=============================================================================== Subject: Monolog API Forum: Multimedia Vendor+ , Media Vision ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Kevin Angley , 71555,525 Msg# : 54926 TO: All , Date : 9/28/93 9:02:04 PM I am attempting to use the API to the Monolog 16 software and having bunches of problems. 1) The documentation that shipped with the PowerPak upgrade was all wrong. Interesting, I got two copies of Monolog documentation which were similar to each other, but not identical. Both are completely wrong in their description of the API. 2) The FB_22K16.DLL file must be renamed FB_11K8.DLL for anything to work. I guessed at this. 3) Using the info in a file in the library here, I have been able to get it to work using OpenSpeech, Say, and CloseSpeech. Unfortunately, Say resets the volume to midpoint every time its called. There is no documentation on any parameter to override this (actually, the docs describe a way to set global variables, but there is no such routine in the DLL). 4) If the application is the active window, it seems to work. If the application is not the active window, the application will lock up while saying something. Any help would be appreciated. Anyone successfully use Monolog API? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Robert Foster , 73650,254 Msg# : 55486 TO: Kevin Angley , 71555,525 Date : 10/3/93 2:35:15 PM Kevin, I am also having trouble accessing the Monolog 16 dll API. I have been using Visual Basic 3.0 and have done the OpenSpeech and CloseSpeech calls succesfully, I think. I get a GPF on the call to Say, however. So, you're doing better than I am. Maybe it has something to do with the active window. I renamed FB_22K16.DLL to FB_11K8.DLL just like you did. If you find anything out, would you let me know? I'll do likewise. Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 55501 TO: Robert Foster , 73650,254 Date : 10/3/93 7:40:30 PM Bob, >> I have been using Visual Basic 3.0 and have done the OpenSpeech and >> CloseSpeech calls succesfully, I think. I get a GPF on the call to Say, >> however. I too have been trying to make DLL calls to Monologue-16 using Visual Basic 3.0, but have had nothing but GPF's. So if you can issue OpenSpeech and not get a WinExec error, then you're doing better than I am. What on earth does renaming FB_22K16.DLL to FB_11K8.DLL got to do with anything? I've been trying to make calls to FB_SPCH.DLL as detailed in the api text file I found in the file library here. Would you mind sharing how you got as far as you have? I've tried numerous time getting information from either Media Vision or First Byte and have only gotten frustrated. First Byte won't give direct support because it's licensed to Media Vision... and I've yet to find anyone at Media Vision that understands Monologue-16's DLL structure. Thanks in advance for your help. Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Jamie Breese , 72722,605 Msg# : 55511 TO: Kevin Angley , 71555,525 Date : 10/3/93 10:17:05 PM I accidentally discovered that passing "FB_22K16" as the voiceType parameter (third parameter) of the OpenSpeech API prevents the need to rename the FB_22K16.DLL to FB_11K8.DLL. But I don't have any idea on how to keep the volume from being reset. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: ROBERT STEPHAN , 76106,3710 Msg# : 55514 TO: Jamie Breese , 72722,605 Date : 10/3/93 10:43:22 PM Jamie, Do you have a Monologue 16 DLL macro that works? No one else has been able to make one? Bob Stephan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Robert Foster , 73650,254 Msg# : 55619 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/4/93 6:21:19 PM Hi Bob, Wish I could say that I knew more. I renamed FB_22K16.DLL because otherwise I would get a message saying "Unable to locate FB_11K8.DLL" ( or something to that effect.) This was just a guess on my part. To me, it indicates that there is a version control problem here between the FB_SPCH.DLL and the FB_22K16.DLL. This thing may never work right until we can get updated files from First Byte or Media Vision. With that in mind, here's my OpenSpeech call that seems to work: lpSCB = OpenSpeech(Form1.hWnd, 0, 0) Hope this is of some help. What we really need is Media Vision to jump in here and straighten this out. Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 55633 TO: Robert Foster , 73650,254 Date : 10/4/93 8:55:16 PM Bob, Thanks for the feedback. And you're right, First Byte and Media Vision has really slighted us on this one. :-( Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 55632 TO: Jamie Breese , 72722,605 Date : 10/4/93 8:55:14 PM Jamie, >> I accidentally discovered that passing "FB_22K16" as the voiceType parameter (third parameter) of the OpenSpeech API prevents the need to rename the FB_22K16.DLL to FB_11K8.DLL. Now that's an incredible find! A few more accidents like that and we may get this thing sorted out. What language are you programming in? If it's Visual Basic, how about posting the syntax your using to call the functions? By the way, nice work on finding the voiceType parameter. Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Jamie Breese , 72722,605 Msg# : 55751 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/5/93 11:21:23 PM Bob, Here is the Word for Windows macro that I wrote to use the Monologue DLL: Declare Function Say Lib "FB_SPCH"(lpSCB As Long, phrase$) As Integer Declare Function OpenSpeech Lib "FB_SPCH"(hWnd As Integer, mode As Integer, voiceType$) As Long Declare Function CloseSpeech Lib "FB_SPCH"(lpSCB As Long) As Integer Sub MAIN lpSCB = OpenSpeech(0, 0, "FB_22K16") If lpSCB <> 0 Then result = Say(lpSCB, Selection$()) result = CloseSpeech(lpSCB) End If End Sub Not exactly Visual Basic, but close. You may have to add some "byval"s to the parameter lists. Also, it wouldn't work until I put the monolog directory in the path. I didn't investigate further to see exactly which files the FB_SPCH.DLL needs to find, but it definitely needs the FB_22K16.DLL and FB_DEFLT.DIC files. Good luck! And I'll keep looking to see if anyone knows how to keep the volume from being reset. Jamie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Msg# : 55894 TO: Jamie Breese , 72722,605 Date : 10/7/93 12:14:10 AM Hope it works ... It is an incredible stupidity taking me many calls, many $ etc to find that no one really knows at MV how ANYTHING works. This dll is just the tip of the iceberg. I find more info on their products from people on CS than from dozens of hours on their interminable phone! Further, they fax WRONG information repeatedly and consistently. If their hardware wasn't good, it wouldn't be worth the time. They can't write documentation or do customer support. Really sad...Someone with a modest knowledge of people and software could propel this company to stardom...they seem interested in only providing the most for the least $... Dr. RAK, UCLA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Msg# : 55897 TO: Jamie Breese , 72722,605 Date : 10/7/93 12:50:03 AM I have implemented your Word Basic in VB 3.0. As long as I have the path set to PASTUDIO, it works - although I have copied all FB prefix files to another in-line path. The volume problem is very serious -- I have tried to invoke direct calls to the MCI interface for the mixer --NO GO -- the call to the FB dll simply resets the volume of WAVE at an incredibly low level. What gives here? I stand by my criticism. MV provides faulty information consistently. They are not to be trusted. Note the over 500 messages on this vendor! PLEASE - if anyone has a fix to the DLL call (I need to make it from an arbitrary, in-path directory, like \win\system...) or volume problem...HELP. Does anyone know if the mentioned ProVoice development kit is worth the money - as of now, I suspect it is jibberish! RAK-UCLA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: C. Harrington/Sysop , 72662,155 Msg# : 55908 TO: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Date : 10/7/93 3:59:00 AM Roger - >> Note the over 500 messages on this vendor! Please don't take this as a defense of MV - but you should see the number of messages per week for the ATI video card or the SoundBlaster. 500 per week here is nothing Courtney Harrington/SYSOP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Ricardo Belmar , 70054,3616 Msg# : 55962 TO: C. Harrington/Sysop , 72662,155 Date : 10/7/93 7:09:01 PM Courtney, >>>500 per week here is nothing <<< You should see Diamond's forum and how many Viper messages they generate! Ricardo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 55988 TO: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Date : 10/7/93 10:12:27 PM Roger, If you've read my recent post to Jamie, you know that I've finally gotten Visual Basic 3.0 and the dreaded FB_SPCH.DLL to work together. But both your and Jamie's comments about a "volume problem" have me lost. Could you detail the problem you are encountering? I suffer no change in the wave volume setting. I just tried numerous experiments, and where ever I set the wave channel in Pro Mixer, it stays there no matter how often I make a call to the DLL. I have a thought that I haven't evaluated yet. I am a strong advocate of having Pro Mixer loaded in Windows StartUp Group (minimized), so it's always handy. I wonder if having the mixer running, albeit minimized, is the trick to the stability I am experiencing. If you try that and it doesn't help, I'll post my entire Visual Basic code in case I've inadvertently included a "fix" I'm not aware of. Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56235 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/10/93 12:55:24 PM Bob- I sure would be interested in your VB3 code. Ed Tenholder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: James Gerber , 75006,1171 Msg# : 56081 TO: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Date : 10/8/93 6:59:07 PM Way to go Roger--I'll bet that kind of attitude gets you A-1 technical support every time! I bought an SBPRO card for my home machine despite having a good experience with MV on my machine at work and I can tell you their ("Creative" labs) tech support is worse than none at all. Anyone want to buy an SBPRO? TTFN from The Big Cheese, composed 6:55p on 08-Oct-93 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Msg# : 56117 TO: James Gerber , 75006,1171 Date : 10/9/93 1:12:21 AM OK - I'm an SOB -- but I've been 4 months working out bugs between versions of MV stuff - and it just gets to you --- Creative Labs (who I have dealt with) is indeed worse than MV...but, can't we get out of the gutter here?? Let's hope for vendors who value customers and the effort we put in unraveling problems that should have been beta tested. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 55971 TO: Jamie Breese , 72722,605 Date : 10/7/93 9:32:11 PM Jamie, Thanks for sharing the macro, even if I don't have Word for Windows. (g) I've managed to have success with Visual Basic, although it refuses to buy your trick of passing "FB_22K16" as the third parameter. It still comes back looking for "FB_11K8.DLL". Odd, but I can live with having two copies of the same .DLL, one with each name. My first Visual Basic project using the Monologue-16 DLL is actually for ExecuVoice. It reads the system clock, reformats it as a text string and passes the string to Monologue. It pays attention to whether minutes equals "00" and substitutes "oh clock" if true. 9:00 is spoken as "9 o clock A M" whereas 14:29 is spoken as "2 29 P M". The program places nothing on the screen and exits as soon as the time has been spoken. By giving the program icon the name "Time", if ExecuVoice is running all I have to say is "Computer, Time" and it tells me. (g) BTW, notice that I have trained ExecuVoice to respond to "Computer" rather than "Bring Up". The latter expression sounds too much like something one does with a bad meal. It's a small step, but I'm getting around some of the limitations that ExecuVoice imposes. Some day I may post what I have done with a cordless FM mic so I can "talk" to ExecuVoice from anywhere in the house. I've even got it to turn lights and appliances on and off. :-) Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Jamie Breese , 72722,605 Msg# : 55992 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/7/93 11:13:07 PM Bob, It sounds like you have a lot more free time than I do! Jamie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56236 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/10/93 12:55:26 PM Bob- Would be interested in hearing more of what you are doing. How do you access lights, etc? I still have not gotten Monolog to work via VB3. Would you mind posting the key pieces of the code. Ed Tenholder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56256 TO: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Date : 10/10/93 8:41:02 PM It is indeed a small world. I've been meaning to write to you for quite some time. You see, as a registered user of your XTenWin, I promote your offering every chance I get. We will talk further on that. For now, two subjects here... ExecuVoice and Monologue-16. Let's start with ExecuVoice. I prefer to get ExecuVoice's attention by saying "Computer" instead of "Bring Up". ExecuVoice doesn't care what you say for a given command... just so it's trained that way. The next step was turning ExecuVoices liability of only recognizing generic commands (outside of the included accessory group) into a usable feature. When I found it would pass "OK, Yes, No" to a script looking for button clicks, I knew there was no limit to what one could do... as long as the script or program one wrote, could do everything it needed to do with generic commands. This was my first endeavor using PC Tools for Windows script language... x = DLLCall ("mmsystem", "sndPlaySound", "c:\data\lamp_on.wav", 1) Verify = MessageBox ("Light Control", "Turn On the Desklamp?", 36) If Verify = 6 then Exec "c:\x10win\xtencmds.exe /Ddsklmp.d10 /Edsklmp.e10 /noupdate /B" x = DLLCall ("mmsystem", "sndPlaySound", "c:\data\chimes.wav", 1) pause 2 sec Else x = DLLCall ("mmsystem", "sndPlaySound", "c:\data\tone_z.wav", 1) EndIf I compiled it, gave it an icon in the ExecuVoice Group with the name "Lamp On" and trained ExecuVoice to recognize the application. I say "Computer, Lamp On", a message box appears with Yes/No buttons and I'm asked via a wav file if I want the Desklamp turned on. I say "Yes" and your XTenWin's batch capability does the rest, accompanied with a confirmation chime. (Note the two sec pause to allow the batch command to execute before the script terminates). If I say "No", the script immediately terminates with a confirmation tone. Optimized? Hardly. But encouraged me to do more. Continued next message... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56257 TO: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Date : 10/10/93 8:41:08 PM Ed, My next step was to recognize that the soundcard (and ExecuVoice) didn't really care what kind of microphone was being used. I invested in a good quality cordless FM microphone. More scripts/batch files, and the computer and I are carrying on conversations in other rooms... and ExecuVoice is turning on/off X10 modules by voice command. The FM mic has subsequently been modified to be "touch" activated (like a Star Trek Comm Badge) to prevent ExecuVoice from erroneously executing commands heard in normal conversation. Obviously, I was getting serious about this project. (g) I bought Visual Basic Pro 3.0 to do my own programming. I'd like to get around having to pass batch commands to XTenWin and have started writing the code to send the commands directly out the comm port. That greatly improves the response time to a verbal command. But that's another story. This gives you and others a peek at what can be done with ExecuVoice... an application typically criticized for being too limited to be of any value. Ha! Now on to the wretched Monologue-16 DLL and Visual Basic. What follows is a far from optimized piece of code that again, using ExecuVoice, "tells" me what time it is when I ask. :-) Note: I had to make sure the Monologue files were in the path, and I had to rename FB_22K16.DLL as FB_11K8.DLL. Continued Next Message... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56258 TO: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Date : 10/10/93 8:41:16 PM Visual Basic Pro 3.0 using Monologue-16 DLL Module: TalkTime.Bas - Object: General - Proc: Declarations Global lpSCB As Long Declare Function OpenSpeech Lib "\windows\fb_spch.dll" (ByVal hWnd%, ByVal mode%, ByVal voiceType&) As Long Declare Function CloseSpeech Lib "\windows\fb_spch.dll" (ByVal lpSCB&) As Integer Declare Function Say Lib "windows\fb_spch.dll" (ByVal lpSCB&, ByVal phrase$) As Integer TALKTIME.FRM - Object: Form - Proc: Load Key Property: Visible = False Sub Form_Load () HR% = Val(Time$) If HR% < 12 Then AM_PM$ = "A M?" Else AM_PM$ = "P M?" If HR% > 12 Then HR% = HR% - 12 H$ = Str$(HR%) + ", " M$ = Mid$(Time$, 4, 2) + ", " If Mid$(M$, 1, 2) = "00" Then M$ = "O Clock" Else If Mid$(M$, 1, 1) = "0" Then Mid$(M$, 1, 1) = "O" End If TimeText$ = H$ + M$ + AM_PM$ lpSCB = OpenSpeech (hWnd, 0, 0) Status% = Say(lpSCB, TimeText$) Status% = CloseSpeech(lpSCB) End Sub TALKTIME.FRM - Object: Timer1 - Proc: Timer Key Properties: Enabled = True; Interval = 3000 Sub Timer1_Timer () End End Sub Well, unless I've made a typo, that's it! Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FROM: Ricardo Belmar, 70054,3616 Msg#: #56277 TO: Bob Blow, 76546,230 Date: 10/10/93 10:52:07 PM Hi Bob, >>ExecuVoice doesn't care what you say for a given command... just so it's trained that way.<<< Clever, some ideas are already forming in my head. >>>When I found it would pass "OK, Yes, No" to a script looking for button clicks, I knew there was no limit to what one could do... <<< I'm afraid my limited knowledge of Execuvoice is going to show here. What exactly do you mean Execuvoice passes "OK",etc. to a script? Maybe I'm just not understanding your Pctools script...(which I don't have, but I would just use hDC Power Launcher). Could you elaborate a bit. Also, from your descriptions, I'm guessing that XTenWin allows you to control X10 modules through Windows software? If it isn't to much trouble, could you tell me a little about this, and where to get it? Thanks. Ricardo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Msg# : 56214 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/10/93 2:31:11 AM Sorry to upset you so... Missing elements... What does each parameter in the call mean? Why do we call the OPEN statement with a bunch of zeros? Yes, you made quite a breakthrough with the information that a supposedly numeric variable was in fact a string pointing to a kind of 'library'...I am not faulting you at all!! Thanks a million . at least we can go forward. However, my statement regarding the settings of the PAS mixer are confirmed, at least on my system. Calling the MCI interface and setting the WAV and AMP outputs at 80 is overridden when I call the speech system. Instead, other values (reported previously) are obtained. I cannot get WAV to output at a higher level! The call resets this value. I am now investigating an even more serious problem...After I call the speech engine, all subsequent calls to the mixer (to reset it to another value), return code 259 - and they thus FAIL. Clearly, on my setup, with the versions of PAS software I have, there is a significant interaction between the Speech system and the mixer MCI interface. I have only recently resolved problems, quite by trial and error, between previous versions of the Mixer and the most recent ones. I am wondering if this is yet another. Thank you for your help....if it were not for the people on this board, and their persistence, many problems would still plague me. I tend to rave at the manufacturer itself, who has a strong tendency to be unresponsive, evasive, and unknowledgeable. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56270 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/10/93 10:10:04 PM Bob- Slick the way you have married XtenWIN and Execuvoice. I'll have to play with that. I'm working on something that should make this kind of setup much easier: DDE support for X10/CP290. I'm finalizing an X10 DDE Server that I plan on distributing via CharityWare. Your thoughts/beta testing would be appreciated. It's clear you've thought through this quite a bit. Ed Tenholder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56271 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/10/93 10:10:06 PM Bob- Thanks for VB3 code. I'll play with it tonight and let you know how I make out. Ed Tenholder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Msg# : 56295 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/11/93 1:45:11 AM Below is my code for dealing with the resetting of the .WAV line. In further investigation, I find that only the WAV line is reset on call to the speech engine. All declarations are as bob has indicated. This code simply stores the settings of WAV and AMP lines and restores them. Best wishes to all...RAK Sub Speak (Phrase As String) fileflag = True If DesignForm!Speech.Checked = True Then On Local Error GoTo fileerror lpSCB = OpenSpeech(0, 0, "FB_22K16") If fileflag = False Then message$ = "No Monologue Speech Synthesizer in Path" MsgBox message$ Exit Sub End If If lpSCB <> 0 Then Call getamp(1, SaveMainAmp) Call getamp(6, SaveWavAmp) x = Say(lpSCB, Phrase) x = closespeech(lpSCB) Call ChangeAmp(SaveMainAmp, 1) Call ChangeAmp(SaveWavAmp, 6) End If End If Exit Sub fileerror: fileflag = False Resume Next ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56384 TO: Ricardo Belmar , 70054,3616 Date : 10/11/93 8:03:00 PM Ricardo- I am the author of XtenWIN, and hence biased. It can be downloaded from CompuServe, CEFORUM, file: X10WIN.ZIP. XtenWIN replaces program that came with CP-290, and works as true windows program. Includes background execution, and automatically adjusts events for changing sunrise/sunset. -Ed Tenholder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FROM: Ricardo Belmar, 70054,3616 Msg#: #56407 TO: Edward J. Tenholder, 76447,1030 Date: 10/11/93 10:25:18 PM >>>XtenWIN replaces program that came with CP-290, and works as true windows program. Includes background execution, and automatically adjusts events for changing sunrise/sunset.<<< Ok, let me just say you guys are really letting me show my ignorance in this thread. I am familiar with some of the X-10 stuff, but I'm not sure what you mean by CP-290. Is this an X-10 interface to the PC? I've been thinking about getting some X-10 modules, etc. before, but haven't yet for lack of money :( Please tell me more. Ricardo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56385 TO: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Date : 10/11/93 8:03:02 PM Roger- What is GetAmp and ChangeAmp?? I believe your code is just what I need, but need those missing routines. -Ed Tenholder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56485 TO: Ricardo Belmar , 70054,3616 Date : 10/12/93 8:21:01 PM Ricardo- CP-290 is an X10 transmitter that interfaces to PC (or MAC) via serial interface. Allows PC to download timer events, and then it issues X10 ommands based upon timer events. Only needs to be connected to PC when downloading timer events. Ed Tenholder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56479 TO: Ricardo Belmar , 70054,3616 Date : 10/12/93 7:16:30 PM Ricardo, >> What exactly do you mean ExecVoice passes "OK", etc. to a script? If an application from ExecuVoice's Group is running, and that application puts a Dialog Box on the screen, you can "speak" your answer to the Dialog Box instead of clicking on the button. It doesn't matter what the application is... could be a script file you created or a new program you dragged into the ExecuVoice Group. The only requirement is that the buttons in the Dialog Box match one the "Always Active" ExecuVoice commands (they're generic responses and are available to all Windows programs). Run a simple test for yourself. Put some word processor (even NotePad will do for this experiment) in the ExecuVoice Group. Type a few words and then close the word processor. That will immediately bring up a Dialog Box with a message to the effect... "Save your changes?" and three buttons... Yes, No and Cancel. All three responses are generic, so you can speak your answer and ExecuVoice will "pass" your command to the word processor... in effect clicking the button for you. It's that feature I encorporated into my script files. I simply make sure that whatever I want the script to do, it can be done via a Dialog Box. This is a simple, but effective means of circumventing the ExecuVoice limitation of not being "smart enough" to run anything more than the included accessory group. Neat, eh? Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Ricardo Belmar, 70054,3616 Msg#: #56586 TO: Bob Blow, 76546,230 Date: 10/13/93 6:56:17 PM Bob, Wow. Very neat. I'm going to have to experiment a little with this. I think I'll take a closer look at Monolog too. Maybe I'll get to see first hand all the problems you're all having with it. I'll be back... Ricardo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56480 TO: Ricardo Belmar , 70054,3616 Date : 10/12/93 7:16:01 PM Ricardo, >> ... I'm guessing that XTenWin allows you to control X10 modules through Windows software? I see that Ed has already taken the opportunity to respond to that question. And, he has admitted that as the author, he was biased. Well, I can give you a biased opinion too. However, my bias is based on evaluating lots of X10 software... commercial, shareware, freeware, homebrew, etc. I have found nothing that is as complete and well executed as Ed's XTenWin. I couldn't be more positive about this software package if I wrote it myself. If you're into X10 modules, you need XTenWin. Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56486 TO: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Date : 10/12/93 8:21:03 PM Roger- Thanks. Will look for MCI string interface routines. -Ed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56481 TO: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Date : 10/12/93 7:16:05 PM Roger, Thanks ever so much for sharing your implementation of the Monologue-16 DLL code. One quick question... I notice you are passing "FB_22K16" as the third OpenSpeech parameter. When I tried that some time ago, the function call still harrassed me with the "Could not find FB_11K8.DLL" error message. I was led to believe that the problem I encountered (requiring the subject file be renamed) could be avoided by specifying FB_22K16 as the VoiceType, as you did. Did that really work for you? You don't happen to have a FB_11K8.DLL still lurking in your path, giving a false positive that passing the VoiceType really is the correct thing to do, per chance? Again, thanks for the feedback. Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56487 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/12/93 8:21:05 PM Bob- PMJI, but placing "FB_22K16" as the third parameter to OpenSpeech, it definetly elimanated need to have FB_11K8.DLL around. -Ed Tenholder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56595 TO: Ricardo Belmar , 70054,3616 Date : 10/13/93 8:32:20 PM Ricardo, Regarding tricks with ExecuVoice... >> Wow. Very neat. I'm going to have to experiment a little with this. Deffinitely do. I think you mentioned that you have Norton's Desktop for Windows. I don't, but I assume it has some form of script writing capability like PC Tools for Windows. If so, see if you can find the script command to make a DDL call to play a wav file. I have a one line script file that does nothing more than play back a wav file of a big sloppy kiss. By giving it's icon the name "GimmeKiss" (and putting that icon in ExecuVoice's Group, of course), if I ever say "Computer, Gimme Kiss"... it does. (g) That really causes visitors to do a doubletake. Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Roger A. Kendall , 74650,3213 Msg# : 56632 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/14/93 1:17:28 AM Sorry, I do not have the FB_11K8.dll anywhere on my system (just ran a search to make absolutely sure). Let me know if you have any insight on the resetting of the mixer WAV line.. Best,, dr. RAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Ricardo Belmar , 70054,3616 Msg# : 56711 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/14/93 10:13:04 PM Bob, >>>Norton's Desktop for Window<<< Actually, I've got hDC Power Launcher. And it's scripting language does have a special "play sound" function (wave or midi). I like your "Gimme kiss" command. In fact I've got MANY wave files well-suited for this kind of fun. I'll experiment with some of them in the next few days and tell you how it went. I'm hoping to use something like this in a presentation I'm giving next month for my thesis proposal, and later in the actual project. Monologue, too, if I can figure out how to use it. If time permits, I'll give it a shot with VB2. I'll post a note on how that goes as well. (By the way, I've got a Spectrum, not a Studio, so I'll see if I have any volume problems, too, though I may not get around to that soon.) Ricardo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Scot Crispin , 75300,3670 Msg# : 56755 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/15/93 8:40:01 AM I would be interested in hearing more about this X10Win program. A coworker of mine is heavily into this home control stuff and I keep an eye out for Windows/X10 programs. Thanks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56911 TO: Ricardo Belmar , 70054,3616 Date : 10/16/93 7:14:21 PM Ricardo, >> Actually, I've got hDC Power Launcher. And it's scripting language does have a special "play sound" function (wave or midi). Ah, hDC Power Launcher... excellent. Let me know how the experiments go with initiating wav files via ExecuVoice. >> (By the way, I've got a Spectrum, not a Studio, so I'll see if I have any volume problems, too, though I may not get around to that soon.) That would be useful feedback. Do you know which version level of the PAS-16 you have? Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56912 TO: Scot Crispin , 75300,3670 Date : 10/16/93 7:15:01 PM Scot, >> I would be interested in hearing more about this X10Win program. A coworker of mine is heavily into this home control stuff and I keep an eye out for Windows/X10 programs. Thanks. One starts with the controller that interfaces to the pc via a serial port. They are readily available and even Radio Shack carries them. The controller has two modes of operation... immediate (or real time) and stored events. For the stored events mode, the serial cable can be disconnected after the programming is completed. The controller has its own memory (including battery backup) and will turn X10 devices on/off or dim them at the programmed times. So, you don't need the pc turned on or even connected except when updating the event schedules. The "immediate mode" lets you control X10 modules right from the pc keyboard. It is this mode of operation that found its way into this message thread... I was using ExecuVoice to turn devices on/off via voice commands. The actual Windows software that I was passing the voice commands to is "XTenWin" by Ed Tenholder. Even Ed was a little surprised to learn that his software was being used in that manner. (g) XTenWin's primary purpose is to replace the rather limited software that comes with the pc X10 interface controller. Do you know if your coworker has one of pc interface controllers? If not, and you'd like a general overview of what it is, just open a Radio Shack catalog. They typically have at least a two page spread on X10 devices (including the pc interface) under their marketing name of Plug-N-Power. Does this help? Bob ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Msg# : 56918 TO: Scot Crispin , 75300,3670 Date : 10/16/93 7:47:11 PM Scot- PMJI, but I am the author of XtenWIN that Bob spoke so kindly of, and I would be glad to answer any questions you have. It is available in the CEFORUM as X10WIN.ZIP. Ed Tenholder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Scot Crispin , 75300,3670 Msg# : 57079 TO: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Date : 10/18/93 8:45:18 AM Yes thanks for the info. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Scot Crispin , 75300,3670 Msg# : 57080 TO: Edward J. Tenholder , 76447,1030 Date : 10/18/93 8:47:19 AM Thanks for the info. I found it and downloaded it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Bob Blow , 76546,230 Msg# : 56978 TO: Ricardo Belmar , 70054,3616 Date : 10/17/93 11:49:16 AM Ricardo, >> Well, I'm having some problems, though apparently Power Launcher is at fault. I've set up the script as an icon in the Execuvoice group, and it works if I double-click the icon, but not when Execuvoice runs it. Hmmmm... that's odd. At least if it works by double clicking on the icon, you've got to be close. >> Haven't gotten this far yet, but, I've got a Rev B Ah, great! Be sure to run the experiment I outlined to Nill when you can find the time. Bob -------------------------------------------------------------------------------