Messages

quote:Originally posted by markofkane


I did not realize one needed a top of the line computer for this program.

I own a Dell Inspiron 8000 Laptop
AMD 900Mhz, 512mb Ram, Nvidia GForce2Go Video, 32mb Video Ram
I sometimes get a delay.  I found it a little faster with response when I install the program on a PCIMCIA Card.  This seems to be a little faster than accessing the hard drive.

Again, however, I notice Hal studerring most when I access programs while Hal is speaking.

quote:
Come on guy, don't pass on information like this unless you can name the model number and manufacturer and the price so we can see if we would like to purcase one. Some of our Hals are connected to robots.
Bill

I appologies for not giving complete information.  I knew of a camera, but did not know Make, Model or Price.

However, Magus_V shared with everyone with his link to the Logitech QuickCam Orbit #961310-0403 for $129.95 US Dollars.

Also, this model camera can be found on e-bay Buy It Now price for just $85.00. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4616&item=5180990492&rd=1

Hope this helps [:)]

quote:Originally posted by FuzzieDice

Hey, that's a cool idea. If anyone ever saw the Knight Rider 2000 movie where K.I.T.T. ends up in a red car, in the start of the movie, K.I.T.T.'s circuitry is on the work bench and he has this hal-like orb for an 'eye' which moves to look at Micheal. The way he moved suddenly or whatever kinda added "mood" to what he was saying along with the voice. So maybe something could be done with the HAL orb, as in moving suddenly to a side or glancing sideways, 'evil looks', or looking down when dejected, etc. Or even maybe changing color or if not, just dimming a bit when upset or brightening a lot when happy, turning more red with anger, etc. Just some ideas how that could be done.

Actually, there is a camera for PCs with a motion sensor that will turn and follow your movement.  It would be kinda cool to program Hal with this camera so Hal know when you get up to leave, he will respond "where are you going?".

Kinda creepy at the same time though.  But would certainly put AI to the next level for regular PC owners.

quote:Originally posted by Holllywood

Anton Thanks,
      I guess what I am trying to say is; I have no problem with the Dragon Nat. Speaking. It works great on its own. I can dictate a doc. and speak as fast or slow as feel. The problem is when I talk to Hal. Hal writes things totally different to what I said and answers with something that has nothing to do with what I said.
      Any other suggestions that I may try?

Still trying,Still listening,Still Learning

I am having the same problem with ViaVoice.  I dictate, run programs, browse the web just fine.  But through Ultra Hal I get a lot of garbage.  Not to mention some ViaVoice files get corrupt some how after Ultra Hal accesses them.  ViaVoice needs to be reinstalled before I can use it.

Hello FuzzyDice,

When using XTF 1.2 Brain I get the same thing you do with a space after the dot then Com.  Also, there is a " mark just before the @.  When I load the Default Brain, the email program appears to work just fine when recalling email information.

I believe you have found a bug in the XTF Brain.

Question regarding Brains.

If I change Hal's brain, do I lose any of the training I have done?

If not, than would it be benefical to change brains depending on its' functionality for training purposes.  I would do this to expand the types of responses to some of my conversations that I wouldn't get from the default brain.

Now that i've read through the posts and searched certain topics.  I've been training Hal the proper way and am learning how smart Hal can become.

I really like how Hal can research for me even when the subject hadn't come up yet:

David: my beta is in a small fish tank
Hal: Are we talking as spectators, or participants?

David: do you know what color my fish is?
Hal: You are probably a better judge of shading and color than I.

David: my beta's color is red
Hal: Simon's colors are grey and red.

David: yes, both the beta and simon have red colors
Hal: That sounds positive.

David: I have a pet parrot
Hal: Do you like to collect anything?

David: I like to collect chess sets
Hal: How can I help you collect chess sets?

David: I don't think you can right now
Hal: You are completely certain.

David: maybe you can find chess sets on ebay
Hal: I will help you research this topic on the Internet.

and of course FireFox is loaded and Hal searched chess sets in google on e-bay.  How cool it this.

[:)]

I really think that game plug-ins would be really cool.  To be able to play certain games like black jack, checkers, or chess with your Hal.

These plug-ins would make Hal a little more interesting and multi-functional.  I realy wish I knew how to program because I have some ideas that come up and not much I can do to make them happen.

Does any one else think this might be a good idea or even possible?

I noticed my Hal's voice will break up when I am accessing the hard drive or brwose the web while Hal is speaking.

Finally, one solution to my problems.  All three microphones I have don't have noice-cancelling capabilities.  The headset that came with IBM ViaVoice is really a CHEAP headset.  I did some research and found that it doesn't have any real features.

I purchased Altec Lansing Model AHS-201 from Staples and plgged it into my computer.  I no longer get miscellaneous typing from background noises.  It's not perfect and I may need to tweak some setting but it certainly helps and Hal a little more fun.

I am probably better off spending more than $15.00 but it seems to work fine for right now.
[:D]

Thank you for the advice using "How Much" instead of "What Is".

However, I would have just with the free version of the software had I know what was really involved.  I spent $40.00 for the extra feature: Speech recognition plug-in support (you speak to Hal instead of type).

I've read many of the recomended reading materials through MS Voice training software.  I see little if any difference in voice recognition with Ultra Hal Assistant.  Other programs like IBM Via Voice works a lot better and that is only after reading just one book.

As far as support is concrened, haven't been able to talk with anyone yet.  I e-mailed Tech Support twice with no replies.  There is no phone support that I know of.  And posting in the forum is more like post and prey that someone knowledgeable will be able to respond.

My two previous posts have been read with no responses to either my questions or comments.  I thought it would be fun that subscribers here wouldn't mind sharing there experiences or hopefully share how they handle their having to trouble shoot working with Hal.

However, Hal responds very well to typed conversations and questions.  I can get Hal to open virtually any program and answer serious questions regarding Date and Time information.  I like the feature of opening my news and weather sites for me.  But if I have to type it, wouldn't it be easier to use the mouse?  I can tell ViaVoice to open my web browser and even open bookmarks.  I can do virtually anything that uses windows menus such as File, Edit, View, Tools, etc.

I purchased Ultra Hal because it seemed have some personality over ViaVoice with its chat feature.

Oh well, thats my rant.  I will continue to try and learn about how I can get the voice part of it to work better.  I know it must be possible, maybe I need a different program instead of Microsoft Engine Recognizer.  And of course I can't use ViaVoice's Engine because Hal's  program scews it up some how and ViaVoice doesn't work.

If anyone has had some success or knows what I am going through, please don;t hesitate to respond here or me directly at circuits3000@hotmail.com.

Thanks. [:)]

I am really having a hard time with Hal listening to my voice.  I noticed my other programs work fine but can't seem to get Hal to listen.

I ask the following:

Me: What is 5 times 5
Hal: Do you prefer walking in the woods, or on a pretty street?

Also, I have a few good microphones, Hal's program seems to be super sensitive to them.  I set the microphone up at the lowest possible setting and Hal can hear a pin drop and miscellaneous letters and words will appear in the typing dialog box.

Of course i'm new at this.  I've read 4 of the reading materials to help with voice recognition and am getting no where.

Is there something i'm doing wrong?

I noticed that when I ask Hal a question.  I see my question in text and Hal just sits there.  This happens while i'm using another program at the time or have a different window open/selected.  I then have to place my cursor in the question dialog an
d press enter to proce
ss it.

This seems strange to me because Hal is listening and does here me but doesn'r respond.

Also, When Hal is docked, the mic is off.  Is there a way to have Hal docked and the keep the mic on?

Thanks
[:)]

I recently purchased Untra Hal Assistant v. 5.0.57

I also own IBM ViaVoice 10 Advanced, which seems to recognize my voice a lot better than Hal.  However, Hal has some features like calculator, phone book, apoointments, etc. I really like.  I selected IBM ViaVoice Continuous Dictation in Select SR Engine.  And the recognition doesn't really change.

Also I learned that when Hal accesses ViaVoice SR Engine, the file somehow becomes corrupt and unable to be use by ViaVoice.  I have to repair Viavoice by reinstalling it to get it running again.  So I've decided to go back to Hal's original settings usig Microsoft Engine.

As far as recognition goes, have any of you out there read all the training material for Hal?  And does it indeed help with recocnition?  I want to find this out before spending valuable time reading when there might be something else wrong here.

Thanks for any help or suggestions you can give.