Balabolka
Another 'free' is 'good', freeware text to speech program, easy to use, many options for creating saving audio files, worth taking a look. It is PORTABLE which means you can run this program on any computer by simply inserting the flash drive. Voices will depend upon what’s installed on host computer.
Works with .txt, .rtf and information scrapped from other files or the internet.
This program also has it uses with individuals with print disabilities.
Note: Install this on a flash drive along with NVDA and Jarte. Your student will be able to use any computer and have the benefit of synthesized speech (NVDA), word processing (Jarte) and the ability to create audio files from text selected from Jarte, the Internet, etc. (Balabolka).
To download:
1. Go to www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm
2. When the screen settles down, select the 'Download Balabolka' link located in the middle of the page.
To install:
1. Go to your Downloads folder, right click the balabolka.zip file and select Extract to unzip the file.
2. When done extracting, the Downloads window will pop up showing Balabolka files.
3. Select the 'balabolka' file (There's a picture with a face.)
A quick run through:
(The first time you need select a voice. ALT + O to open Options. Tap O to select voice.)
Enter text:
To enter text, just type. When done, CTRL + Home to move to top of document. Tap
F5 to read. Tap F6 to pause. Tap F7 to stop.
To load text from a .txt or .rtf:
1. ALT + F to display File Menu
2. Tap O to Open File
3. Shift + Tab, about 3 times, until you hear something like 'Tree View' or see the left side of the computer receive focus.
4. Tap L to focus on Libraries, tap ENTER to open.
5. When the screen settles down, tap TAB to focus on 'List View'. Tap D if needed to focus on MyDocuments. Tap ENTER to open.
6. Locate the .txt or .rtf file. Tap ENTER to load.
To paste text from another file.
1. Open file, highlight and copy.
2. Switch to Balbolka and paste.
To begin reading:
1. CTRL + HOME to move to top of file.
2. F5 to read, F6 to pause, F7 to stop
To change selected voice settings:
* Rate:
CTRL + ALT + RIGHT = increase
CTRL + ALT + LEFT = decrease
* Pitch:
CTRL + ALT + UP = raise
CTRL + ALT + DOWN = lower
* Volume:
CTRL + ALT + PgUp = turn up
CTRL + ALT + PgDn = turn down
CTRL + D = reset all voice options
Note: These settings will be used when creating an audio file.
To change font:
1. CTRL + B
2. Continue tapping TAB until the Font button is highlighted, should be the default.
Tap ENTER.
3. ALT + F to highlight Font choices.
4. Tap UP or DOWN ARROW keys to highlight font.
5. Tap TAB to move to Style column. Default is Regular. Select Style with ARROW keys.
6. Tap TAB to move to Size column. Use ARROW keys to select size or enter number.
7. Tap ENTER when done.
You can change font and background color using CTRL + B.
Tacking colors can also be set.
Works with .txt, .rtf and information scrapped from other files or the internet.
This program also has it uses with individuals with print disabilities.
Note: Install this on a flash drive along with NVDA and Jarte. Your student will be able to use any computer and have the benefit of synthesized speech (NVDA), word processing (Jarte) and the ability to create audio files from text selected from Jarte, the Internet, etc. (Balabolka).
To download:
1. Go to www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm
2. When the screen settles down, select the 'Download Balabolka' link located in the middle of the page.
To install:
1. Go to your Downloads folder, right click the balabolka.zip file and select Extract to unzip the file.
2. When done extracting, the Downloads window will pop up showing Balabolka files.
3. Select the 'balabolka' file (There's a picture with a face.)
A quick run through:
(The first time you need select a voice. ALT + O to open Options. Tap O to select voice.)
Enter text:
To enter text, just type. When done, CTRL + Home to move to top of document. Tap
F5 to read. Tap F6 to pause. Tap F7 to stop.
To load text from a .txt or .rtf:
1. ALT + F to display File Menu
2. Tap O to Open File
3. Shift + Tab, about 3 times, until you hear something like 'Tree View' or see the left side of the computer receive focus.
4. Tap L to focus on Libraries, tap ENTER to open.
5. When the screen settles down, tap TAB to focus on 'List View'. Tap D if needed to focus on MyDocuments. Tap ENTER to open.
6. Locate the .txt or .rtf file. Tap ENTER to load.
To paste text from another file.
1. Open file, highlight and copy.
2. Switch to Balbolka and paste.
To begin reading:
1. CTRL + HOME to move to top of file.
2. F5 to read, F6 to pause, F7 to stop
To change selected voice settings:
* Rate:
CTRL + ALT + RIGHT = increase
CTRL + ALT + LEFT = decrease
* Pitch:
CTRL + ALT + UP = raise
CTRL + ALT + DOWN = lower
* Volume:
CTRL + ALT + PgUp = turn up
CTRL + ALT + PgDn = turn down
CTRL + D = reset all voice options
Note: These settings will be used when creating an audio file.
To change font:
1. CTRL + B
2. Continue tapping TAB until the Font button is highlighted, should be the default.
Tap ENTER.
3. ALT + F to highlight Font choices.
4. Tap UP or DOWN ARROW keys to highlight font.
5. Tap TAB to move to Style column. Default is Regular. Select Style with ARROW keys.
6. Tap TAB to move to Size column. Use ARROW keys to select size or enter number.
7. Tap ENTER when done.
You can change font and background color using CTRL + B.
Tacking colors can also be set.