lamp2@ihlpa.UUCP (Roberts) (01/06/87)
[] Last night I was trying out the MacStartup that was posted to the net. I read the documentation which said place MacinTalk in the directory and the thing will talk. Well I found MacinTalk somewhere and sure enough the thing talks. Now I have become curious and am seeking answers to the following: 1) What is MacinTalk? It does not appear to be a stand alone application. 2) Where can I find information which will inform me of how I can use MacinTalk in my own applications? 3) Is this thing "plug-able"? Can I replace it with another MacinTalk and have a feminine voice? Are there such things around or I am stuck with this voice (each Mac should have its own unique voice)? Thanks in advance for your help. Ken Heitke ihnp4!ihlpe!kah120
brian@daimi.UUCP (02/09/87)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: MacinTalk Expires: References: Sender: Reply-To: brian@daimi.UUCP () Followup-To: Distribution: world Organization: DAIMI: Computer Science Department, Aarhus University, Denmark Keywords: Help!We want to make Macintalk say things in Danish,Arabic,Tuereg.... not just American so we need to know exactly where the waveforms for the individual letters are kept(so we can replace them by other waveforms).We have written to Apple ,but they say that noone supports Macintalk anymore.We would be grateful if anyone can help,tell of their experiences for Macintalk in other languages....... Brian Mayoh
cc@ucla-cs.UUCP (02/19/87)
In answer to your question regarding phoneme waveforms in Macintalk, there are none. The phonemes are generated algorithmically from parameters. Replacing the phoneme inventory by substituting new parameters (there are about a dozen for each phoneme) can be done, but the results will not be satisfactory. This is because phonemes do not exist in isolation. Although each phoneme in Macintalk is initially described by a few parameters, there are literally hundreds of phonological rules which are applied to the phoneme string to modify these parameters given some phonemic context. In addition, there are sentence/utterance level supersegmentals (such as pitch contour) which differ from language to language. Clearly, Macintalk is designed to handle American English; trying to modify it to handle other languages is possible, but reasonable results will only happen with an holistic approach. Also, don't forget that the Reader program would have to be modified to correctly translate a foreign language's orthography to a phoneme string. Regarding your second comment about Apple's lack of support for Macintalk, alas this is true. Apple does not want to support Macintalk because they don't have source code. When we originally contracted with Apple, they were offered an exclusive and source code license which they declined. Now they complain. We (Mark Barton and I, the authors of Macintalk) are currently talking to Apple regarding an arrangement whereby we will support Macintalk. Hopefully, we can come to some deal on this as I personally would like to see Macintalk fully supported. To those of you out there trying to get Macintalk to speak a foreign language, I wish you luck, but remember: the phoneme inventory is a very small part of a language. The real work is in developing the necessary phonological rules to handle transitions, durations, phoneme transformations, pitch contour, etc, etc, etc.
han@apple.UUCP (Byron Han) (11/24/87)
The current version of Macintalk is 1.31 (7/29/87) which supports 68020 machines. It is available from APDA. The disk includes a MPW tool to "say" files along with some examples and interface files. /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/ /* NOTE: I am _NOT_ an Apple representative. All statements and opinions */ /* are my own and are _not_ to be construed as any official Apple position. */ /* Byron B. Han UUCP: {sun,voder,nsc,mtxinu,dual}!apple!han */ /* Apple Computer, Inc. CSNET: han@apple.csnet */ /* 20525 Mariani Ave MS 27Y GENIE: BYRONHAN CSERVE: 72167,1664 */ /* Cupertino, CA 95014 ATTNet: 408-973-6450 APPLELINK: HAN1 */ /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
ZSQY@CRNLVAX5.BITNET (03/04/88)
I'm trying to find the latest version of Macintalk (I think it's 1.31 or something), but it doesn't seem to be at sumex-aim or macserve@pucc. Is there someplace I can the file via anonymous ftp or bitnet? Thanks a lot Phil Gross zsqy@crnlvax5.bitnet zsqy@vax5.ccs.cornell.edu
hammen@csd4.milw.wisc.edu (Robert Joseph Hammen) (03/10/88)
>I'm trying to find the latest version of Macintalk (I think it's 1.31 or >something), but it doesn't seem to be at sumex-aim or macserve@pucc. Is This question seems to come up every two weeks (after the previous one has expired). Macintalk is software owned by Apple. In order for anyone to distribute it, they have to sign a license agreement with Apple. On-line services like Compu$erve, GEnie, and Delphi, and users groups such as BMUG and BCS (among others) have signed such license agreements and are able to distribute the software. However, since Usenet or the various Bitnet/ARPAnet archive sites aren't formal organizations (and probably can't or wouldn't generate the cash needed to pay the license fee), Apple software (like the System, Finder, Switcher, ResEdit) can't be distributed there. Your only solution to the matter is: 1) find a local users group. See if they are licensed to distribute the software. 2) find a local BBS. Ditto. 3) order it from BMUG - for example, they're distributing Macintalk 1.31 with their Fall/Winter issue of the newsletter (recently distributed to members at MacWorld SF). They also distribute the System Tools 5.0 release for $8 (this doesn't get you the docs, but you do get the 4 disks). BMUG has a usenet address - well!bmug for those interested. 4) order it from APDA (you have to be a member to do so - $20/yr.) 5) get an account on CI$, GEnie or Delphi. System Software is in the main areas, programming tools are in the developer areas (usually). /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// / Robert Hammen Computer Applications hammen@csd4.milw.wisc.edu / / Delphi: HAMMEN GEnie: R.Hammen CI$: 70701,2104 / ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
jaynoh@madnix.UUCP (Jay Noh) (05/03/89)
Can some kind soul out there tell me where or how I can get MacinTalk to go with Talking Moose? Apparently I downloaded Talking Moose without MacinTalk. Anon FTP addresses would help too. Thanks. -- UUCP: ...!{ucbvax, ...}!uwvax!astroatc!nicmad!madnix!jaynoh CIS: 72437,1040 GEnie: JAY.NOH
hv@chyde.uwasa.fi (Harri Valkama LAKE) (05/04/89)
In article <645@madnix.UUCP>, jaynoh@madnix.UUCP (Jay Noh) writes: > Can some kind soul out there tell me where or how I can get MacinTalk > to go with Talking Moose? Apparently I downloaded Talking Moose without > MacinTalk. > > Anon FTP addresses would help too. > Anonymous FTP address like 128.214.12.3 should help you. Directory is /pub/mac/init-- Harri Valkama : email: hv@chyde.uwasa.fi Computer Centre, University of Vaasa : voice: +358 61 248426 (work) P.O.BOX 700 : +358 61 127150 (home) SF-65101 VAASA FINLAND
mstuard@oucsace.cs.OHIOU.EDU (Mike Stuard) (05/10/89)
In article <489@chyde.uwasa.fi>, hv@chyde.uwasa.fi (Harri Valkama LAKE) writes: > In article <645@madnix.UUCP>, jaynoh@madnix.UUCP (Jay Noh) writes: > > Can some kind soul out there tell me where or how I can get MacinTalk > Anonymous FTP address like 128.214.12.3 should help you. Directory is > /pub/mac/init-- On a similar topic, is there a program that will take a text file and speak it using the Macintalk driver, any pointers, ideas, or FTP addresses would be great. mike -- Deviant disclaimer: OOP! ACK! DON'T PANIC, It's not that important anyhow. /-> mstuard @ ace.cs.OHIOU.EDU Michael J. Stuard--> cs614 @ ouaccvmb.BITNET \-> 73100,3646 @ Compuserve(checked every blue moon or two)
steve@violet.berkeley.edu (Steve Goldfield) (05/10/89)
In article <591@oucsace.cs.OHIOU.EDU> mstuard@oucsace.cs.OHIOU.EDU (Mike Stuard) writes: #>In article <489@chyde.uwasa.fi>, hv@chyde.uwasa.fi (Harri Valkama LAKE) writes: #>> In article <645@madnix.UUCP>, jaynoh@madnix.UUCP (Jay Noh) writes: #>> > Can some kind soul out there tell me where or how I can get MacinTalk #>> Anonymous FTP address like 128.214.12.3 should help you. Directory is #>> /pub/mac/init-- #> #>On a similar topic, is there a program that will take a text file and speak it #>using the Macintalk driver, any pointers, ideas, or FTP addresses would be #>great. There is a desk accessory called MacTalker (I got it somewhere for free) which takes typed in text and turns it into speak with Macintalk. I think it came from BMUG, perhaps with one of their newsletters. Steve Goldfield
kehr@felix.UUCP (Shirley Kehr) (05/11/89)
In article <24215@agate.BERKELEY.EDU> steve@violet.berkeley.edu (Steve Goldfield) writes:
<#>
<#>On a similar topic, is there a program that will take a text file and speak it
<#>using the Macintalk driver, any pointers, ideas, or FTP addresses would be
<#>great.
<
<There is a desk accessory called MacTalker (I got it somewhere
<for free) which takes typed in text and turns it into speak
<with Macintalk. I think it came from BMUG, perhaps with one of
<their newsletters.
From the MacWarehouse catalog:
"SmoothTalker converts Mac text and numbers into spoken language, using the
Mac's sound generator and speaker."
Price is $33.
Both MacWarehouse and MacConnection advertise it as not copy protected.
I'm still not sure I believe that. It is not one of the products that
offers a money back guarantee through MacConnection. The publisher differs
depending upon which ad you read (Electronic Arts or First Byte).
Shirley Kehr
mead@hamal.usc.edu (Dick Mead) (05/13/89)
"SmoothTalker" is indeed not copy protected, although it was in previous incarnations. Since it is so cheap through mail order, it may be woth it to see if it can do what you want. However, don't expect too much for $33.00..
riem@ztivax.UUCP (Raimund Riem) (11/10/89)
Has someone a version of MacinTalk for the MacII and exist there also a version for other languages? Please send me a mail riem@ztivax.uucp
garym@telesoft.com (Gary Morris @nova) (11/15/89)
In article <861@ztivax.UUCP>, riem@ztivax.UUCP (Raimund Riem) writes: > Has someone a version of MacinTalk for the MacII and ... I'm looking for a MacII Macintalk also. Peter Jorgensen posted that one existed in "the" archives but I can't find it in the only archives I have access to (Rice). Anyone know where it can be found? Or if you have a copy you can mail me, please let me know. Or an email address for Paul Mercer (who updated it for the Mac II). Thanks, --GaryM -- Gary Morris {uunet,ucsd}!telesoft!garym TeleSoft N6FRT garym@telesoft.com San Diego, CA, USA ASEL garym@nynashamn.telelogic.se +1 619 457-2700 "If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right."
carlo@merlin.cvs.rochester.edu (Carlo Tiana) (02/14/90)
I have a feeling macintalk ought to allow me to type in text and have the mac speak it somehow, though that's all I know about macintalk. Is this right? If so, is macintalk supposed to work on a IIci? I played around with the macintalk stack on sumex, with no success. Is there any other PD/Shareware prog that will allow me to do this? Maybe e-mail is appropriate for answers to this, probably a very naive question. Thanks in advance, Carlo. PS: what is Tattle Tale and how do I use it? Is this related to the above? carlo@cvs.rochester.edu
drew@cup.portal.com (Andrew E Wade) (02/16/90)
For latest rev of Talking Moose, send $20 to author: Steve Halls #303-3837 Luther Place Saskatoon, Saskatchewan CANADA S7H 4B1 Talking Moose includes MacinTalk. It allows you to type in plain or phonetic text and it will speak it. Includes Moose Proof DA, for proof reading. And best of all: allows you to install personality into your mac in the person of a little talking moose that can do such totally wonderful things as speaking menu selections or, when machine is idle, pop up with amazing random sayings. ;) -Drew Wade drew@objy.com
abdenour@mist.cs.orst.edu (Abdennour A. MOUSSAOUI) (03/08/90)
What is MacinTalk? I got MacinTalk stack from sumex, it doesn't want to work, there is no doc. only three stacks. In one of the stacks it talks about a Macintalk file or driver that has to be in the sys. folder what is it? is it shareware or distributed by apple? available from sumex? I have a IIci, in case that makes a difference, because Smoothtalker works on the SE but on mine, I don't know why etheir! -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ /\ ! ~~~~Hayaa Ala-falaah Abdennour Moussaoui || _~_~_ Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar Oregon State University ||(_____) Laa Illaha Ila Allah~~~~ email=abdenour@mist.cs.orst.edu |||_|_|_|
drew@cup.portal.com (Andrew E Wade) (03/11/90)
This is a round-about way, and costs $20, but will get you Macintalk: For latest rev of Talking Moose, send $20 to author: Steve Halls #303-3837 Luther Place Saskatoon, Saskatchewan CANADA S7H 4B1 Talking Moose includes MacinTalk. -Drew Wade drew@objy.com