[Ham-Computers] Make Your Computer Talk!

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi All,

I have several synthetic speech devices that I am no longer using. They are 
the part of a "talking computer system" that actually does the speaking. 
Special software that reads the CRT is needed to "read the screen", either 
in DOS or in Windows!

I purchased all of these new. I will include what came with each item when I 
purchased it.

While these are usually associated with those who are totally blind, legally 
blind or print handicapped, they need NOT be so limited! For instance. 
Children learn to read faster and retain more of what was read when the 
visual aspect is complimented by audio reinforcement. They see the word and 
hear the word at the same time. Letting the computer read a document to you 
frees your visual field to do a different task at the same time. So you do 
not have to be vision impaired to benefit from such a product.

All devices will work with MS DOS, Windows DOS or Windows.

G.W. Micro 'Sounding Board'. New: $395 Internal board that requires an ISA 
slot. It has an external speaker with a volume control and headphone jack. 
Print manual and instructional cassette tape included. Asking $75 plus $8.10 
shipping

Accent SA: New $895 Connects to serial port COM#1 with supplied RS/232 
cable. It will operate on internal rechargeable battery or wall adapter. 
This has eighteen different rates of speech output and is the fastest speech 
unit made. Conversion time is instant! Rotating wheel for On/Off and volume 
level. Built-in speaker or headphone jack. About 6 long, 4 deep and 1.25 
high. Rear dip switch settings for baud selection and data bit interface. 
Totally self-contained! Includes print manual. Asking $150 plus $8.10 
shipping

Street Electronics: ECHO PC. New $225 Connects via serial port COM#1 with 
standard RS/232 cable, supplied. Uses a wall adapter for power, supplied. 
Has knob for On/Off and volume. Jack for internal speaker muting headphone. 
Dip switches on bottom for baud rate selection. Includes print manual. This 
is an early synthesizer, sounds robotic, but easily intelligible once one is 
familiar! Asking $20 plus $8.10 shipping Quanity: 2

I can supply a DOS screen reading program by former Henter-Joyce Inc. (Now 
Freedom Scientific Inc.) called JAWS For DOS at no cost. This is legal, as 
HJ released it for public use. I paid $495 for this program! It is an 
excellent screen reading program and will work on a system operating with 
the old MS DOS or the Windows DOS. It will NOT work with operating systems 
higher than Windows 98 Second Edition! A 3.5 inch drive is needed. If you 
want my entire original package, which includes the instructional cassettes, 
send me $25 and $8.10 for shipping.

You can do hundreds of different applications using DOS and do them with 
total control and user flexibility. DOS was, and is, far more functional for 
the blind than Windows ever was or will be! DOS = ASCII and Windows = GUI. 
Totally different! You must have a different screen reading program to read 
a DOS screen and a Windows screen! They are NOT interchangeable.

The JFW (JAWS For Windows) program currently sells for $895 NOT cheap!

If I can assist any of you in solving a handicapped use of computer issue, 
please do not hesitate to contact me. No promises, but chances are I can 
help to some extent.

Thanks!

Duane W8DBF
dfischer at usol.com