Modification+of+hardware+and+software+for+special+needs

[|MODIFY SOFTWARE]
People modify their hardware and software for several reasons. One of the reasons is to make things easier, or to improve the glitches it has. Another reason why people modify the hardware and software are the aesthetics. Aesthetics are very important for people, because many times, people buy things only because they like the way how it looks like. In my opinion, the most important reason of modifying the hardware and software is to give people with handicaps also the opportunity to use the computer. Software modifications are most of the times, made by giant companies like Microsoft, etc. When someone buys software, no matter what kind of software it is, the company that developed this software will publish modified versions of it. Usually the people who bought the software before the modification was done will get the opportunity to download the new, modified version of the internet. For example: Microsoft will develop a new operation system that will be put on the market. After some time, Microsoft finds out, that some hacker accessed it, so Microsoft will modify the software, so no one will be able to break-in it. The people who bought the operating system before the modification was done will download the modified version for free. Another type of modified software is the voice recognition software, which is more effective than a password. After the software recognizes the person’s voice, it logs the person into the network. The voice recognition software also replaces typing. The person talks and the software type’s it for the person talking by itself. People developed this software, because it saves a lot of time and also people without hands can use the computer as well. Voice Recognition allows a user to use his/her voice as an input device. Voice recognition may be used to dictate text into the computer or to give commands to the computer (such as opening application programs, pulling down menus, or saving work).Older voice recognition applications require each word to be separated by a distinct space. This allows the machine to determine where one word begins and the next stops. This style of dictation is called discrete speech. Many people (especially those with learning disabilities) prefer these systems to the newer continuous speech. Continuous speech voice recognition applications allow a user to dictate text fluently into the computer. These new applications can recognize speech at up to 160 words per minute. While these systems do give the user system control they are not yet hands-free. Voice recognition uses a neural net to "learn" to recognize your voice. As you speak, the voice recognition software remembers the way you say each word. This customization allows voice recognition, even though everyone speaks with varying accents and inflection. In addition to learning how you pronounce words voice recognition also uses grammatical context and frequency of use to predict the word you wish to input. These powerful statistical tools allow the software to cut down the massive language data base before you speak the next word. While the accuracy of voice recognition has improved over the past few years, some users still experience problems with accuracy either because of the way they speak or the nature of their voices. (http://www.utoronto.ca) Different type of modified software is text-to-speech. Text-to-speech is the digitized audio rendering of computer text into speech. TTS software can "read" text from a document, Web page or e-Book, generating synthesized speech through a computer's speaker. TTS programs can be useful for the variety of applications. For example, proofreading with TTS allows the author to catch awkward phrases, missing words or pacing problems. TTS can also convert text files into audio MP3 files that can then be transferred to a portable MP3 player or CD-ROM. This can save time by allowing the user to listen to reports or background materials in bed, en route to a meeting, or while performing other tasks. Even top screenwriting software includes TTS functionality so that a writer can assign different voices to characters in his or her script. Then the writer can listen to the dialog to weed out stilted sentences. There are also personal uses for TTS. Behind on reading your email or favorite blogs? Listen to TTS files while you work out, jog, clean the house, or take the dog for a walk. In the area of education, TTS programs provide a valuable edge, particularly for learning new languages. Speech engines are available in a variety of languages, including English, Spanish, German, French, and dozens more. TTS makes a critical difference to those with disabilities such as poor vision or visual dyslexia. People with speech loss can utilize specialized TTS programs to turn typed words into vocalization.
 * Modification of hardware and software**

Speech-recognition software uses the human voice as the main communication mechanism between the user and the computer. While relatively simple to use, speech-recognition software is sophisticated technology that uses “language modeling” to recognize and differentiate among the millions of human utterances that make up any language.(2) The software enables users to input text and data into virtually any Microsoft Windows-based application by voices, as well as to navigate the computer desktop with little or no use of their hands. Users speak naturally into a noise-canceling microphone connected to the computer.(3) The software “recognizes” the spoken words, converts them into text, and displays them on the screen for review. Most speech-recognition programs also allow users to speak a standard command that prompts the computer to perform an action. For example, the user says, “Start WordPerfect .” The more advanced speech-recognition programs also enable users to create customized commands (macros), such as “Send an e-mail to Doug Z,” which will open an e-mail addressed to Doug Z. Configuring the software during set-up is referred to as “enrollment.” After installing the program, each user must read aloud from a choice of prepared texts for approximately five minutes. Based on the dictation the application captures, the software analyzes how the user pronounces each word and stores the data to prepare a unique user profile for that individual. As an individual uses the software and corrects recognition errors, the software becomes increasingly accurate by learning his or her particular speaking style. Most medical recognition programs enable users to add new words or customize the vocabulary for their particular practice or specialty. Using specialty vocabularies can improve accuracy even further. Some speech-recognition software programs include a medical vocabulary—incorporating diseases, medications, procedures, and acronyms in addition to the standard business vocabulary—and can automatically recognize and format prescriptions and patient encounters. For certain programs, specialty medical vocabularies can also be created in-house or purchased from third-party sources. http://www.fortherecordmag.com Another reason why people modify their software is the aesthetics. They want a unique, cool piece of software. Many softwares have skins. Skins are parts of software, that the software either has already, or it can be downloaded of the internet. Software using skins are usually the software’s for music, such as Winamp, Windows Media Player, etc. The skin changes the software’s look, but the functions remain the same. People modify the hardware because it makes it easier for people with handicaps to use the computer with needing anyone else’s help. The second reason why people modify the hardware is to make things easier and more comfortable for them. And finally, the third reason is the aesthetics. The reasons are same as for modifying the software. I will give one example for each category (for people with handicaps, makes things easier, cool/tuned hardware) I will start with the “handicap modification”. As an example of a modification for people with a handicap, I have chosen a one-hand keyboard. One hand keyboard has letters in a different order, closer together, so they are easy to reach with one hand. As another example, the one that makes things easier, I have chosen an ergonomic keyboard, where u can rest hands on, and it is more comfortable than basic keyboards. Some keyboards have also the I-pod docking station and the letters on the keyboard have lights under each of them, so it is easy to type in the dark, even without using a light. Blindness Individuals who are blind cannot access visual material presented on the computer screen or in printed materials. Input Most individuals who are blind use standard keyboards, however, Braille input devices are available. Braille key labels can assist with keyboard use. Output Speech output systems can be used to read screen text to computer users who are blind. Special software programs (called screen readers) "read" computer screens and speech synthesizers "speak" the text. The availability of earphones for individuals using speech output systems can reduce the distractions for others nearby. Refreshable Braille displays allow line-by-line translation of screen text into Braille on a display area where vertical pins move into Braille configurations as screen text is scanned. Braille displays can be read quickly by those with advanced Braille skills, are good for detailed editing (e.g., programming and final editing of papers), and do not disrupt others in work areas because they are quiet. Braille printers provide "hard copy" output for users who are blind. Documentation Scanners with optical character recognition can read printed material and store it electronically on computers, where it can be read using speech synthesis or printed using Braille translation software and Braille printers. Such systems provide independent access to journals, syllabi, and homework assignments for students who are blind. Some hardware and software vendors also provide Braille or ASCII versions of their documentation to support computer users who are blind. Finally, I am getting to my third point, the tuning modifications. Many players and young people care about the design of their computers and other accessories. The most common one are computer cases with neon lights, so U can see what is inside the computer. Another example is a mouse pad with neon lights around or a mouse with diodes in it. These accessories give the computer a very unique style, and each owner can express himself by modifying his or her computer.
 * How Does Speech-Recognition Software Work?**

SOCIAL AND ETHICAL ISSUES:

 * **Reliability**-As I have mentioned above, if the software becomes outdated, some newer version will replace it and it will be better than the outdated software, therefore it is not as reliable as the latest version of the software. If a person uses this software while he or she is connected to the internet, some viruses may break into the software and delete it or violate it in a different way. Also the new modifications of the hardware are made to improve it (The bugs it had), therefore make it more reliable than the old version.
 * **Integrity**-While modifying software, some data may be added or changed in the program of the software that can put the computer into danger and violate the data it has in it. For example a hacker can modify software the way he changes it into a virus that will cause a lot of problems to many computer users.
 * **Security**-Many software and hardware modifications are made because of security. The softwares are being updated and modified so no hacker will be able to break into them and then break into the computer through the software.
 * **Policies and standards**- Again, the modified software can be used appropriately (virus) as I have mentioned above. Other than that, many file-sharing softwares are used inappropriately because people share data that are under copyright and they don’t pay anything for obtaining the data, therefore the software becomes illegal and inappropriate.
 * **People and Machines**-People need a machine to create or modify a software. The modification can be done for a good or bad purpose. It is up to every individual if he or she is going to abuse the software or not.
 * **Equality of access**- Not every person has a computer, therefore not everyone can modify or create software, because hardware is most of the times very expensive and not everyone can afford it.