EFlite

If you're looking for a speech server to interface with screen readers, look no further than EFlite. Especially if you use Emacspeak or Yasr, EFlite may be the tool that makes your life a whole lot easier. Even though it's still in beta, EFlite has already proven successful in allowing me to get speech on my notebook under Linux without having to carry my Speak-out around.

One of the most significant advantages of EFlite is its use of Festival Lite's code for the interface with the sound driver. This key feature allows EFlite to function smoothly with some versions of ALSA, meaning you can customize it to meet your specific needs.

However, before you dive in, it's good to note that EFlite currently works primarily with the OSS sound drivers. That's not to say other drivers won't work, it just hasn't been extensively tested yet.

If you're looking for a reliable tool that will allow customizable, streamlined access to your speech server, EFlite is worth checking out. The new version comes with bug fixes, improvements, and support for shared libraries, making it an even more appealing option for those in search of a comprehensive speech solution.