Free speech software to download
Text to speech and speech recognition
All these are free, not shareware
Text-to-speech
Speakonia 
Easy-to-use interface similar to Notepad. Reads aloud any text you type into the text area, a text file or the clipboard. The reading can be paused, resumed and exported to a wave file. In addition Speakonia is able to fetch webpages through an internal http interface and read them aloud for you. There are no arbitrary limits on text size.
ReadPlease
Give your computer a human-sounding voice so that it can read text to you. It reads aloud any text you type into the text area or text files (up to 16 kb in length). As it speaks, the current word is highlighted, making it easy to follow along. Colors and fonts are fully customizable. ReadPlease does not automatically read text copied onto the clipboard. Free version of a commercial product.
SayzMe
Sayz Me is an Open-Source text-to-speech application for Windows. Text can be typed in or read from clipboard. Words are highlighted when spoken. Select voice, adjust reading speed, voice pitch, font and color. Simple and easy to use.
Speech and characters
FreeVoice
Let the agents do the talking. Uses MS Agent technology to read text, and respond to voice commands. This web page takes you through the installation of the various components.
MS Agent Characters
Download and install a wide variety of characters from Microsoft and other sources.
Get set up
MS Agent setup help
Step-by-step instructions for installing the free text-to-speech, MS Agent and text recognition software needed for these applications.
Microsoft's MS Agent Downloads
Another page with all the essential downloads gathered together.
Is it working?
Let's just check to see if it's working!
Something different
The Story of Job
A dramatic reading of Job, using MS Agent characters.
Friendly desktop agents
Desktop Agent
DesktopAgent is a free desktop application for Microsoft Agent. It uses the interactive capabilities of Microsoft Agent to display a character which can interact with the user in animations, synthetic speech and voice recognition.
CyberBuddy
Another desktop application for Microsoft Agent. The interface is tasteless, but the functionality is very good, though US-orientated.
Ultra Hal Assistant
Another variation on a theme.
WillPower
Your personal quit coach to help you stop smoking.
Screen Angel
And this one flies around your screen and quotes the Bible at you.
Going deeper
MS Agent Scripting Software
Create MS Agent scripts with animated, speaking characters by dragging the character on screen, selecting a few options and clicking buttons. You don't need any scripting experience, even though advanced users have the option to view and manually edit the generated script as well. The program outputs the complete HTML page, ready to upload to your web site.
Microsoft Agent Properties Viewer
Small and easy to use Freeware that allows you to view detailed information & status about MS Agent Characters and installed TTS engines.
Agent Animation Browser
Quick'n'easy application to show all the animations of each character you have installed.
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Speech
