Hello Brian: I'm using emacspeak and viavoice on a RH 7.2 system. In addition to emacspeak, I'm using the VM package for mail (available from <http://www.wonderworks.com>), and the W3 web browser. To set the default speech rate globally, first, do 'ctrl-u', followed by a positive number, then, 'ctrl-e' d r. Choose a higher rate (the default is 50 of 100). I max it out. Finally, there's an emacspeak list at <emacspeak-request at cs.vassar.edu>. There is documentation at the blinux site <http://www.leb.net/blinux>, among other places. More questions? Write me off list, <dave.hunt2 at verizon.net>. -Dave