Praat is an application with which phoneticians can analyze, synthesize and manipulate speech and create high-quality images for their articles and doctoral theses.
The source code may be downloaded here.
What's New
Version 5.3.14:
EPS files: higher minimum image resolution for spectrograms (300 instead of 106 dpi).
I give Praat 5 stars for it's unmatched ability to make me come back to this page every time there's a new version, just to see if anyone's posted anything amusing about the icon.
I've never come across another piece of Mac software that manages to do this so effectively! The developers have truly achieved something unique here.
I like how your review had nothing to do with the Praat App, and in fact, did not even mention it.
For that don't know, you can highlight a picture with a select tool, CMD C, then go into the finder and CMD-I, click the apps icon in the top left corner and then CMD-V
I've come to believe that the monstrous icon of this app is in fact a subtle marketing ploy. There is no such thing as bad publicity in the world of business, and this icon has created a lot of attention for this product. Users who have no use for such a program have no doubt downloaded it anyway to show it to their friends. Clever advertising, I say.
These guys, Paul Boersma and David Weenink, are scientists. Not artists. Most likely they could care less what the icon looks like. Far more important is the quality of the software itself and that it has been updated regularly for many years now. And oh yes, it's free and you can download the source code. Besides all that, anyone with Mac smarts can change the icon to whatever they like to.
I wholeheartedly agree, but unfortunately appearances count for so much, especially with Mac fans. It depresses me to see technical prowess and great work go to waste because of simple, but crucial, details like an icon that can be easily remedied. To give you a heartbreaking example, it is currently believed that poor spelling is costing the UK millions of pounds in lost revenue for internet businesses.
I'm sorry if you interpreted my comment to be dismissive of Praat (a program which I find very useful). I intended it to be more a warning than a mockery.
I will repeat my previous remark. Anyone with Mac smarts can change the icon to whatever they like. By the way, I read that article on the BBC website about poor spelling/grammar issues turning prospective buyers away. A person can not change a website's lack of spelling and grammar skills, but one may surely change an application's icon on a Mac. It is, as they say, "dope easy". And I am reasonably sure the authors of this software are aware that their Mac users can change the icon themselves.
I would like to nominate this app for worst icon in the history of icons on the Mac. I've seen worse for Windows, but nothing as bad as this on the Mac.
Developers, you are awesome. You have been continually upgrading for many years now and it keeps getting better and better. You have never asked for any financial aid, offering it free. I can't understand how anyone can continually criticize the icon when they are offering nothing financially nor technically to the application. I wish you both health, blessing, and encouragement.
I offered a sample icon, was willing to work on it until it satisfied their desires. Yet, they tersely dismissed my offer. Yes, the application is free, and that deserves acclaim, but the developer's attitude of turning down help for its improvements prevents others from "offering…technically to the application" … although I sincerely do encourage them to continue their good work.
I too always evaluated the icon a shame on a mac, but after searching to try the app I now think it could be a good one if only it had an intelligible manual.
It can do great things, but discovering "HOW TO" is really stressing.
Authors may also be great but they don't know not only the principles of Apple human interface, but even good sense: user never knows which button they refer to when they are trying to explain.
The ugliness and simple crudeness of this application's icon insinuates the software likes to be associated with the concept; you feel inside as you look outside. I once offered them a much better looking icon, they replied with concern about copyright infringements and the like. Maybe what you see is what you get..
I know.. why is the issue of this icon so important.. I mean appearance does not matter AT ALL.. EVER... only functionalities.. look at the iPhone 4.. works great, great reception/antenna problem, yet the appearance/design is crap and compleeeeeeeetely random lol
Be honest people.. you all care about appearance or you would most likely not even be on MAC...
The World would be a better place if humans were more honest (honesty is also an aesthetics ideal.. the ancient Greek gave a damn about all this .. how low can you go Humanity.. XXIst century looks like rock-bottom in this department)...
And yes this icon su cks Paul the Octopus eight times rather than one.
Unfortunately in the world of business appearance is important. Just try and go to a job interview in your sweat pants and see what happens. Also if you went to the doctor and he was dressed in rags and hadn't taken a bath in weeks how long would it take you to find another doctor?
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Praat is an application with which phoneticians can analyze, synthesize and manipulate speech and create high-quality images for their articles and doctoral theses.
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Old_guy reviewed on 14 Mar 2012
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Psychos reviewed on 07 Sep 2011
I've never come across another piece of Mac software that manages to do this so effectively! The developers have truly achieved something unique here.
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Jazzica reviewed on 29 Jul 2011
For Fetch.app I use my little Boston Terrier's face. How hard is it to change the icon for a Mac user?
And how important, if the app is great as this one is?
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For that don't know, you can highlight a picture with a select tool, CMD C, then go into the finder and CMD-I, click the apps icon in the top left corner and then CMD-V
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I'm sorry if you interpreted my comment to be dismissive of Praat (a program which I find very useful). I intended it to be more a warning than a mockery.
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Congrats, I think.
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/whistles
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It can do great things, but discovering "HOW TO" is really stressing.
Authors may also be great but they don't know not only the principles of Apple human interface, but even good sense: user never knows which button they refer to when they are trying to explain.
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+8
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Be honest people.. you all care about appearance or you would most likely not even be on MAC...
The World would be a better place if humans were more honest (honesty is also an aesthetics ideal.. the ancient Greek gave a damn about all this .. how low can you go Humanity.. XXIst century looks like rock-bottom in this department)...
And yes this icon su cks Paul the Octopus eight times rather than one.
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hced rated on 05 Mar 2012
+13
Stef_Vandenabele rated on 18 Jan 2012
Eggi_from_Hamburg rated on 19 Oct 2011
Nathan Sanders rated on 23 Jun 2011
rivermonk rated on 25 May 2011
Kaydee-Tsang rated on 20 May 2011
+24
Tweety_ rated on 16 Apr 2011
+412
Colette rated on 15 Feb 2011