Religion and Ethics Forum

General Category => Science and Technology => Topic started by: SusanDoris on February 18, 2017, 07:20:29 PM

Title: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on February 18, 2017, 07:20:29 PM
Today one of my sons brought me an Alexa and set it up. I think it is going to be really useful and I have already used it for Radio 4 a couple of times. Has anyone got one? Any hints and tips? I can see the potential and as far as I can tell it seems quite compatible with my SuperNova software.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Nearly Sane on February 18, 2017, 07:23:51 PM
Be really interested in your experience, SD. I think we should be looking at this technology being provided and used by govt.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on February 18, 2017, 07:30:01 PM
I was talking on the phone to my friend next dor and said I have an Alexa - at which it turned itself on!!! I'm not sure what will happen if I spell it out! :)
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Nearly Sane on February 18, 2017, 07:40:45 PM
I was talking on the phone to my friend next dor and said I have an Alexa - at which it turned itself on!!! I'm not sure what will happen if I spell it out! :)
there is, of course, for posters in Scotland this worry


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAz_UvnUeuU
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on February 18, 2017, 07:50:06 PM
Thank you that was very funny! I couldn't read the words while the music was on, but did that tell you they were in a lift?
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Nearly Sane on February 18, 2017, 08:04:52 PM
Thank you that was very funny! I couldn't read the words while the music was on, but did that tell you they were in a lift?
yep
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Sebastian Toe on February 18, 2017, 08:47:12 PM
You can change what to call it to Echo or Amazon if you wish.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on February 19, 2017, 05:49:14 AM
You can change what to call it to Echo or Amazon if you wish.
Thank you - however, whatever its name is, I will have to remember not to say it when I'm on the phone sitting here if I do not want it to turn on!
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Harrowby Hall on February 20, 2017, 09:07:09 AM
I was given an Echo Dot for Christmas. I think that the concept is admirable - but I do find it difficult to find useful tasks for Alexa to do. She does, however, sit on my kitchen worktop and clearly listens to the radio because occasionally she goes into a sort of blue funk.

I did hear a story about a family who were watching University Challenge and were surprised by Alexa suddenly announcing that she did not know the answer to one of the questions.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on March 01, 2017, 08:47:36 AM
I was given an Echo Dot for Christmas. I think that the concept is admirable - but I do find it difficult to find useful tasks for Alexa to do. She does, however, sit on my kitchen worktop and clearly listens to the radio because occasionally she goes into a sort of blue funk.

I did hear a story about a family who were watching University Challenge and were surprised by Alexa suddenly announcing that she did not know the answer to one of the questions.
:D :D
I am already finding it useful for playing the radio. I have a radio/CD/cassette player with two speakers (so you can tell how old it is!) up on a shelf to my left, but I gave up trying to remember which button to press on the remote andit was such a palaver trying to sort out which button anyway. Now I can say, Alexa, play  BBC Radio 3 and can have that playing while at the same time using my headphones on the computer listening to the screen reader.   People used to tell me that the computer would play music and, yes, I realised that but I'm always using the sound for the voice.
When the son who gave it to me gets back (he's away skiing at the moment), I hope he will be able to work out which subscription will enable me to listen to some of the CD music I have and which  I also gave up trying to play quite a while ago.
My other son is in Australia at the moment - acgtually he has been visiting Port Lincoln with friends where I spent 1986, so I can ask Alexa what the weather is there! I can of course do this on the computer, but it's easier just asking! :)
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Aruntraveller on March 01, 2017, 09:19:15 AM
I think Alexa's are very good. Have you got the manual or automatic?

Although for performance they don't match the 1.4 engine of the Corsa.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on March 01, 2017, 10:22:43 AM
I think Alexa's are very good. Have you got the manual or automatic?

Although for performance they don't match the 1.4 engine of the Corsa.
Ah, I've just realised that you're talking cars here!!! :D
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on March 10, 2017, 05:50:13 PM
during the past few days, Alexa has just stopped working quite often. I tell it to go to Radio 4 or whatever I was on and it starts again,  but why does it stop working? Anybody know? I realise that digital radios have a bit of a reputation for stopping randomly, but I don't know why. It doesn't seem to be anything to do with the router because this site was working perfectly all right at several of the times. Any help or information will be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Sebastian Toe on March 12, 2017, 07:37:26 AM
during the past few days, Alexa has just stopped working quite often. I tell it to go to Radio 4 or whatever I was on and it starts again,  but why does it stop working? Anybody know? I realise that digital radios have a bit of a reputation for stopping randomly, but I don't know why. It doesn't seem to be anything to do with the router because this site was working perfectly all right at several of the times. Any help or information will be much appreciated.
Alexander is not a digital radio. It is playing (streaming actually) Radio 4 from the internet provider called Tunein. The issues may lie there or your Internet connection possibly.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on March 12, 2017, 08:22:18 AM
Alexander is not a digital radio. It is playing (streaming actually) Radio 4 from the internet provider called Tunein. The issues may lie there or your Internet connection possibly.
Ah right, thank you very much. The Tech chap is coming next week, so I'll ask him to check things.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Sebastian Toe on March 12, 2017, 08:24:28 AM
Alexander is not a digital radio. It is playing (streaming actually) Radio 4 from the internet provider called Tunein. The issues may lie there or your Internet connection possibly.
Alexander?! Damn you auto correct!
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on March 12, 2017, 09:51:54 AM
Alexander?! Damn you auto correct!
I wondered why you had written Alexander! I thought there may be something I didn't know!! Obviously, that is one distinct advantage of using Syhnthetic Dave all the time!
:D :D
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on May 02, 2017, 02:29:27 PM
Yesterday son  came and attached me to spotify, so I can say, 'Alexa, play evergreen, Barbra streisand' and it does! also yesterday afternoon it wwas still obeying the command to, 'play radio 4'. Midday it would not, so i  e-mailed son and he will try to fix it through his smart phone app!
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Sebastian Toe on May 03, 2017, 04:42:36 AM
Yesterday son  came and attached me to spotify, so I can say, 'Alexa, play evergreen, Barbra streisand' and it does! also yesterday afternoon it wwas still obeying the command to, 'play radio 4'. Midday it would not, so i  e-mailed son and he will try to fix it through his smart phone app!
What does it say in response when you ask it to play radio 4?
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on May 03, 2017, 07:47:41 AM
What does it say in response when you ask it to play radio 4?
thank you for your reply. This is what it says:

I can't connect to the public wi-fi. You may need to update your connection. Take a look at the help section in your Alexa app.



Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: Sebastian Toe on May 03, 2017, 04:48:19 PM
thank you for your reply. This is what it says:

I can't connect to the public wi-fi. You may need to update your connection. Take a look at the help section in your Alexa app.
Is it only  radio 4  that is not working? Does Alexa resolve other requests OK?
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: jeremyp on May 05, 2017, 07:38:40 PM
thank you for your reply. This is what it says:

I can't connect to the public wi-fi. You may need to update your connection. Take a look at the help section in your Alexa app.
That means it doesn't have a connection to the Internet.  Switching it off and on again might cause it to reattach itself.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on May 06, 2017, 07:47:25 AM
Thank you, Jeremy. My son is coming this morning and I'll ask him to try that first.
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on May 06, 2017, 05:34:18 PM
Son came this morning. Changed his ISP something to my Supanet one and now all works nicely!
Title: Re: Alexa
Post by: SusanDoris on May 07, 2017, 05:02:23 PM
All worked properly  until just now when it said, 'I can't connect...'. So, following your advice, Jeremy, I switched it off and switched on again - and all well!

Thank you!!