Comments on: Voice-Activated http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/ Random samplings from a universe of ideas. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:54:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Dany http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36979 Dany Sat, 01 Mar 2008 07:22:44 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36979 Bee: "I haven’t tried that one" Try that one too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pZewiYyBG4 Regards, Dany. Bee: “I haven’t tried that one”

Try that one too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pZewiYyBG4

Regards, Dany.

]]> By: Escape Hatch « Thoughts from My Pocket http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36981 Escape Hatch « Thoughts from My Pocket Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:45:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36981 [...] 18, 2008 This: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/ cracked me up! Posted in Uncategorized [...] [...] 18, 2008 This: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/ cracked me up! Posted in Uncategorized [...]

]]> By: Random Linkage » Blog Archive » Random Linkage 2008-Feb-16 PM http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36980 Random Linkage » Blog Archive » Random Linkage 2008-Feb-16 PM Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:30:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36980 [...] looks like there may be an escape hatch of sorts from some automated voice recognition [...] [...] looks like there may be an escape hatch of sorts from some automated voice recognition [...]

]]> By: Dany http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36965 Dany Fri, 15 Feb 2008 22:52:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36965 Alexey Petrov:"Let robots deal with robots!" Indeed. However, notice the difference between The AstroDyke and Julianne approach. Since he/she is trapped in an airplane and Chicago is closed the purpose of the phone call is completely obscure. It is hard to decide who is more stupid. I think that V.V. suggests a reasonable solution and R.Penrose gave fairly accurate analysis of the general situation. Regards, Dany. Alexey Petrov:”Let robots deal with robots!”

Indeed. However, notice the difference between The AstroDyke and Julianne approach. Since he/she is trapped in an airplane and Chicago is closed the purpose of the phone call is completely obscure. It is hard to decide who is more stupid. I think that V.V. suggests a reasonable solution and R.Penrose gave fairly accurate analysis of the general situation.

Regards, Dany.

]]> By: Alexey Petrov http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36966 Alexey Petrov Fri, 15 Feb 2008 20:55:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36966 I'm wondering if someone could write a code for a laptop (with voice recognition/voice out software) that would talk to those robots until human picks up the phone and then inform you about that. Let robots deal with robots! I’m wondering if someone could write a code for a laptop (with voice recognition/voice out software) that would talk to those robots until human picks up the phone and then inform you about that. Let robots deal with robots!

]]> By: Anon http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36961 Anon Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:19:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36961 Most people get discouraged when pressing 0 does not work. Well, it usually does eventually - the trick is to keep pressing it, perhaps 10 or more times. Most people get discouraged when pressing 0 does not work. Well, it usually does eventually – the trick is to keep pressing it, perhaps 10 or more times.

]]> By: starfish http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36978 starfish Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:21:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36978 One tip for United's reservation system is that you should register your cell phone number under your united profile: lately, when I have called from that cell number, the system simply asks me "Is this [my name], or someone calling on behalf of [my name]?" and then whether the itinerary is domestic or international. That's it, and it's about 1000x better than having to punch in your MP number, tell them whether it's a new/existing itin, etc. (I am a 1K, so I can't promise the system is quite as efficient if you're not super-exalted-elite, but registering your cell phone should still mean jumping through one less hoop.) Good luck getting home. One tip for United’s reservation system is that you should register your cell phone number under your united profile: lately, when I have called from that cell number, the system simply asks me “Is this [my name], or someone calling on behalf of [my name]?” and then whether the itinerary is domestic or international. That’s it, and it’s about 1000x better than having to punch in your MP number, tell them whether it’s a new/existing itin, etc. (I am a 1K, so I can’t promise the system is quite as efficient if you’re not super-exalted-elite, but registering your cell phone should still mean jumping through one less hoop.)

Good luck getting home.

]]> By: Sili http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36977 Sili Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:55:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36977 I can't find it on <a href="http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/" rel="nofollow">LanguageLog</a> unfotunately, but I'm sure I've seen this mentioned elsewhere. If I recall correctly some systems can even judge the level of frustration in the voice and use that to transfer a caller faster. The annoying paperclip thingie in Micro$soft programs can be turned off in much the same way. If in doubt then swear at it and it'll help you get rid of itself. Isn't practical linguistics fun?! I can’t find it on LanguageLog unfotunately, but I’m sure I’ve seen this mentioned elsewhere.

If I recall correctly some systems can even judge the level of frustration in the voice and use that to transfer a caller faster.

The annoying paperclip thingie in Micro$soft programs can be turned off in much the same way. If in doubt then swear at it and it’ll help you get rid of itself.

Isn’t practical linguistics fun?!

]]> By: Julianne http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36964 Julianne Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:17:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36964 But V.R. Man is so slooooooow. It takes foreeeeeeever to give him all the information he wants. That's why he's on my list. I'd like to add that I would never, ever say F.U. to a real agent, no matter how slow they were. But V.R. Man's chirpy inefficiency is fair game. But V.R. Man is so slooooooow. It takes foreeeeeeever to give him all the information he wants. That’s why he’s on my list.

I’d like to add that I would never, ever say F.U. to a real agent, no matter how slow they were. But V.R. Man’s chirpy inefficiency is fair game.

]]> By: The AstroDyke http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36976 The AstroDyke Thu, 14 Feb 2008 19:38:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36976 I've found United's "Voice Recognition Man" better than average. In my family we call him "V.R. Man", and I find myself saying, "Goodbye" when I hang up, which is pretty silly, really. I’ve found United’s “Voice Recognition Man” better than average. In my family we call him “V.R. Man”, and I find myself saying, “Goodbye” when I hang up, which is pretty silly, really.

]]> By: Harv http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36962 Harv Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:36:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36962 A friend of mine once worked for a company who programmed those voice activated systems. No amount of argument would induce him to admit that they were horrid, horrid things. He had nothing but praise for them. sigh... A friend of mine once worked for a company who programmed those voice activated systems. No amount of argument would induce him to admit that they were horrid, horrid things. He had nothing but praise for them.

sigh…

]]> By: Amanda http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36963 Amanda Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:35:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36963 The current United system is a much better system than the original system it had in place for travel for employees and their families. I would set aside at least 45 minutes to scream at the voice activated phone menu (including my dad's employee number, my name (which is similar to my mom's) and the ever elusive origin and destination). There was no operator, it didn't response to button presses, and it was the only way to book travel on passes. The current United system is a much better system than the original system it had in place for travel for employees and their families. I would set aside at least 45 minutes to scream at the voice activated phone menu (including my dad’s employee number, my name (which is similar to my mom’s) and the ever elusive origin and destination). There was no operator, it didn’t response to button presses, and it was the only way to book travel on passes.

]]> By: EJ http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36973 EJ Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:52:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36973 For airlines, try yelling "SHIT DAMN!" into the phone. This has worked more than once for me in the past.... For airlines, try yelling “SHIT DAMN!” into the phone. This has worked more than once for me in the past….

]]> By: JerseyBoy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36972 JerseyBoy Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:37:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36972 I normally don't even bother. I say "hermitian conjugate", "chipmunk" or "monoidal bifunctor" a few times and it generally gives up send me to a rep. However, I have run into a few systems where there is no failure mode. You get stuck in the "I'm sorry but I have no friggin clue what you are saying" loop ad nauseum. I normally don’t even bother. I say “hermitian conjugate”, “chipmunk” or “monoidal bifunctor” a few times and it generally gives up send me to a rep.

However, I have run into a few systems where there is no failure mode. You get stuck in the “I’m sorry but I have no friggin clue what you are saying” loop ad nauseum.

]]> By: B http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36971 B Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:50:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36971 Funny, I haven't tried that one. Regarding the pissed off customer, see also <a href="http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2008/02/customer-satisfaction.html" rel="nofollow">Customer Satisfaction</a> (my bank apparently renamed 'customer service representatives' into 'customer satisfaction accountants'). As I learned from <a href="http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2008/01/still-havent-closed-my-us-bank-account.html" rel="nofollow">an earlier post</a> there are several lists online on how to (allegedly) get connected to a human fast, e.g. http://gethuman.com/ Funny, I haven’t tried that one. Regarding the pissed off customer, see also Customer Satisfaction (my bank apparently renamed ‘customer service representatives’ into ‘customer satisfaction accountants’). As I learned from an earlier post there are several lists online on how to (allegedly) get connected to a human fast, e.g. http://gethuman.com/

]]> By: Dany http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36975 Dany Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:10:18 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36975 "M?? ??? ???????, ???? ?????? ? ? ???? ???? ??? ?????????" “M?? ??? ???????, ???? ??????
? ? ???? ???? ??? ?????????”

]]> By: mollishka http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36974 mollishka Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:03:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36974 Hm. I usually start saying "agent" nonstop and then quickly switch to cursing and it still always seems to take longer than it should. But I don't deal with United much, so maybe they are, like a few people have said already, more sensitive to these things :) Hm. I usually start saying “agent” nonstop and then quickly switch to cursing and it still always seems to take longer than it should. But I don’t deal with United much, so maybe they are, like a few people have said already, more sensitive to these things :)

]]> By: Eugene http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36970 Eugene Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:49:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36970 I've found the following 3 words work nicely trying to get to a real life person, uttered in this order (1) "agent" (2) "operator" (3) "fuck" I totally believe that saying f-bombs loudly get you to an agent quickly, but I often wonder if there is a flag on the agent's computer saying "pissed off customer, treat with care". I’ve found the following 3 words work nicely trying to get to a real life person, uttered in this order

(1) “agent”
(2) “operator”
(3) “fuck”

I totally believe that saying f-bombs loudly get you to an agent quickly, but I often wonder if there is a flag on the agent’s computer saying “pissed off customer, treat with care”.

]]> By: Ben http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36960 Ben Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:28:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36960 It seems to vary between systems, but I've also found that cursing the automaton while demanding customer service will expedite transfer to a real human. They seem to be particularly sensitive to f-bombs. :) I also wonder if some systems have voice stress analysis capabilities. It seems to vary between systems, but I’ve also found that cursing the automaton while demanding customer service will expedite transfer to a real human. They seem to be particularly sensitive to f-bombs. :) I also wonder if some systems have voice stress analysis capabilities.

]]> By: Fernando http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/comment-page-1/#comment-36969 Fernando Thu, 14 Feb 2008 10:06:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2008/02/14/voice-activated/#comment-36969 My very latin accent makes those voice activated systems a pain in the butt for me. My technique is to start cussing out loudly as soon as I find out it's a computer on the other side of the line. Some numbers seem to take me to a real person quicker if I seem really pissed off. My very latin accent makes those voice activated systems a pain in the butt for me. My technique is to start cussing out loudly as soon as I find out it’s a computer on the other side of the line.

Some numbers seem to take me to a real person quicker if I seem really pissed off.

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