Speech absolutely works as an interface. I wouldn't have my current job if it didn't (we make speech recognition hardware/software for mobile computing, primarily for use in industrial settings, and have been doing so for 20 years.) But to understand its real potential you have to think beyond traditional humancomputer interfaces and contexts (in short: not at a desk). What if a keyboard or even a screen is impractical? Speech can allow users to interact "hands free, eyes free" (while operating machinery, during physical activity, or while interacting with other people) This is not just about productivity, but also about safety. Cultural factors also come in to play, I believe speech is a more natural interface when it's the computer that is directing the activity (we're all used to accepting verbal commands.)
That said, you need to consider what kind of environments will it be used (noisy?) and how accurate you need the recognition to be. Part inspection in a noisy manufacturing plant will have significantly different demands than a phone based menu system. Are you going to use it infrequently or 8hrs a day? Tailoring speech recognition trade-offs is key to a successful implementation. One-size is currently still very far from fitting all.
Chicks definately think the scooter is cute... That might give you an opening, but whether or not that translates into something else is still up to you. It is a convienent excuse for having a cute girl wrap her arms and legs around you.
Most of the new scooters are very clean 4-strokes, especially any that are over 50ccs... It's generally too difficult to make 2-strokes meet the tightening emissions regulations.
For $2k you can buy a Bajaj Scooter that gets 100mpg, is nearly indestructable, is easy to maintain, keeps up with all but freeway traffic, and even has a proper catalytic converter to keep it clean.
Sure it has an internal combustion engine... but have you considered the enviromental costs of producing all those batteries or solar cells in your electric vehicles? What are their expected life spans? These scooters will still be put-putting along when the apes take over, and they are made from almost all recycled steel and aluminum. The environmental costs over their expected life spans will put almost any electric vehicle to shame.
I just bought one for my wife New Scooter and it's an amazing little vehicle.
The best solution is rarely the highest technology one.
I got the seat of a wrecked car, and mounted it on a swivel base. A word of caution: Check for broken glass... I found a few bits of glass in seams the hard way.
This winter while restoring my Alfa Romeo, I had the Recaro front seats out and sitting in my living room. A friend brought over his PS2 with GT3... It was a perfect gaming setup.
...assuming you even have a connection. Less for More! Horray.
I cliped this from ATT's broadband support page:
I Understand that AT&T Broadband Has Changed Downstream Speeds on the New Service. Why are You Limiting Downstream Bandwidth?
The new AT&T Broadband Internet network as been built to optimize our customers' high-speed Internet experience. This means that customers speed settings will be set at 1.5 MB downstream and 128kb upstream to ensure that all customers receive an optimized broadband experience. These speed settings are part of our continuous effort to provide customers with the fastest, most consistent broadband service at the lowest possible price.
Our lightning-fast connection enhances Internet experiences through fast e-mail communication, quick access to research and surfing, a fantastic gaming experience, quick video clip and music downloads and a whole lot more.
The AT&T Broadband Internet network also has been built for future advanced service offerings. We're examining tiered speeds as a future service enhancement in addition to other offerings.
XP is a great improvement over Win2k for the laptop users. Much faster boot/shutdown and hibernate/dehibernate cycles. I installed XP RC2 on my Dell Inspiron 5000e (1600x1200 screen) without needing to install a single additional driver.
Performance wise: Subjective performance is better, esp with startup/login/dehibernate... I can't detect any speed difference in application performance. I develop in VB/Java/SQL Server often simultaneously... Definately a more severe test than average.
No hangs, crashes, etc to date (and on a beta XP install.)
Altogether almost as significant of an improvement over Win2k as Win2k was over WinNT4.
I'm not pro-MS either... I've been a loyal Linux user since.97a My desktop machines at work are running Linux and Solaris.
I had guessed this is where the web site came with out even checking. I have this exact book on my bookshelf now. It also has plans for building your own particle accelerator, with an "observation peephole" at the business end!
You seem to agressively go after the cream of the crop... It sure is nice to have them work for you but they are a scarce resource (as you well know.)
Do you find value in mid-level programmers? Emacs is cool, but using it alone as IDE presents quite a barrier-to-entry/learning curve for new employees / mid-level programmers.
We rather successfully employ a range of developers with and without formal CS education. We are able to do this by having an easy to use IDE & established coding practices. Our toolset and techniques make it easy for anyone to produce quality code. (We make it so that it is easier to do it right than to do it wrong.) Our software is no less sophisticated for it. It also makes recruitment and payroll less of a headache.
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Speech absolutely works as an interface. I wouldn't have my current job if it didn't (we make speech recognition hardware/software for mobile computing, primarily for use in industrial settings, and have been doing so for 20 years.) But to understand its real potential you have to think beyond traditional humancomputer interfaces and contexts (in short: not at a desk). What if a keyboard or even a screen is impractical? Speech can allow users to interact "hands free, eyes free" (while operating machinery, during physical activity, or while interacting with other people) This is not just about productivity, but also about safety. Cultural factors also come in to play, I believe speech is a more natural interface when it's the computer that is directing the activity (we're all used to accepting verbal commands.)
That said, you need to consider what kind of environments will it be used (noisy?) and how accurate you need the recognition to be. Part inspection in a noisy manufacturing plant will have significantly different demands than a phone based menu system. Are you going to use it infrequently or 8hrs a day? Tailoring speech recognition trade-offs is key to a successful implementation. One-size is currently still very far from fitting all.
Chicks definately think the scooter is cute... That might give you an opening, but whether or not that translates into something else is still up to you. It is a convienent excuse for having a cute girl wrap her arms and legs around you.
--Mark
Most of the new scooters are very clean 4-strokes, especially any that are over 50ccs... It's generally too difficult to make 2-strokes meet the tightening emissions regulations.
--Mark
Sure it has an internal combustion engine... but have you considered the enviromental costs of producing all those batteries or solar cells in your electric vehicles? What are their expected life spans? These scooters will still be put-putting along when the apes take over, and they are made from almost all recycled steel and aluminum. The environmental costs over their expected life spans will put almost any electric vehicle to shame.
I just bought one for my wife New Scooter and it's an amazing little vehicle.
The best solution is rarely the highest technology one.
--Mark
I got the seat of a wrecked car, and mounted it on a swivel base. A word of caution: Check for broken glass... I found a few bits of glass in seams the hard way.
This winter while restoring my Alfa Romeo, I had the Recaro front seats out and sitting in my living room. A friend brought over his PS2 with GT3... It was a perfect gaming setup.
I cliped this from ATT's broadband support page:
I Understand that AT&T Broadband Has Changed Downstream Speeds on the New Service. Why are You Limiting Downstream Bandwidth?
The new AT&T Broadband Internet network as been built to optimize our customers' high-speed Internet experience. This means that customers speed settings will be set at 1.5 MB downstream and 128kb upstream to ensure that all customers receive an optimized broadband experience. These speed settings are part of our continuous effort to provide customers with the fastest, most consistent broadband service at the lowest possible price. Our lightning-fast connection enhances Internet experiences through fast e-mail communication, quick access to research and surfing, a fantastic gaming experience, quick video clip and music downloads and a whole lot more. The AT&T Broadband Internet network also has been built for future advanced service offerings. We're examining tiered speeds as a future service enhancement in addition to other offerings.
XP is a great improvement over Win2k for the laptop users. Much faster boot/shutdown and hibernate/dehibernate cycles. I installed XP RC2 on my Dell Inspiron 5000e (1600x1200 screen) without needing to install a single additional driver.
.97a My desktop machines at work are running Linux and Solaris.
Performance wise: Subjective performance is better, esp with startup/login/dehibernate... I can't detect any speed difference in application performance. I develop in VB/Java/SQL Server often simultaneously... Definately a more severe test than average.
No hangs, crashes, etc to date (and on a beta XP install.)
Altogether almost as significant of an improvement over Win2k as Win2k was over WinNT4.
I'm not pro-MS either... I've been a loyal Linux user since
I had guessed this is where the web site came with out even checking. I have this exact book on my bookshelf now. It also has plans for building your own particle accelerator, with an "observation peephole" at the business end!
Got a StarOffice 5.2 CD at JavaOne two weeks ago (and so did everyone else.) In internet time that's like a year or something.
Phillip,
You seem to agressively go after the cream of the crop... It sure is nice to have them work for you but they are a scarce resource (as you well know.)
Do you find value in mid-level programmers? Emacs is cool, but using it alone as IDE presents quite a barrier-to-entry/learning curve for new employees / mid-level programmers.
We rather successfully employ a range of developers with and without formal CS education. We are able to do this by having an easy to use IDE & established coding practices. Our toolset and techniques make it easy for anyone to produce quality code. (We make it so that it is easier to do it right than to do it wrong.) Our software is no less sophisticated for it. It also makes recruitment and payroll less of a headache.
--Mark Denovich, Software Development Manager
The first and only piece of commercial software I have purchased since 1992 was Intermute... http://www.intermute.com
Its similar to Junkbuster, but is java based, easier to configure, and works on NT as well.
--Mark