well, I was able at least to use say -h and get information for doing the wave file. You actually don't need to use cat; I don't know whether or not there would be some advantage to this. I just did: say -e 1 -fo test.wav -fi test.txt The number after the 1 specifies the type of wav file: 1 for PCM, 16 bit Mono 11KHz format 2 for PCM, 8 bit Mono 11KHz format 3 for MULAW 8 bit Mono 8KHz format I wasn't sure whether I wanted 1 or 2 so just did 1 for the test. It processes quickly and you don't listen to it while it's doing the wave file. What a variety of voices!!! You could easily run a program to do several text files and go merrily on you way; if you have limited room on your hd you'd want to include steps for conversion of each file to ogg or mp3 and subsequent removal of the .wav file if you didn't want it kept. Does the rt contain all languages or just English? Thanks all; I'm really happy I bought this!!! Am going to rae to fonix about it, though also am going to point out the problems i had. -- Cheryl "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."