alexa in the shop

[Electric Comet]

anyone tried alexa in the shop yet
it might be useful for this


find me the closest and lowest price for water based white primer

add fifteen sixteenths plus four and five eighths

multiply five sixteenths by fourteen

[Electric Comet]

On Fri, 19 Jan 2018 13:28:10 -0800
Electric Comet <electri...@mail.invalid> wrote:

> anyone tried alexa in the shop yet
> it might be useful for this

good for a laugh

https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/13/snl-just-came-up-with-a-hilarious-version-of-alexa-designed-for-senior-citizens/


alessa where did i put that roll of duct tape

alexa which roll of duct tape you have seven rolls

[Electric Comet]

On Fri, 19 Jan 2018 13:28:10 -0800
Electric Comet <electri...@mail.invalid> wrote:

> anyone tried alexa in the shop yet
> it might be useful for this

thinking more on this they will need to make one for high noise
and high dust environment

wondering if it can learn the background noise and still function

for example if you have the fan on or maybe music is playing or the
windows are open and there is traffic noise or wind noise

[DerbyDad03]

She listens to me even while the TV is playing right above the pod.

She listens to me when music is playing. If she didn't how could she raise the
volume, stop the music, pause to answer a question, etc.?

Sometimes she picks up ambient noises and responds. I was watching TV the other night
and the character, using a southern accent, said "Relax, son".

The pod mistook "Relax, son" for "Alexa" and looked up some information based on what
the character said next. I said ”Alexa, stop" and she shut up.

[DerbyDad03]

On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 12:57:31 PM UTC-5, Electric Comet wrote:

> On Fri, 19 Jan 2018 13:28:10 -0800
> Electric Comet <electri...@mail.invalid> wrote:
>
> > anyone tried alexa in the shop yet
> > it might be useful for this
>
> thinking more on this they will need to make one for high noise
> and high dust environment

Dust? Put her in a bag She doesn't"t have see you, just hear you.

[k...@notreal.com]

On Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:26:37 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03
<teama...@eznet.net> wrote:

>On Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 12:57:31 PM UTC-5, Electric Comet wrote:
>> On Fri, 19 Jan 2018 13:28:10 -0800
>> Electric Comet <electri...@mail.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> > anyone tried alexa in the shop yet
>> > it might be useful for this
>>
>> thinking more on this they will need to make one for high noise
>> and high dust environment
>>
>> wondering if it can learn the background noise and still function
>>
>> for example if you have the fan on or maybe music is playing or the
>> windows are open and there is traffic noise or wind noise
>
>She listens to me even while the TV is playing right above the pod.
>
>She listens to me when music is playing. If she didn't how could she raise the
>volume, stop the music, pause to answer a question, etc.?

She listens to you whenever the NSA wants her to. ;-)

>Sometimes she picks up ambient noises and responds. I was watching TV the other night
>and the character, using a southern accent, said "Relax, son".
>
>The pod mistook "Relax, son" for "Alexa" and looked up some information based on what
>the character said next. I said ”Alexa, stop" and she shut up.

I can't remember the keywords but the local traffic reporter had Alexa
go off several times during the traffic report a few weeks ago. It
was pretty funny.

[Electric Comet]

On Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:26:37 -0800 (PST)

DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> wrote:

> She listens to me even while the TV is playing right above the pod.

tv is white noise but technically it is not

put it in the shop with some shop noise and report back
would expect it to filter out white noise with some training but
never know

ruggedized alexa would be good offering they could add some other
things to it

particulate reports
it could measure the size and density
and alert for n95 or higher or lower

could also measure hazardous volatile levels for painting

could also measure noise levels and alert to put on ear protection

temp and humidity would be useful too

should have an inventory system as well

you come back from the store and it scans the bar code

then as you use the materials you update inventory

would be good to have it store the location too

alessa hinges

which hinges

alessa two inch stainless hinges

there are two pairs of two inch stainless hinges and both are in a3

[Puckdropper]

Electric Comet <electri...@mail.invalid> wrote in news:p4ah6f$tkm$3
@dont-email.me:

That's a ton of work for very little gain. Here's an absolute truth
about storage: If you can't find it, you don't have it. No computer
inventory system will help you out there.

Analyze, organize and build/purchase the proper storage holders and
you'll be good.

If you want to buy an always-on internet connected microphone, do so. As
for me and my shop, we'll avoid electronic nonsense such as always-on
internet connected microphones and other Internet of Things (except
security) devices.

Puckdropper
--
http://www.puckdroppersplace.us/rec.woodworking
A mini archive of some of rec.woodworking's best and worst!

[DerbyDad03]

On Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 12:53:23 PM UTC-5, Electric Comet wrote:
> On Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:26:37 -0800 (PST)
> DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> wrote:
>
> > She listens to me even while the TV is playing right above the pod.
>
> tv is white noise but technically it is not

That sentence makes about as much sense as white noise.

>
> put it in the shop with some shop noise and report back
> would expect it to filter out white noise with some training but
> never know

My shop is really quiet now that I got rid of my vacuum. I'm sure the sound of a broom
won't bother Alexa at all.

[DerbyDad03]

On Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 1:29:27 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:

>
> That's a ton of work for very little gain. Here's an absolute truth
> about storage: If you can't find it, you don't have it. No computer
> inventory system will help you out there.
>

Really? Ask Amazon about that. CD's are stored in the same bin as router bits and dildos.

Everything is scanned before stored and the system tells the pickers which bin to
go to grab a particular item as soon as the order comes in.

The picker doesn't know where the latest "Pornos for Pyros" (that's a band) CD is or where
the Whiteside 1/2" shank flush trim bit is or where the Bluetooth enabled vibrator is. That doesn't
mean that Amazon doesn't have it. As long as the computer inventory system knows where
it is, that's all that matters.

I have a spreadsheet of items that are stored in my attic. About a dozen boxes of dish-ware
from Grandma. The boxes are numbered. I don't know where the gravy boat is, but I have a
computer inventory system that can help me out if I need to find it.

[DerbyDad03]

On Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 12:53:23 PM UTC-5, Electric Comet wrote:
> On Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:26:37 -0800 (PST)
> DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> wrote:
>
> > She listens to me even while the TV is playing right above the pod.
>
> tv is white noise but technically it is not
>
> put it in the shop with some shop noise and report back
> would expect it to filter out white noise with some training but
> never know
>

No training required.

I placed Alexa on the router table.

I turned on the shop vac (inside a foam lined, 3/4 plywood cabinet). Asked
Alexa for the forecast, got it.

I left the vac on, turned on the router table (PC690 router), powered up a
cordless drill. Asked Alexa for the forecast, got it.

I left the vac on, turned off the router table, turned on the table saw,
powered up a cordless drill. Asked Alexa for the forecast, got it.

Left the vac and table saw on, turned on the TV (louder than I normally
would) and turned on the stereo (louder than I normally would). Asked Alexa
for the forecast, got it.

I left the vac, TV and stereo on, turned off the table saw, turned on the
router table. Asked Alexa for the forecast, did not get it. Yelled. Nothing.
Yelled really loud, got the weather forecast. I then moved Alexa off of the
router table to a spot about 5' away. Not closer to where I was standing, in
fact farther away. I had to yell, but not as loudly as before to get the
forecast.

So, based on the extreme scientific rigor of my testing, I will say that
under (my) normal shop usage, which will typically consist of the enclosed
vac, one power tool and either the TV or stereo, Alexa needs no training
or enhancements to function normally.

BTW: If anyone ever catches me operating the router table and yelling for
Alexa to give me the forecast at the same time, please kill the breakers
for the shop receptacles, pull my ass out of there, lock the door and
throw away the key.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On 1/24/2018 8:19 PM, DerbyDad03 wrote:

> BTW: If anyone ever catches me operating the router table and yelling for
> Alexa to give me the forecast at the same time, please kill the breakers
> for the shop receptacles, pull my ass out of there, lock the door and
> throw away the key.
>

I'm surprised Alexa didn't say "STFU, you asked 3 times already"

[Leon]

If you are connected to the internet, some one is listening, whether by
microphone, your telephone, or keyboard.

[DerbyDad03]

Alexa doesn't talk to users in that manner, but I can guarantee you that users talk to
Alexa like that.

We're getting close to renaming ours with a wake word that starts with B and it sure isn't
Betty.

[Leon]

I hate the Alexa commercials on TV. Alexa, What is the weather like
today. "Our" Alexa in the kitchen answers.

[DerbyDad03]

Change the "wake word".

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201971890

[Puckdropper]

DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in
news:a020ba02-005d-4a27...@googlegroups.com:

>
> Alexa doesn't talk to users in that manner, but I can guarantee you
> that users talk to Alexa like that.
>
> We're getting close to renaming ours with a wake word that starts with
> B and it sure isn't Betty.

If you want to make sure it'll never be spoken, Blagovich (if I even
spelled his name right) is a good one. :-)

Puckdroppern

[Markem]

On Fri, 26 Jan 2018 03:55:36 GMT, Puckdropper <puckd...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in
>news:a020ba02-005d-4a27...@googlegroups.com:
>
>>
>> Alexa doesn't talk to users in that manner, but I can guarantee you
>> that users talk to Alexa like that.
>>
>> We're getting close to renaming ours with a wake word that starts with
>> B and it sure isn't Betty.
>
>If you want to make sure it'll never be spoken, Blagovich (if I even
>spelled his name right) is a good one. :-)
>
>Puckdroppern

That is right spelling.

[DerbyDad03]

On Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 10:55:40 PM UTC-5, Puckdropper wrote:
> DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in
> news:a020ba02-005d-4a27...@googlegroups.com:
>
> >
> > Alexa doesn't talk to users in that manner, but I can guarantee you
> > that users talk to Alexa like that.
> >
> > We're getting close to renaming ours with a wake word that starts with
> > B and it sure isn't Betty.
>
> If you want to make sure it'll never be spoken, Blagovich (if I even
> spelled his name right) is a good one. :-)
>

Unfortunately, according to Amazon (and Alexa - I asked her earlier this
evening) there are only 4 choices:

Alexa
Amazon
Echo
Computer

Apparently "Computer" is a fairly recent addition.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/01/23/alexa-adds-computer-wake-word-much-joy-star-trek-fans-everywhere/

Seems to me that of those choices "Echo" is probably the safest as far as
limiting false positives.

[Spalted Walt]

DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> wrote:

> Seems to me that of those choices "Echo" is probably the safest as far as
> limiting false positives.

You'd probably want to avoid the Amazon Echo "Silver". ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvT_gqs5ETk

The device’s main feature? It’s super loud and responds to any name
even remotely close to Alexa.

Alaina, Allegra, Aretha, Alisha, Alfonzo, Aldis, Arashel, Excederin...
you get the idea.

[k...@notreal.com]

On Fri, 26 Jan 2018 03:55:36 GMT, Puckdropper <puckd...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in
>news:a020ba02-005d-4a27...@googlegroups.com:
>
>>
>> Alexa doesn't talk to users in that manner, but I can guarantee you
>> that users talk to Alexa like that.
>>
>> We're getting close to renaming ours with a wake word that starts with
>> B and it sure isn't Betty.
>
>If you want to make sure it'll never be spoken, Blagovich (if I even
>spelled his name right) is a good one. :-)

Unless you happen to live in Illinois. His name still gets used every
time they talk about political corruption (don't use "Hillary",
either).

[Unquestionably Confused]

It's probably just as well they limit you to the four alternative wake
words. Should anyone use Blagovich or Hillary, Alexa would likely
respond to "fucking asshole" or "asshole" just as well. ;)

[Leon]

On 1/25/2018 9:55 PM, Puckdropper wrote:
> DerbyDad03 <teama...@eznet.net> wrote in
> news:a020ba02-005d-4a27...@googlegroups.com:
>
>>
>> Alexa doesn't talk to users in that manner, but I can guarantee you
>> that users talk to Alexa like that.
>>
>> We're getting close to renaming ours with a wake word that starts with
>> B and it sure isn't Betty.
>
> If you want to make sure it'll never be spoken, Blagovich (if I even
> spelled his name right) is a good one. :-)
>
> Puckdroppern
>

Unless things have changed, I got one of the original Echo's and
preordered before they were available, I only had two name options, Echo
or Alexa.

[DerbyDad03]

Ask her. "Alexa, change wake word."

My Dot offered me 3 options: Echo, Amazon or Computer. I doubt it's device dependent.

I wish there were more choices.

[Leon]

Ill check that but of course after almost 3 or so years of using Alexa I
would probably forget the new wake work. LOL

[DerbyDad03]

Well, with only 4 choices, and knowing it's no longer Alexa, I have faith that you'll
figure it out. If not, just ask Alexa. Oh...wait...never mind. ;-)

[Leon]

Uh-huh see? ;~)

[pyotr filipivich]

Been following this for a while.

Realized, that for me, "alexa in the shop" would be the better
location.

Because I do not want it in my house.
--
pyotr filipivich
Next month's Panel: Graft - Boon or blessing?

[Electric Comet]

On Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:21:00 -0800
pyotr filipivich <ph...@mindspring.com> wrote:

> Because I do not want it in my house.

i think the mycroft mark ii will be good because skills can be added
by the community instead of waiting for the maker to do it and then
they probably never would anyway unless it was to their benefit and
had a profit motive

[pyotr filipivich]

Electric Comet <electri...@mail.invalid> on Mon, 5 Feb 2018
10:04:20 -0800 typed in rec.woodworking the following:

My issues is more along the lines of "Why would I want to put a
microphone and camera in my house which is connected to the Internet?"

I'm not paranoid, I'm convinced.

[k...@notreal.com]

On Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:32:24 -0800, pyotr filipivich
<ph...@mindspring.com> wrote:

>Electric Comet <electri...@mail.invalid> on Mon, 5 Feb 2018
>10:04:20 -0800 typed in rec.woodworking the following:
>>On Mon, 29 Jan 2018 09:21:00 -0800
>>pyotr filipivich <ph...@mindspring.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Because I do not want it in my house.
>>
>>
>>
>>i think the mycroft mark ii will be good because skills can be added
>>by the community instead of waiting for the maker to do it and then
>>they probably never would anyway unless it was to their benefit and
>>had a profit motive
>
> My issues is more along the lines of "Why would I want to put a
>microphone and camera in my house which is connected to the Internet?"

Even worse, a camera and microphone that's controlled by Bezos, or
similar.

> I'm not paranoid, I'm convinced.

My son gave us a Google speaker for Christmas. It still sits in its
box. I have no idea what I would do with such a thing. Paperweight?

[Electric Comet]

On Mon, 05 Feb 2018 19:32:24 -0800
pyotr filipivich <ph...@mindspring.com> wrote:

> My issues is more along the lines of "Why would I want to put
> a microphone and camera in my house which is connected to the
> Internet?"

what could possibly go wrong

but mycroft mark ii does not spy on the customer

most people are convinced now and with spectre and meltdown and all
the other treachery it is literally written in stone

i wonder when will intel be sending out our replacement chips

[Leon]

Sell it on e-bay and buy an Amazon Echo/Alexa. ;!) My wife uses it all
the time in the kitchen.

Alexa put bread on the shopping list. That appears immediately on her
shopping list on her iPhone, and can recite back every thing on the
list. I test my glucose levels 2 hours after eating. I'll tell Alexa
to set timer for 2 hours as a reminder. Alexa what is 483 x 453, she
answers.
And the all important question, Alexa how much does the earth weigh.
You get the answer in Imperial and Metric. LOL

And we tell her to play Pandora for the dog when we are gone. ;~)

[DerbyDad03]

I like it when she tells me how much snow we are going to get. "You can expect 1.48"
of snow." That type of precision helps me decide which shovel to get ready. ;-)

[Leon]

I have a weather station that alarms me through it's app on my iPhone
when we have received the first .004" of rain.

[DerbyDad03]

Did it freak out when you got that snow? ;-)

[Leon]

It's measurement came about6 hours later when the snow melted.

Strangely we had a sleet storm a few weeks ago. We had constant sleet
from 7am to 4pm. It took 3 days for that to register.

[k...@notreal.com]

After you tell her to remind you to take your glucose readings, does
she put Snickers bars on the shopping list? It's all marketing.

>And the all important question, Alexa how much does the earth weigh.
>You get the answer in Imperial and Metric. LOL

Hope your wife's name doesn't sound anything like "Earth". "Ethel
weighs too much! Put down on the Snickers bar."

[Jack]

My son gave me one for Christmas. He said he thought I might worry
about Amazon listening to me. I said hell no, Amazon, and everyone else
deserves, no, needs, to listen to me. I have a lot to say and now I say
it out loud, to Alissa, or Alexis, or whatever her freakin' name is...

--
Jack
Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.
http://jbstein.com

[Electric Comet]

On Mon, 19 Feb 2018 10:43:56 -0500
Jack <jbst...@comcast.net> wrote:

> My son gave me one for Christmas. He said he thought I might worry
> about Amazon listening to me. I said hell no, Amazon, and everyone
> else deserves, no, needs, to listen to me. I have a lot to say and

look for your material to show up on a sitcom soon
no you will not receive residuals
and that is what the small print is for

> now I say it out loud, to Alissa, or Alexis, or whatever her freakin'
> name is...

odessa no wait melissa

[Spalted Walt]

"A Portland family contacted Amazon to investigate after they say a
private conversation in their home was recorded by Amazon's Alexa --
the voice-controlled smart speaker -- and that the recorded audio was
sent to the phone of a random person in Seattle, who was in the
family’s contact list..."

<http://amp.kiro7.com/www.kiro7.com/news/local/woman-says-her-amazon-device-recorded-private-conversation-sent-it-out-to-random-contact/755507974>

<http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/05/24/amazon-alexa-records-conversation/>

[OFWW]

Well at least people are starting to finally become aware. Albeit
years late.

Google has been mining info for years and archiving it. Anything you
do on it. "baby cam's hacked all the time. Even the ones with their
one private communications. You could drive down a street and pick up
on all the camera's, even easier with wifi and a potato chip antennae.

Then look at all the cloud hacks, and phone hacks. Banks, stores, all
store your data, and your habits, desires, and lifestyles are easily
determined by all the shared info.

And now, when you post your phone photo's the address is embedded
right there. Useful for thieves. you should strip the info before
posting anything.

[J. Clarke]

On Fri, 25 May 2018 17:01:22 +0000, Spalted Walt
<res...@newsgroup.pls> wrote:

FWIW, I have occasionally had to give Cortana time-out after she
started talking back to the television.

[OFWW]

Are you aware that speak commands in audible to people can be embedded
in song, music, videos, etc. And it has been shown to be able to
instigate an order? So it isn't wise to have your CC #'s stored online
with various vendors.

[DerbyDad03]

Shown by whom? I'd like some more info on that, if only just to protect
myself. Can you provide a cite?

[J. Clarke]

On Fri, 25 May 2018 17:51:06 -0700, OFWW <ofww1...@yahoo.com>

Cortana's not that bright. It can't even turn on the Amazon music
player, let alone buy anything.

And part of my job is making bots do things. It's not nearly as
simple as TV shows make it out to be.

[Rick the antique guy]

O.k Im gonna Break in here
This is all a Gas about Alexa
but I think I prefer Alexis "Joan Collins" of Dynasty.
That's one B. You'd want on your side and not against You.
Just a Thought.
rick B.

[OFWW]

For starters :(

http://www.afr.com/technology/the-secret-command-alexa-and-siri-can-hear-but-you-cant-20180516-h1055a

https://boingboing.net/2017/09/07/flipper-faster-than-lightning.html

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/voice-assistants-could-be-fooled-by-commands-you-can-e2-80-99t-even-hear/ar-AAx6SMc?ffid=gz

[OFWW]

On Fri, 25 May 2018 21:27:16 -0400, J. Clarke

Of course not, but it is getting easier and easier as programs
improve.

I can remember back when, when we embedded text in pictures, then
added "features" to that hidden over several pictures, and then
extracted and ran, this was back many years ago, about the time the
whole terrorist thing took off in Iraq.

Some things are really easy and simple to those who have a bent
towards creativity. Even back in the good old DOS days when some said
things couldn't be done. LOL.

BTW, I have been out of that scene now for years, and now am way
behind the times. We all just fade away...... :)

[J. Clarke]

On Fri, 25 May 2018 22:56:45 -0700, OFWW <ofww1...@yahoo.com>

This is another one of those FUD deals. You are far more likely to
drop dead of a heart attack than be effectively targeted by a
cybercriminal working through a device that you possess.

[OFWW]

On Sat, 26 May 2018 02:25:03 -0400, J. Clarke

Possibly, but I think of all the times when talking that my phone or
watch thought I was taking to it and instituted a conversation.
"Siri".

But then it got me to thinking if I was in a bad situation I could
say, Seriously? Call 911? or similar that would open up my phone or
watch so the cops could hear and track me down. :)

[J. Clarke]

On Fri, 25 May 2018 23:41:31 -0700, OFWW <ofww1...@yahoo.com>

In principle you can. In practice I can't get "OK Google" to do
anything except get confused.

[Leon]

Actually it has been on the news. TV commands placing orders with
Alexa. Our Echo often responds to the Echo commercials.
But that said, if yo did not authorize the purchase, you are not
responsible for the purchase. It is best to not let any internet site
store your CC number. I use one time CC number when I make purchases on
line. CitiCards calls it virtual credit card.

[Leon]

Poor example, dropping dead of a heart attach is a very common way of
dying, and everyone dies. Maybe the same chance as winning the
publishers clearing house sweepstakes.

[k...@notreal.com]

On Sat, 26 May 2018 10:31:26 -0500, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

That's a great idea but Citi is on my "never do business with under
any circumstances" list.

[OFWW]

On Sat, 26 May 2018 08:52:49 -0400, J. Clarke

On Iphone I did but not with the number 911, for obvious reasons.

Even using the word "series" triggers Siri.

She can translate into French, and Spanish and maybe one or two other
languages for now, but she doesn't always recognize all my words
correctly. I love giving text messages by voice.

[OFWW]

On Sat, 26 May 2018 10:31:26 -0500, Leon <lcb11211@swbelldotnet>
wrote:

I like that idea, and I have been considering switching from WF to it
because of all the internal problems they are going through.

[OFWW]

I feel the same about Bank of America and their rigidity in favoring
themselves over the consumer.

Can you put a few of your reasons up to think about?

[k...@notreal.com]

On Sat, 26 May 2018 11:51:52 -0700, OFWW <ofww1...@yahoo.com>

Politics. Political correctness. However you want to put it. My
business doesn't go to people/groups working directly against my
interests, if I can possibly avoid it. I'm sure they don't care about
my money but if there are enough of me, they might decide that banking
is their business, not politics.

[OFWW]

Hmmm. Something to think about and consider. I'll have to look for
that. I have a tendency to react like you do in this regard.

[Jack]

This surprises me. Of all the voice devices I have, Google is by far the
best. Rarely does it get confused and I use it all the time. Alexa gets
confused often. Voice texting screws up more often than not. My
Comcast Voice remote is shaky at best, particularly when telling it to
Fast forward 4 minutes (past commercials). Rewind 20 seconds always
works though.

I think Comcast got in trouble from advertisers as that made it too easy
to skip commercials, and what used to work well, now suddenly only works
half the time.

"OK Google" however never ceases to amaze me how well it works. Often
you can watch it correct from what it thought you said to what you
really said. Somehow it recognizes the context of your statement and
gets it right 99% of the time.