SOFTWARE DREAMS ON THE WEB AND NET
* READ TO ME *
FOR NETSCAPE AND EXPLORER
AND
SOUNDSCAPE FOR NETSCAPE.

* SoundScape version 1.0 (tm)* was developed and distributed Free by the Technology Access Laboratory of the Dublin Institute of Technology. No longer in Beta Development SoundScape is available to * Download Free * from Barry Redmond's web site at the Dublin Institute. SoundScape is a software package which recognises text on a worldwide web page and provides speech output. To run SoundScape you need the following minimum configuration:

  1. PC, 486/66+ MHz [or better], 8MB RAM [or more].
  2. 3 MB hard disk free space.
  3. Creative Labs' Soundblaster [16 Pro] card.
  4. Creative Labs' Text Assist.
  5. Microsoft Windows 3.1+ or MS Windows 95+.
  6. Netscape Navigator Versions: 1.1 [and later].
  7. The Soundblaster [16 Pro] with "ADSP" included Text Assist software.
  8. Without Text Assist, SoundScape will not give text to speech voice output.
  9. Sorry to say, if your Creative Labs SoundBlaster Card came with Monologue For Windows [or other TTS] software, your card will not support Text Assist.
  10. Creative Labs Web Site: http://creaf.com/
  11. Call Creative Labs 1-800-998-1000 for Sales.

Although SoundScape runs on a 486/ 60+ MHz, it is built to take advantage of higher processor power. Soundscape runs best on a 100+ MHz [or faster] "Pentium" class computer.

Request SuperAdaptoid Assisted Download: Due to transmission distance you can request a copy be sent to your email address. Use this link to request Soundscape.zip by Email:

* adaptoid@teleport.com *


READ TO ME FOR NETSCAPE AND EXPLORER

Read To Me (TM) was developed by the Hawaii Education Literacy Project. A non-profit organization devoted to promoting literacy by making the reading of electronic text an easier and more pleasurable experience. The use of their first effort, Read To Me, a Windows®-based reading tool, is Free Of Charge.

Read To Me a Clipboard text reader will be loaded and read aloud automatically when you start the program. You may open and have files with the .txt, .doc, .html and .bok file extensions read aloud from inside the your browser program. Read To Me requires:

  1. PCs 386 DX [and higher].
  2. At least 4MB RAM (of course more is better).
  3. MS Windows 3.1+ to 95+.
  4. 3 MB hard disk open space.
  5. A sound card and speaker(s).

A LIBRARY of 500+ individual books, may be automatically downloaded and read aloud after the book’s title has been selected from the pull-down index above the reading window. Text may be read aloud (with menu selection) from ENGLISH or HAWAIIAN syntax. Five Cartoon Talking Head Icons can be selected as reading Companions for sighted children.




COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

Both SoundScape and Read To Me browser applications claim functionality under MS Windows 3.1, 3.11, and 95+. It is recommended that low - to - no vision users have sighted assistance when installing and configuring these programs. The degree of program functionality will be determined by the User's ability. Physically Disabled Users should note that Assistance may be necessary for installation and initial operations. For those unfamiliar with text- to- speech, screen readers and speech synthesizers, note the following:

  1. Why use a Browser Text To Speech Attachment? Unlike general Text To Speech Screen Readers which read Everything On The Screen. These Browser Attachments only read text inside the active browser screen. Rather than wondering out side of the Browser, reading icon buttoms.
  2. Hearing speech read, is always slower than sight reading. This has nothing to do with computer ability to output the rate of speech. But it has to do with your personal ability to process speech. You will never be able to hear speech as fast as sighted reading.
  3. Synthesized speech is artficial machine speech. Even the best of "natural" computer generated speech is still synthesized. It is easier to adjust your ear than to improve machine speech.
  4. Screen graphics displays can slow the browser's loading process. Which may further slow the loading of the speech process. You may want to set your browser's "Preferences" to LOAD TEXT BEFORE GRAPHICS. Additionally you may wish to use the WAB Proxy Site at Stanford University to strip graphics out or your screen displays.

SUGGESTION:
When testing ANY demonstration software in MS Windows it is suggested that:

  1. An "UNINSTALL" program/utility be used.
  2. Even if the program to be installed has an un-install function.
  3. To be fail- safe, get your own independent uninstall program.
  4. Backup copies of win.ini, system.ini, progman.ini to be held "on floppy".
  5. A zipped copy of the demonstration software should be stored "off disk".

Report * DEAD LINKS * Here | Submit * NEW LINKS * Here
Use Your Browser To Return

GOOD SURFING AND ENJOY!
SUPERADAPTOID.

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01-01-98