Your computer comes with a system extension (called Speech Manager) that allows your computer to speak to you. This feature is called text-to-speech. You can use it with any application program that takes advantage of this feature, such as the SimpleText program on your computer’s hard disk. You do not need any additional hardware to use text-to-speech.
When would I use Text-to-Speech?
Text-to-Speech is an evolving technology that gives you new and exciting ways to interact with your computer. With text-to-speech capabilities, you can
• have your computer read your mail messages to you
• proofread a section of a document by having it spoken to you
• help teach a person to read by having the computer speak the typed words
How can I try Text-to-Speech?
Text-to-Speech is made available through application programs whose manufacturers have chosen to incorporate it. You can try this feature out by following these steps:
1. Double-click the SimpleText icon to open it (or choose Open from the File menu if you are already using SimpleText).
A new document called Untitled 1 appears on the screen.
2. Type a short sentence, for example, “You’re a great person.”
3. Choose Speak All from the Sound menu.
You can also have the computer speak a portion of your document. To do this, select the text you want to hear, and choose Speak Selection from the Sound menu.
If you want to add other voices that your computer can use, follow these steps:
1. Open the Text-to-Speech folder (located in the Extras folder on the Apple Macintosh CD).
2. Drag the Voices folder and the MacinTalkPro extension to the Extensions folder (in the System folder) on your hard disk.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Choose the Voices pop-up menu in the Sound menu, and then follow the steps for trying text-to-speech listed above.
Reinstalling the Text-to-Speech Software
If you ever need to reinstall the Text-to-Speech software, follow these steps:
1. Open the Text-to-Speech folder (located in the Extras folder on the Apple Macintosh CD).
2. Drag the Speech Manager file to the Extensions folder (in the System folder) on your hard disk.
3. If you want additional voices beyond the default Text-to-Speech voice, then also drag the following to the Extensions folder (in the System folder) on your hard disk:
• MacinTalk Pro
• Voices folder
These additional files will require more memory than just using the Speech Manager by itself. They do, however, provide higher quality speech and an interesting variety of voices. If you run out of memory, then you should remove these files and use only the Speech Manager.
