Have it read to you with its speech capabilities
When it comes to the Mac, there's no Siri, but there is built-in speech capability, which is configured and activated in the Speech System Preferences pane. Primarily, speech on the Mac is designed for disabled users, but we've argued in the past that well-designed accessibility functions are beneficial to everyone, and we reckon that's the case here. We explore this System Preferences pane and show how anyone can potentially improve their OS X experience by talking to their Mac and having it talk back to them--and now through a user-definable accent, no less!
But while OS X is the most accessible desktop OS around, we're only scratching the surface of the potential of speech technology. Don't be shocked in a few years if you're spending as much time speaking to your Mac as entering commands using a keyboard or a pointing device.
What You'll Need:
>> Just OS X Lion!
1. Activiate Speech
Turn Phasers , er, Speech Recognition, on.
In System Preferences > Speech > Speech Recognition, turn Speakable Items on. The mic feedback window launches. Use the Microphone menu to define your input source and the Change Key button to make the Mac listen (Esc by default).
2. Select Command Sets
Select a set of commands your Mac can recognize.
Click the Commands subtab to see OS X's various speakable items command sets. Select checkboxes to activate or deactivate any of the sets. When a set is selected, a brief overview of what the set contains is displayed to the right of the checkbox list.
3. View Commands
Your Mac is ready to listen.
You can now hold your Listening key and speak clearly at your Mac (with built-in microphone), or into a headset, to issue commands. For a command list, click the triangle in the feedback window, and choose Open Speech Commands Window.
4. Customize the Voice
Chose a voice you like.
In Text to Speech, choose Customize from the System Voice menu. You'll see a number of options, which can be previewed by selecting them and clicking Play. To add a voice, select its checkbox. Note that the voices may take a while to download.
5. Adjust Your Mac's Voice
You can determine how quickly the Mac speaks.
You can select any of your installed voices from the System Voice menu. Click the Play button to preview how the voice sounds, and use the Speaking Rate slider to adjust the voice to your tastes, speeding it up or slowing it down accordingly.
6. Set Alert Options
You can shush your Mac when you want to.
If you need more assistance when alerts occur and applications are demanding attention, select the two Announce checkboxes. Click Set Alert Options and define how many seconds it will wait before the Mac reads the alert to you. Voice defines the voice it should use.
7. Define a Speech Key
Define the key to press to bring up speech.
Select "Speak selected text" and click Change Key to define your shortcut. When you use the shortcut, selected text will be spoken; press again to stop. This is designed for the visually impaired, but we often use it for reading back written documents and weeding out typos.
8. Get a Speaking Clock
A clock that speaks the time! Technological marvels.
Open Date & Time preferences and select "Announce the time." You can then have your Mac tell you the time on the hour, half hour, or quarter hour. Click Customize Voice and you can select a specific voice, speed, and volume for your new timekeeper.
Original Page: http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_talk_your_mac_using_os_x_lion
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