NovitaTech - Regency Park

Who is NovitaTech?

NovitaTech (formerly Regency Park Rehabilitation Engineering or RPRE) is the technology division of Novita Children’s Services (formerly The Crippled Children’s Association of South Australia or CCA). You can visit us at our websites: Novita and NovitaTech. 

What is the difference between the demonstration version and a purchased version?

The demonstration version has the following limitations:

• vocabulary cannot be edited
• reports can be viewed but not printed
• the quantity of words and phrases stored in the vocabulary files has been heavily reduced.

What are the system requirements for running Vocabulary Organiser?

To use Vocabulary Organiser version 3.2, you need to meet the following minimum system requirements:

• personal computer with Pentium II 166 megahertz (MHz) processor or equivalent Microsoft Windows 98se or later
• 4Mb VGA display card
• CD ROM drive
• Random Access Memory (RAM): 64Mb, 128Mb for XP versions
• mouse
• printer (for producing reports. A colour printer is recommended for printing reports as they are seen in full colour on the screen. The demonstration version of Vocabulary Organiser allows the user to view a report, but not print it)
• 100 MB available hard-disk storage space (plus more if importing additional symbol graphics).

Recommended System Requirements:

• IBM PC or 100% compatible
• Pentium III 450 megahertz (MHz) processor or higher
• Microsoft Windows XP Home/XP Pro
• 8Mb colour Super VGA display card or higher
• CD ROM Drive
• Random Access Memory (RAM): 256Mb
• 200Mb available hard-disk storage space
• colour printer (for producing reports).

What level of support is available for Vocabulary Organiser?

Vocabulary Organiser comes with a comprehensive printed user manual and a searchable 'Help' function in the program. In addition to this, specific problems can be addressed using the online enquiries form (select vocabulary organiser subject) or by phone (1 300 85 55 85 within Australia or + 618 8243 8261 from outside Australia). Every attempt is made to respond to enquiries as quickly as possible.
Additionally, if a program or software error occurs while using Vocabulary Organiser, a dedicated website has been established to log such issues. Under the 'Help' menu, select the 'About' option and a dialogue box will appear. The bottom portion of the dialogue box contains a blue hyperlink saying ‘click here to submit feedback and report problems’ (alternatively, you can go to: web page ). Clicking on the link will take the user to the webpage where the issue can be logged. Staff at NovitaTech Regency Park are then informed that an issue has been raised and will address the problem.

Can I create my own vocabulary files?

Yes. In addition to the vocabulary files that are available for sale, you may wish to create a vocabulary file of your own by inserting graphics and text of your choice. There is no limit to the number of vocabulary files that can be created.

Can more than one person simultaneously work with the same vocabulary file?

Yes. It is possible to have multiple copies of Vocabulary Organiser with different users all accessing the same vocabulary file.

Is it possible to purchase a site licence for Vocabulary Organiser?

Yes.

Can Vocabulary Organiser be used to develop vocabulary files in languages other than English?

Currently, all instructions and the Vocabulary Organiser program are available in English only. There is no reason why a vocabulary file could not be developed in another language. Vocabulary Organiser is very flexible and can be used to manage, store, edit, and produce hardcopies of many different vocabulary files.

What if I have a client that needs some individual, specific vocabulary? Can I add this to the dictionary?

Yes. Vocabulary can be added or altered and then stored in Vocabulary Organiser. For example, you may wish to add the names of an individual’s family, or words that are particular to them. These can easily be added to Vocabulary Organiser and tagged to a User Group for that individual so that they are easy to locate. You may then wish to create worksheets and resources for the individual containing their personalised vocabulary.

Where can I get an AusUnity overlay and Minspeak Application Program (MAP) for my client’s device?

Both of these resources are supplied any time the AusUnity vocabulary file is purchased. At the time of ordering, we ask that you specify the device for which AusUnity will be used.

Who designed and developed Vocabulary Organiser?

The original idea for Vocabulary Organiser came from Jenny Faulks, a Speech Pathologist. It has been specified and evaluated by staff within the Speech Pathology Department of Novita Children’s Services (formerly The Crippled Children’s Association of South Australia or CCA). Key staff included Angela Guidera and Sandra Stewart, who are both Speech Pathologists.
Vocabulary Organiser was developed by the Research & Development Department of NovitaTech (formerly Regency Park Rehabilitation Engineering), the technology division of Novita Children’s Services

Why was Vocabulary Organiser initially developed?

Vocabulary Organiser was developed as a tool to manage the modifications that were made to the Unity Minspeak Application Program (MAP) that were necessary for Australian device users. It also ensured that a consistent language was used for all Novita clients.

What does the ‘merge’ function do?

The ‘merge’ function allows 2 different vocabulary dictionaries to be integrated (or 'merged') into one single dictionary. The merge process ensures that the resulting vocabulary dictionary contains every message that was in the original dictionary and non-identical messages from the dictionary it is being merged with (so double ups do not occur). This function is useful as it allows a therapist to merge new messages from an updated master dictionary into a specific client’s vocabulary dictionary, ensuring they have all the necessary new or updated entries.
If an identical message appears in both dictionaries, the merge process will detect this and ignore the in-coming message (since it already exists in the original dictionary). If an icon sequence, message, rationale, category, or user 'clash' is detected, the system will prompt the user to take action to avoid the clash. Users should note that the merge function will permanently alter a vocabulary dictionary, and that care should be taken when deciding which action to take when a clash is detected.
Detailed instructions on the merge function are contained in the user manual.
The merge function becomes available when a full copy of Vocabulary Organiser is purchased.

This page last updated: 9 July 2009
URL for this page: http://www.novitatech.org.au/content.asp?p=517