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Glimpse of Stephen Hawking's Computer

Posted by Unknown on Monday January 9, 2012 @10:20PM from the long-live-dectalk dept.

kenekaplan writes "Intel application engineer Travis Bonifield has been working closely with Hawking to communicate with the world for a decade. He's traveled from the United States to England every few years to hand-deliver Hawking a customized PC. Bonifield talks about the technology that powers the customized system." Hawking's latest machine is a Thinkpad x220. Lately he's been trouble speaking due to weakened cheek muscles (down to one word per minute). New Scientist has a brief interview with Hawking's outgoing technician on the challenges he faced. It turns out Hawking is still using a DECtalk (despite some reports suggesting otherwise).

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DecTalk is a warhorse by assemblerex · 2012-01-09 22:33 · Score: 5, Insightful

Why the Dectalk hate? It served the world well for many many years and will for a lot longer than most people think.
1. Re:DecTalk is a warhorse by ciderbrew · 2012-01-09 22:55 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Maybe he want to keep using it as it is now *his* voice. Beyond any technical issue, that bit of kit is synonymous with him and he doesn't want it replaced upgraded or changed.
2. Re:DecTalk is a warhorse by MichaelSmith · 2012-01-09 23:02 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Does DECTalk posses some unique quality that is not easily replicated?
  It is Hawkings voice.
  
  --
  http://michaelsmith.id.au
Wrong question by Viol8 · 2012-01-09 22:58 · Score: 5, Insightful

"asking why someone uses a 30 year old electronic device when newer and therefore likely more capable options exist"
You should be asking - why someone WOULDN'T use a 30 year old device when it does everything they need it to do. Not everyone thinks upgrading for the sake of it is a worthwhile pursuit especially if its as critical as your only means to communicate.