[DECtalk] Disappointing News from Neospeech

[Jim Hunt]

Hi All,

If you use TextAloud and you would like to try the newer Neospeech
voices, I'm afraid I come bearing bad news.  I emailed Neospeech's
sales department at sales at neospeech.com yesterday to inquire about
obtaining trial versions of Neospeech Ashley and James.  I mentioned
that I use JAWS and I also mentioned that I use TextAloud from NextUp.
Below is my message to Neospeech, and my discussion with Brian in
Neospeech's sales department.

Neospeech Ashley and James
Thu, Dec 7, 2017 at 4:58 PM
To: sales at neospeech.com

Hi,

I am visually impaired and I use the JAWS for Windows screen reader
software on my computer, and the Text Aloud software for converting
text to personal MP3.  I am interested in trying the Neospeech voices
Ashley and James 32-bit and 64-bit on my computers.

Thanks,
Jim

From: Brian Chiu
Thu, Dec 7, 2017 at 5:25 PM

Hello Jim,

While we appreciate the inquiry that you have sent us, unfortunately
we can not provide any NeoSpeech software to those who use or had use
the Text aloud software.

Sorry for the inconvenience,
Brian Chiu

-- 
Brian Chiu
Sales and Marketing Project Specialist
(snip snip)

From: me
To: Brian Chiu

OK, thank you.  May I ask why not?

Jim

Brian's response:
"There is an internal conflict of interest between our companies."

There you have it.  So if you want to try any of the new Neospeech
voices--Ashley, James etc on your own computers, if you mention to
them that you use TextAloud, you are immediately disqualified from
receiving Neospeech trial voices.  It's a pity Neospeech is closing
themselves off from users of TextAloud.  (That's the way the cookie
crumbles, I suppose.)

Jim