RE: [Mobile Speak Pocket] Picky Picky!

Geoff Stephens <geoffslists@xxxxxxxxx> · Sat, 26 May 2007 12:36:18 -0400

I disagree about it being a generational thing.  I can understand some of
the less human sounding voices better than the human sounding ones.  I don't
think either Eloquence or Fonix sound much like a human.  The problem with
fonix is that it has an accent.  I don't think it sounds like a Spanish
accent but it causes certain words to be pronounced very strangely.  On the
other hand, synthesizers like Accent SA may be very "robotic" but they do
not have a lot of inflection and do not change pitch during speech.  They
can be easier to use at a faster rate than some of the more human sounding
voices.  I'm all about productivity.  I would never use Loquendo as my
primary speech.

-----Original Message-----
From: MusiqMan [mailto:eforce4000@xxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2007 12:28 PM
To: Marquette, Ed; Vincent Mistretta; Victor Tsaran; Deanne Fernandez; Shane
Jackson; msp_mailing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Geoff Stephens
Cc: blindcasting@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Mobile Speak Pocket] Picky Picky!

Yes I am young (28) years old but know very well what your referring to when

you talk about echo for the apple 2e and GS series.  But I would have to 
admit eloquence has been available now for quite some time and once you get 
use to a better clearer voice you find it kind of difficult to go back.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marquette, Ed" <emarquette@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Vincent Mistretta" <vin5451@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; "Victor Tsaran" 
<vtsaran@xxxxxxxxx>; "Deanne Fernandez" <dcm2005@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; "Shane 
Jackson" <jack728@xxxxxxxxx>; <msp_mailing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; "Geoff Stephens"

<geoffslists@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: <blindcasting@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2007 10:04 AM
Subject: [Mobile Speak Pocket] Picky Picky!

>
> Hello all:
> Was following the thread about the Fonix voices.  This is clearly a
> generational thing.
> I'm sure most of you are way too young to remember the Echo (for the
> Apple II) or the Echo-PC (for the 8088 version of the IBM PC).
> These, of course, came from the early 80's, and sounded like a robot in
> an early 50's science fiction movie with a tracheotomy.
> So, when you get used to that, Fonix sounds like heavenly music.
> <SMILE>
> Just thought I'd add perspective.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: msp_mailing-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:msp_mailing-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Vincent
> Mistretta
> Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2007 6:15 AM
> To: 'Victor Tsaran'; 'Deanne Fernandez'; 'Shane Jackson';
> msp_mailing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx; 'Geoff Stephens'
> Cc: blindcasting@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [Mobile Speak Pocket] New podcast uploaded tonight.
>
> Just to make a lighter note to this discussion...
>
> Has anyone using the Fonix version for US noticed a hint of a Spanish
> accent to the male voices?  I've only tried a couple, but noticed each
> had a very slight accent not noticed on any other Fonix implementation I
> have used prior.
>
>
> Vince Mistretta
> Speak to me on SKYPE ->
> Skype Name: vin5451
> Get Skype at
> http://www.skype.com
>
> Call me at:
> Cellular: (561)267-7938
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: msp_mailing-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:msp_mailing-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Victor Tsaran
> Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2007 2:32 AM
> To: Deanne Fernandez; 'Shane Jackson'; msp_mailing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx; Geoff
> Stephens
> Cc: blindcasting@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [Mobile Speak Pocket] New podcast uploaded tonight.
>
> Funny that you say that... I am just trying a 30-day license of
> Mobilespeak on my Nokia N95, since it's the only player in town, and
> find that all those Akoppelas do not compare to Eloquence.
> First of all, they are slower, in my opinion, and second, they exagerate
> speech to much, thus making it difficult to operate the phone.
> I wonder why Code Factory decided to abandon Eloquence TTS.
> Regards,
> Vic
>
> --- Deanne Fernandez <dcm2005@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> I agree that Eloquence is much easier to understand than the voices
>> offered for MSP or MSS.  I am currently using Loquendo Dave for US
>> English.  I'm still trying to learn how to put more than one voice on
>> my phone without paying for more than one license.  I, too, can't
>> understand certain words, even after reviewing them several times.  I
>> haven't yet figured out how to spell words on my motorola Q.  I
>> wouldn't mind a slightly slow response time with Eloquence if I could
>> understand the speech better.  Sometimes, even when I know what
>> Loquendo Dave is saying, the word still doesn't sound llike an actual
>> word.
>> Deanne
>>   ----- Original Message ----- 
>>   From: Geoff Stephens
>>   To: 'Shane Jackson' ; msp_mailing@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>   Cc: blindcasting@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>   Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 7:18 PM
>>   Subject: Re: [Mobile Speak Pocket] New podcast uploaded tonight.
>>
>>
>>   I have been showing my 8525 to various blind people since I'm a new
>> MSP user and am anxious to let people know how usable and intuitive
>> Code Factory has made these devices.
>> Veteran synthesized speech users as well as newbies agree that the
>> speech makes MSP a less than appealing solution.  In fact, many seem
>> to become completely disinterested in all the rest of the
>> demonstration after they hear the Fonix speech.  It seems that
>> everybody wants Eloquence.  I truly believe Code Factory could sell
>> significantly more copies of MSP if Eloquence was available.
>>
>>   I have tried to condition myself to Fonix but I have to admit that
>> it is still difficult for me after a month and a half of use.  I'm not
>
>> very productive with it.  I will live with it because I have to do so.
>> I generally use arate of 19.
>>  I frequently have to go back and review words I did not understand.
>> I use eloquence at a much faster rate (75 percent of maximum with JAWS
>
>> for example) and do not have any problem reading at that rate.
>>
>>   I have seen arguments on this list about the responsiveness of
>> Fonix.  I support those who contend that it is not very responsive.
>> It is difficult to provide support for that argument since there are
>> many factors to consider including the device and the screen reader.
>> How are we to know how responsive Eloquence would be with MSP if we
>> haven't used it?
>> I don't know how to qualify it except to say I suspect it would be
>> bettter.
>>
>>   I didn't listen to the entire podcast but skimmed through it and
>> wanted to let you know that the keys above the QWERTY keyboard are the
>
>> left and right soft keys in case you want to use them in the future.
>> I was forced to do  so a couple of weeks ago when the front keyboard
>> on my 8525 stopped working.
>> I have since received a replacement and it is working fine.  I have
>> continued the habit of using the soft keys on the QWERTY keyboard when
>
>> it is open.  For a long time I did not realize that those keys were
>> actually keys.  I thought they were part of the communication that
>> must occur to let the device know when the keyboard is opened and
>> closed.  They are a little awkward to press at first but they work
>> very well.
>>
>>
>>
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