Debian based distros start speakup/espeakup at boot. So, you don't need to edit boot scripts to make that happen. First put this line in /etc/modules speakup_soft which will load speakup's software speech module. If you don't want to reboot, you can simply load it by hand the first time by running the command: modprobe speakup_soft You won't need to do that after subsequent reboots since the speakup_soft module will be loaded for you when the system boots. Next, make sure you have the espeakup package installed, which it sounds like you already do. Then run the command: invoke-rc.d espeakup restart which should give you speech. Again, you don't need to do this when you reboot your computer, as it will be done for you. The way to make speakup shut-up is to press the enter key on the numeric keypad, but your numlock needs to be turned off first. If pressing numpad-enter doesn't work when booting, press ctrl+alt+f1 to switch to the first text console, and then press numpad-enter, which should now silence speakup. The reason for that seems to be that the graphical interface starts before speakup, so pressing numpad-enter doesn't act on speakup until you switch back to a text console. You may also want to install the speakup-doc and speakup-tools packages if you haven't done so already. The speakup-doc package contains the speakup user's guide in /usr/share/doc/speakup-doc which I would suggest reading. The speakup-tools package contains speakupconf to save/restore speakup settings, and couple other handy utilities. The file /usr/share/doc/speakup-tools/README has all the details. HTH. Greg On Wed, Oct 02, 2013 at 07:29:34PM +0000, donna.aitkens wrote: > Hello. > > This may seem a little basic. I'm running a virtual machine with a Debian based distro of Linux with the Orca screenreader for the desktop environment but some of the aplications for my course at University require access to the text console/CLI. I am wondering how I would go about loading speakup once I have switched to the Text console. I have checked and the packages are installed, includig the espeak synth which is the one I would like to use with speakup when loaded. I did a little experimentation buy editing a file and adding the command to load speakup from the boot prompt but it just continiously kept reading the system log and I could not interupt the speech, is there a way to avoid this and only load speakup when its needed? > This e-mail is intended solely for the addressee. It may contain private and confidential information. If you are not the intended addressee, please take no action based on it nor show a copy to anyone. Please reply to this e-mail to highlight the error. You should also be aware that all electronic mail from, to, or within Northumbria University may be the subject of a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and related legislation, and therefore may be required to be disclosed to third parties. > > This e-mail and attachments have been scanned for viruses prior to leaving Northumbria University. Northumbria University will not be liable for any losses as a result of any viruses being passed on. > > > _______________________________________________ > Speakup mailing list > Speakup at linux-speakup.org > http://linux-speakup.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/speakup > -- web site: http://www.gregn..net gpg public key: http://www.gregn..net/pubkey.asc skype: gregn1 (authorization required, add me to your contacts list first) -- Free domains: http://www.eu.org/ or mail dns-manager at EU.org
