Synthia and the Cloud

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‌Synthia and the Cloud

(Cloud features are no longer available.)

Synthia’s cloud features allow us to continually refine the ground rules based on information from users: what statements can’t be parsed, what results in ambiguous interpretations, and what new rules have users added. By collecting and examining this information from everyone, Synthia can learn over time and better address customer needs.

When the cloud system is operational, you automatically receive any new rules that we may have created. (Some new rules may require a program update as well; you will be notified of that.)

The cloud features create privacy concerns that we have addressed in several

ways:

- the cloud features are disabled by default: you must enable the cloud by saying use the cloud. (To turn them off, say don't use the cloud.)

- the current session log can be erased at any time by saying forget you heard that.

- Rules marked `Private` when they are created will not be uploaded to the cloud (note capitalization).

- Keep in mind that you are in charge: Synthia is not an independent actor. It doesn’t record anything; you are in charge of recording just as you are over any recording device.

In general, we expect that the privacy concerns should be pretty minimal, because you can only talk to Synthia about SynthEyes… it’s not a communications medium, your therapist, or something to tell about your wild weekend or what you think about your boss. If you’re concerned about the privacy of select the blue trackers, so be it, and keep the cloud turned off.

The two main real issues are

1) Synthia might run speech recognition on your conversation with a coworker or you while you are on your phone. Since those conversations are unlikely to be understood by Synthia, they would be uploaded for analysis. Just like you would mute your phone if you were talking to a coworker, you should tell Synthia to stop listening too. If something is inadvertently recorded, that’s what forget you heard that is for.

2) You might have some super-secret rules you are creating and want to keep to yourself. If so, keep the cloud off, or use the `Private` mark to prevent their upload (add marked `Private` to the end of the sentence creating the rule).

You can see several of the cloud commands on the right-click menu of the IA button in SynthEyes, for handy reference without any Synthia commands.

Synthia’s cloud system is transparent. Information from the current Synthia session isn’t uploaded until the next time you start Synthia (ie you exit Synthia, not just hide it). Once Synthia has been stopped, you can see the session log information in your personal library area. You can delete the log file if you must.

Exercise: turn on the cloud system.

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