using microsoft agents
TRANSCRIPT
June 4, 2005 ACE/NETC/ACT/EVP 2005 1
Using Microsoft Agents for Multimedia Content
By Martin Fred Rodriguez
Texas Cooperative ExtensionAssistant Professor and Extension Computer Specialist
June 4, 2005 ACE/NETC/ACT/EVP 2005 2
What are Microsoft Agents?
Small Animated characters that talk and gesture to the user.
Peedy (the Parrot)
Robby (the Robot)
Merlin (the Magician)
Genie (the Genie)
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What can they do?
Talk
Gesture
Fly
Disappear
Show Expressions
Accept Voice Commands
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Where do they work?
On the World Wide Web
In Applications
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What does it require for the User?
Windows Operating System 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP
Preferably Windows XP
Internet Explorer Browser
Download and Installation of SAPI (Speech Runtime)
Download and Installation of TTS (Text-to-Speech Engine)
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Why not record voice?
Time-consuming
Not easily updated
Need decent microphone
Need decent voice
Requires much more bandwidth
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What does it require for the Developer
Windows Server Platform
IIS with ASP
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How does it work (on the WWW)?
Include Two Object Definitions
Include Server-Side Script with calls to character
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Why would I want to use them
Add interactivity to your information
Control the interface for sight-impaired user
Make the interface “more fun”
Appeal to younger audience
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Other Characters
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Examples
SlideShow
Discuss
MyEmail
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Where can I find out more?
http://www.microsoft.com/msagent
http://www.msagentring.org/
http://slideshow.tamu.edu
Contact me:Martin Fred Rodriguez
Texas Cooperative Extension (TAMUS)
(979) 845-9799