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How do I add a pause between voice prompt choices in Twilio Voice using C#?

I'd like to be able to accomplish the following by editing the code below using Twilio Voice (TwiML) in C# (in a C#/Core Web Application):
Add a brief pause of say 300ms between voice prompt choices
Add emphasis to certain words in the prompt (e.g. friend, internet,
other, etc)
Allow user to say "friend" and interrupt the readout, which in turn invokes the action uri
Twilio has an example of how to mark up a "Say" object at https://www.twilio.com/docs/voice/twiml/say/text-speech but it doesn't account for how to merge that with a gather object. It seems that merging the Say is the recipe so that the listener is able to interrupt the choices at any point by saying "friend", skipping the rest of the readout of choices, and to invoke the action Uri.
I have been able to construct a gather object and append separate Say methods as shown in my example code below. Note that the code below compiles and works, but I don't know how to pause the text-to-speech readout between options to give person a 300ms to blurt out "friend". Also, it seems to wait the entire three second default when you say "friend" instead of recognizing that as the user input and invoking the action uri more quickly. Using the keypad digits works as desired, but I want to get the speech-to-text capability to work more efficiently.
This is my first question posted, so let me know if I need to include any other information.
Here are my relevant "using" statements:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using Microsoft.AspNetCore.Mvc;
using Twilio.AspNet.Common;
using Twilio.AspNet.Core;
using Twilio.TwiML;
using Twilio.TwiML.Voice;
Here is the function in the class I am working on:
private static void RenderReferralSource(VoiceResponse response)
{
string hintchoices = "friend, internet, other,";
List<Gather.InputEnum> bothDtmfAndSpeech =
new List<Gather.InputEnum>(2) { Gather.InputEnum.Dtmf, Gather.InputEnum.Speech };
var mygather = new Gather(input: bothDtmfAndSpeech,
action: new Uri("/voice/GatherReferralSource", UriKind.Relative),
speechModel: Gather.SpeechModelEnum.NumbersAndCommands,
enhanced: true,
hints: hintchoices,
bargeIn: true,
speechTimeout: "3",
numDigits: 1);
mygather.Say("How did you find us, or who referred you to our practice?", voice: "Polly.Joanna-Neural");
string digmenu = "I will read a list of five choices. Press the number or say the word ";
digmenu += "as soon as you hear the correct choice of who referred you, ";
mygather.Say(digmenu);
mygather.Say("Press 1, or say Friend, if a friend, family member, or other customer of ours referred you,");
mygather.Say("Press 2, or say Internet, if you found us on Google or through an internet search,");
mygather.Say("Press 3, or say Martian, if someone from Mars referred you,");
mygather.Say("Press 4, or say Chuck Norris, if he ordered you to visit us,");
mygather.Say("Press 5, or say Other, for any other way,");
// Ask user and gather response
response.Append(mygather);
// If no choice, redirect
response.Redirect(new Uri("/voice", UriKind.Relative));
}

darksky api: TLS requirements changed, library no longer works

I've been using this C# library wrapper for the darksky API:
https://github.com/amweiss/dark-sky-core
In my implementation I poll once every 3 minutes to get the forecast, which I use in my home thermostat network:
async void GetForecast()
{
// https://darksky.net/dev/docs#forecast-request
float Temp, DewPoint, WindSpeed, WindChill, Humidity, HeatIndex;
var client = new DarkSkyService("user-api-key");
try
{
Forecast fc = await client.GetWeatherDataAsync(38.329444, -87.412778);
Temp = (float)Math.Floor(fc.Currently.Temperature);
PublishTemp(Temp);
// for database, get temp, dewpoint, calculate windchill, calculate heatindex
DewPoint = (float)fc.Currently.DewPoint;
WindSpeed = (float)fc.Currently.WindSpeed;
Humidity = (float)fc.Currently.Humidity; // range: 0-1
WindChill = (float)CalculateWindChill(Temp, WindSpeed);
HeatIndex = (float)CalculateHeatIndex(Temp, Humidity);
SaveToDatabase(Temp, DewPoint, WindChill, HeatIndex);
RxForecast = true;
if (DateTime.Now.Hour != LastForecastHour)
{
LatestForecast = fc;
LastForecastHour = DateTime.Now.Hour;
PublishForecasts();
}
}
catch (Exception s) {
RxForecast = false;
}
ForecastWaitTime = RxForecast ? FAST_FORECAST_CYCLE : SLOW_FORECAST_CYCLE;
}
This has worked fine for about 4 months before it abruptly stopped working a week ago. Darksky support said that they have recently implemented security updates and no longer support most common TLS ciphers (quoting):
- TLS 1.0
- TLS 1.1
- TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA
- TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_256_CBC_SHA
- TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256
- TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA256
- TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_128_CBC_SHA
- TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
- TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_256_CBC_SHA256
- TLS_RSA_WITH_AES_256_CBC_SHA
You can definitively determine whether your app works with the new SSL permissions by testing against
https://api.darksky.net:4433/. If you decide to update SSL on your end, you can test the API by sending a request here: https://api.darksky.net:4433/v1/status.txt.
Note that we will be making additional security-related updates in the coming weeks so there will be more changes in the near future. We don't have a notification system for alerting users to changes made on our backend but we do offer a feed for our status page, which often includes information about updates that have been or will be made (https://status.darksky.net/). We'll do our very best to make sure we communicate them as we're able to. Additionally, to avoid future disruptions we strongly recommend switching to one of the following, which should carry you through any of the additional security updates that will be applied in the near future:
TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_128_GCM_SHA256
TLS_ECDHE_RSA_WITH_AES_256_GCM_SHA384
I have no idea what changes I need to make to this code to 'update TLS', and I can't seem to get any more information from darksky. In the meantime, my alarm system is at a standstill.
One thing I don't understand is that, if I type this URL in a browser:
https://api.darksky.net/forecast/my-api-key/38.329444, -87.412778
It works fine, and immediately returns a huge JSON forecast string. Trying this with HttpWebRequest, HttpClient, or WebClient, in code results in different "errors occurred" exceptions. Overall, I'd rather use the library for the returned Forecast object that is easy to interpret.
Is this TLS update something I do at the system level, outside the devlopment environment?
Or, are there any alternatives to darksky that I could switch to?

You have two options:
1: update the library you are using and recompile. This issue was reported on its github page:
https://github.com/jcheng31/DarkSkyApi/issues/28
2: It's a bit of work but you could move the forecast module to Linux/Raspberry Pi, where TLS12 is already configured. You will have to rewrite the routine in Python to do this. I verified this approach would work on my own PI network.

Android's - performHapticFeedback vs Vibrator - documentation and use

TL;DR:
Would appreciate any extra information on Android's
abstract class Vibrator
vs
performHapticFeedback
Preferably avoiding the use of the Vibrator class and prioritising performHapticFeedback to circumvent having to ask the user for permissions, and rely only on their system's preference.
Scenario:
I'm working with Xamarin trying to implement Haptic Feedback for Android and iOS.
Now, whereas the iOS documentation has a short explanation, which I've implemented as the following:
void Platform.Vibrate(HapticsIntensity HapticsIntensity)
{
UIKit.UIImpactFeedbackGenerator ImpactFeedbackGenerator;
switch (HapticsIntensity)
{
case HapticsIntensity.Light:
ImpactFeedbackGenerator = new UIKit.UIImpactFeedbackGenerator(UIKit.UIImpactFeedbackStyle.Light);
break;
case HapticsIntensity.Medium:
ImpactFeedbackGenerator = new UIKit.UIImpactFeedbackGenerator(UIKit.UIImpactFeedbackStyle.Medium);
break;
case HapticsIntensity.Heavy:
ImpactFeedbackGenerator = new UIKit.UIImpactFeedbackGenerator(UIKit.UIImpactFeedbackStyle.Heavy);
break;
default:
ImpactFeedbackGenerator = null;
break;
};
if (ImpactFeedbackGenerator != null)
{
ImpactFeedbackGenerator.Prepare();
ImpactFeedbackGenerator.ImpactOccurred();
}
}
The Android documentation for Haptic Feedback states that the method performHapticFeedback expects a HapticFeedbackConstant as a parameter.
public boolean performHapticFeedback (int feedbackConstant)
The available feedbackConstant's are here, but they seem to have no difference between them.
Calling:
LongPress
Engine.AndroidActivity.Window.DecorView.PerformHapticFeedback(Android.Views.FeedbackConstants.LongPress);
has the same effect as
VirtualKey
Engine.AndroidActivity.Window.DecorView.PerformHapticFeedback(Android.Views.FeedbackConstants.VirtualKey);
or
KeyboardTap
Engine.AndroidActivity.Window.DecorView.PerformHapticFeedback(Android.Views.FeedbackConstants.KeyboardTap);
moreover, some of the FeedbackConstants don't even result in haptic feedback.
Does anyone know where I could find any more documentation around this matter?
The reason why I ask is that I am implementing an abstract layer over Xamarin with Invention where my intention is to have my method calls like:
Vibrate(HapticsIntensity.Light);
Vibrate(HapticsIntensity.Medium);
Vibrate(HapticsIntensity.Heavy);
This works today, but where on iOS I get the tactile feedback of Light, Medium and Heavy vibration, on Android, I can't differentiate between them.
Now, I know Android has a Vibrate class (see here), which allows for granular control; however, to use this I need to add to my manifest or ask for specific permissions for my app (android.permission.VIBRATE), and that is not optimal.
Also, if I add the android.permission.VIBRATE permission to my manifest, it seems like (if the device has Haptic Feedback enabled in its settings), I don't even need to add the Vibrate() method call to my buttons` onClick; and they will already provide the tactile feedback (BZZZTT!!1!).

It totally depends upon if the device OEM has altered ASOP code and the vibration timing arrays in com.android.internal.R.array resource to enable a special haptic feedback "engine" that they are using on their device.
By default, the hardware OEMs are only required to support (in hardware) a standard on/off vibration (linear actuator, weighted rotary, etc..), not a "true" haptic feedback one which is normally based upon waveforms.
In comparison to the newer iOS devices (7|8+?), they are using the "Taptic Engine" (fancy speak for an "advanced linear actuator") for haptic feedback and only recently are Android devices "catching" up on the hardware side (new OnePlus, Pixel 3s, etc...) are starting to include more advanced haptic/vibration hardware (whether are not the OEM has done any special with that new hardware, you decide...)
So if you look at ASOP's PhoneWindowManager.java you will find that most of the HapticFeedbackConstants get lumped into a few VibrationEffects constants such as:
~~~
VibrationEffect.EFFECT_TICK
VibrationEffect.EFFECT_CLICK
VibrationEffect.EFFECT_HEAVY_CLICK
~~~
Look at the source if you want to see what the ASOP default VibrationEffects would be for a specific HapticFeedbackConstants:
PhoneWindowManager.java
If you have to provide manual-based haptic for your app for some reason, you can use the Vibrator API and provide the byte array for your on/off timing and then special case it for phone devices at offer more hardware features.

vmware .net api help vmware.vim.dll problems

Vmware's .net api reference is somewhat confusing and hard to follow. I have been able to connect to my vcenter host then get a list of esxi hosts. Then I have been able get all the running modules on the host using HostKernelModuleSystem, and probe the properties on the variable "mod"... but I am not able to figure out how to get license info, I tried creating an object lic below, trying all different kinds of "types" from vmware with the word license in the type. but, it never works it has a problem converting the line with LicenseManagerLicenseInfo lic = .... I always get the following:
"Cannot convert type 'Vmware.Vim.Viewbase' to
'Vmware.Vim.LicenseManagerLicenseInfo'"
but the declaration above it for "mod" works fine.
I have also tried:
HostLicenseConnectInfo
LicenseAssignmentManagerLicenseAssignment
LicenseManager
I am hoping someone who has worked with vmware .net api can shed some light on what i am doing wrong? I am new to C# about 1 year :) but these VMware APIs are somewhat confusing to me.
esxList = client.FindEntityViews(typeof(HostSystem), null, null, null);
foreach (HostSystem host in esxList)
{
HostKernelModuleSystem mod = (HostKernelModuleSystem)client.GetView(host.ConfigManager.KernelModuleSystem, null);
LicenseManagerLicenseInfo lic = (LicenseManagerLicenseInfo)client.GetView(host.ConfigManager.LicenseManager, null);
string name = lic.Name;
}

I'll have to go to work tomorrow to look at this ( don't have ESX and VMWare SDK for .NET at home ) but I've done a bit of this work.
I wrote a generics method that wraps FindEntityViews and takes a filter as an argument. That makes it easy to search for anything. Also I've noticed that searches come back as ManagedObjectReferences and can't be cast to the subclasses. You have to construct them passing the ManagedObjectReference as an argument.
Also I find searching for PowerCLI examples and watching the classes in the immeadiate window very help in navigating this API. It's a fairly decent SDK but they put all of the classes in a single namespace and there's lots of little style inconsistencies ( Device instead of Devices and properties that take strings instead of enums when an enum exists ).

i figured out how to do it :) , by using http://vcenter_hostname/mob I was able to walk through api better. here is what I did, plus instead of of using "host" which was type HostSystem I jused my instance of my vCenter host "client"
VMware.Vim.LicenseManager lic_manager = (VMware.Vim.LicenseManager)client.GetView(client.ServiceContent.LicenseManager, null);
LicenseManagerLicenseInfo[] lic_found = lic_manager.Licenses;
foreach (LicenseManagerLicenseInfo lic in lic_found)
{
string test = lic.Name.ToString();
string test2 = lic.LicenseKey.ToString();
}

Getting attachments from a mail account with .NET

I'd like a free library for .NET to get attachments from an account (such as gMail, or others) via imap4 (not necessarely), and save them in a folder.
Ideally it would allow me to get a list of them, and download only some given ones (filtering by extension, name, and/or size) and be free.
I've already done this with a trial version of EAGetMail, but for the purpose of what i'm trying to attempt buying the unlimited version of this library isn't quite suitable (i didn't know that this functionality itself was one among the ones with limited time).
---[edit - Higuchi]---
I'm using the following code:
Dim cl As New Pop3Client()
cl.UserName = "marcelo.f.ramires#gmail.com"
cl.Password = "mypassword"
cl.ServerName = "pop.gmail.com"
cl.AuthenticateMode = Pop3AuthenticateMode.Pop
cl.Ssl = False
cl.Authenticate() //takes a while, but passes even if there's a wrong password
Dim mg As Pop3Message = cl.GetMessage(1) //gives me an exception: Message = "Pop3 connection is closed"
UPDATE: Setting the port to 995 gives me a "Response TimeOut" exception
As commented, I am having some issues while trying to connect and get the first e-mail. any help ?

Well, I know you specified IMAP4, but I figured I'd offer this anyway in case POP3 is an option, since it's been useful for me:
http://csharpmail.codeplex.com/
This library provides access to POP3 mail, which many e-mail services (including Gmail) do offer in addition to the newer IMAP.
The core class is Pop3Client, which provides access to POP3 functions such as ExecuteList, ExecuteTop, etc. I have used this for specifically what you are asking about -- scanning for and downloading attachments.
If you decide this is something you could use after all and need further guidance, let me know.
UPDATE: In response to your updated question, I have just a few preliminary suggestions:
Consider setting the Pop3Client.Port property to 995. I know this is what Gmail uses for POP3.
The Pop3Client.Authenticate method returns a bool value indicating whether or not authentication was successful. You can check this value after calling the method to know whether it will be possible to progress further.
UPDATE 2: I tried this at home with the following settings and it worked for me:
Using client As New Pop3Client
client.UserName = "username#gmail.com"
client.Password = "[insert password here]"
client.ServerName = "pop.gmail.com"
client.AuthenticateMode = Pop3AuthenticateMode.Pop
client.Ssl = True ' NOTICE: in your example code you have False here '
client.Port = 995
client.Authenticate()
Dim messageList = client.ExecuteList()
Console.WriteLine("# Messages: {0}", messageList.Count)
End Using
Try these settings and see if they work for you.
UPDATE 3: One more thing! Have you made sure to enable POP for your Gmail account? If not, you need to do that!
From your Gmail inbox, click "Settings" (top right).
From the Settings page, click the tab labeled "Forwarding and POP/IMAP."
In the POP Download section, select one of the radio buttons to enable POP mail.
Click "Save Changes" at the bottom.