NextUp's TextAloud Program Helps Drivers Keep on Truckin'.Listening on the Road is Easy Thanks to Popular Software CLEMMONS, N.C. -- With a job that combines solitude with notoriously long hours on the road, truck drivers often fill that time with music, talk radio, or books on tape. Now, Text to Speech software programs like NextUp's TextAloud (www.NextUp.com) are providing another option, enabling anyone to easily export books, articles, web content, even e-mails, into spoken audio. A simple, award-winning program that converts text into spoken audio for listening on a PC, laptop Same as laptop computer. laptop - portable computer , or even portables like the iPod (R) and other devices, TextAloud is proving a popular product for truck drivers -- especially long-haul drivers with hours to fill. One such user is Los Angeles-based Mary M., a longtime long·time adj. Having existed or persisted for a long time: a longtime friend; a longtime resident of Detroit. longtime Adjective truck driver who routinely uses TextAloud to "read" to her during her long drive times. Mary had previously tried books on tape, but soon discovered TextAloud as a better alternative to keep alert and entertained en·ter·tain v. en·ter·tained, en·ter·tain·ing, en·ter·tains v.tr. 1. To hold the attention of with something amusing or diverting. See Synonyms at amuse. 2. , on the road. "I love to read, but am often too tired to read at night," she comments. "When I discovered TextAloud, I was practically in tears, as it enabled me to still enjoy my reading with the freedom of listening aloud, on the road. It soon became routine for me to scan whole books into TextAloud -- from classics, to modern literature." She adds, "I especially like having the ability to import text files and then play them for hours, reducing the effects of long commutes." Mary uses her laptop to play her files, setting it up on the passenger seat next to her during commutes, connecting it to her truck's stereo system for higher-quality listening. There's also no lack of material for her to listen to, as many classic books are in the public domain and free to download To receive a file transmitted over a network. In any communications session, "download" means receive, and "upload" means send. The download/upload often implies a big/little scenario, in which data is being downloaded from the "big" server into the "little" user's computer. . As most big truck stops have wireless internet, Mary can easily download new material for TextAloud to read to her in minutes. Mary also likes to listen to scientific nonfiction non·fic·tion n. 1. Prose works other than fiction: I've read her novels but not her nonfiction. 2. The category of literature consisting of works of this kind. books, and was surprised at how well the TextAloud premium voices handled pronunciation pronunciation: see phonetics; phonology. Pronunciation - In this dictionary slashes (/../) bracket phonetic pronunciations of words not found in a standard English dictionary. . "The voices seem so real!" she raves. "I'm currently using the NeoSpeech 'Kate' voice, and love that her voice offers pitch control. The voices are all great quality, and really elevate el·e·vate tr.v. ele·vat·ed, ele·vat·ing, ele·vates 1. To move (something) to a higher place or position from a lower one; lift. 2. To increase the amplitude, intensity, or volume of. 3. the entire listening experience. "With drives of ten to twelve hours per day, TextAloud takes away the tedium and gives me back the reading time I'd missed." TextAloud is priced at $29.95, and is compatible with Windows (R) 98, NT, 2000 and XP. The program is available for fast and secure purchase via http://www.NextUp.com. NextUp.com also offers TextAloud with optional premium voices from AT&T Natural Voices (TM), NeoSpeech (R), Nuance nu·ance n. 1. A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation. 2. Expression or appreciation of subtle shades of meaning, feeling, or tone: (R), Acapela (R) and Cepstral (R) for the most natural-sounding computer speech anywhere. |
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