Using Microsoft Agents for Multimedia Content

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Using Microsoft Agents for Multimedia Content

• By Martin Fred Rodriguez
• Texas Cooperative Extension
• Assistant Professor and Extension Computer
  Specialist

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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)

3
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)
• f-rodriguez_at_tamu.edu
• [phone]