FAQ gally2: The easiest way to install

[Janina Sajka]

The part of the FAQ that describes the "easiest way" to get speakup is on
the wrong track, but is quite incorrect.

Problem: People ;do not "download a kernel for their synthesizer." This is
not how it is, but it is what's written currently.

Correction Suggestion:

Select the linux distribution you want to install and download the
installation files for that distribution from the speakup web site. Do not
download them from any source that doesn't explicitly say speakup, because
you want to be sure and get the version that already has speakup included
with it.

The second part is really about how to launch the installation once the
distro is obtained and the floppies correctly created with rawrite or dd.
The guidance given currently is essentially correct. But, it could be
clearer. In particular, it should be made clear that the first prompt will
not speak, and that people will need to type without speech to indicate
what synth they have and where it is connected so that the program will
know what synth to talk to and where to find it. This is what
speakup_synth and speakup_ser mean, respectively.
 On Sun, 17 Jun 2001, Ann
Parsons wrote:

> A.  The easiest way is to download the appropriate precompiled kernel for your
> synthesizer if the kernel is lower than 2.2.18 and install from the
> downloaded image.  If the distribution's kernel is higher than 2.2.18, it is
> likely that there is a generic patched kernel and you have to enter a string
> to tell speakup what synthesizer you wish to use.  For example:
>
> speakup_synthesizer=dectlk speakup_serial=0
>
> The above string is for the Dectalk Express on Com 1 under DOS or tty0 under
> Linux.
>
> Having obtained the appropriate kernel image that matches your distribution
> and synthesizer, you can either create boot up disks with the dd command on
> Unix type systems or rawrite under DOS or Windows, or by placing the
> necessary files into a directory and using loadlin to start the installation
> process.  For example: if the image is called bare.i, under Unix type system
> you'd use the command string:
>
> dd . . . .(Sorry don't know the string)
>
> To use rawrite.exe under DOS or Windows you'd write, providing rawrite.exe
> and bare.i are in the same directory as each other, say for example c:\Linux
> you'd enter at a command prompt the following command strings:
>
> cd c:\Linux
> [Press return]
> rawrite bare.i a:
> [Press return]
>
> Loadlin.exe enables a Linux installation to be started from a DOS prompt,
> before going into Windows.  You'd need to create a batch file to run
> loadlin.exe with the appropriate parameters.
>
> Rawrite.exe and loadlin.exe can usually be found in a directory called
> dosutils on distribution CD's, or something like that depending upon the
> distribution.  They're often accompanied with detailed documentation.
>
>
> Q.  What is the best way to download the appropriate file from the
> site.
>
> A.  FTP is the quickest way to do this, although you can use the web
> site's download facility.  One caveat, MSIE users be sure to type in
> the address for the archive with ftp: in stead of http.  Some MSIE
> users have trouble downloading the files because MSIE puts line-feeds
> where they should not go.  If you do not have an FTP client, then try
> using the Windows FTP client from a DOS box.  Be sure to type bin
> before starting any transfer.
>
>
> Q.  I've just used rawrite to make a boot disk for my system, and it
> will not talk, it will not do anything.  Why?
>
> A.  Your speech synthesizer probably got in the way.  Before typing
> the command again, turn off your speech program.
>
>
> q. why doesn't speakup come up talking when I use bla bla bla distros
> boot disk?
>
> A.  There are many reasons for this including:  a bad rawrite image,
> the wrong comm port setting in the command line, an improperly
> downloaded file.  For more specific information consult the
> documentation file or ask on the Speakup list.
>
> q. what is the status of cursering?
>
> A.  The cursoring problem has been solved in part.  It is still in the
> process of solution.
>
>
> Q.  I hate documentation, and find it difficult to use because I do
> not understand it.  How can I contact live human beings for help?
>
> A.  The simplest way to contact us is via our mailing list.  To
> subscribe to this list, send an msg to:
>
> speakup-request at braille.uwo.ca
>
> In the body of the message, simply write subscribe.  when you have
> done this, you will receive information on how to send directly to the
> list.  Please keep this information for future reference.
>
> We can also be reached via Internet telephony by using the speakfreely
> program.  this program can be downloaded at:
>
> http://www.formilab.ch/speakfree/unix
>
> When you have installed the program, access the reflector by entering
> :
>
> lwl..braille.uwo.ca port 4074
>
> To see who is on the reflector, go to:
>
> http://lwl.braille.uwo.ca/speakup.html
>
>
> 			    Ann K. Parsons
>
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