Not 100% sure this is the right place for this, oh well. Need some Text to Speech software for Mac OS 9 (iMac G3)

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2013, March 27 - 10:32pm

xereeto

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Joined: 2013 Mar 27

Not 100% sure this is the right place for this, oh well. Need some Text to Speech software for Mac OS 9 (iMac G3)

Hello!

I bought an iMac G3 a few days ago, it runs OS 9. I'm using it right now to type this (with Classilla). Anyway, this particular one doesn't have English Text to Speech software on it. It has Macintalk 3 and Pro installed, it just doesn't have the text to speech software. I've been searching all over to download it, but I can't find anything that looks like it'll work.

Does anybody on here know what I can do next, or what to download? I'd really like to get this Mac talking!

Thanks

~~~~~~~~~

xereeto

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2013, March 27 - 11:08pm

MikeTomTom

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Joined: 2009 Dec 7

If it has MacinTalk 3 & Pro, there should also be a folder named "Voices" in the Extensions Folder. This folder should contain a bunch of voices like "Agnes", "Bruce", "Fred" etc.

In the Control Panels folder there should also be a file named "Speech" where you can choose options for using a particular voice & talking alerts.

None of the above present? They get installed with the OS (but a "Custom Install" may omit). They will be on the OS install CD if not present. You should probably obtain only what was available in the OS installer CD too, I would guess. As they are a part of the system install.

If you don't have the original System disks for your G3 you might try the English Text to Speech software, available from Apple. It may work OK for you.

2013, March 27 - 11:23pm

(Reply to #2) #3

xereeto

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Joined: 2013 Mar 27

Thanks for the quick response!

Yes, the voices folder is there, but there's no speech control panel.

I don't have the System Disks because I got this mac second hand, but the download seems to be exactly what I'm looking for.

I'm not at home at the moment, but I'll post results when I get a chance.

Thanks again,

~~~~~~~

xereeto

2013, March 28 - 12:52am

(Reply to #3) #4

MikeTomTom

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Joined: 2009 Dec 7

Check the "Control Panels (Disabled)" folder, the Speech CP may be in there, not active. If it is, re-enable it via the "Extensions Manager" CP.

But this CP shouldn't be necessary just to hear text to speech (I would think). Its used for selecting voices & turning on/off dialog box speech.

It should only require a text to speech aware program to use. Have you tried the SimpleText program and tried to get that to read back the contents of a text document? Access text to speech via SimpleText's "Sound" menu. You can choose a suitable voice from there, too.

Anyways it'd be good to hear back what fixes the issue for you.

2013, March 28 - 9:22pm

(Reply to #4) #5

xereeto

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Joined: 2013 Mar 27

Installing the TTS and SR worked to an extent, I can now use SimpleText's voices. However, when I try to open the Speech CP now, I'm told:

"The application 'Speech' could not be opened because 'Speech' could not be found (-2,806)".

Any idea what that means?

Thanks

~~~~~~~~~~

xereeto

2013, March 28 - 10:19pm

(Reply to #4) #6

xereeto

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Joined: 2013 Mar 27

Installing the TTS and SR worked to an extent, I can now use SimpleText's voices. However, when I try to open the Speech CP now, I'm told:

"The application 'Speech' could not be opened because 'Speech' could not be found (-2,806)".

Any idea what that means?

Thanks

~~~~~~~~~~

xereeto

Never mind, fixed it by replacing the "Speech" CP item in the Control Panels folder with the one in the "Control Panels (Disabled)" folder.

2013, March 29 - 1:04am

(Reply to #8) #7

MikeTomTom

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Joined: 2009 Dec 7

I'm glad to hear that you've got it working properly now. Cheers.

2013, March 28 - 8:59pm

(Reply to #3) #8

xereeto

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Joined: 2013 Mar 27

Trying to reenable: error saying it needs TTS or Speech Recognition to be installed. SimpleText was the first thing I tried, entire menu is greyed out. About to try installing, will reply soon with results.

2013, March 28 - 9:07pm

xereeto

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Joined: 2013 Mar 27

Just installed it, it worked excellently. Now about to try the Speech Recognition.

Thank you!