Vocola Information Pages   by Rick Mohr   (last modified May 11, 2002)

 Introduction
 Using Vocola
 Language Tutorial
 Download Vocola
->  Install Vocola
 Converting DVC Files
 Troubleshooting
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Install Vocola

Install Vocola Follow these instructions to install Vocola:
  1. Install Dragon NaturallySpeaking, version 3.5 or later, any edition.

  2.  
  3. Install Python and NatLink. Follow Joel Gould's instructions. NatLink version 007 or greater is recommended, though Vocola has worked since version 004. Note: make sure to install Python version 2.0 (or 1.5). NatLink does not work with later versions.

    If you are already a NatLink user, be aware that Vocola creates command files in the NatLink\MacroSystem folder. If for example you already have a NatLink file called notepad.py, you should rename it to something like notepad_natlink.py before creating Vocola commands for Notepad.


  4. Download the Vocola zip file.


  5. Unpack the Vocola zip file into the NatLink directory. For example, if you installed NatLink in C:\NatLink, you should install Vocola in C:\NatLink\Vocola. After unpacking you should see subfolders Commands, Doc, Exec, and Samples.

  6.  
  7. Copy Vocola\Exec\_vocola_main.py to the NatLink\MacroSystem folder. This activates Vocola's built-in voice commands.

  8.  
  9. Associate the .vcl file extension (used for Vocola command files) with your favorite text editor. This allows you to open your Vocola files using built-in voice commands. An easy way to do this is shift-right-click on any .vcl file (such as Vocola\Samples\notepad.vcl), select "Open With", and pick your favorite text editor (for example, Notepad).
  10. Emacs users should install gnuserv and associate the .vcl file extension with gnuclientw.exe. (Make sure the directory containing gnuclientw.exe is included in your PATH environment variable.)

  11. Test Vocola. 
    • Launch NaturallySpeaking if it is not already running.
    • Copy the sample command file for Notepad (Vocola\Samples\notepad.vcl) to the Vocola\Commands folder. 
    • Say "Load Voice Commands". (This should create the file NatLink\MacroSystem\notepad.py as well as the log file Vocola\Commands\vcl2py_log.txt)
    • Exit NaturallySpeaking and restart. (NatLink requires this only when you have created a new command file.)
    • Say "Start Notepad" to launch Notepad.
    • Say "Test Simple Command". The phrase "It works!" should appear.
    • Say "Edit Voice Commands". Vocola\Commands\notepad.vcl should be opened using the editor you picked in step 7.
    • Change the "Test Simple Command" command to type "It really works!"
    • Save the file, say "Load Voice Commands", say "Switch to Notepad", and say "Test Simple Command". "It really works!" should appear.

This page is (c) Copyright 2002 by Rick Mohr, and was last modified on May 11, 2002.