Glimpse of Stephen Hawking's Computer

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).

Comments

DECtalk

[Sockatume]

With a cat for scale. That's it, Wikipedia, we're through.

Re:DECtalk

[Anonymous Coward]

You'd rather the cat be in a box?

Re:DECtalk

[Sockatume]

Without knowing whether it's an imperial or metric cat it's completely useless, though.

Re:DECtalk

[nomoreunusednickname]

It only tells you if you're heavy enough to squish a cat.

I find it useful to determine if a room is large enough to swing a cat.

DecTalk is a warhorse

[assemblerex]

Why the Dectalk hate? It served the world well for many many years and will for a lot longer than most people think.

Re:DecTalk is a warhorse

[ciderbrew]

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.

Re:DecTalk is a warhorse

[MichaelSmith]

Does DECTalk posses some unique quality that is not easily replicated?

It is Hawkings voice.

Re:DecTalk is a warhorse

[JasterBobaMereel]

Someone found recordings of his original voice and offered to build a voice around this, but Hawking said that he did not even recognise it as his own voice anymore ...

Re:DecTalk is a warhorse

[martin-boundary]

I could totally see Hawking with the voice of HAL 9000.

Student: What if I integrate this term on the left here?

Hawking: I'm afraid you can't do that, Dave.

Wrong question

[Viol8]

"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.

Re:One word a minute

[Luckyo]

There are, but if you read the article, his problem is learning curve and the fact that if he's disconnected from the working machine and something is wrong, he can't call for help.

I really suggest reading the articles linked. They are far more interesting then average stuff you get on slashdot and it answers a lot of questions as to "why is he still using this dated stuff". Especially the part that notes that when someone pitching a new system is in the room, Hawking's talking speed goes up because of his competitiveness and stubbornness.

The most profound mystery in the Universe is ...

[Framboise]

From the Telegraph link, we happily learn:

In an interview with the New Scientist magazine to mark his 70th birthday on Sunday, January 8, he was asked: "What do you think most about during the day?" to which he replied: "Women. They are a complete mystery."

Re:One word a minute

[Noughmad]

A brilliant theoretical physicist cannot learn a new (arguably easier) technology over a ten year period, yet alone flourish?

Have you ever seen a professor trying to turn on a projector?

Re:One word a minute

[Luckyo]

Funny my ass dear mods. That's about as informative as it will ever get on slashdot!