Synthesizer issues

Synthesizer issues

[Bear in SFO]

Hello everyone

I came across some problems while using speakup and thought some of you 
might be able to solve my puzzles...

1)  I have both Braille n' Speak and Braille Lite.  Speakup works perfectly 
if I plug my BNS into the computer, but refuse to talk if I use my BLT.  Do 
they have different 'drivers'?

2)  A friend gave me an old Audaptor, so I tried using that to install on a 
new computer.  The speech box stops reading as soon as the Welcome screen 
pops up and won't talk after that point.  Any one any clue?

3)  I might get a more permanant speech box (the speaker in the BNS is 
starting to crack and it is making this annoying humming noise).  Where is 
the synthesizer info kept in the system?

I hope I am not throwing too many questions at one time, and thanks for all 
your suggestions!!!

--David

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Deedra Waters]

I'm not sure why you're having problems with the braille lite. I use mine
in class, and have no  problems.



On Tue, 10 Sep 2002, Bear in SFO wrote:

>
> Hello everyone
>
> I came across some problems while using speakup and thought some of you
> might be able to solve my puzzles...
>
> 1)  I have both Braille n' Speak and Braille Lite.  Speakup works perfectly
> if I plug my BNS into the computer, but refuse to talk if I use my BLT.  Do
> they have different 'drivers'?
>
> 2)  A friend gave me an old Audaptor, so I tried using that to install on a
> new computer.  The speech box stops reading as soon as the Welcome screen
> pops up and won't talk after that point.  Any one any clue?
>
> 3)  I might get a more permanant speech box (the speaker in the BNS is
> starting to crack and it is making this annoying humming noise).  Where is
> the synthesizer info kept in the system?
>
> I hope I am not throwing too many questions at one time, and thanks for all
> your suggestions!!!
>
> --David
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: Synthesizer issues

[William F. Acker WB2FLW +1-303-777-8123]

Hi,

     I think I can solve the Audapter problem, at least.  There's a 
problem with the Audapter and Speakup that can be worked around by 
pressing the zero +enter key on the numeric keypad.  This rarely happens 
in normal use, but the boot-up messages are a bit too much for the 
Audapter and its driver.


          HTH.
-- 
          Bill in Denver


On Tue, 10 Sep 2002, Bear in SFO wrote:

> 
> Hello everyone
> 
> I came across some problems while using speakup and thought some of you 
> might be able to solve my puzzles...
> 
> 1)  I have both Braille n' Speak and Braille Lite.  Speakup works perfectly 
> if I plug my BNS into the computer, but refuse to talk if I use my BLT.  Do 
> they have different 'drivers'?
> 
> 2)  A friend gave me an old Audaptor, so I tried using that to install on a 
> new computer.  The speech box stops reading as soon as the Welcome screen 
> pops up and won't talk after that point.  Any one any clue?
> 
> 3)  I might get a more permanant speech box (the speaker in the BNS is 
> starting to crack and it is making this annoying humming noise).  Where is 
> the synthesizer info kept in the system?
> 
> I hope I am not throwing too many questions at one time, and thanks for all 
> your suggestions!!!
> 
> --David
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
> 

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Bear in SFO]

I called Freedom Scientific regarding this.  Apparently (at least for 
Windows machines) BNS and BLT use different TTS drivers.  Of course, they 
don't support linux (the tech support guy told me he is not a techie and 
thus dunno what to suggest)


--David

At 10:50 PM 9/10/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>I'm not sure why you're having problems with the braille lite. I use mine
>in class, and have no  problems.
>
>
>
>On Tue, 10 Sep 2002, Bear in SFO wrote:
>
> >
> > Hello everyone
> >
> > I came across some problems while using speakup and thought some of you
> > might be able to solve my puzzles...
> >
> > 1)  I have both Braille n' Speak and Braille Lite.  Speakup works perfectly
> > if I plug my BNS into the computer, but refuse to talk if I use my BLT.  Do
> > they have different 'drivers'?
> >
> > 2)  A friend gave me an old Audaptor, so I tried using that to install on a
> > new computer.  The speech box stops reading as soon as the Welcome screen
> > pops up and won't talk after that point.  Any one any clue?
> >
> > 3)  I might get a more permanant speech box (the speaker in the BNS is
> > starting to crack and it is making this annoying humming noise).  Where is
> > the synthesizer info kept in the system?
> >
> > I hope I am not throwing too many questions at one time, and thanks for all
> > your suggestions!!!
> >
> > --David
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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: Synthesizer issues

[Bear in SFO]

Thanks, I will give it a try this weekend...

--David

At 09:39 PM 9/10/2002 -0600, you wrote:
>Hi,
>
>      I think I can solve the Audapter problem, at least.  There's a
>problem with the Audapter and Speakup that can be worked around by
>pressing the zero +enter key on the numeric keypad.  This rarely happens
>in normal use, but the boot-up messages are a bit too much for the
>Audapter and its driver.
>
>
>           HTH.
>--
>           Bill in Denver
>
>
>On Tue, 10 Sep 2002, Bear in SFO wrote:
>
> >
> > Hello everyone
> >
> > I came across some problems while using speakup and thought some of you
> > might be able to solve my puzzles...
> >
> > 1)  I have both Braille n' Speak and Braille Lite.  Speakup works 
> perfectly
> > if I plug my BNS into the computer, but refuse to talk if I use my 
> BLT.  Do
> > they have different 'drivers'?
> >
> > 2)  A friend gave me an old Audaptor, so I tried using that to install 
> on a
> > new computer.  The speech box stops reading as soon as the Welcome screen
> > pops up and won't talk after that point.  Any one any clue?
> >
> > 3)  I might get a more permanant speech box (the speaker in the BNS is
> > starting to crack and it is making this annoying humming noise).  Where is
> > the synthesizer info kept in the system?
> >
> > I hope I am not throwing too many questions at one time, and thanks for 
> all
> > your suggestions!!!
> >
> > --David
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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: Synthesizer issues

[Cheryl Homiak]

Hi Davd and all.
Are you using speech box mode for the braillelite chord-ar chord-p?

Cheryl

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Bear in SFO]

I did ar-chord then for-chord...  I wonder if the different in command 
makes a difference - let me run over and try it...

--David

At 11:03 PM 9/10/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi Davd and all.
>Are you using speech box mode for the braillelite chord-ar chord-p?
>
>Cheryl
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Speakup mailing list
>Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
>http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Gregory Nowak]

What I find interesting about FS is that a good number of their tech support staff don't seem to be technically inclined. This brings up the question of what are they doing in "tech" support in the first place?
Greg


On Tue, Sep 10, 2002 at 08:59:47PM -0700, Bear in SFO wrote:
> 
> I called Freedom Scientific regarding this.  Apparently (at least for 
> Windows machines) BNS and BLT use different TTS drivers.  Of course, they 
> don't support linux (the tech support guy told me he is not a techie and 
> thus dunno what to suggest)
> 
> 
> --David
> 

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Igor Gueths]

Hi. Its too bad that the bns/blt don't tell you the firmware versions they
are running. The ui is the same, however what about the firmware? What
distro are you using of Linux? Bc I know that some versions of RH (don't
know if its 7.2) default to a graphical login. If you disable this in
.profile you should be fine. What it esentially does is start a session of
Xwindows (xfree86). And in terms of the audapter, does it stop talking in
the same place?

microsoft dialogue
   This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
   If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
   close button

On Tue, 10 Sep 2002, Bear in SFO wrote:

>
> Hello everyone
>
> I came across some problems while using speakup and thought some of you
> might be able to solve my puzzles...
>
> 1)  I have both Braille n' Speak and Braille Lite.  Speakup works perfectly
> if I plug my BNS into the computer, but refuse to talk if I use my BLT.  Do
> they have different 'drivers'?
>
> 2)  A friend gave me an old Audaptor, so I tried using that to install on a
> new computer.  The speech box stops reading as soon as the Welcome screen
> pops up and won't talk after that point.  Any one any clue?
>
> 3)  I might get a more permanant speech box (the speaker in the BNS is
> starting to crack and it is making this annoying humming noise).  Where is
> the synthesizer info kept in the system?
>
> I hope I am not throwing too many questions at one time, and thanks for all
> your suggestions!!!
>
> --David
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Gregory Nowak]

p-chord and r will give you the revision of your current bns/blt software.
Greg


On Wed, Sep 11, 2002 at 03:43:25PM -0400, Igor Gueths wrote:
> Hi. Its too bad that the bns/blt don't tell you the firmware versions they
> are running. The ui is the same, however what about the firmware? What
> distro are you using of Linux? Bc I know that some versions of RH (don't
> know if its 7.2) default to a graphical login. If you disable this in
> .profile you should be fine. What it esentially does is start a session of
> Xwindows (xfree86). And in terms of the audapter, does it stop talking in
> the same place?
> 
> microsoft dialogue
>    This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
>    If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
>    close button
> 

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Bear in SFO]

The BNS is a 640 and is running December 31, 1997 revision.  The BLT is a 
M20 running June 20, 2002 revision.  The linux box is running RH 7.3 with 
Speakup on run level 3.  Yes the Audaptor stops at the same place every 
time - as soon as the welcome screen comes up.

I am looking for a 'previously owned' hardware synthesizer too - support by 
JAWS not a requirement but nice if it is.  Thanks!!!

--David

At 03:43 PM 9/11/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi. Its too bad that the bns/blt don't tell you the firmware versions they
>are running. The ui is the same, however what about the firmware? What
>distro are you using of Linux? Bc I know that some versions of RH (don't
>know if its 7.2) default to a graphical login. If you disable this in
>.profile you should be fine. What it esentially does is start a session of
>Xwindows (xfree86). And in terms of the audapter, does it stop talking in
>the same place?
>
>microsoft dialogue
>    This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
>    If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
>    close button
>
>On Tue, 10 Sep 2002, Bear in SFO wrote:
>
> >
> > Hello everyone
> >
> > I came across some problems while using speakup and thought some of you
> > might be able to solve my puzzles...
> >
> > 1)  I have both Braille n' Speak and Braille Lite.  Speakup works perfectly
> > if I plug my BNS into the computer, but refuse to talk if I use my BLT.  Do
> > they have different 'drivers'?
> >
> > 2)  A friend gave me an old Audaptor, so I tried using that to install on a
> > new computer.  The speech box stops reading as soon as the Welcome screen
> > pops up and won't talk after that point.  Any one any clue?
> >
> > 3)  I might get a more permanant speech box (the speaker in the BNS is
> > starting to crack and it is making this annoying humming noise).  Where is
> > the synthesizer info kept in the system?
> >
> > I hope I am not throwing too many questions at one time, and thanks for all
> > your suggestions!!!
> >
> > --David
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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: Synthesizer issues

[Gregory Nowak]

Note that the m20 units do not support speechbox mode, only braille. This means that you can forget about using the blt with speakup.
Greg


On Wed, Sep 11, 2002 at 07:02:20PM -0700, Bear in SFO wrote:
> 
> The BNS is a 640 and is running December 31, 1997 revision.  The BLT is a 
> M20 running June 20, 2002 revision.  The linux box is running RH 7.3 with 
> Speakup on run level 3.  Yes the Audaptor stops at the same place every 
> time - as soon as the welcome screen comes up.
> 
> I am looking for a 'previously owned' hardware synthesizer too - support by 
> JAWS not a requirement but nice if it is.  Thanks!!!
> 
> --David
> 

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Bear in SFO]

Oh great!  Thanks for the tip, I guess it's time to look for a REAL 
synthesizer...

--David

At 11:06 PM 9/11/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Note that the m20 units do not support speechbox mode, only braille. This 
>means that you can forget about using the blt with speakup.
>Greg
>
>
>On Wed, Sep 11, 2002 at 07:02:20PM -0700, Bear in SFO wrote:
> >
> > The BNS is a 640 and is running December 31, 1997 revision.  The BLT is a
> > M20 running June 20, 2002 revision.  The linux box is running RH 7.3 with
> > Speakup on run level 3.  Yes the Audaptor stops at the same place every
> > time - as soon as the welcome screen comes up.
> >
> > I am looking for a 'previously owned' hardware synthesizer too - 
> support by
> > JAWS not a requirement but nice if it is.  Thanks!!!
> >
> > --David
> >
>
>_______________________________________________
>Speakup mailing list
>Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
>http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Igor Gueths]

Hi. It could be the case in the audapter driver mentioned earlier (too
much data for the driver), or it could be that your Blt has too new of a
revision and is not supported by the bns driver? What was the latest
version of bns/blt firmware at compile-time of the bns driver? Bc I think
we might be looking at spec changes in the 2002 firmware upgrade of the
blt.

microsoft dialogue
   This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
   If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
   close button

On Wed, 11 Sep 2002, Bear in SFO wrote:

>
> The BNS is a 640 and is running December 31, 1997 revision.  The BLT is a
> M20 running June 20, 2002 revision.  The linux box is running RH 7.3 with
> Speakup on run level 3.  Yes the Audaptor stops at the same place every
> time - as soon as the welcome screen comes up.
>
> I am looking for a 'previously owned' hardware synthesizer too - support by
> JAWS not a requirement but nice if it is.  Thanks!!!
>
> --David
>
> At 03:43 PM 9/11/2002 -0400, you wrote:
> >Hi. Its too bad that the bns/blt don't tell you the firmware versions they
> >are running. The ui is the same, however what about the firmware? What
> >distro are you using of Linux? Bc I know that some versions of RH (don't
> >know if its 7.2) default to a graphical login. If you disable this in
> >.profile you should be fine. What it esentially does is start a session of
> >Xwindows (xfree86). And in terms of the audapter, does it stop talking in
> >the same place?
> >
> >microsoft dialogue
> >    This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
> >    If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
> >    close button
> >
> >On Tue, 10 Sep 2002, Bear in SFO wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Hello everyone
> > >
> > > I came across some problems while using speakup and thought some of you
> > > might be able to solve my puzzles...
> > >
> > > 1)  I have both Braille n' Speak and Braille Lite.  Speakup works perfectly
> > > if I plug my BNS into the computer, but refuse to talk if I use my BLT.  Do
> > > they have different 'drivers'?
> > >
> > > 2)  A friend gave me an old Audaptor, so I tried using that to install on a
> > > new computer.  The speech box stops reading as soon as the Welcome screen
> > > pops up and won't talk after that point.  Any one any clue?
> > >
> > > 3)  I might get a more permanant speech box (the speaker in the BNS is
> > > starting to crack and it is making this annoying humming noise).  Where is
> > > the synthesizer info kept in the system?
> > >
> > > I hope I am not throwing too many questions at one time, and thanks for all
> > > your suggestions!!!
> > >
> > > --David
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > 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: Synthesizer issues

[Igor Gueths]

Hi. Well I've never thought about purchasing a Blt, now I will never do
it!

microsoft dialogue
   This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
   If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
   close button

On Wed, 11 Sep 2002, Gregory Nowak wrote:

> Note that the m20 units do not support speechbox mode, only braille. This means that you can forget about using the blt with speakup.
> Greg
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 11, 2002 at 07:02:20PM -0700, Bear in SFO wrote:
> >
> > The BNS is a 640 and is running December 31, 1997 revision.  The BLT is a
> > M20 running June 20, 2002 revision.  The linux box is running RH 7.3 with
> > Speakup on run level 3.  Yes the Audaptor stops at the same place every
> > time - as soon as the welcome screen comes up.
> >
> > I am looking for a 'previously owned' hardware synthesizer too - support by
> > JAWS not a requirement but nice if it is.  Thanks!!!
> >
> > --David
> >
>
> _______________________________________________
> Speakup mailing list
> Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
> http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
>

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Gregory Nowak]

The pre m20/m40 braille lites do support speech box mode as far as I know. I think FS is still selling their original blt 18/40, but don't know for sure.
Greg


On Thu, Sep 12, 2002 at 02:50:16PM -0400, Igor Gueths wrote:
> Hi. Well I've never thought about purchasing a Blt, now I will never do
> it!
> 
> microsoft dialogue
>    This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
>    If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
>    close button
> 

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Bear in SFO]

Yes FS still sells the original BLT 18 and BLT 40, and they are the same 
price as the M20 and the M40.  The BNS/BLT has been around for so long they 
became a standard, but if you ask me for recommendation, I'd say "Get the 
Braille Notes!!"

Now anyone wants to sell their old Blazie products?!

--David

At 03:30 PM 9/12/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>The pre m20/m40 braille lites do support speech box mode as far as I know. 
>I think FS is still selling their original blt 18/40, but don't know for sure.
>Greg
>
>
>On Thu, Sep 12, 2002 at 02:50:16PM -0400, Igor Gueths wrote:
> > Hi. Well I've never thought about purchasing a Blt, now I will never do
> > it!
> >
> > microsoft dialogue
> >    This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
> >    If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
> >    close button
> >
>
>_______________________________________________
>Speakup mailing list
>Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
>http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Igor Gueths]

The braillenotes don't run Linux! I wish they did, it could use a version
of Lynx installed on its ramdisk.

microsoft dialogue
   This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
   If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
   close button

On Thu, 12 Sep 2002, Bear in SFO wrote:

>
> Yes FS still sells the original BLT 18 and BLT 40, and they are the same
> price as the M20 and the M40.  The BNS/BLT has been around for so long they
> became a standard, but if you ask me for recommendation, I'd say "Get the
> Braille Notes!!"
>
> Now anyone wants to sell their old Blazie products?!
>
> --David
>
> At 03:30 PM 9/12/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >The pre m20/m40 braille lites do support speech box mode as far as I know.
> >I think FS is still selling their original blt 18/40, but don't know for sure.
> >Greg
> >
> >
> >On Thu, Sep 12, 2002 at 02:50:16PM -0400, Igor Gueths wrote:
> > > Hi. Well I've never thought about purchasing a Blt, now I will never do
> > > it!
> > >
> > > microsoft dialogue
> > >    This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
> > >    If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
> > >    close button
> > >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >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: Synthesizer issues

[Gregory Nowak]

No, but the alba seems to. I actually asked the pdh support person during one of their chat sessions why they went with windblows and not Linux. His answer was that going with windblows meant that macroslop activesync would be available, and his final punch was that windblows "is the mainstream operating system".
Greg


On Fri, Sep 13, 2002 at 02:40:28PM -0400, Igor Gueths wrote:
> The braillenotes don't run Linux! I wish they did, it could use a version
> of Lynx installed on its ramdisk.
> 
> microsoft dialogue
>    This company has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down.
>    If the problem persists, delete winblows and install linux
>    close button
> 

Re: Synthesizer issues

[Bear in SFO]

Let me see if I understand what this is all about...

1)  The BNS and the BLT use the same driver.  However, since the M20 does 
not support sound output on its speech box mode I would never get speech 
out of it...

2)  The startup messages are too much for the Audaptor, but can be work 
around by holding Keypad-0 + Keypad-Enter while the computer starts...

3)  Nobody addressed this problem so I am still totally in the dark on this...

Please correct me if I am wrong and if you have anything to 
add/subtract/modify please let me know :)

Cheers!!

--David

At 07:39 PM 9/10/2002 -0700, I wrote:

>Hello everyone
>
>I came across some problems while using speakup and thought some of you 
>might be able to solve my puzzles...
>
>1)  I have both Braille n' Speak and Braille Lite.  Speakup works 
>perfectly if I plug my BNS into the computer, but refuse to talk if I use 
>my BLT.  Do they have different 'drivers'?
>
>2)  A friend gave me an old Audaptor, so I tried using that to install on 
>a new computer.  The speech box stops reading as soon as the Welcome 
>screen pops up and won't talk after that point.  Any one any clue?
>
>3)  I might get a more permanant speech box (the speaker in the BNS is 
>starting to crack and it is making this annoying humming noise).  Where is 
>the synthesizer info kept in the system?
>
>I hope I am not throwing too many questions at one time, and thanks for 
>all your suggestions!!!
>
>--David
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Speakup mailing list
>Speakup@braille.uwo.ca
>http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup

Previously owned synthesizers...

[Bear in SFO]

I am still interested in obtaining a 'previously owned' hardware 
synthesizer for my linux box - if anyone got one that they are not using, 
or know where I can find such an item please let me know...

Thanks!!!

--David