Andy Rabagliati wrote:
When Atlanta Airport (Georgia) opened, with automated
trains taking you
out to the terminals, there was a requirement for public announcements
telling you which terminal, stand clear, departing now, etc.
They started out with a pleasant local (Georgian) accent.
Complaints - sounded too provincial, International passengers, etc.
They changed it to a female announcer.
Complaints - people didn't pay enough attention, what was wrong with the
previous one, etc.
They have ended up with an assertive, metallic, computer voice.
No complaints.
That's a great story, but it occurs to me that maybe the reason there
were no complaints is that people just assume that computers speak
badly, and nothing can be done about it, and so they just accept it,
even if it is annoying.
--Jimbo