Macs help Roger Ebert to speak again

Film Critic Roger Ebert has been a long time Mac fan, and now he is depending on his Mac laptop to speak for him. Ebert was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2002, and it was later discovered there was additional cancerous material in his jaw. His lower jaw was removed, and Ebert lost his ability to eat and speak.

Now, Ebert uses the Alex voice, which is built into Mac OS X. Last month, with the help of his wife and some friends, Ebert talked about using the Mac to get his voice back in a TED talk. Note: the video uses Flash and is embedded on the next page.

It's an inspiring session. Ebert has refused all further treatment for his cancer, and is willing to face whatever comes.

Ebert seems to be doing well with his Mac and Alex, and he's trying to live as normal a life as possible under some pretty tough restrictions and challenges.

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Film Critic Roger Ebert has been a long time Mac fan, and now he is depending on his Mac laptop to speak for him. Ebert was diagnosed...

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parkparkpark

I grew up watching Siskel & Ebert every week. Although this is inspirational, it definitely makes me sad.

April 22 2011 at 8:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gweedo

Ebert used to be a mild liberal, but after having his life saved by private medicine and sustained due to private medical technology, he has turned into yet another leftist fascist.

April 21 2011 at 2:33 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dorjesyber

Unintional troll is unintional.

Wrong tech Raj. This is Text to Speech not Vocie Dictation (Speech to Text). Its been I the Mac system for a long time. At least OS 9, and I think 8. If your going to try and bash M$ at least know what tech your insulting.

April 21 2011 at 1:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

QuarterSwede

I'll admit, this made me tear up.

April 20 2011 at 6:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to QuarterSwede's comment

quattro909

Yea, me too. Makes me think twice before I whine about my "difficult" life.

April 21 2011 at 1:39 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

sepirioth

amazing.

April 20 2011 at 3:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gareth Burleigh

Inspiring and moving TED talk, also note that there is a very nice AirPlay enabled TED iPad app

Gareth

April 20 2011 at 3:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jdtauber

This guy is truly an inspiration!

April 20 2011 at 3:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

austinpowers

I've always enjoyed and thought very highly of Roger Ebert. This was a very moving and inspirational "talk", and he hasn't lost a beat. Bravo to him and his lovely wife.

April 20 2011 at 2:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Rot\'nApple

Glad he is doing well as can be.

Good thing he wasn't depending on a MS os PC to do his talking for him, otherwise, he'd be speaking in "Tourette's"... just kidding PC fans, just kidding...

Best of luck to him!

April 20 2011 at 2:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Steve

Great guy, and very inspiring. I always love his movie reviews. Even when I disagree with him, he always makes great points.

April 20 2011 at 2:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply