TALK-2-ME This file is an introduction to and explanation of the TALK-2-ME program. The program allows display of foreign text and can play a digital recording of the phrase shown. This program is shareware. Users of the program are granted a temporary license to examine this program. The program may be copied and distributed freely providing there is no alteration or modification of the program or files, and that the program is not distributed with any other product. This should contain the following files : TALK-2-ME.EXE SAY.EXE INSCRIBE.EXE WORLD1.GTD ENGLISH.QRY TEST1.V8 TRYOUT.BAT READTHIS.TXT (This file) six files with the .BGI extension and subdirectories called: PREMISE: The author of this program has spent a number of years in the public safety business. On occasion, a problem arises in communicating with someone that needs some form of emergency service, the service being either police, fire-rescue, or emergency medical. The problem arises when the person needing service cannot speak english and the person(s) providing the service cannot speak the foreign speaker's language. Generally, agencies having this type of problem have some limited access to a translator. Any agency that has a consistent or repeated problem in dealing with non-english speakers generally can find some type of translator. When the translator is available, communication is no problem. During the times that the translator is not available, communications become either difficult or impossible. In most situations where answers are needed quickly, the questions that need to be asked are limited in number. Most of these questions will deal either with identification or some form of "yes-or-no" answer.Included with this program is a sample list of some of the questions and phrases that we have found to be useful. This program was created to provide a "phrase book" of questions to be asked when a translator is not available. It cannot, and is not intended to replace a translator. RUNNING THE PROGRAM: Once the files are extracted from the TALK2ME.ZIP file, and the directory matches the one above, type TALK2ME and press the enter key. The program then runs as any .EXE file should. From this point on, the program should be pretty much self explanatory. On occasion an error message may be returned. The usual message is "Error opening (null)." The other message is "Error: Can not find or open file:.\????\????.???". Both of these messages are usually results of the program seeking a non- existant file. The voice files included with this sample are ".V8" voice files, to allow demonstration of voice capabilities even when the only system available is the internal speaker. Be aware, however, that the internal speaker is very likely to sound somewhat garbled. The COVOX units (read on) provide much clearer sound. NOTE: When running the program, question number two is used to select languages. The top part of the screen will display the languages available. Each three letter subdirectory respresents an available language. For instance, JAP represents Japanese, and RUS represents Russian. SERVICES: This program can take a preset list of questions (in english), a translated script and a tape-recording of the script in the translated language and put them together. For example, the sample files show question number two to be "What is your name ?". The sample program provides that question to be "written" in japanese characters, and pronounced. The bottom part of the screen shows the question in english. Most agencies have forms or checklists of some kind to determine the nature of the problem they have at hand. Anyone who has been treated in the emergency room is familiar with this, as it often seems like a lot of time is spent answering before treatment. In cases where the patient is in serious trouble, questions are asked (when possible) of a next of kin. We offer a transcribing service. By that we mean that a user, once registered, can submit a list of questions in english, a copy of translated script, and a tape recording of the spoken phrases, and we can "load" the phrases to display and pronounce on demand. Thus, if you should want question two to display "Are you diabetic ?" in Russian, this could be done. The transcribing service is offered to registered users. A registration form is available at the end of this file. Cost for registration is $25.00 (costs for transcribing not included). We do not offer translation services, although we can assist in locating a translator. Any cost for locating a translator must be assumed by the user, and any translating done is a separate business between the translator and the user. Direct any questions regarding transcription to the address and/or phone number listed in the registration form. Note: We reserve the right to review and reject material that we do not wish to transcribe. Any material that is transcribed is subject to a two week period of review by the user. If, after the two week period we are not notified of any error, flaw or defect, in the transcribed product, the product is agreed to be accurately produced. ADDITIONAL HARDWARE: To use this system to generate "spoken" phrases, one of three types of hardware must be used: 1) The internal speaker. The sample program can use this speaker although there are distinct disadvantages. First, the internal speaker must use a ".V8" speech file. This file is three times the size of the compressed ".V3S" file, and therefore uses three times the disk space. Since even the compressed speech files are large, use of the internal speaker is discouraged. Further, the internal speaker is just what the name says: internal. The sound can be reproduced, but since the speaker is inside the computer case, it is much like listening to someone who has a cardboard box over his head. The speech files included with the sample program are ".V8" for the purpose of demonstration. For better sound production, choices two or three are strongly recommended. The "TRYOUT.BAT" file will pronounce "This is a test of the speaker" on the internal speaker. 2) The COVOX SoundMaster II sound board. With this system, you could produce your own sound files. Cost from the manufacturer, COVOX Inc.is about $225.00 although some outlets offer it for less. The disadvantage to this one is that a desktop unit, or at least a unit capable of taking an "add-on" board must be used. Most laptops and/or notebooks would be excluded. Allows use of the compressd speech files. 3) The COVOX SpeechThing. A small hardware unit that plugs into the parallel printer port. Needs no other hardware, and is powered by a nine volt battery or DC adapter. This unit allows any machine with a printer port to be used. Small laptops and notebooks can be used with this system. By using this piece of hardware compressed speech files could be used. With small computers, the system then becomes portable, and can be taken out to locations in a small carrying case. Cost from COVOX is about $80.00, and again may be available for less through some retail outlets. HARD DRIVES: Since speech files take up a lot of memory, hard drives are virtually a necessity. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: If you find this program of interest, or have questions regarding its use, please write: The Japanese Culture and Language Service Inc. attn: TALK-2-ME 4504 Telhurst Road South Euclid Ohio 44121 or call via voice phone and leave a message : (216) 382-8523 Details of transcribing services, to include cost and specifications are available on request. REGISTRATION: Date: I,__________________________, wish to become a registered user of the TALK-2-ME ver 1.1 software. I understand that registration is $25.00 (twentyfive dollars) U.S. and have enclosed that amount. I further understand that should I use the services of the Japanese Culture and Language Service Inc. to transcribe any material for use, that I must provide material according to their specifications and upon receipt of the transcribed material, have a two week review period to make notification of any error. I understand that if no notification is made during the two week period, following final delivery, I will accept the material as an accurate copy. I further understand that once the material is put into use, the Japanese Culture and Language Service Inc. assumes no resposibility for any misunderstanding, difficulites, loss or other incident arising from or during the use of the TALK-2-ME program. SIGNED:___________________________________________ TITLE: ___________________________________________ AGENCY:___________________________________________