[DECtalk] new to the list

[Tony Baechler]

Hi.  I'm sorry, but I'll have to disagree with you here.  First, the 
point of compiling a program in the first place is so that the source 
isn't easily apparent.  If it was possible to just randomly 
disassemble software, we wouldn't need the GPL, BSD, Linux or any 
other open source project.  I could just take the Windows kernel, 
crack it, invent my own version and release it as the free kernel or 
something.  It obviously doesn't work that way.  Also, remember a 
previous discussion about emulating the Echo on the Apple II?  The 
problem is the same in both cases.  The Echo is a chip on a card that 
goes into the computer.  The DEC-Talk is a separate 
computer.  According to the manual, it has its own 
microprocessor.  So, even if they had the firmware, it wouldn't do 
them much good.  It's a nice thought though.  Considering that it 
keeps getting sold, it's no surprise to me that they don't have the 
4.40 source, or won't release it if they do.  Personally I would like 
to see a good, high quality open source synthesizer, either using 
already existing hardware such as the DEC-Talk or easily programmable 
software with good speech quality.  I'm not interested in what's 
already out there for free, it all sounds like crap and won't sing 
very well if at all.

At 08:12 PM 2/26/2006, you wrote:
>I also don't understand how Fonix could have lost the code.  If the only
>copy is on a dead hard drive obviously they could send the drive in to a
>data recovery company if they still have it, but those places are expensive.
>I mean, with the move from Digital to Force and then from Force to Fonix,
>you'd think somebody somewhere would have something laying around.  I have
>the firmware version 4.2CD for the Express as well as the DECtalk PC drivers
>which as I understand it actually contain the DECtalk code which is loaded
>onto the board at startup.  And of course the 4.3 demo is available at the
>archive.  I don't know how to disassemble the software, but bet the right
>person who knew what they were doing could do it and create machine code
>from which new equivalent source code for the lost versions could be
>recreated.