SRI International is running a field test of in Iraq with 32 Windows XP laptops loaded with IraqComm, an advanced translation tool that allows english speakers to have an impromptu two-way conversation with Iraqi’s in arabic.

The software allows a person to speak into a microphone, the words are analyzed on the computer. The computer screen displays a validation of the phrases. The person can then click a button to confirm that the computer heard the english words correctly, and the computer speaks the phrase in arabic. If the computer gets the phrase slightly wrong, close variations are offered which can be selected and played immediately as well. The conversion of the english speach into text is run on SRI software called DynaSpeak developed in conjunction with USC in Los Angeles.

IraqComm has a 40,000 word english vocabulary and a 50,000 word Iraqi arabic vocabulary.
Additional Information

Technorati Tags: IraqComm, Iraqi translators, Voice Recognition, SRI

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There are many times when companies need to utilize a database on a given topic. Now there are many challenges to putting together a database, and sometimes we’ll think to ourselves, I’m sure someone has compiled a database of this topic before. Its seems kind of wasteful to plan out this database and collect all the datapoints. I’m sure some other company maybe even a competitor has built this same list sometime, somewhere.

Well that’s probably true. OdditySoftware offers up prebuilt databases ready for website integration or further development on many different topics.
Does your company need a database on the:

1. Credit Reporting Agencies
2. US Schools
3. Bakers and Bakeries
4. Private Golf Courses
5. US Hospitals

or more.  Well its possible that OdditySoftware has not only designed the database, but that they are have collected the datapoints knowledge and loaded it into the prebuilt database. 

They offer these sources of knowledge preconfigured in a Database design for a flat fee.  Many databases are available for less than $50.  You can
download that database, and be ready to take it on your website or develop it further to customize it for your own needs.  For the price, you won’t even get the scope meeting scheduled at your own company and this provides you a prebuilt standard ready to go!  They offer a Download Database Directory where you can browse or search for the database you are looking for.

As an example, I love the pubs in Boston and I registered a domain for bostonspubs a long time ago.  I have had this hobby project to build a website listing all of the pubs in Boston and offering up a rating system, happy hour break down, specials, unique aspects, food etc.  I’ve never gotten around to it, because I know some of the pubs but not all and I live in Atlanta and only visit Boston occasionly.  This tool can help me get off the ground with my hobby and start harnessing the power of the internet to develop it!

Technorati Tags: Business Database, Downloadable Business Database, Oddity Software

Written by: Brett Bumeter, President

http://mavemappers.blogspot.com
www.softduit.com

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Toshiba filed plans with the FCC to manufacture a device probably to be called the Pixus. This device will be made under the Microsoft specifications for the code name Zune.

Reuters reports that, “The filing reveals that the device will come with a 3-inch liquid crystal display screen, a 30-gigabyte hard-disk drive and has wireless connectivity.”

The filing indicates that the wireless connectivity will allow devices to share files and transmit to each other but does not indicate that the device will be capable of connecting to the internet.

The device will also have an FM tuner. Its expected to be available later this year, maybe in time for the Christmas season.

Technorati Tags: zune, toshiba pixus, microsoft zune

Written by: Brett Bumeter, President

http://mavemappers.blogspot.com
www.softduit.com

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A new website is hoping to do for people in India what MySpace has done for social networking in the US. MyIndianPlace.com offers a social networking site for Indians (not Native Americans like myself but people from the correctly named India a place to gather socially online and build social networks. Myindianplace offers all the regular things that are expected in a social networking site these days, from a profile, to blogs, chat, email and more. The key is that its focused on people form India.

Many niche social networking sites are popping up regionalized by country and now India has MyIndianPlace. Personally, I’m also curious how many Americans will join this group to make connections with people from India that they might be able to collaborate more directly on projects and business opportunities.

Technorati Tags: myindianplace, social networking, India

Written by: Brett Bumeter, President

http://mavemappers.blogspot.com
www.softduit.com

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Last week Dell voluntarily recalled over 4 million notebook batteries. It was a voluntary recall however the recall did not occur until after Dell suffered much bad publicity from an internet video showing a Dell computer catching on fire.

The video was then followed by much video ridicule as well.

The batteries were made by Sony, and Sony is paying for the cost of the consumer recall.

So a week later Apple realizing that it has Sony batteries in its laptops also, decides to recall 1.8 million notebook batteries (1.1 million in the US and 700k abroad).

So Dell started a voluntary recall, when they were forced to start after receiving bad press.  Questions that have still not been answered, include:

Why did Apple wait a week to initiate their recall of the same type of batteries?
What other computer or device manufacturers purchased these defective Sony batteries?
and What is Sony doing to speed up the process of the recall?

Websites for recall information

Dell

Apple Note. The website was down as of the writing of this article, however this could be due to a server crash. So we are providing the address in case the server comes back up or volume decreases.

Technorati Tags: Dell Fire, Apple Recall, Apple Fire, Apple Battery Recall, Sony Battery Recall

Written by: Brett Bumeter, President

http://mavemappers.blogspot.com
www.softduit.com

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