Hi Sue, I think this should go on the database M ----- Original Message ----- From: Simon Judge To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 4:10 PM Subject: Speechmakers Project - Free software! Hi. We have recently started a project called Speechmakers - with the objective of designing software to enable communication and computer access. The project is an 'open-source' project and the software is to be released under a 'free software' license - in non techno-babble this means that the software will be developed by volunteers over the internet, be free to redistribute and free to download. This isn't pie in the sky - we have just released our first bit of software (free to download now). This software provides automatic narration of PowerPoint presentations and may be of use to those who have difficulty communicating or for visually impaired users. You can get it by following the link at the bottom of this email. This is very much a fledgling project - although we are now applying for funding to employ a coder to develop a core set of software which can be built upon by the volunteers. One of the core values of the project (and of the organisation I work for) is that the software will be designed for specific needs - and this is one of the great things about Open Source Software - it allows innovation, experimentation and also a very straight line from the client to the designer. We have also obtained agreement from a prominent organisation to obtain feedback and advice on the software from their students. The software would be in three sections - input (e.g. on-screen-keyboards etc...), processing (e.g. prediction) and output (e.g. Speech synthesis)... this leaves massive scope for innovation and application of current technologies and research. Anyway, i'd be interested in opinions, criticisms, abuse, enthusiasm, offers of support, money, Nobel prizes, or any other comments... either to the list or direct email. Sorry for the long mail, hope y'all stuck with it and I have made sense. Best Regards, Simon Links: Speechmakers: www.speechmakers.org Download page: www.meru.org.uk/speechmakers/downloads.html Discussion page: http://www.meru.org.uk/twiki/bin/view/Speechmakers/WebHome Interesting Speech Synthesis Demos: http://www.cstr.ed.ac.uk/projects/festival/demos.html (some of these are a great improvement (?) on conventional windows SAPI or DECTalk - and implementing the code for these is probably on of the next parts of the project). P.S. This is a great mailing list, are there any others anyone knows of on similar subjects? Simon Judge Electronic Engineer MEng [log in to unmask] 020 8770 8283 http://www.meru.org.uk MERU 8 Damson Way Orchard Hill Carshalton Surrey SM5 4NR 020 8770 8398 (fax) Registered Charity Number: 269804 Company Limited by Guarantee Number: 1214125