I am a Talking File is an extremely simple program that does one thing: it says something when you double-click on it. What it says depends on what is in the Comments field of the application’s Get Info window. If this field is blank, the application speaks its filename. If the Comments field is not blank, the application speaks whatever is in that field. That’s it!
Copies of I am a Talking File, given different names and comments, are ideal for use as Startup or Shutdown Items, or perhaps as responses to spoken commands when used in conjunction with PlainTalk Speech Recognition. For example, you can create a copy of I am a Talking File, call it “Thank You,” enter “You’re welcome” in its Comment field, then place it in the Speakable Items folder. Voila! Your Mac politely responds to your spoken gratitude. It’s much faster than an AppleScript that does the same thing.
I am a Talking File comes as a fat binary, so it should run native either on 680x0 or PowerPC Macintoshes without any additional intervention from you. Of course, Apple’s PlainTalk Text-to-Speech software must be installed.
System Requirements
I am a Talking File requires a Macintosh with System 7 or greater, with Apple’s PlainTalk Text-to-Speech software properly installed. It has been explicitly and successfully tested on the following systems: PowerBook 5300c w/ System 7.5.3, PowerBook Duo 280c w/ System 7.5.1, and Power Macintosh 8500/120 with System 7.5.3.
User Guide
To use I am a Talking File, double-click on it. To change what it says, either change its name or enter the desired message in its Comments field. When I am a Talking File runs, it checks its Comments field. If it is blank, it will speak the application’s filename. If the comments are not blank, those comments will be spoken instead.
Filenames are limited to 32 characters and may not contain any colons (“ : ”). Comments may contain pretty much anything, and can be up to 200 characters long.
You can make multiple copies of the program in order to deliver different messages. Just duplicate the application and rename it appropriately. If the desired message is longer than 32 characters, type it into the Comments field. Otherwise, leave the Comments field blank and rename the application to the message that you want it to speak.
Known Problems
As delivered, I am a Talking File is set up to use a minimal amount of memory. However, this amount of memory may not be enough for complex voices, such as the MacinTalk Pro set of Bruce, Agnes, and Victoria. To use these large voices, give I am a Talking File more memory in its Get Info window.
Legal & Contact Information
I am a Talking File is volunteerware — that is, you are free to provide any kind of positive reinforcement to the programmer (grin) if you like his software. But seriously, at the very least, I would very much appreciate a short e-mail message if you like I am a Talking File and have decided to use it for yourself. This at least gives me an idea of how it is being received out there.
I give my permission to include I am a Talking File in any freeware or shareware CD. However, please inform me of your intention, so that I can keep track of which CDs contain my software.
Please direct all correspondence concerning I am a Talking File to: dondi@cs.ucla.edu. Enjoy!
