new hardware

new hardware

[Laura Eaves]

Hello --
I just got my new DecTalk in the mail today -- wasn't going to get a 
hardware synth, but from the posts on this list, I deecided it would be a 
good idea.
Anyway, now I need a machine and would like to get a laptop if possible, but 
wanted to get recommendations first.
Is it hard to run linux on a laptop? Are there any added complexities 
running it with speakup?
What about drivers for the particular hardware? If you aren't able to 
connect to the net wethout a driver, I assume the driver has to be 
downloaded on another pc and transfered by CD or floppy, but does it have to 
be compiled for linux, or is that below the OS level so that it will run 
with any OS?
Sorry for the dumb questions, but I am a relative newbie on administrative 
issues.
Thanks in advance.
--le

Re: new hardware

[Ned]

Hi Laura,

So a brand new dec talk hardware synth is available from the company (DEC)
itself? How much money, if you don't mind?
I have identical problem. At school they are not sure how to deal with
accessible Linux for me so they were wondering do I have a laptop (I don't)
but I was eager to buy one if it is up to the task.
I'll be watching very closely answers on this one!

thanks for raising the question.
Ned
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Laura Eaves" <leaves1@carolina.rr.com>
To: <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 6:18 PM
Subject: new hardware


> Hello --
> I just got my new DecTalk in the mail today -- wasn't going to get a
> hardware synth, but from the posts on this list, I deecided it would be a
> good idea.
> Anyway, now I need a machine and would like to get a laptop if possible,
but
> wanted to get recommendations first.
> Is it hard to run linux on a laptop? Are there any added complexities
> running it with speakup?
> What about drivers for the particular hardware? If you aren't able to
> connect to the net wethout a driver, I assume the driver has to be
> downloaded on another pc and transfered by CD or floppy, but does it have
to
> be compiled for linux, or is that below the OS level so that it will run
> with any OS?
> Sorry for the dumb questions, but I am a relative newbie on administrative
> issues.
> Thanks in advance.
> --le
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer

[John McCann]

Hi Ned:

Yes, indeed, the DecTalk has been resurrected in a sleeker, mmore up-to-date 
iteration; supporting both USB and serial connections, which makes it fully 
backwards compatible.

Prior to december 31, 2004, Innovation Rehabilitation Technologies, Inc., (I 
R T I),  was offering it for $645. The current street price (on blind 
street, <smile.), is $695.

I recently purchased one, and, while you can't use it in USB mode under 
linux (at least not at the current time), it works fine under linux when 
using the serial cable. Even when using it in serial mode (as you 
necessarily will do when using linux), you will be able to use the USB cable 
to provide power to the unit, which obviates the need to rely on the 
user-replaceable standard 9-volt battery (which only gives you about an hour 
anyway) or worse yet, the stereotypically obnoxious and cumbersome wall 
wart.

For what it's worth, feel free to access my previous list post on this 
subject, posted December 8th, 2004, 3:08 pm EDT.

John




Hi Laura,

So a brand new dec talk hardware synth is available from the company (DEC)
itself? How much money, if you don't mind?
I have identical problem. At school they are not sure how to deal with
accessible Linux for me so they were wondering do I have a laptop (I don't)
but I was eager to buy one if it is up to the task.
I'll be watching very closely answers on this one!

thanks for raising the question.
Ned

Re: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer

[Laura Eaves]

Hey, I don't mean to advertize, but I bought my new dectalk for $650 from 
jerry@chirpingbat.com (it is an introductory price, he says, and may go up 
eventually, but it is the same as the $695 model.)
Go to the chirpingbat.com site and see what else he's offering.  I bought a 
wireless keyboard, but in truth, I have gone back to a wired version for 
various reasons -- it does work, but I don't need that kind of range, and I 
live where there's interference, and also I don't like the idea of my 
passwords and stuff being picked up by the people next door -- not that 
they'd care, or know when or how to retrieve it, but since I know this thing 
transmits 30 feet (he has another one with a 100 foot range) I figure 
anything is possible...
Take care.
--le

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John McCann" <lists@jamsite.us>
To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux." <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:10 PM
Subject: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer


Hi Ned:

Yes, indeed, the DecTalk has been resurrected in a sleeker, mmore up-to-date
iteration; supporting both USB and serial connections, which makes it fully
backwards compatible.

Prior to december 31, 2004, Innovation Rehabilitation Technologies, Inc., (I
R T I),  was offering it for $645. The current street price (on blind
street, <smile.), is $695.

I recently purchased one, and, while you can't use it in USB mode under
linux (at least not at the current time), it works fine under linux when
using the serial cable. Even when using it in serial mode (as you
necessarily will do when using linux), you will be able to use the USB cable
to provide power to the unit, which obviates the need to rely on the
user-replaceable standard 9-volt battery (which only gives you about an hour
anyway) or worse yet, the stereotypically obnoxious and cumbersome wall
wart.

For what it's worth, feel free to access my previous list post on this
subject, posted December 8th, 2004, 3:08 pm EDT.

John




Hi Laura,

So a brand new dec talk hardware synth is available from the company (DEC)
itself? How much money, if you don't mind?
I have identical problem. At school they are not sure how to deal with
accessible Linux for me so they were wondering do I have a laptop (I don't)
but I was eager to buy one if it is up to the task.
I'll be watching very closely answers on this one!

thanks for raising the question.
Ned




_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup 

Re: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer

[Ned]

Damnation!
That's more money than I paid for 14 credit hours this semester.
So it will work with a laptop on a serial port for 1H if running it on
battery?
I'd heard the dec talk long ago with Jaws and windows 98 and it was a very
solid voice quality. Does the good quality remains in case of Linux as well?
Sorry for being this inquisitive, but it seams to me more profitable to buy
a software synth for Linux if one is available. But I will have to buy this
one if no other solution is found

Many thanks for the responses!
Ned

It's an expensive business being blind.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Laura Eaves" <leaves1@carolina.rr.com>
To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux." <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:08 PM
Subject: Re: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer


> Hey, I don't mean to advertize, but I bought my new dectalk for $650 from
> jerry@chirpingbat.com (it is an introductory price, he says, and may go up
> eventually, but it is the same as the $695 model.)
> Go to the chirpingbat.com site and see what else he's offering.  I bought
a
> wireless keyboard, but in truth, I have gone back to a wired version for
> various reasons -- it does work, but I don't need that kind of range, and
I
> live where there's interference, and also I don't like the idea of my
> passwords and stuff being picked up by the people next door -- not that
> they'd care, or know when or how to retrieve it, but since I know this
thing
> transmits 30 feet (he has another one with a 100 foot range) I figure
> anything is possible...
> Take care.
> --le
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John McCann" <lists@jamsite.us>
> To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux."
<speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:10 PM
> Subject: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer
>
>
> Hi Ned:
>
> Yes, indeed, the DecTalk has been resurrected in a sleeker, mmore
up-to-date
> iteration; supporting both USB and serial connections, which makes it
fully
> backwards compatible.
>
> Prior to december 31, 2004, Innovation Rehabilitation Technologies, Inc.,
(I
> R T I),  was offering it for $645. The current street price (on blind
> street, <smile.), is $695.
>
> I recently purchased one, and, while you can't use it in USB mode under
> linux (at least not at the current time), it works fine under linux when
> using the serial cable. Even when using it in serial mode (as you
> necessarily will do when using linux), you will be able to use the USB
cable
> to provide power to the unit, which obviates the need to rely on the
> user-replaceable standard 9-volt battery (which only gives you about an
hour
> anyway) or worse yet, the stereotypically obnoxious and cumbersome wall
> wart.
>
> For what it's worth, feel free to access my previous list post on this
> subject, posted December 8th, 2004, 3:08 pm EDT.
>
> John
>
>
>
>
> Hi Laura,
>
> So a brand new dec talk hardware synth is available from the company (DEC)
> itself? How much money, if you don't mind?
> I have identical problem. At school they are not sure how to deal with
> accessible Linux for me so they were wondering do I have a laptop (I
don't)
> but I was eager to buy one if it is up to the task.
> I'll be watching very closely answers on this one!
>
> thanks for raising the question.
> Ned
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer

[John McCann]

Ned:

Yes, the good voice quality obtains.

Are you saying that your laptop doesn't have a USB port which could power 
the DecTalk USB? I'm out of my element here because I don't own or use a 
laptop, and, of course, the power you drew from the available (asuming it 
Is) laptop USB port would be taken from the laptop battery, but, at the end 
of the day, assuming you were near to a sourcee of  A.C. power, you'd be 
okay...though not portable.

The  voice quality of the DecTalk USB is identical to that of the earlier 
DecTalk iterations. You might be able to find used DecTalks on blinky "swap 
and shop" nets / posts.

John




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ned" <ngranic@cox.net>
To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux." <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Saturday, January 15, 2005 12:05 AM
Subject: Re: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer


> Damnation!
> That's more money than I paid for 14 credit hours this semester.
> So it will work with a laptop on a serial port for 1H if running it on
> battery?
> I'd heard the dec talk long ago with Jaws and windows 98 and it was a very
> solid voice quality. Does the good quality remains in case of Linux as 
> well?
> Sorry for being this inquisitive, but it seams to me more profitable to 
> buy
> a software synth for Linux if one is available. But I will have to buy 
> this
> one if no other solution is found
>
> Many thanks for the responses!
> Ned
>
> It's an expensive business being blind.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Laura Eaves" <leaves1@carolina.rr.com>
> To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux." 
> <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:08 PM
> Subject: Re: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer
>
>
>> Hey, I don't mean to advertize, but I bought my new dectalk for $650 from
>> jerry@chirpingbat.com (it is an introductory price, he says, and may go 
>> up
>> eventually, but it is the same as the $695 model.)
>> Go to the chirpingbat.com site and see what else he's offering.  I bought
> a
>> wireless keyboard, but in truth, I have gone back to a wired version for
>> various reasons -- it does work, but I don't need that kind of range, and
> I
>> live where there's interference, and also I don't like the idea of my
>> passwords and stuff being picked up by the people next door -- not that
>> they'd care, or know when or how to retrieve it, but since I know this
> thing
>> transmits 30 feet (he has another one with a 100 foot range) I figure
>> anything is possible...
>> Take care.
>> --le
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "John McCann" <lists@jamsite.us>
>> To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux."
> <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
>> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:10 PM
>> Subject: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer
>>
>>
>> Hi Ned:
>>
>> Yes, indeed, the DecTalk has been resurrected in a sleeker, mmore
> up-to-date
>> iteration; supporting both USB and serial connections, which makes it
> fully
>> backwards compatible.
>>
>> Prior to december 31, 2004, Innovation Rehabilitation Technologies, Inc.,
> (I
>> R T I),  was offering it for $645. The current street price (on blind
>> street, <smile.), is $695.
>>
>> I recently purchased one, and, while you can't use it in USB mode under
>> linux (at least not at the current time), it works fine under linux when
>> using the serial cable. Even when using it in serial mode (as you
>> necessarily will do when using linux), you will be able to use the USB
> cable
>> to provide power to the unit, which obviates the need to rely on the
>> user-replaceable standard 9-volt battery (which only gives you about an
> hour
>> anyway) or worse yet, the stereotypically obnoxious and cumbersome wall
>> wart.
>>
>> For what it's worth, feel free to access my previous list post on this
>> subject, posted December 8th, 2004, 3:08 pm EDT.
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Hi Laura,
>>
>> So a brand new dec talk hardware synth is available from the company 
>> (DEC)
>> itself? How much money, if you don't mind?
>> I have identical problem. At school they are not sure how to deal with
>> accessible Linux for me so they were wondering do I have a laptop (I
> don't)
>> but I was eager to buy one if it is up to the task.
>> I'll be watching very closely answers on this one!
>>
>> thanks for raising the question.
>> Ned
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Speakup mailing list
>> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
>> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Speakup mailing list
>> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
>> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> 

Re: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer

[Igor Gueths]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Speakup doesn't currently work with a USB synthesizer, only serial and internal. In terms of software synthesizers, check out www.freebsoft.org/speechd. You're not going to be able to use 
Speech-dispatcher and Speechd-up during a Linux install as of yet, however you can most definitely use it with the Speakup Sftsyn driver on a working system. 
On Fri, Jan 14, 2005 at 10:05:26PM -0700, Ned wrote:
> Damnation!
> That's more money than I paid for 14 credit hours this semester.
> So it will work with a laptop on a serial port for 1H if running it on
> battery?
> I'd heard the dec talk long ago with Jaws and windows 98 and it was a very
> solid voice quality. Does the good quality remains in case of Linux as well?
> Sorry for being this inquisitive, but it seams to me more profitable to buy
> a software synth for Linux if one is available. But I will have to buy this
> one if no other solution is found
> 
> Many thanks for the responses!
> Ned
> 
> It's an expensive business being blind.
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Laura Eaves" <leaves1@carolina.rr.com>
> To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux." <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
> Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:08 PM
> Subject: Re: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer
> 
> 
> > Hey, I don't mean to advertize, but I bought my new dectalk for $650 from
> > jerry@chirpingbat.com (it is an introductory price, he says, and may go up
> > eventually, but it is the same as the $695 model.)
> > Go to the chirpingbat.com site and see what else he's offering.  I bought
> a
> > wireless keyboard, but in truth, I have gone back to a wired version for
> > various reasons -- it does work, but I don't need that kind of range, and
> I
> > live where there's interference, and also I don't like the idea of my
> > passwords and stuff being picked up by the people next door -- not that
> > they'd care, or know when or how to retrieve it, but since I know this
> thing
> > transmits 30 feet (he has another one with a 100 foot range) I figure
> > anything is possible...
> > Take care.
> > --le
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "John McCann" <lists@jamsite.us>
> > To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux."
> <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
> > Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:10 PM
> > Subject: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer
> >
> >
> > Hi Ned:
> >
> > Yes, indeed, the DecTalk has been resurrected in a sleeker, mmore
> up-to-date
> > iteration; supporting both USB and serial connections, which makes it
> fully
> > backwards compatible.
> >
> > Prior to december 31, 2004, Innovation Rehabilitation Technologies, Inc.,
> (I
> > R T I),  was offering it for $645. The current street price (on blind
> > street, <smile.), is $695.
> >
> > I recently purchased one, and, while you can't use it in USB mode under
> > linux (at least not at the current time), it works fine under linux when
> > using the serial cable. Even when using it in serial mode (as you
> > necessarily will do when using linux), you will be able to use the USB
> cable
> > to provide power to the unit, which obviates the need to rely on the
> > user-replaceable standard 9-volt battery (which only gives you about an
> hour
> > anyway) or worse yet, the stereotypically obnoxious and cumbersome wall
> > wart.
> >
> > For what it's worth, feel free to access my previous list post on this
> > subject, posted December 8th, 2004, 3:08 pm EDT.
> >
> > John
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi Laura,
> >
> > So a brand new dec talk hardware synth is available from the company (DEC)
> > itself? How much money, if you don't mind?
> > I have identical problem. At school they are not sure how to deal with
> > accessible Linux for me so they were wondering do I have a laptop (I
> don't)
> > but I was eager to buy one if it is up to the task.
> > I'll be watching very closely answers on this one!
> >
> > thanks for raising the question.
> > Ned
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Speakup mailing list
> > Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> > http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> >
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

- -- 
"The answer to life, the universe, and everything is 42." -- Douglas Adams
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Re: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer

[W. Nick Dotson]

Right!  Me too.  And he'll keep you apprised about drivers and such, usually having neat links on his site Etc., and will even be an ombudsman for you with 
maker of stuff you buy from him if you get stuck.

Nick

On Fri, 14 Jan 2005 23:08:59 -0500, Laura Eaves wrote:

Hey, I don't mean to advertize, but I bought my new dectalk for $650 from 
jerry@chirpingbat.com (it is an introductory price, he says, and may go up 
eventually, but it is the same as the $695 model.)
Go to the chirpingbat.com site and see what else he's offering.  I bought a 
wireless keyboard, but in truth, I have gone back to a wired version for 
various reasons -- it does work, but I don't need that kind of range, and I 
live where there's interference, and also I don't like the idea of my 
passwords and stuff being picked up by the people next door -- not that 
they'd care, or know when or how to retrieve it, but since I know this thing 
transmits 30 feet (he has another one with a 100 foot range) I figure 
anything is possible...
Take care.
--le

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John McCann" <lists@jamsite.us>
To: "Speakup is a screen review system for Linux." <speakup@braille.uwo.ca>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:10 PM
Subject: The New DecTalk USB External Synthesizer


Hi Ned:

Yes, indeed, the DecTalk has been resurrected in a sleeker, mmore up-to-date
iteration; supporting both USB and serial connections, which makes it fully
backwards compatible.

Prior to december 31, 2004, Innovation Rehabilitation Technologies, Inc., (I
R T I),  was offering it for $645. The current street price (on blind
street, <smile.), is $695.

I recently purchased one, and, while you can't use it in USB mode under
linux (at least not at the current time), it works fine under linux when
using the serial cable. Even when using it in serial mode (as you
necessarily will do when using linux), you will be able to use the USB cable
to provide power to the unit, which obviates the need to rely on the
user-replaceable standard 9-volt battery (which only gives you about an hour
anyway) or worse yet, the stereotypically obnoxious and cumbersome wall
wart.

For what it's worth, feel free to access my previous list post on this
subject, posted December 8th, 2004, 3:08 pm EDT.

John




Hi Laura,

So a brand new dec talk hardware synth is available from the company (DEC)
itself? How much money, if you don't mind?
I have identical problem. At school they are not sure how to deal with
accessible Linux for me so they were wondering do I have a laptop (I don't)
but I was eager to buy one if it is up to the task.
I'll be watching very closely answers on this one!

thanks for raising the question.
Ned




_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup 


_______________________________________________
Speakup mailing list
Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup