https://blog.jgc.org/2024/11/personalized-voice-recordings-by-elwood.html John Graham-Cumming's blog 2024-11-15 Personalized voice recordings by Elwood "You've got mail!" Edwards If you're old enough to have ever used, seen or overheard the once ubiquitous AOL software you'll have heard the voice of Elwood Edwards. His voice was known to millions for saying "You've got mail! ", "Welcome", "File's done" and "Goodbye" when using the AOL software. He died last week which reminded me of the time I paid him to record a customized greeting for me. Here's Elwood Edwards explaining how that came about: Back in the early 2000s I was working on a machine learning email filtering program called POPFile and I discovered that Elwood Edwards had a web site makinwavs.com where you could order custom messages recorded by him in that "AOL voice". [aol-1] So, I ordered "Mail classified by POPFile" and "Use the source, Luke! " from him for a total cost of $30. Here's the original PayPal receipt: Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 11:54:25 -0800 From: [email protected] Subject: Receipt for your Payment This email confirms that you have paid EVO, Inc. $30.00 using PayPal. This credit card transaction will appear on your bill as "PAYPAL*EVO INC". SHOPPING CART CONTENTS: 1. Item Name: Custom set of 5 non-AOL .WAV Files Option 1: Enter your 5 scripts:: "Use the source, Luke!", "Mail classified by POPFile" Option 2: (If needed, enter more info):: (Yep, I know it's only two, but that's all I need...) Item Number: EVO-4 Item Amount: $30.00 Quantity: 1 Total: $30.00 Cart Subtotal: $30.00 Handling: $0.00 Shipping: Sales Tax (0.000%): $0.00 Cart Total: $30.00 ------------------------------ Payment Details: ------------------------------ Amount: $30.00 Buyer: John Graham-Cumming ------------------------------ Business Information: ------------------------------ Business: EVO, Inc. Contact E-Mail: [email protected] Three days later I had three voice files (the two I'd ordered plus he threw in "You've got mail, John!" for free). From: [email protected] Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 22:16:04 -0500 Subject: Your files :) Hi, John. Thanks for your order. Here are your files... and I included a "You've got mail, John" file, too. Enjoy!! El Edwards You can hear all three original files below. John Graham-Cumming * Mail classified by POPFile John Graham-Cumming * Use the source, Luke! John Graham-Cumming * You've got mail, John! at November 15, 2024 Email ThisBlogThis!Share to XShare to FacebookShare to Pinterest Labels: popfile, pseudo-randomness No comments: Post a Comment Newer Post Older Post Home Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) Search This Blog [ ] [Search] Labels * pseudo-randomness * hardware * babbage * anti-spam * gnu make * retro * security * codes and ciphers * the geek atlas * mathematics * minitel * behind the screens * popfile * privacy * radio Popular Posts * [Screenshot] The complete text of "All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace" Richard Brautigan's poem " All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace " is somewhat well known in tech. circles but I couldn... * Facebook's DKIM RSA key should be crackable If Facebook sends you a mail they will sign it using DKIM . 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