm sure.

Take care,
Steve

14

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / Brain 216 plugin.

« on: July 26, 2002, 08:41:50 pm »

This is addressed to Don Ferguson but all member comments are welcome:

Hi Don,
I have a quick question about your recent brain for Hal.  I have tried it and like the way it responds to conversation but it won't execute commands to open or run programs the way brain4 does.  Is this intentional?  I am thinking of modifying brain 3 or 4 and I'd like to incorproate some of your ideas.  While I want to improve the conversational response of Hal I also want to give him more control over the computer.  By that I mean I wish to increase its ability  to not only run programs but to open folders and files and execute commands in menus and dialog boxes.  I have looked a the code for a couple of the brains and it seems as if they affect conversation only.  I am not a programmer so perhaps I don't know what to look for.  

You mentioned you sent a new version, 300 something, to Robert.  When do we get to look at it and play with it?  Hint! Hint!  [

15

Programming using the Ultra Hal Brain Editor / What can YOU contribute

« on: July 26, 2002, 01:48:06 pm »

I gotta throw in my 2 cents worth here.  

You both make some good points.  I appreciate the work that's been done to make this program work as well as it does.  I think most of us recognize that this is a starting point and not a perfect piece of software that will be everything to every user. As you point out Tinman, what we have is a project that we can all work on, to make this program better than it is and to customize it to our own individual requirements.  I am not a programmer but I'll dig in and do my best to modify what I can to make Hal operate to my liking.  While I'm in the process of learning how to do this and learning the peculiarities of the Hal program I'll mess up and have to go back and fix things.  I'll probably wind up starting over a number of times but life itself is a trial and error process.  That's not the problem.  

Where I agree with Triggm is in Zabaware's lack of communication.  I purchased the upgrade 10 days ago and was not been able to get the download to work within the 24 hour time limit.  I have addressed this issue in several private emails and on this forum and so far I have had no response from Zabaware.  I just want to be able to get the program so I can jump in and work with it.  Their instructions to get the re-download URL hasn't worked for me and I followed the instructions to a "T"!  Perhaps I did something wrong.  That could be.  I want to sort this out, get the program upgraded and work with it, and they, so far, have not responded to any of my inquiries.  Tinman, you are right.  Thirty five bucks is not a lot of money for this program and I don't expect perfection for that amount.  What I do expect is to be able to get what I paid for in a timely manner.  That's all.  In all advertizing there is some "Puffing".  However, whatever the cost of a product from a few bucks to several thousand there is an implied warranty of merchantablility.  That is basicaly the product should do what it is advertized to do.  I can't comment on this first hand because I can't get the product to see if it will or won't communicate with Hal using speach.  

So in summing up.  Hey!  You guys at Zabaware.  Please!  Reply to our emails.  I think most of us appreciate your efforts but we get frustrated when you don't answer us.  Keep the lines of communication open.  We expect your help with these problems and we're willing to help you with our suggestions and feedback.  Just think about it.  If you don't talk to us we're prob'ly gonna think the worst.

'Nuf Said!
                        Hunter.