Microsoft^® Speech

Talking Desktop Clock can use Microsoft^® Speech (SAPI version 5) to announce the time.

Microsoft^® Speech is included in Windows^® XP.  It has two main features:  Text-to-Speech lets programs speak to you, and Speech Recognition lets you speak to programs.  Talking Desktop Clock uses the Text-to-Speech feature.

The Speech settings in the Windows^® Control Panel let you configure Text-to-Speech for all programs running on your computer.  Talking Desktop Clock uses those settings by default, but it also lets you override the default settings.

Microsoft^® Agent

Talking Desktop Clock can use Microsoft^® Agent to announce the time.

Microsoft^® Agent is included in Windows^® XP.  However, if for any reason you need to reinstall it, you can download and install Microsoft^® Agent from the Microsoft^® Agent web site.

To enable Microsoft^® Agent characters to talk on Windows^® XP, Microsoft^® SAPI (Speech Application Programming Interface) version 4 is required.  The Talking Desktop Clock setup program will automatically download and install it.  If for any reason you need to reinstall it, you can download and install it from the Microsoft^® Agent web site.

You can also download and install a Microsoft^® Agent text-to-speech engine, as well as various animated characters, from the Microsoft^® Agent web site.

If you have problems with the setup program, or you want to install Talking Desktop Clock on a computer without an Internet connection, please choose one of the following download and installation options:

1. Download the Talking Desktop Clock version 0.9 installation package for Windows^® XP.  Simply download and open the installation package, then follow the installation instructions.  Refer to the installation notes for further information.