Ultra Hal 6 is way buggy

[Ooglor 7]

I have been playing with the the Ultra Hal 6 program I have purchased and have noticed that if I look at this program funny it will crash. Sometimes it won't play voices. Sometimes it won't show characters. God have mercy on you if you hit the button update SAPI because there goes Hal's ability to speak if you have advanced voices installed. I have read the forums and understand how things should be done but still. I have purchased the extra voices and the expansion pack and have to say my overall experience has been negative with this program. It offers a whole lot but ends up being somewhat of a student effort. Not trying to be a turd in the punch bowl, just calling it like it is.

[markofkane]

That's odd. I don't have many problems with it unless I alter a script in the brain incorrectly. That's why I have backups.

It's a shame some people have problems with software. There are some programs I have problems with. But it's my computer, not the program, that is usually is the cause.

[Ooglor 7]

Opening one of the downloaded character files by clicking on it, opens it in the Haptek player. Nice viewer before installing? No, suddenly, in Hal I get a static Haptek Player image instead of a character. Try to associate the files back with Hal...no dice. Now pick one of the top end voices and a character. (I know the top end voices don't seem to lip sync) Select the update SAPI button provided. It might as well say click here to be screwed. Goodbye voices. Hello silent Hal. I imagine lots of people have clicked the button of doom and I'm sure there is a way to fix it if you dig deep enough but why have it there if it basically under certain circumstances spells hassle?

[Art]

First, Welcome to the forum!

Now...
If you're having problems with some of the TTS voices,
go to C:\Program Files\Haptek\player\data\HapTTS
and run the HapSAPISetup.exe file.

Characters...especially some that one might download:
make sure they are put into the characters folder and
that the extension is .htr NOT haptar.

Script files: be careful as there are still quite a lot
of script files that were written for Hal 5.0 and may
not perform properly with Hal 6.0 or 6.1 (most recent ver.)

Don't try to use all the plug-in files at once as there
may be some conflicts between them (not Hal's fault).

Some areas still need some work like a current help file
but a new release is promised this year that should help
address many user concerns.

Hal is a nice program that offers a lot of entertainment
and experimentation for the relatively small price.
The results you get depend largely upon how much time you
are willing / able to spend talking / typing with Hal.

The program will, in time, learn more about you and your
likes, behaviors, etc. and will begin to take on it's own
unique personality.

Please give the program a fair shake and don't expect too
much too soon...it does take some time.

As for problems, concerns, questions, use the search feature
at the top right or if no answer is found, post your
question here and someone should assist.

Sorry for your disappointment but try some of my suggestions
before giving up.

Good luck!

[Ooglor 7]

Thank you. The fact that you were right on it is righteous enough for me to say I was too hard on this product. Hey, about $70 isn't just chump change to me. I dig AI and the whole scene and would not have ended up with Hal for a reason. Quirky but cool. These are my findings. You do not want to install the demo of people putty and then uninstall it. It will remove the Haptek player. Reinstalling the Haptek player from the site corrects this. On my system, running Vista, if you mess with any of the SAPI stuff, or if I hear 'I could be your defult speech..." in the various voices, that is the end of sound in Hal. Only the text response. Also, if you rename the various defult characters, even if done correctly, that is the end of being able to see the character. How does one correct it if all you can see is the Haptek Gen 4 screen on Hal? Also, I have altered a skin but can't get Hal to recognize the updates made on the skin. Hey for what it is worth, I am already thinking of ideas for it. How about the character grooving their heads to the beat of a song on winamp or what have you?

[Art]

You might try reloading Hal or the Character in question.
Don't forget that the character might actually be there but
to one side or the other (use the right mouse button to
check on the position if this is the case).

With Vista you need to make sure you assign Administrator
privilages to Hal.

The winamp / song thing has been done. Check through the
archives by doing a search.

Think I'll skip the punch and have a gin and tonic instead.[]

[Ooglor 7]

It is the SAPI 5 installation! Take back what I said about Hal. Some things are kinda shakey with it but I can tell it is a labor of love and a work in progress. After finding where the landmines are with it, of course the hard way, (Viva la Tweakers) I can honestly say I am hooked. Don't mind telling it like it is. -Oog






"...when a child is born without a soul..."

[lightspeed]

always remember the old commercial first " try it you'll like it !!!lol ![]