Zabaware Support Forums
Zabaware Forums => Speech Technology => Topic started by: Kim1216 on December 13, 2006, 04:35:23 pm
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How do I get support for Neospeech that I have purchased? It obviously isn't in this forum or the e-mails I've sent and have still received no response to after TWO WEEKS. The software is not working, pronounces words entirely different from what they are (does "Charlie" sound like "he is not busy"? No!), and does not read dialogue boxes or instant messages when they're checked to do so. I'm about ready to uninstall it and request a refund and buy something that does work and has actual customer support.
Sorry for this note, but by now I think I should have reeceived a reply to my e-mail if nothing else.
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I haven't followed this because I don't have NeoSpeech nor do I know anything about it, so I have to ask if you have tried talking to the people who sell NeoSpeech, http://www.neospeech.com/
Robert may provide links to NeoSpeech, but I don't think he owns it. I could be wrong, since I don't know anything about it.
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Yes, I've written to them, too.
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Kim,
Are you using the NeoSpeech voices with a voice recognition feature?
Did you run the HaptekSapiSetup program?
Let us know...
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No, I'm just using the Ultra Hal reader, or trying to. I don't know what the other program is you mentioned. I'm trying to use Kate and Paul voices. I'm about ready to go find something else, though. This doesn't do what was said it does. And reading things something entirely different than what they are, like "he is not busy" instead of "Charlie," that's not right. Why does it say "Charlie" on the demo on the website? I paid for the disc Ultra Hal with NeoSpeech. Here it is 3 weeks later, no e-mail reply from anyone I've contacted, no customer support whatsoever. That's wrong. Whatever happened to good quality customer service? I don't care how busy the people are. It's just rude after 3 weeks not to contact a customer after theyu've requested assistance.
Anyway, I'm ready to search for something else. And I doubt I'll get a refund, either.
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Look in the following folder:
C:\Program Files\Haptek\player\data\HapTTS
There, you should see a file named: HapSAPISetup.exe
Double click on the filename and select your TTS voices.
It should work.
Regarding your tech support issue...
Click on Members at top right
Locate Robert Medeksza
Click and send him an email detailing your problem.
You complaint might be with the folks at NeoSpeech instead of with
Robert at Zabaware (Ultra Hal). They are two different entities.
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I just looked in Program Files. I don't have that on here.
I will try one more e-mail later. I have e-mailed neospeech and got nowhere. They have not responded.
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Kim,
Sorry if I'm not quite clear on your situation but did you purchase just the NeoSpech voices or Ultra Hal with the NeoSpeech voices?
It sounds like you have the NeoSpeech voices but have NOT received Hal on CD, in which case your problem would be with the ppl at Neo not Zaba.
If you indeed have a copy of Hal 6 installed, then you definately should have the above listed directories with the Haptek SAPI Setup program.
Let us know how you fare with your situation.
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quote:
Originally posted by Kim1216
I just looked in Program Files. I don't have that on here.
Did you look in "Program Files" on the start menu, or did you open explorer and use it to navigate to the Program Files directory?
C:\Program Files\HaptekplayerdataHapTTS
I don't use Haptek voices, but I suspect this is what Art was talking about.
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I have Hal with the Neospeech voices. That is what I am using to paste in text. But it does not read AIMs or dialogue boxes, and those options are checked.
I looked in the explorer in Program Files earlier but couldn't find the file or folder you're talking about.
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I have the same complaint as Kim1216 -- purchased a package from zabaware that doesn't work, and I've been unable to get any response, much less support. (Sorry, but well-intended, generous suggestions from forum members doesn't amount to support.)
I can't get the Kate voice to work. This wasn't advertised as a package for experts in TTS tech. The topic interests me, but I'm busy with other things now. I bought the package in order to reduce the difficulty I have reading things on account of my retinal damage -- not to enter a curriculum of research. I paid for this package because I found the Kate voice to be far and away better than what I had heard in any other package (of which I have several from a few years back). So, when it is exactly *that* voice that doesn't work, it's a problem.
The suggestion to go to C:Program FilesHaptekplayerdataHapTTS looked very helpful. I did that. Guess what! When I click on any of the voices, it speaks the sample text. But, when I click on VWKate, I get exactly the same error box and no voice.
The error box says LOADTTS_ENGERROR!! -- yeah, with two exclamation marks. The exact same thing that I get trying to set that voice from within the program.
I really doubt this turkey will ever fly. It's a real bummer to me, because I would dearly love to go on about my business. But, I agree with Kim1216 that the behavior of Zabaware (what- or whoever that is) is irresponsible.
Anybody know where I can get a text to speech program that works well, has a highly understandable voice, and with the option to enter custom pronunciations?
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I'm not getting error messages on mine, just that it plain does not read what it was advertised to read. It's a load of junk and a waste of money. I'd rather pay more for something that actually works and for good customer support.
I'm so fed up with all of this. It's been 3 1/2 weeks now, and NOTHING IS RESOLVED! All I get is the runaround. Oh, sure, Neospeech finally answered me. Guess what they said. "Contact Zabaware." I wrote back and said Zabaware told me to contact you. THIS IS CRAP, AND I AM SICK OF IT!
I also do not have that file/folder you keep mentioning. I am using Ultra Hal with Neospeech. I don't know if that file/folder is for something else, but I don't have it.
Now all I want is my money back. But I'm sure that will never happen. So I'll just chalk this up as just one more horrible internet purchase.
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I have great feelings of symphty for both of you newbes, however, in 99% of the time with all new users of Hal and its voices the problems lie with the users own PC's. It can be boild down to just a few things of which your own virus programs can cause improper downloads. The fault can also lie with other programs either preventing the things to work correctly or cause them to error out.
We now have hundreds of successful users of Hal that are experiencing no problems. Some of them did in the past but they were all related to the items that I mentioned above.
I have in the past had Hal working on Windows 3.1, then on Windows 95 & windows 98 and now run it on windows xt. I have had no problems with any of them with the exception of my first download which did not work properly because of my virus protection program. Once it was turned off I was able to load smoothly and had no further problems.
As with most new users who experience probems they are frustrated and want to put the blame on Zabaware when in fact it always turns out be with they own system in one way or another.
Please don't give up since you will find that Hal is one of the greatest AI programs written today and once you find out the problems I am sure that you will extremely happy with it too.
Bill819
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I installed mine from the disc I purchased. Maybe others do work. But the oint is there are at least two whose don't work, and we can't get proper support for that. It took Neospeech 3 1/2 weeks to give me the runaround, tell me to contact Zabaware. I'm fed up with it. Quality customer care is what's lacking with most software these days, I find, more and more. If I knew how to resolve it myself, I wouldn't be writing! There are no computer guys in my area, either. The ones we've had on previous computers only damaged everything further. So I'm not blaming, but I do blame both companies for the lack of customer care. That is ridiculous! No one these days should have to wait 3 1/2 weeks. There's no excuse with all the communication options now. Then all they tell me is to contact you. I wrote back and said you told me to contact them. It's gotten old, and I'm done!
I wanted this to cut down on my eye strain. I have had cataracts my whole life. But I may as well read everything myself for all this has done. Also, the speed and volume don't change. Nothing works as is advertised. If people have theirs working, congratulations. But that doesn't do me much good, does it.
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Kim,
The voices aren't as good as the sample I heard of the Kate voice for HAL -- but, if you want a program that works, I think you'll find that ReadPlease will do it, www.readplease.com. Their title is "ReadPlease Plus 2003" so you can see they haven't changed anything in three years. Try their free download first. But, i've been able to use it on a couple of my puters and my wife has used it as a teacher of special ed, so it has a good record in my experience. It has a very straightforward interface where you can choose voices, set speed, correct pronunciation. The only thing it lacks is the slick, new, lifelike voices. I'm about to delete everything else from my machine and stick with ReadPlease until this business grows up a bit.
As for Bill -- I take it this is your baby; you should know that telling us about people who have no problems is not support. Telling us to figure it out ourselves is not support. And, hiding out for weeks while we ask for help before making an appearance in a forum is not support. I think Kim is more pissed than I am; if I sound incensed, it's because a simple, dispassionate statement of the facts in this case really does condemn your retail policies.
So, you see us as "wanting to put the fault on Zabaware when in fact the fault is with our systems." That's a pretty muddled view of things. Zabaware does not work on my system. Clearly it's the combination that is at fault. If I buy software from Adobe that doesn't run on my system, they understand that we need to work out the problem between the two. Sometimes it's a new driver or patch from Adobe, sometimes it's a tweak to my system, but they don't just wish me luck and predict that I'll be really happy if I ever get it running!
Like Kim, I have deteriorating vision right at the center of my visual field. I still get along fine in a general way, though fine discriminations are difficult. I can still read my screen easily if I enlarge the font. But, I want to gradually accustom myself to using technology to shift into an audio mode wherever possible. I tell you this to give you a sense of where I and many other (potential) customers are coming from: we are not geeks interested in AI; we are regular folks who want tech help. We want the technology to help us with our regular challenges; we don't want the technology to *be* the challenge. We're not stupid, and we're not hostile; we just have other things to do and we're disappointed that the helpful software your website appeared to offer didn't pan out.
I honestly believe that at least the two of us should get our money back, because the software simply doesn't fulfill the implied contract. But, I'm not going to lose sleep over the matter. It would be nice though if, when I visit the website again in a year, there is a "Contact" page in the menu and, on that page, some warranty info.
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quote:
As for Bill -- I take it this is your baby; you should know that telling us about people who have no problems is not support.
Bill819 is not Robert, Robert posts under his own name.
You may not realize that this is largely a user forum, so you are largely receiving replies from users. I'm sure we all hope Robert takes care of you soon. But that's all we can do.
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I'd like to know what they consider SOON to be. It's only been 3 1/2 weeks!
And the other poster was correct. I'm very annoyed at this point.
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Hi Kim,
This won't help you getting your program to run.
If you are after a text reading program i would suggest go and have a look at http://www.nextup.com/
I have been using it for a few years now and have not had any problems.
It is cheaper than the other one mentioned, i think?
Try the trial, before you decide to buy.
Neil.
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Yes, I've tried that, too. I had the same pronunciation issue, but at least with that, it can be changed to pronounce "Char-lee" not "he is not busy." The reason I chose this is it was supposed to read dialogue boxes, but it doesn't on mine. I just uninstalled this program, ultra Hal, tonight. I doubt I'll see a refund since there's clearly no one around to actually help with anything.
I think if a forum is going to be set up for support, there should be at least someone from the company who supports customer. I guess I'm from the old school, when customers actually had support when they purchased something, a number to call, something. Nowadays all there is when you call someone is automated crap, and e-mail support? Forget it. They can't be bothered. I say if you're going to create a product, have some customer support available.
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quote:
Originally posted by Kim1216
I say if you're going to create a product, have some customer support available.
Well, I certainly agree!
I have always advocated laws that restrict the creation of new technologies and products to those people who are well-funded enough to properly and responsibly administrate those products. My suggestion is that unless they can provide an infrastructure of sufficent employees, material, and social benefit features to conform to international standards, these so-called creative people should just keep their ideas to themselves.
After all, don't we already have companies like MicroSoft and Dow who can do a perfectly fine job of making whatever new items they think we should buy? Who are these people who think that their ideas are so blinking important that all they have to do is put it out there and people will buy it. What gall!
In my opinion, this also applies to art. We know that music is most properly done by the three main recording lables, but where are the industries that should be regulating paintings, sculpture and theatre? If we let just anybody create art, who knows if we will get our money's worth. I'm sure the big production companies know which art is worth seeing and which is just junk. We should make laws that restrict all creative effort to those people who are willing to submit to the proper authorities and stay within the legal guidelines.
But then, thinking about how big companies like Wal-Mart are destroying our country by selling a decent product for a low price, maybe we should really evolve beyond private companies altogether, and just let the World Government give us those products that we need. That way, goods and services can be distributed according to the needs of the people and paid for by those most able to afford it.
I'm sorry that this horrible thing has happened to you, I know that we can't imagine your anguish when Hal mispronounces words. I also regret that this volunteer user forum can't replace what should be the legally mandated 1-800 support hotline. I look forward to the time when Robert finally reviews all your justifiably harsh and public remonstrations and I hope he will be adequately chastized for daring to produce a cool piece of software without first being a large, experienced and well funded company.
Merry Christmas.[:D]
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Please see the post http://www.zabaware.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2228 to find a dictionary file to replace the one that comes installed default. NeoSpeech installs a dictionary editor program, but it does not work on non-development computers for some reason, so I just ran it on mine and did the dictionary editing for you.
The default dictionary censors swear words and for some reason makes "Charlie" into "He is not busy." I can only assume this was an inside joke by the NeoSpeech people.
Drop the file in the following folders and let it overwrite the existing file with the same name:
C:\Program Files\Zabaware\HalReader\Kate\data-common\userdict
C:\Program Files\Zabaware\HalReader\Paul\data-common\userdict
Download Attachment: 20055275442_user_eng.zip ("http://www.zabaware.com/forum/uploaded/dr.benway/20055275442_user_eng.zip")
If you interested in seeing what the default NeoSpeech dictionary does see: (http://icon_paperclip.gif) Download Attachment: Neospeech_dict.txt ("http://www.zabaware.com/forum/uploaded/dr.benway/200553015734_Neospeech_dict.txt")
2.1 KB
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Well said my friend! [:)
Smokey
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My reply was to Bill's statement but Robert replied a few seconds before I hit enter.
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quote:
Originally posted by Smokey
Well said my friend! [:)
Thanks, I do what I can. ;-D
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quote:
Originally posted by Medeksza
Please see the post http://www.zabaware.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2228 to find a dictionary file to replace the one that comes installed default.
Wait a minute... are you saying that a simple search of the terms "neospeech" and "Kate" on this forum could have solved this problem more than a year ago?!?!
Man! I hate it what that happens, because then I always have to be embarrassed and apologize and learn my lesson and stuff. Hurts.
[;)]
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An "inside joke"? People are paying for software that has an inside joke? That may be pretty funny to them, but it sure isn't funny to people looking for software that speaks clearly and finally finds one they can understand, only to find when they finaly receive it in the mail, it's not what was shown on the website or how the demo on the site sounds.
I appreciate this info, finally. However, I have uninstalled the software. The problem was also that it did not read AIMs or dialogue boxes as again, it said on the site.
And why didn't Neospeech tell me this instead of sending me back here? I don't appreciate how I was treated as a paying customer.
Maybe after Christmas I will reinstall and use this info. However, I still was hoping for something that would read dialogue boxes and AIM. It would have been wonderful to have something to reduce eye strain without paying an arm and a leg. When I saw that it read IMs and dialogues, I couldn't wait to get it and raved about the demo on he site. That's why it's so disappointing, as is anything that you buy hoping it's something it's not.
Thank you again for this info. If I had received this info 4 weeks ago, a lot of stress could have been avoided.
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Did you try the free version of Ultra Hal Text to Speech Reader before you bought the NeoSpeech version? Everything is exactly the same except for the higher quality NeoSpeech voices.
I will come out with an update to Hal Text to Speech Reader that will be a free upgrade to all prior customers. The update will include an updated version of NeoSpeech as made by NeoSpeech and updates to the Hal Reader to again work with AIM and MSN. Everytime AOL or Microsoft release a major update to their clients, it may break the capability in Hal Reader. So the functionality does work, but in an older version of AIM. The update will sync up the reader with the current offering from AOL.
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I have reinstalled the program and put in this file you have. It is STILL saying "he is not busy." If they make a new version, maybe for the name Kim, they should have it say, "she is so done."
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Yes, I tried the free version, but the neospeech voices were not on there. I went to the site with the demo, and everything was pronounced wonderfully. I get hit here at home, and Charlie is not pronounced as it is on the site, nice and clear, the correct name. If I had known that, I wouldn't have paid for it.
All the NeoSpeech people could tell me after 3.5 weeks was "it works fine for me. Contact Zabaware." This is more frustrating than anything else. I have reinstalled the program and put in the file listed here, in both Kate and Paul, I'm still getting "he is not busy."
This is more frustration than I need.
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Here is what NeoSpeech keeps telling me. You guys told me to contact them, they keep telling me to contact you, and in the meantime, NOTHING IS RESOLVED! I am SICK AND TIRED of getting the RUNAROUND!
The software does not work on MY computer. I don't care who's other computers it works on. As I said to Zabaware and to NeoSpeech, it does not read dialogue boxes or Instant Messages. And I have reinstalled it! I don't know why I keep bothering with it after a MONTH of this!
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Kim,
I understand your annoyance, but again, there's nothing I can do.
If you purchased a product from Zabaware, that's where you should seek
support. If they don't support you as their customer, you should ask for a
refund.
If Zabaware determines that what you report appears to be our TTS engine's
fault, then they will/should contact us. We only do business with other
businesses and resellers, but not with end-users like you.
Thank you,
Daniel W. Kim
Technical Support
Pentax NeoSpeech, Inc.
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As I mentioned in my previous post, I am aware that it does not read AIM messages with AOL's current AIM program. This is not NeoSpeech's fault. This is because AOL changed its program and the Ultra Hal TTS reader has not been updated yet for the new AIM. This would have been evident in the free version of Ultra Hal TTS.
You can either wait for an updated Ultra Hal TTS to come out next month, or send me back your CD for a refund.
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I had the free copy but wasn't using AIM at the time because my friend was too busy. So I didn't open it. I did notice it wasn't reading dialogue boxes, however, but I thought it would once I got the NeoSpeech. When I restart my computer, it will read dialogue boxes for about 5 or 6 different ones that should come up. Then it reads nothing.
I guess I will wait for an update and find something else in the meantime.