The last time I contacted Dr. Alan Black, of CMU, about the Festival text to speech package, he mentioned the Flite package. Flite, or Festival-Lite, is a smaller package Whose voices sound almost as good as Festival itself. I had tinkered with Flite a bit, but discovered that it was trying to access the audio device /dev/dsp. This is the old Linux audio device. It has been replaced by ALSA and OSS. Fortunately, there is a utility called padsp, which can be used to run older audio applications.
Things get a little complicated when you are calling Flite from the command line, as SPOCS does. I am exploring a couple ways to get past that. I also asked Dr. Black if he was planning on releasing a new package, that does not depend on /dev/dsp. I haven't heard from Dr. Black yet.
You know, I am aware that my readership is quite low. Google offers ways to bring in more readers, but I wonder if it would be worth it. I am used to being a lonely voice in the wilderness. It does not really bother me.
Good Night, Ma and Pa Wolfe, wherever you are.
LEFT: The home of SPOCS: DellroyGMs' lab.
CENTER: The Penguin Farm. machines SPARCL12, L10, L11, & SPARCL14.
RIGHT: finally off the roof.
