I want to convert text to an audio file containing synthesised speech that reads out that text. What free (libre+gratis) software is available for this and how do I install and use it?  I don't need to use it as an accessibility tool - I just want to be able to listen back to my revision notes while doing other things, like playing games.
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How to get speech output from entered text by using command-line?  Also facility to change speech rate, pitch, volume etc using simple command.
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Is there something similar to Office for Windows but free? I am student living on a budget, Office is not an option at the moment.
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Recently moved over onto Ubuntu. First time for anything like this for me as I'm coming from Windows but I'm here and ready to learn. The only problems Ive experienced so are saving in Libre office doc as a word doc file and then losing the formatting upon receival via email. However the more pressing issue is getting my old Brother DCP 135 c to work. Ive scanned a few help blogs and have found them frankly quite frightening.  Would it be possible for someone to write u a step by step guide (including explanations of terminology)  For those of us new to this magic world?
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I have a new app I'll be working on where I have to generate a Word document that contains tables, graphs, a table of contents and text.  What's a good API to use for this?  How sure are you that it supports graphs, ToCs, and tables?  What are some hidden gotcha's in using them?  Some clarifications:   I can't output a PDF, they want a Word doc. They're using MS Word 2003 (or 2007), not OpenOffice Application is running on *nix app-server   It'd be nice if I could start with a template doc and just fill in some spaces with tables, graphs, etc.  Edit: Several good answers below, each with their own faults as far as my current situation.  Hard to pick a "final answer" from them.  Think I'll leave it open, and hope for better solutions to be created.  Edit: The OpenOffice UNO project does seem to be closest to what I asked for.  While POI is certainly more mainstream, it's too immature for what I want.
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I am trying to export a wav format file to an mp3 format in audacity, but when it's done exporting all that is does is make this screaching sound for about two seconds and then there is no sound at all. I have learned so much from frequent use of this site, thank you in advance for all of your help.
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I'm now in search for a Java Text to Speech (TTS) framework. During my investigations I've found several JSAPI1.0-(partially)-compatible frameworks listed on , as well as a pair of Java TTS frameworks which do not appear to follow JSAPI spec (, ). I've also noted that currently no reference implementation exists for JSAPI.  Brief tests I've done for FreeTTS (first one listed in JSAPI impls page) show that it is far from reading simple and obvious words (examples: ABC, blackboard). Other tests are currently in progress.  And here goes the question (6, actually):   Which of the Java-based TTS frameworks have you used? Which ones, by your opinion, are capable of reading the largest wordbase? What about their voice quality? What about their performance? Which non-Java frameworks with Java bindings are there on the scene? Which of them would you recommend?   Thank you in advance for your comments and suggestions.
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I am using a couple of documentation files in LibreOffice (.odt) format. Normally, I access them with LibreOffice Writer of course. But there are times when I can only connect to the site with a text terminal.  I am wondering if there is a terminal-based tool that can show me the contents of these files in approximate correct format? (The files mainly contain simple text, bullet lists, and a few 1x1 tables, so it's relatively simple stuff in terms of formatting.)  P.S. This question is not about starting LibreOffice itself from the command line (which is anwered ).
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For quite a while now, I have been looking for English and Spanish conversion dictionaries (both ways) for Apple's native Dictionary application. So far I have not had any success.    Is there any free, decent quality solution such as "New Oxford American Dictionary" and "Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française"?   Any links or information would be highly appreciated.
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For the moment I run Adobe Digital Editions under Wine to download ebooks burdened with ditigal restriction management. I only use it to open .acsm files supplied by ebook-shops, which contain authentication information required to download the actual DRM'ed ebook files, which I then transfer to my reader-device with calibre. My question is, if there exist open source alternatives to Adobe Digital Editions. They don't need much functionality. I just want to put the .acsm-file in and get the .epub out (no, I don't want to remove the drm, that'd be illegal afaik).
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I am setting up a Lubuntu box to install in a local classroom where people are not super tech-savvy.  I need an audio recording application for them to record things using the microphone and save in a specific folder. I have chosen Sound Recorder because Audio Recorder and Audacity are too complicated.  I have one problem; the only option in the Record From field is Master and the Record As field where there should be file format options (.ogg, .wav, etc.) is blank with no options.  Can anybody tell me how to actually record sound using "Sound Recorder"?  when run from terminal, when I press the record button it shows:  (gnome-sound-recorder:1894): GStreamer-WARNING **: Element 'gconfaudiosource' already has parent
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Is there any text editor, which can edit such file?  I've  tried:   gedit kate nano vim mcedit   without success.
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I have some customers who want to use our speech therapy software in Hebrew.  The programs are in VB6. The best option I'm aware of are:   use the Forms 2.0 controls from MS Office, but you can't distribute them.    $899   $499   Any other options?
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Sometimes we can't select the text to copy &amp; paste, such as dialog boxes.  Sometimes it's just not practical, such as 100 files inside a folder.  Is there any practical and simple way to capture those text from the system into a text file?  I'd wish to know both in OS X and Windows. Maybe it just can't be done today...
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Are there any programs that will let me dictate (speech-to-text) to any program? Or at least to a text editor and text fields in Firefox.  I’m not interested in anything that uses an online service, it has to be on-device. It may be a commercial product.
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Is there a way to capture the currently playing "sounds" ?  For instance, If I want to copy (to an audio-file) the noise I make while playing a flash game, is there a way to record what is currently to be heard in my headset ?
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What's the easiest way to play a sound file (.wav) in Python? By easiest I mean both most platform independent and requiring the least dependencies. pygame is certainly an option, but it seems overkill for just sound.
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I'm attempting to find motion graphics software to visually explain complex topics.  Here's an example of what I'm after:   I've looked at Houdini, After Effects, Boris, etc., but all of those products seem to be overkill for what I'm trying to do.   I'm just looking for a few standard shapes/images (and ability to import my own images) that I can move around and voice over.  (I'm using a PC)