Eddie

Zaphod · Post by **Zaphod** » Thu May 07, 2009 11:37 pm

For those using Vista, the following application will allow you to speak voice commands to your computer, to essentially hit any key you tell it to. You can also set it to respond verbally to confirm your request. This is a nice complement to your normal controls, allowing you to simply say "Open Navigation Console" rather than fumbling for your keyboard. You'll need to tweak your commands a bit, as the quote from Vice explains below. Also, if you don't have Vista, the E-speaking site has instructions on how to make it work using the SAPI interface.

"For precise input, you may want to apply a timer setting for each input as well at least 50 ms, perhaps 100-200 (for example, to have the H key held you would use {H,1,50} typed in the action field)."

-Vice

Link to the application:

http://www.e-Speaking.com/install_3_8_17.exe

Note - be sure to download this particular version, as other versions will not function properly...

Edit: Link updated.

[Edited on 5-8-2009 by Vice]

[Edited on 5-8-2009 by Zaphod]

Draakjacht · Post by **Draakjacht** » Fri May 08, 2009 2:57 am

I had to copy and paste. Seems the hyperlink function is dead.

Zaphod · Post by **Zaphod** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:53 am

Fixed, not sure if I did it or Vice, but the link works now.

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:55 am

Zaphod - do you use this? Is it practical? I'm curious (Maybe I should just "try it". I can just picture what the neighbors will think).

Zaphod · Post by **Zaphod** » Fri May 08, 2009 4:57 am

I bugged the hell out of Vice to get it working. Do I use it? I can't imagine playing without it. How far would Captain Kirk get without his ship's computer?!!

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:01 am

Hehehe - I have to try that then, to heck what the neighbors think.

"Hello? Police? There's this guy living next door to me - I THINK has a ... lets see... Maxim-R cannon? And MISSILES!"

[Edited on 5-8-2009 by Storm]

Zaphod · Post by **Zaphod** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:05 am

It helps if you're the only person in the house. My dog listens to me occasionally. But he's learned that "Open Navigation Computer" doesn't mean "We're going outside."

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:07 am

My cat thinks that ANY utterance, even phone conversations, means "Lets Pounce on Feet and Shred Them!"

Draakjacht · Post by **Draakjacht** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:23 am

I usually play with the TV on. Might have to stop that.

Daedalao · Post by **Daedalao** » Fri May 08, 2009 5:25 am

I use voice command for Star Trek: Bridge Commander... Damn the neighbors... I'll have a look at this.

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Fri May 08, 2009 7:20 am

If it works well with EL, I want to know

[Edited on 5-8-2009 by warsign]

Polymorph · Post by **Polymorph** » Fri May 08, 2009 8:34 am

I have the urge to make it so that my lasers fire when I say "pew pew".
And my missiles would launch with "Pshooooo".

On second thought, I'll control all of my ship with what I think it would sound like.

"varoom" "pew pew pew pew Pshoo" "ERRRT" "WHOOSH"

In that interesting example, I accelerated, shot my lasers twice and fired missiles, decelerated, and jumped.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:06 am

Over the years, there have been a couple of aftermarket "voice command" software programs.
Personally, I use MS Sidewinder and have been for almost ten years and yes, it does work! And it works on Win98 and above.
I use it on a submarine game, Star Trek Bridge Commander several space-sims, including Vice's.
From experience, I can note the following:
It won't work if you have a cold!
It will only work with your voice, no other.
It works best with a headset w/boom mic.
It is a big help if you have a controller with
minimal buttons/switches.
It should not be used for "Fire", "Launch Missiles", or any function that demands instant response because of an inherent delay in the recognition system.
It is fine for things like "jump" "menu", "Bridge" and in the case of the submarine game, "Dive, Dive, Dive", etc.
One neat feature is that it really works on sound, not words, so you can use any grunt, cough, snort, or made up word, up to two syllables, that you want.
Just remember what made-up word does what!
Have fun!

warsign · Post by **warsign** » Fri May 08, 2009 10:56 am

Pressing a button is much more easy than say it. Because you can't say 3 commands at the same time but you can press or give with scrips.

I believe the miracle called "muscle memory", I use it for playing guitar and singing at the same time. We use it everytime unconsciously.It works like reflex but not exactly is.

Finally,we can use voice commands for slower commands, for support our brain-muscle chain.

[Edited on 5-8-2009 by warsign]

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Fri May 08, 2009 2:43 pm

I agree with you for the most part Warsign, but it is possible to program one "utterance" to start a macro-command. That is, one word to start a sequence of commands.
As excited as I was when I got mine and started programming it, I will admit, it started getting "old" soon after. I still use it for some games that have obscure or seldom used commands that even tho' the Saitek could handle it, I forget what button to press, so in that event it's just as easy to use the word than try to remember what key or button needs to be pushed.
It really is a pretty powerful tool, but like anything else, it takes some "getting used to"
I heartily recommend it and a Google search will turn up other software for earlier systems besides just the MS Sidewinder.
Good Luck!

Glock36 · Post by **Glock36** » Fri May 08, 2009 2:54 pm

this is great...my cat thinks my keyboard is his bed. He does not like to be moved.

Zaphod · Post by **Zaphod** » Fri May 08, 2009 2:58 pm

Originally posted by MMaggio
I heartily recommend it and a Google search will turn up other software for earlier systems besides just the MS Sidewinder.

Note, most voice rec programs will not work with Evochron, if you are using Vista. I own just about all of them, and this is the ONLY one that actually registers. This is due to some Microsoft trickery that (shocker) was implemented with Vista. To my knowledge, the above application is the only one that will work with Evochron Legends.

Many thanks to Vice for figuring this out with the developers.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Fri May 08, 2009 11:17 pm

You mean they WILL work with Evochron, just not with Vista, which is no surprise since Vista seems to have a history of not being "gamer friendly".
SideWinder is an MS product, but since I do not have, nor ever will have, Vista, I can't say whether or not it would work. It works fine for 98 and above and Vista does have an XP mode and it might be made to work using that mode for install.
At any rate, what works for you, the gamer, is the only thing important.

Spartan992 · Post by **Spartan992** » Thu May 14, 2009 3:06 pm

Dont know about other programs,but i've been using the Shoot voice recognition(works in XP) http://www.howtotuts.com/?s=shoot
and have been using it after making an evochron profile with the editor.Works pretty well with me.

MMaggio · Post by **MMaggio** » Thu May 14, 2009 5:41 pm

That looks very workable and a good find!
Thanks for letting us in on that!:)

Sinbad · Post by **Sinbad** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:12 am

PROBLEMS WITH VOICE RECOGNITION

Can anyone help me? I've been trying to get e-speaking voice recognition working. I downloaded and installed from the link given in this thread but when I started the program I got an error saying it couldn't find the grammar files, and it wouldn't respond to my voice (not compatible with Vista?).

I then downloaded the latest version from their website (for Vista) and this worked fine on my computer. It did everything I said. But I couldn't get it to work in Evochron Legends. I've tried specifying the action commands as suggested in the previous posts. E-speaking responds verbally when I try out commands in the game but nothing happens!

I'm wondering if I have to add or modify files in the EL game folder to get it to register the verbal commands?

If anyone has any suggestions please reply cos I'd really love to have voice control in this game!

My computer specs are:

Windows Vista Servcice Pack 2 32bit
Intel dual core 1.66ghz processor
2 GB RAM

Thanks in advance

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:59 pm

Hello MCCON, welcome to the forum and the Sim. See you out there sometime.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 3:48 pm

Hi MCCON, Welcome to the Game and Forum. Hope to see you out there!;)

Post by **Vice** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 4:41 pm

Hi MCCON,

You will need to use the version of the program at the link above, the Vista version does not support the 'scancode' method of key signals needed for input to the game (this is apparently due to changes in Vista). The version above is compatible with Vista, but there is some configuring needed. If you continue to get that error message, you can contact the developer for help: http://www.e-speaking.com/contact.htm

Sinbad · Post by **Sinbad** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:55 am

Thanks guys for your warm welcome to the forum, and for your quick response!

I've contacted e-speaking, waiting for a reply. In the meantime I've still no success in getting it working. Will try a few other things to see if anything helps.

I have to say I've been really impresssed with everything about your game and forums. The game is fantastic and the forums are helpful, interesting and funny. Other game forums pale in comparison! Many of these bigger, corporate software developers are just not in touch with the end-user. Keep it up!

Maybe see you out there sometime!