spd-conf

spd-conf [options] [command]

--help
    Display help message and exit.

--version
    Display version information and exit.

--list
    List all configuration files. (Available configurations).

--show
    Show the content of a specific configuration file.

--create
    Create a new configuration file.

--delete
    Delete a configuration file.

--set =
    Set a specific option in a configuration file.

--unset
    Unset a specific option in a configuration file.

--global
    Operate on the global configuration instead of the user configuration.

The spd-conf command is a utility for managing Speech Dispatcher's configuration files.
Speech Dispatcher (spd) is a common interface to speech synthesizers. Its purpose is to provide a device independent layer through which programs may output speech.
spd-conf allows users and administrators to query, create, modify, and delete configuration files, affecting how Speech Dispatcher behaves for different users or globally. It's mainly used for setting default speech parameters (like voice, rate, pitch), modules, and output methods.
It simplifies configuring Speech Dispatcher without directly editing the configuration files, making it easier to customize speech output for accessibility or other specific needs. The configurations are typically stored in the user's home directory or in system wide configuration directories. By modifying these configurations, you can affect how different applications interact with Speech Dispatcher.

Changes made with spd-conf may require restarting Speech Dispatcher for the changes to take effect. Not all options might be available or functional depending on the Speech Dispatcher version and available modules.

User-specific configurations are usually located in ~/.config/speech-dispatcher/speechd.conf (or a similar path, depending on the system configuration). Global configurations are typically found in /etc/speech-dispatcher/speechd.conf or a similar system-wide location.

spd-conf is commonly used for setting preferred voices, adjusting speech rate for visually impaired users, or enabling specific modules for enhanced functionality. System administrators may use it to set global defaults for all users on a system.

Speech Dispatcher and spd-conf were developed to provide a consistent text-to-speech interface across different applications and environments on Linux systems. It has evolved to support a wider range of synthesizers and configuration options over time, becoming an important component of accessibility support on Linux desktops.

spd(1), speech-dispatcher(1)