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CLEMMONS, NC - Like many new homebuyers, San Jose resident Vikki R. found that her exciting new purchase nevertheless needed some renovations and repairs. In turning her house into a home, Vikki was determined to do the renovations herself. She jumped in with a will, working systematically and researching the techniques and approaches she needed from the Internet, and downloading the technical instructions she needed on each job as she went along. However, she quickly found that working on the house while reading written instructions was difficult and cumbersome. She soon found an easy solution with Text to Speech, however, turning to TextAloud software from NextUp.com (http://www.NextUp.com) to enable her to listen to each task's instructions while she worked.

The easy and affordable leader in Text to Speech, TextAloud is a computer program that allows any PC user to easily listen to their reading in natural-sounding computer speech, straight from the computer. From websites and e-mails, to eBooks and scanned text from any one of a variety of books or textbooks, users can also take that speech anywhere they go with TextAloud, exporting to sound files that play on any iPod, iPhone, or other portable device - or even in the car.

Using the program was the perfect solution to Vikki's home repair troubles, and meant that she could now work on her home's various necessary renovations by finding the instructions via Internet search, and then saving them to her computer. "The instructions for almost anything are available on the Internet, so when I run into a problem I begin searching until I find articles that have lots of pictures," comments Vikki. "Once I've found the best instructions, I select and copy the text into TextAloud, which then speaks aloud the instructions to me aloud, while I work!"

The program's simplicity combines with several valuable features that keep Vikki learning -- and working -- quickly and easily. So that the text she copies to the Clipboard is instantly accessible, for instance, Vikki keeps TextAloud running in her System Tray, with the options set to "Watch Clipboard," with a 1000-character minimum. She also utilizes the program's option of a 5-second delay on reading the copied text, so that if she doesn't want what she copies read aloud to her after all, she simply has to press "Cancel."

"The most valuable part about this setup is the fact that I can look at the pictures while listening to the information being read to me," adds Vikki. "It's far better than a live lecture because I can back up, pause, take notes, et cetera -- at my preferred speed, and when I need it. Because of TextAloud, I have installed flooring, doors, windows, landscaping, all of my plumbing fixtures, and installed most of them by myself!" Most satisfying of all, Vikki's repairs have turned out great, and have added immeasurably to her happiness in her new home.

Vikki has also found a variety of other helpful uses for TextAloud. "I have AD/HD and am dyslexic," she comments. "Reading, especially technical information, is very difficult for me." However, Vikki does have great auditory and visual learning abilities, so she always wished she could find someone who could read to her or show her how to do things firsthand. TextAloud provides exactly the auditory support she needs, so that she is able to utilize the program not only to assist her in her repairs, but also as an Environmental Studies student, as well as to read back letters, resumes, e-mails, websites, and more. Vikki also uses TextAloud to proof documents she has written. "I set up a mandatory spell check in every program I use, and when I think I am ready to send or print out the document, I use TextAloud to proofread it for me by reading it to me aloud," she explains. "Used this way, TextAloud has kept me from making simple grammatical errors that would have made me look unprofessional."

Vikki uses the program in several places -- with her desktop system, as well as with a Creative ZEN Nano and Sandisk Sansa. She listens to Audiobooks constantly, and likes that she can adjust the pronunciations, speed, and other options, and choose the best voices. She adds, "I can keep it open and change the number of characters it will ignore as well, so that I can hear selected text quickly and easily." Vikki also likes the fact that she is able to keep the TextAloud tool bar 'floating' so that it's easy to play, pause, and more, as needed.

Last, but certainly not least, Vikki also turned to TextAloud to research complex medical articles and studies when dealing with two serious family illnesses over the past year. "I can assimilate a great deal of information when it is read aloud to me, and TextAloud made it possible for me to help both of my parents through their illnesses, and to assure the best care for my father before he passed away."

From supporting her in her studies, to assisting her in proofing, reading, researching, and even in her home repairs, TextAloud has helped Vikki get the most out of Text to Speech.

About TextAloud
TextAloud has been featured in The New York Times, PC Magazine, Writer's Digest, on CNN, and more. Hailed by critics and users alike, TextAloud is priced at just $29.95, and is compatible with systems using Windows (R) 98, NT, 2000, XP and VISTA. The program is available for fast, safe and secure purchase via /purchase.html.

NextUp.com also offers TextAloud with optional premium voices from AT&T Natural Voices™, Nuance®, Acapela® and Cepstral® for the most natural-sounding computer speech anywhere. Available languages include U.S. English, U.K. English, Indian Accent English, Scottish Accent English, Arabic, Cantonese Chinese, Mandarin Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Belgian Dutch, Faroese, Finnish, French, Canadian French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Russian, Castilian (European) Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Mexican Spanish, Swedish, and Turkish.

About NextUp.com
NextUp.com, a division of NextUp Technologies, LLC, provides award-winning Text to Speech software for consumers, business customers, educators, and those with visual or vocal impairment, or learning disabilities.

In addition to TextAloud, NextUp.com markets other innovative Windows software designed to save time and deliver vital information. NextUp Talker is an easy and affordable program that allows people who have lost their voices to use the latest in high-quality computer voices to communicate with others.

Note to Editors:

Evaluation copies of TextAloud are currently available upon request. To receive a review copy, or for more information on NextUp.com or TextAloud, please contact publicist Angela Mitchell at (904) 982-8043.

All companies and products referenced in this press release are the trademarks of their respective owners.