Evan Kleiman
- 2000.08.21
Q: I just installed the latest version of Speech Recognition
on my computer. It works great, but it doesn't do what I want it
to. How can I make it launch AOL whenever I say Internet? Also, is
there any place where you can change the little person that pops up
and listens to you?
A. The latest
version of SR (Speech Recognition) actually listens to what you
say. In fact, I could use it almost problem-free with my iMac!
But what happens when you want it to do more than just tell you
the date?
Well, that's easy.
First, decide what you want it to do (some things are easier to
do than others). If you want it to launch one of your favorite
programs, just highlight it and say, "Make this speakable." It
will. Now, whenever you say the name of the program, it will launch
it.
If you want to have a program like AOL launch when you say
something other than AOL, you can do that, too. All you need to do
is open the "speakable items" folder (just say, "Show me what to
say"), find the file you want to change, and rename it to whatever
you want. So, if you rename the file "bob," whenever you say "Bob,"
AOL will launch.
You can even make it do more than just launch programs. You can
also make it say whatever you want - create a virtual "yes man," if
you will. This is easy too.
First, launch script editor (it's probably in your "Apple
Extras" folder). Next, type the word "say" and then in quotation
marks what you want your new "virtual suck-up" to tell you. Easy
enough?
Now go to "Save as Application" and save the file as whatever
you want to ask the computer. For instance, if you want to ask the
computer "who is the best?" save the file as "Who is the best?"
When you do this, make sure "Never show start up screen" is
checked.
If you thought making SR do what you want was easy, changing the
person is even easier.
First, open up the Speech control panel. Then select "Feedback"
from the top drop down menu. Now, you can select many different
characters, in fact, the little person will be in color if you have
OS 8.6 or above.
But, what if the nine default characters aren't enough? Well,
you can do something about that, too. ResExcellence has a nice
section on how to change the person who listens to you.
After all of these tips, you can pretty much get your virtual
person to do whatever you want. Well, almost. Apple still hasn't
created a version of SR to make your bed.
Evan Kleiman has been writing for Low End Mac since January
1999. He also runs his own site, Evansite. Evan uses an iMac,
along with some vintage hardware. You can read more about his
computing experience in The Many Macs of
Evan Kleiman.
