Introduction and getting started with SpeakOn:
Requirements
Computer: SpeakOn was tested with Microsoft Windows XP and 2000.
We are getting reports that SpeakOn runs successfully on Windows Vista but have had no opportunity to test this ourselves.
Windows 95, 98 and ME are not supported although SpeakOn runs successfully on Windows 98. SpeakOn should run normally on Windows NT but there has been no opportunity to test it with this operating system yet.
It is recommended that systems with no less than 512 Mb of RAM and processing speed of 1 GHz are used.
Internet Connection
SpeakOn uses the internet extensively, and a broadband connection is required. Depending on the type of operation SpeakOn is performing, internet connection is not required all the time.
Installation
In your favourite browser, type:
http://www.a-technic.net/SpeakOn/install/SpeakOnInstall.exe
You can either run the installation file from the internet or save it on your hard disc and run it from there.
When the installer starts it will check your computer for components necessary for the installation before running the SpeakOn installation itself. These components are Windows Installer and the Java Runtime Environment. If these components are not found on your computer, the installer will mark these components for download. When you press 'Next' these components will be downloaded automatically and installed on your computer. During the installation of these components, it is recommended that you choose the default values.
After the installation of the above components (if required) the installation of SpeakOn itself will start. The only choice you have to make is the location for the installation which is set by default to C:\ where the SpeakOn folder will be installed. You can change this to anywhere you like but please note the location of the installation as you may need to perform simple configuration changes on the installed files later.
With 500 Kbs broadband internet connection, installation should take between 5 and 15 minutes depending on the components that are required.
To start SpeakOn either use the icon on the desktop or the SpeakOn menu item under Start > Programs > SpeakOn > SpeakOn.
When you start SpeakOn for the first time it may take slightly longer than usual to start.
You can read the rest of the user manual including a 'Getting started with SpeakOn' page and a step-by-step tutorial at:
http://www.a-technic.net/SpeakOn/docs/SpeakOn/ht/SpeakOn.htm
SpeakOn folders
The SpeakOn folder which contains the software is created during installation in the folder specified.
After you run SpeakOn's 'Media Centre' application for the first time, the C:\SpeakOn_MediaCentre folder is created. This folder contains media files used by SpeakOn. Please note that this folder is always created under the 'C' drive regardless of where you installed SpeakOn. You can change the location of these media files later.
Upgrading SpeakOn from an old version :
This procedure is explained in 'What's new in the latest version and updating SpeakOn':
http://www.a-technic.net/SpeakOn/docs/SpeakOn/ht/SpeakOn-r-0079.htm
Uninstall
1. Remove SpeakOn using 'Add and remove programs' in the Control Panel.
2. Delete the C:\SpeakOn folder (assuming you installed SpeakOn on the 'C:' drive).
3. The C:\SpeakOn_MediaCentre directory may contain some media that you may wish to keep; if not, delete this directory as well.