HomeGallery 2.5 - User Guide and FAQ

How to use HomeGallery

1. Using voice commands to browse collections of photos on the computer. This is a great way to show collections of photos to friends utilizing the "describe" feature (a verbal description of each image read aloud by the computer as they are viewed).
   
   
2. Set Windows wallpaper to change images while working on your computer. Images can be set for specified intervals to change by the minute, hour, or each day. HomeGallery is excellent for viewing photos of vacations, family & friends, or Art downloaded from the Internet due to three features : 1) there is a graphical interface that remains in place allowing easy access to run or stop HomeGallery [see: Sample Screen Shot]; 2) images are automatically changed at the interval you specify; and 3) Desktop Wallpaper is used so images remain in the background as you work.

Frequently Asked Questions - HomeGallery

1. How are photos organized in HomeGallery?
   They are organized into Collections and Categories folders. For example, you may have a Family Photos collection, a Personal Trips collection, and a collection of Old Masters downloaded from the Internet. Within those collections are categories, such as inside the Personal Trips collection, "Category Las Vegas" or "Category Biking in England".?Since a picture is worth a thousand words, below is screen shot of Windows Explorer showing a sample layout.
   
   
2. Can the folder where HomeGallery finds it's images be changed?
   Yes. The default upon installation of HomeGallery is where you chose to install HomeGallery. If you have a different folder in mind, you are able to choose which directory you would like HomeGallery in.
   
   
3. How many images can HomeGallery handle?
   There isn't a limit on the number of images that can be handled although you will find that after 500 or so, recognition deteriorates and recognition errors occur. This is because each Image, Collection, and Category name is passed to the speech engine. It can handle only so many commands before recognition starts to deteriorate which results in getting commands wrong or not picking up certain commands at all. This limitation may disappear by the time your collection reaches such a large number of images. Speech engines are constantly improving and a faster processor will reduce the occurrence of recognition problems when a high number of voice commands are loaded.
   
   
4. Can I view the text being read aloud by HomeGallery?
   Yes. All spoken text will be displayed in an area of the Graphical User Interface. Note: the GUI must be stretched to its full size to view the text.
   
   
5. Can a .wav file be played to describe an image?
   Yes. You simply press the 'wav' button in the HomeGallery Graphical Interface to bring up a wav recorder. You can then speak and save the description of the image, which can be played back as images are viewed.
   
   
6. Can HomeGallery be set to automatically play my recorded .wav files as images are displayed?
   Yes. When the "Auto Describe" box is enabled, you will hear your wav files played as you navigate your HomeGallery collections. Note: The "Allow Sounds" box must be checked as well. The default for each is On when HomeGallery is installed, and may be turned off. A special note: if a text or a wav descriptions exists for an image, the text file will be the one played. A mp3 file is always played when the text or wav description is finished.
   
   
7. How do I specify the MP3 player which HomeGallery will use to play music?
   The MP3 player is specified in the "MP3 Player Location" box in the Options dialog. You can type the path and drive or press the browse button to find it with the Windows Open dialog.