/proc/speakup

[Kerry Hoath]

Oh wow! so what stops a hacker from patching the running kernel?
How about stuffing keystrokes into the kernel's keyboard routines?
Who says nobody uses scroll lock? It is used to stop scrolling on the console
if I remember correctly.
You have to way up usability verses security, what if I want to change the speeech rates on a machine
200 miles away but I just can't quite reach the keypad from here :-P
Perhapse we should remove the /proc file system altogether from the kernel and go back to using evil software
with hidious security problems that use bizare and antiquated ioctls?
Obviously not.

Regarding free synthisizers; I have a votrax pss here <wicked grin>
Remember the synthisizers that work well with speakup are of sufficient complexity
which means they aren't cheap. Most people with them are understandably
unwilling to part with them.
Either get a real pc (P166 or better) or save the $250US for a doubletalk.
Failing that; write a braillenote driver for us.
The codes are documented, I can even get you keynote gold control codes if you
have something of that type.
Your other option is to pick up an old symphonics or similar card; jam it in an XT with a floppy drive,
get some real comms software like commo or ms-kermit
(not telix) and use serial terminals. They work
just fine.
With the serial terminal you now have write a driver for your favourite synth and contribute it.
You might even pick up an internal doubletalk card rather cheap; especially if it has old roms.
Perhapse somebody has an echo GP you could write a driver for that's a hellishly simple command-set.

Regards, Kerry.
On Wed, Feb 14, 2001 at 06:14:20PM -0800, Tyler Spivey wrote:
> /proc/speakup was a bad idea. because:
> 1. if a hacker gained root, you couldn't turn off the net or something without speech. (if
> someone shut it off)
> i think a keypad configuration system would be in order. use one of the unused keys, or see if numlock is on/off, and if its one way, use rate pitch and volume on the keypad.
> check if scroll lock is on (no one uses it) and do other things.
> scroll+num, +caps. things like that.
> just my 2 sents. and i'm looking for someone that can give me free synths, (i almost had one, 
> but the guy got really mad and ignores me).
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> 

-- 
--
Kerry Hoath: kerry at gotss.eu.org
Alternates: kerry at emusys.com.au kerry at gotss.spice.net.au or khoath at lis.net.au
ICQ UIN: 8226547