How to Make Ubuntu Linux Talk

This article is intended for users of Ubuntu Linux 7.04. It shows you how to make your computer read to you!

Background

Do your eyes get tired of reading sometimes? Mine do. When I once used Microsoft Windows as my primary desktop operating system, I had a program called TextAloud that I used for making my computer read text to me. After moving to Ubuntu Linux (which I now use exclusively), I discovered that I didn't have to leave this wonderful functionality behind and didn't have to purchase some new solution.

Instructions

Install the Festival Package.

1. Open the Synaptic Package Manager by navigating from your "System" menu: System | Administration | Synaptic Package Manager.
2. You'll be prompted for your password, enter it and press enter.
3. Click the "Search" button and type "festival" into the search box, then click the search button below.
4. You'll see an alphabetical listing of packages. Right click on the first "Festival" package, and select "Mark for Installation".
5. Now click the "Apply" button. Festival will be downloaded and installed.

Install kttsmgr

1. From your Ubuntu "Applications" menu, select "Add/Remove". This will bring up the "Add/Remove Applications" manager.
2. Select the "Accessibility" category from the left pane.
3. Now, click the check box next to the "kttsmgr" application listing in the top-right pane.
4. Click the "OK" button. This will install kttsmgr, and make it available in your Ubuntu menu at: Applications|Accessibility|kttsmgr

Make kttsmgr Ready-to-Go Each Time You Login (optional)

1. From your Ubuntu "System" menu, select: Preferences|Sessions. This will bring up the Sessions manager.
2. Click the "New" button. The "Add StartUp Program" dialog will appear.
3. Type "kttsmgr" in the "Name" textbox, and "/usr/bin/kttsmgr --systray" into the "Command" text box (no quotes on either).
4. Click "OK" and then "Close". Now kttsmgr will start minimized (in your status tray by the clock) each time you login.
5. Now, to test our work, bookmark this article (haha and don't forget to digg it), then logout of Ubuntu and then log back in. If we did everything right, a little parrot icon should be resting in the status tray (by the clock).

Configure kttsmgr

1. If kttsmgr isn't already running (indicated by a parrot icon in your status try), open it from the Ubuntu menu bar: Applications|Accessibility|kttsmgr.
2. The first time I started kttsmgr, I believe it automatically asked me to select a voice. However, to do this, you simply select the "Talker" tab. kttsmgr will now search for a list of voices provided by Festival. Simply select one from the list, and then click "OK".

Using kttsmgr

Ok, make sure your speakers have volume. Simply highlight this paragraph (that you are currently reading). Then, hit "ctrl-c" on your keyboard (or alternatively you can right-click on "that which you've highlighted" and select "copy"). Now, the text of this paragraph is in your computer's clipboard memory. Right click on the parrot (in your system tray) and click "Speak Clipboard Contents" from the context menu. Your computer should read this paragraph aloud. Congratulations, you have a reading partner!

Bonus

How would you like to *listen* to incoming instant messages? It's easy to set up; go here:

• http://www.howtoadvice.com/ListenToIM/

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