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From: Doug.Geoffray@f8.n369.z1.fidonet.org (Doug Geoffray)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Vocal-Eyes 2.0
Message-ID: <16408@handicap.news>
Date: 25 Jun 91 13:44:22 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

 LS> Hi Doug.  I noticed a message you responded to where you
 LS> mentioned your view on AI.  I was interested to note your
 LS> (grin) when refering to your views on this subject.  What are
 LS> your ideas on this, and why do you find it funny to make the
 LS> program do as much as it can for the user.  I agree that no
 LS> program can do all things for all people, but why not combine
 LS> the most automatic capabilities and let the user taylor from
 LS> there?

Larry,
  Come on Larry, do you honestly believe I don't like the idea of having
  a screen reader try and do as much as it can automatically?  It would
  be totally silly to think otherwise.

The reason for my (grin) was because of the gross over usages of the term
artificial intelligence. (AI).  I don't know if this is turning into a 90's
buzz word or what.  Is it because a program does something that is perceived
as "neet" or "difficult" that it is deemed as using AI?  At least the
definition I was taught in College does not even come close to what any
of todays screen readers are doing!  Including Vocal-Eyes.

There are many things that go in to artificial intelligence.  One example
would be the ability to learn from itself.  To learn from past experiences.
For example, if you have the rules: hot things should not be touched and
fire is hot, the program could take those two rules and make an
intelligent decision - You should not touch fire.  Of course this is an
extreemly simple example but the idea is AI is capable of learning and
becoming smarter.

Again, Larry, I am not against screen readers which do many things
automatically.  I hope Vocal-Eyes version 2.0 will prove this.  However, just
because more information is being read automatically, does not mean it is
better.  Getting too much information, getting bits and pieces of information
or worst yet, information out of order can sometimes be just as confusing
and/or frustrating as not getting anything.

Regards,
  Doug

... GW Micro -- Fort Wayne, IN -- (219) 483-3625

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