Vocola Information Pages   by Rick Mohr (this page updated January 15, 2005)
 
 Introduction
 Using Vocola
 Language Tutorial
 Command Sequences
 Install Vocola ->
 Vocola Versions
 Converting DVC Files
 Troubleshooting
 Support
 Wish List
 My RSI Story
 Voice Resources
 

Install Vocola

Install Vocola

Use the following instructions for your first installation of Vocola.
Or, see below to upgrade from an earlier version of Vocola.

Installing Vocola for the first time

  1. Install Dragon NaturallySpeaking, version 3.5 or later, any edition.

  2.  
  3. Install Python. Version 2.3 is recommended, with 2.0 and 2.2 also supported. Earlier versions are not supported.
     
  4. Install NatLink and Vocola.
  5. 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 set up this association is to right-click on any .vcl file (such as Vocola\Samples\notepad.vcl), select "Open With" or "Open", and pick your favorite text editor (for example, Notepad).

    Note that Scott's installer associates the .vcl file extension with the free editor Notepad2, which it also installs.

    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.)
     
  6. Test Vocola. 
    • Copy the sample command file for Notepad (Vocola\Samples\notepad.vcl) to the Vocola\Commands folder. 
    • 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 4.
    • Change the "Test Simple Command" command to type "It really works!"
    • Save the file, say "Switch to Notepad", and say "Test Simple Command". "It really works!" should appear.

Upgrading from an Earlier Version of Vocola

If you originally installed NatLink + Vocola using Scott Weinstein's installer, you must upgrade using the latest version of that installer. The installer will detect if there is an older version, and upgrade correctly. (You can't change any installed files manually because the current version of the installer automatically changes them back when you start NatSpeak.)

If you originally installed Vocola directly you can either switch to the installer or follow these steps:

  1. Rename your existing Vocola folder (it's in your NatLink folder)
  2. Install Vocola as described below.
  3. Copy all files from your old Vocola/Commands folder to your new Vocola/Commands folder
  4. Restart NatSpeak

Installing Vocola Directly 

  1. Download the Vocola zip file.
     
  2. Extract the Vocola zip file into the NatLink directory. For example, if you installed NatLink in C:\NatLink, you should choose C:\NatLink as the folder to extract to. After unpacking you should see folder C:\NatLink\Vocola, with subfolders Commands, Doc, Exec, Samples, and Simpscrp.
     
  3. From the Vocola\Exec folder, copy the files _vocola_main.py and VocolaUtils.py to the NatLink\MacroSystem folder. This activates Vocola's built-in voice commands.

This page (c) Copyright 2002-2005 by Rick Mohr.