Hi, Speakup is a kernel module. Since you're using Ubuntu - it's probably already available, so you don't need to install it separately. Furthermore, it's no longer distributed as a separate package, but it's included in the Linux Kernel itself, so you've probably downloaded something very old. If you don't have /dev/softsynth (espeakup says it couldn't find it) it's probably that speakup module is not loaded. Load it with: sudo modprobe speakup_soft To have this done automatically on startup, do: sudo echo speakup_soft > /etc/modules-load.d/speakup.conf Speechd-up is an interface between speakup and speech-dispatcher. Espeakup is similar, but it uses the espeak library. If you want to use espeak - you can stick with espeakup. If you want to use other synthesizers - you can't use espeakup, but you have to use speech-dispatcher, i. e. speechd-up. Orca uses speech-dispatcher for it's speech output, for example. So, after you load the speakup kernel module, go to a graphical terminal and do: sudo espeakup If it says ""command not found", find where it is with: which espeakup and include the full path, e. g.: sudo /usr/local/bin/espeakup -- Best wishes, Zahari Linux for blind general discussion wrote: Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 03:29:35PM -0500 > I'm trying to use speakup with espeakup. > Espeakup says: "Unable to open the soft synth device: no such file or > directory". > I thought I'd installed speakup, but typing it gives "command not found". > I just downloaded a speakup tarball (that took some digging). Running > the makefile produces two errors that I don't understand. > > What is speachd-up? Do I need it in addition to speakup and espeakup? > > On 7/31/17, Linux for blind general discussion <blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > > Hi, > > Do you use espeakup or speechd-up, or some hardware synthesizer? > > If you use espeakup or speechd-up, kill all instances and start it from the > > graphical terminal with sudo. > > Then, switch to some text console and log in - you probably won't have > > speech on the login prompt. > > > > -- > > Best wishes, > > Zahari > > > > Linux for blind general discussion wrote: > > Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 01:53:38PM -0500 > > > >> I'm using Orca on Ubuntu MATE. I want to use several terminal > >> applications because I'm unsatisfied with the desktop apps I currently > >> use. > >> Orca's terminal support sucks. > >> I've installed speakup, but it never runs when I switch to terminal. > >> Any suggestions for fixes I might try? Thanks. > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> Blinux-list mailing list > >> Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx > >> https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Blinux-list mailing list > > Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx > > https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list > > > > _______________________________________________ > Blinux-list mailing list > Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx > https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list _______________________________________________ Blinux-list mailing list Blinux-list@xxxxxxxxxx https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/blinux-list