Text to Speech v 0.13


Text to Speech is a plugin for The Palace Software that converts typed text into 
vocal audio over a computer's soundcard.

Please note that this is still an early beta with limited functionality. The plugin
has not been tested under Windows NT and it's behaviour is uncertain. This version
uses MS Direct Sound. You need to have DirectX installed for the plugin to work.


Bugfixes in this version:

- Combinations of balloon formatting characters are not spoken anymore.
- People that don't chat are now shown in the User Detail list.
- Changed usernames are updated in the User Detail list.
- Loading the plugin while connected to a palace server caused the last 
  user that entered the room not to show up in the User Detail list - fixed.
- Voice characteristics are updated properly after changing them online.
- Optimized memory usage.
- Fixed 2 Memory Leaks (no others remain).
- Removed the standard "Unload" menu item from the Palace Client that caused
  a GPF when clicked upon (see the last item in "Known Problems").
- Fixed an installation problem with Windows 95a and long filenames support.


New in version 0.12:

- You can select different voices for both the Male and Female Modes.
- You can set your own voice characteristics. They will be exchanged with other 
  users in the same room.
- Locally override another users voice characteristics.
- Translation list; Text to Speech will convert abbrivations to correct 
  pronounciation.
- Realtime mixing of two voices.
- Added a Main Window that shows the status of all users. (You can double-click 
  on any person's name or smiley to change their voice settings locally).


Known Problems:

- When Text to Speech is speaking, you can't hear other soundfiles. I hope to 
  have that fixed in a next version.
- Realtime mixing can be very confusing in crowded rooms. Next version will 
  have an option wether to use this feature or not.
- Voice Testing in the preferences isn't implemented yet.
- Exiting Text to Speech while the Palace software is still running causes a GPF.
  This tracks down to a bug in the MS Speech API in conjunction with DirectSound. 
  Microsoft has been notified of the problem. Use the "Silence" menu option instead 
  of shutting down the plugin.


Please send any comments or bug information to:

	burgemeester@havendam.com


Legal stuff:

The Speech Plugin Softweare is the property of Audax Tros MultiMedia (hereafter 
called ATMM) and is protected by copyright law and international treaty provisions. 
You are authorized to use copies of the Beta Software in conjunction with the 
Palace Software for which its use is intended, and only for non-commercial use. 
Except as expressly provided in the foregoing sentence, you are not authorized 
to reproduce and distribute the Software. ATMM reserves all rights not expressly 
granted. You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the Software, 
except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by ATMM.  

The software is provided to you "as is" without warranty of any kind, either 
express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of 
merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. You assume the 
entire risk as to the accuracy and the use of the software.  ATMM shall not 
be liable for any damages whatsoever arising out of the use of or inability to 
use the software, even if ATMM has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

The Microsoft Speech API & TTS Engine are Copirighted by, and sole property 
of Microsoft.