Hi Dave: I can not help you with how to set up the emacspeak package. I have never done that. You won't need to run a different kernel though. You can just turn off speakups output with the ins-enter (total shut up) key combination while you are using emacspeak. You can do that on any virtual console you run emacspeak on and keep speakup talking on the other ones. Of course, standard disclaimer it depends on your synth and the position of Venus with respect to Mars in the north eastern skies. Kirk -- Kirk Reiser The Computer Braille Facility e-mail: kirk at braille.uwo.ca University of Western Ontario phone: (519) 661-3061