LinVision Files

Blind.sh

This software is intended for use by totally blind students. There are no visual elements whatsoever.
Initially, all a student needs to know is the general position of the character keys (those on the left of the keyboard say "Yes", those on the right say "No") and the escape key which exits from menus and from the text editor.
There are six main options (discounting the initial choice of language):
a) The computer will read a document (text, HTML, PDF, or *.doc). If no list of documents exists, the software will search the computer and create one (Windoze partitions only - a separate, installable, version will be available for professional Operating Systems).
    (Space bar to pause).
b) The computer will play music (MP3 only, so far). Comments about documents apply here also.
c) The computer will allow students to learn the keyboard. Followed (optionally) by a test of their ability (three levels of testing).
d) I have included a simple text editor. Editing is extremely simplified and consists merely of backspacing and re-typing within the current sentence. Work may be saved.
e) Internet: Browse the Web - starts with a request for a search term.


All options include audible feedback and should be self-explanatory.
Languages are currently limited to English and Swahili.

Requirements:
Linux (should be OK with any system that has 'bash', 'grep' & 'sed' 
- basically everything except Micro$oft).
eSpeak, mpg123

If you want to try improving the voices, you also need 'eSpeakEdit' & 'praat' 
'EditMenu' is a front-end to these and to my own simple voice utility 'BlindSetup' 
(run this directly if you don't have the serious voice editing software).

Usage:
Character keys on the left side of the keyboard mean "NO" - right side means "YES"
Pressing [Esc] twice should back out from a menu.
When the software is reading a book it will pause after each paragraph 
[SPACE] continues - any other key should ask if you want to leave a bookmark.

Manticore