Question.

[Chris Norman]

If you're new to linux, then Ubuntu 6.10 is definately the way forward. To 
install this:

Boot the cd and get it talking.

Run gnome-terminal (by typing alt+f2 and typing gnome-terminal and pressing 
enter).

Now type:
sudo su
This will log you in as root (no password required).

Now comes the hairy part:

Kill orca with insert+q. Now type:
orca --no-setup &

Make sure you put the "&" after the command. This launches orca as root, and 
forks it to the background. It won't read for a while, don't worry. Just 
type:

ubiquity

and press enter. The CD will spin for a bit, wait for it to talk.

Now follow the steps on screen. The only dodgy thing I find is the first 
screen about your location. Just go forward and fix it later with tzselect 
or tzconfig, I can't remember which. When you have finished reboot and log 
in.

Now we need to get speakup working:

The synth you want to use will have some bearing on how hard it is to get 
working, but it's not difficult at all.

Festival works out of the box.

Go in gnome-terminal as root (with `sudo su`), and issue the following 
commands:

apt-get install speech-dispatcher
apt-get install speechd-up

That should leave you with a working, speaking setup, alls you have to do 
now is launch it.

I think the easiest thing to do is to create a start-speakup script which 
can be added to users's ~/.bashrc file. Here's mine:

# /usr/bin/start-speakup.
# Make it executible with:
# `chmod 555 /usr/bin/start-speakup`.
#!/bin/bash

echo "Loading module for software speech..."
modprobe speakup_sftsyn

echo "Starting speech-dispatcher with a niceness of -20..."
nice -20 speech-dispatcher -d

echo "Starting speechd-up with a niceness of -20..."
nice -20 speechd-up

echo "Changing to speakup directory: /proc/speakup..."
cd /proc/speakup

echo "Applying settings from command line..."
echo "$1" > rate
echo "$2" > punc_level
echo "$3" > reading_punc

echo "Done."

I'm not on that machine at the minute, so there might be issues with that 
script, but you get the idea.

If you want to install something like Fedora it's a little more complicated, 
but still not impossible.

HTH,

Chris Norman
<!-- cnorman at rnibncw.ac.uk -->
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nicolai Svendsen" <nicolai at home3.gvdnet.dk>
To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 10:21 PM
Subject: Question.


> Heyas all!:)
>
>
>
> I'm in a kind of dilemma here, and I might be able to get some advice.
>
>
>
> I'd like to install Linux of course, with Speakup!;)
>
> So... Is it possible to get Linux to run a sound card during installation, 
> so I can use the software synth Speakup provides instead of the hardware?
>
>
>
> The situation is. Parents are tired of helping out, and often when I rely 
> on sighted help some don't read up everything. And of course, I'd like to 
> do things on my own as much as I can. And if I need a hardware synthesizer 
> to get the audio installation working, it's gonna take at least a month to 
> get it!
>
> Due to the county being a bit weird right now and if I can get them to 
> support it, there's no need to pay. But, I'm not sure if I have the 
> patiency to wait!
>
> So, is there a way to do this?
>
>
>
> Haha, think I got my situation explained....:P
>
>
>
> Regards, and thanks beforehand,
>
>
>
> Nic.
>
>
>
> Visit my Blog at:
>
> http://benevolence.blogdrive.com
>
> MSN and E-mail:
>
> Nicolai at home3.gvdnet.dk
>
> Skype: Kvalme
>
> I am currently hiring builders/coders for a mud, mail/IM me if interested.
> I'm working on ideas for a new codebase, it's a rough draft as of now... 
> But coming together!
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup at braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup