I was stunned by the response to the first version of Talking Icons so I've jazzed it up with a recording feature:
This is a simple program to invoke sounds by clicking on an icon. To make it extra-cute, in this upgrade the program will sample your kid's voice. The resulting sample will be stored in association with whichever icon is clicked next. Recording is voice-activated so kids get the hang of it pretty quickly.
To run the program, double click on the TalkingIcons application icon. To hear the sounds, click on one of the icons in the window. To replace a sound with a voice sample, click the RECORD button. The recording window will come up and the program will wait until you start speaking. Recording will stop when you finish speaking or ten seconds elapses, whichever comes first. To save the sound after recording is over, click on the icon that will be used to replay it.
On some systems, it may be necessary to adjust the microphone sensitivity. The symptom of a need for this adjustment is that the recording box will display but nothing will seem to be recorded. In fact, a recording does take place but the microphone is too sensitive and it has only recorded ambient room sounds. To change the sensitivity, pull down the FILE menu and select the PREFERENCES option. Click the radio button for REDUCE MICROPHONE SENSITIVITY.
There is another option in the Preferences dialog and it can be used to disable the recording feature. This may be handy if you have more than one child who may use the program. The older child can set up recordings for the younger one without worrying that the younger will inadvertently blow them away.
The default sounds in this program were downloaded from AOL and none of them are particularly interesting so I don't believe there will be any licensing problems. If there is any licensing violation, please let me know and I will remove the offending sound immediately. The default sounds are boring and were included only for completeness; I hope your kids will replace them as soon as they get into the program.
If you like it, please send five bucks to:
(The program won't expire or play around with silly codes. It's hard enough being a kid without that kind of flak!)
Alan Fraser
2400 Hazelcrest Lane
Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
Registration will entitle you to the PowerPC version of the program. It's not any faster but the version you are using now is the last one that will be supported for 68K systems. Please include your e-mail address when registering so I can send the program to you!
