improvements in the Dectalk USB

improvements in the Dectalk USB

[Adam Myrow]

Previously, I reviewed the Dectalk USB on this list.  They released a 
firmware upgrade in February.  Unfortunately, you have to use Windows to 
install the upgrade, and even then, it's a very user-unfriendly installer. 
However, I went ahead and did that.  There were two things I noticed. 
First, they've addressed the issue of strange pronunciation of certain 
words.  For example, it used to say the word "body" like it had an ou in 
it instead of a short o.  That's fixed, and it says it right now.  Second, 
They've added what I consider to be a very nice touch.  When first powered 
on, it will now tell you if you are in USB mode or RS232 mode. 
Furthermore, if you flip the switch on the side to switch modes, it will 
immediately tell you which mode it's in.  Since it has to be used in RS232 
mode in Linux, this is a nice touch as it will let one figure out more 
easily what mode they are in.  I just hope new units ship with this 
firmware already installed, so that those who only use Linux can enjoy 
these little improvements.  So, at least they are working on the little 
glitches, unlike Fonix, who seem to prefer leaving their users out in 
the cold.

RE: improvements in the Dectalk USB

[jim grimsby]

 So, at least they are working on the little 
glitches, unlike Fonix, who seem to prefer leaving their users out in 
the cold.
Sorry not sure what you mean by the above.  I would like to know as I
just bought the dectalk 5.0 software and apart from my speech dispatcher
problem it is working fine.  If I am going to have problem with phonix I
would like to know what they might be.  Thanks 

RE: improvements in the Dectalk USB

[Adam Myrow]

Well, it's just that the software Dectalk seems rather unprofessional. 
For example, at least when I've installed it, the installer bombs out at 
the end with an error about an unexpected end of file.  You can get around 
this by manually running ldconfig, but it seems to be something that one 
would expect to have been caught in beta testing.  Also, the software has 
some strange issues with compound words containing the word "fire."  For 
example, try a sentence like "I use a firewall to protect my computer." 
As soon as the software Dectalk encounters "firewall," it starts speaking 
gibberish for the rest of the line.  This, again, is something that should 
have been caught in beta testing.  From this evidence, I've come to the 
conclusion that Fonix really doesn't care about the quality of their Linux 
products.  Their speech engine is in the Dectalk USB, but it doesn't 
display these glitches.  The Dectalk USB has some issues, but it looks 
like they are being resolved.  Also, I can't remember if it was you or 
somebody else who bought the Dectalk software and has yet to receive a 
serial number despite being charged *twice* for it.

RE: improvements in the Dectalk USB

[jim grimsby]

Hi, as soon as my order was approved the download page displayed my
serial number.  I just bought five . Zero but I saw a press relece
announcing dectalk 4.63 releced on march fifth.  This version of dectalk
has classic reading mode witch sounds like the older dectalk voices
effectively giving the user 18 voices to choose from.  I wonder if this
means that owner of the dectalk 5.0 will get these new features also.
Thanks. 

-----Original Message-----
From: speakup-bounces@braille.uwo.ca
[mailto:speakup-bounces@braille.uwo.ca] On Behalf Of Adam Myrow
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2005 5:47 PM
To: Speakup is a screen review system for Linux.
Subject: RE: improvements in the Dectalk USB


Well, it's just that the software Dectalk seems rather unprofessional. 
For example, at least when I've installed it, the installer bombs out at

the end with an error about an unexpected end of file.  You can get
around 
this by manually running ldconfig, but it seems to be something that one

would expect to have been caught in beta testing.  Also, the software
has 
some strange issues with compound words containing the word "fire."  For

example, try a sentence like "I use a firewall to protect my computer." 
As soon as the software Dectalk encounters "firewall," it starts
speaking 
gibberish for the rest of the line.  This, again, is something that
should 
have been caught in beta testing.  From this evidence, I've come to the 
conclusion that Fonix really doesn't care about the quality of their
Linux 
products.  Their speech engine is in the Dectalk USB, but it doesn't 
display these glitches.  The Dectalk USB has some issues, but it looks 
like they are being resolved.  Also, I can't remember if it was you or 
somebody else who bought the Dectalk software and has yet to receive a 
serial number despite being charged *twice* for it.



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RE: improvements in the Dectalk USB

[Hart Larry]

Well, Jim-and-All, I phoned Fonix last Friday to try-and-buy version 4.63, 
however, they told me they have no stand alone version for linux.  They just 
have a runtime developers kit.  I thought $50 for this software would have been 
reasonable.  Also, it may enable me to run oralux-and-YASR on a laptop as well.
So are their other companies other than Fonix selling linux dec-talk software? 
Thanks so much
Hart