Clemmons, NC and Newcastle, Australia (PRWEB) February 26, 2008 -- As a successful 42-year-old Australian builder, pilot, and entrepreneur, Alistair Mills has accomplished remarkable things -- in spite of the visual impairment that led to lifelong difficulties in reading. However, with a successful (and correctable) diagnosis of Dual Astigmatism at age 21, and Text to Speech tools like the TextAloud (http://www.TextAloud.com) software program from NextUp Technologies (http://www.Nextup.com), Mills quickly found an enjoyable and alternative way to listen to his reading material, and to do so without the eyestrain, eye fatigue and headaches he experienced by reading visually.
"I was dismissed as a poor reader and student until the age of 21," comments Mills, "when a doctor discovered that I suffered from Dual Astigmatism and Dual Misalignment. I was physically unable to read, because my eyes were not able to track words sequentially." Instead, his eyes 'machine-gunned' parts of words, guessing at most of them yet only getting about three letters of any one word at a time. "My condition also meant that, if I tried to read for any length of time, I would suffer excruciating headaches and extreme eye fatigue," he adds. Luckily, TextAloud provided Mills with the perfect solution: Mills could now read for study, entertainment, and more, by listening to text converted into spoken audio (for use on a PC, laptop or other mobile device (http://www.apple.com/itunes/)) and by an easy PC program that installed in minutes.
Mills immediately began using TextAloud for his business studies and courses. "When taking a course, I would take my laptop computer with me, and whenever possible, would get the course syllabus on disk. Using TextAloud, my grades went from barely passing to average 95%!" Soon, Mills was using the program for all his reading. "Professionally, I need to read copious amounts of highly technical text, so for the last five years now, I'll buy two copies of the book I want to read, cut the spine off one, and scan it into my computer. I process it with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, save it as a PDF, import it into Microsoft Word, then drop it into TextAloud. Working this way allows me to read whole books in just a couple of sessions." On one recent evening, using TextAloud, Mills was able to listen to over sixty (60) pages of highly complex information in a single session, and he has had many sessions where he was routinely able to listen to as many as 240 pages, as well. "My favorite aspects of TextAloud include the user friendliness of its software interface, the program's flexibility, as well as its easy compatibility with other software outputs," he comments. Mills uses the program with Acapela (R) Premium Voices, and especially enjoys any of the voices in 22 kHz.
Since he began using TextAloud, Mills has found "a significant increase not only in comprehension and productivity, but also in the quality of my concentration." He adds, "It's easy to enter what I call 'The Zone' where you are powering easily through work for significant periods of time. I love getting that feeling of higher concentration with no noticeable increase in effort when I'm using TextAloud, and you're in that zone before you even realize it." Mills also likes the fact that, in order to utilize the software efficiently, "you have to address and file your documents accurately, which promotes good 'housekeeping' on your PC." As the head of his own Investment Business, on any given day there are always an unlimited number of reports Mills may need to read, as well as newspaper financial sections, industry articles, and more.
"I never get tired of using TextAloud," says Mills, "and it gives me a blast when I see how much work I've been able to achieve. My reading study is now headache-free. I enjoy reading by listening now. My productivity is high. And my business and my profitability are all increasing, and that's partly due to the increased capacity I've uncovered via TextAloud."
About TextAloud
Highly useful for students, scientists, writers, business people, students and people from all walks of life -- 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 from $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 http://www.NextUp.com.
About NextUp.com
NextUp.com, a division of NextUp Technologies, LLC, provides award-winning Text to Speech software for consumers, professionals, businesses, 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. NewsAloud (TM) is a talking personal "news agent" that finds the stories users want, and then reads them aloud or to portable audio files. WeatherAloud (TM) is a weather application that lets users select and listen to personalized weather forecasts, while StocksAloud (TM) reads stock updates and related news headlines aloud for specific companies of interest. 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.
NextUp.com also offers TextAloud with optional premium voices (http://nextup.com/acapela.html) from Acapela (R), for the most natural-sounding computer speech anywhere. Available languages include U.S. English, U.K. English, Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish and Swedish. For more information on Acapela Group, visit http://www.acapela-group.com.
Evaluation copies of TextAloud are available upon request. For more information on NextUp.com or TextAloud, or for other case studies involving users ranging from students, to entrepreneurs, firefighters, doctors, lawyers, truck drivers, musicians, and more, 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.
# # #
Search Marketing Expo - SMX Conference Series Expanding to Australia in 2008
Australia's leading search marketing event, Search Summit, to become Search Marketing Expo - SMX Sydney in 2008
Australia's Most Popular Vocal Group, Human Nature Makes Their First Appearance in the United States
Tropicana casino in Atlantic City plays host to Human Nature's Motown revue as Motown approaches it's 50th anniversary.
Sifting Through Australian Tourism Information The Easy Way
Australian tourism is a big business. Whether you contact your travel agent for help planning a trip or you get online, you will see that there is a wealth of information and websites pertaining to this topic. It can be hard to differentiate between what is good information and what is not. Most travelers also find it very difficult to ascertain what is a good deal and what is not. With so much information out there, what do you do? Do you put your trip in the hands of a travel agent and hope they book the right kind of vacation for you, or do you find an all in one resource that can simplify the process for you?
The 10 Most Beautiful Beaches In Australia
Australia, the world’s largest island, has some of the best surfing beaches to be found anywhere. Here, visiting the beach is as much a social experience as an opportunity for relaxation and water sports, since the beach is integral to Australian culture. While there will always be disagreement over which of the thousands of beaches are the best, the following selection represents a variety of urban and regional surf beaches that are popular with both surfers and those looking for a fun day on the beach.
Search Engine Optimisation Services Australia
No matter how visually stunning your website is (or isn't), if it can't be found by the major search engines then you may as well not have bothered...this is the equivalent of printing 10,000 stunning brochures, and then leaving them in the storeroom. So often companies spend their scarce marketing resources on the "front end" of a website, totally ignoring the "back end" which drives visitors to your website, and from there encourages them to buy.
Debt Relief Options in Australia
The level of personal debt of Australian individuals is now higher than ever previously. People are borrowing more and are paying more for housing, mortgages. rental etc. Certainly the Reserve Bank of Australia has recognised this as a problem when it made a decision to raise the Australian interest rates by another 25 points. Continued compulsive spending by consumers, coupled with other inflationary pressures brought on by the high price of petrol will only make it harder for ordinary Australians to make ends meet.
Australian Visa Assessment is never been this easy!
Australia is in the verge of being one of the most well-visited and have the higher percentage of immigrants. Also there are lots of overseas student who choose to study in Australia, and the number of these students was around 100,000. That's a big number compared to other countries, and there is no question about that. The best things about the Universities in Australia are the fact that within the time of at least four months of finishing studies, the students already offered by some company to work for them whether as a part-time or full-time. In addition, these Universities had an alumni association that help the student to easily find the right job for them and the associates help with these requisites so that the students can get th...
Ryarc and Advantech Digital Signage Solution showcased at CeBit Australia 2008
Ryarc to exhibit with Advantech at CeBit, Australia. They will be demonstrating the latest version of Ryarc's CampaignManager on the Advantech DSA-3400 media player.
The Surfing Capital Of Australia
If surfing is your thing, then you must check out Bryon Bay, the Mecca of surfing in Australia. There you will find a place where surfing is not just a sport or favorite past-time but a lifestyle and local obsession.
There is a God? and He Has a Girlfriend? Living in Australia
Now imagine heavenly music that makes you feel good and you have just discovered Gods Girlfriend.
PreVisor Australia Announces a Brand New World of Opportunity
Former Talent Technologies relaunches under new name, offers expanded worldwide capabilities
Do My Ugg Australia Boots Put Me Ahead of Fashion or Behind?
Ugg Australia boots are not just for winter anymore. These boots are showing up everywhere.
Choosing An Australian Franchise Opportunity
Purchasing a franchise is one of the best ways to start a business. It can definitely jumpstart your career as an entrepreneur. A franchise might as well be referred to as an ?instant business?. If you are in Australia, there are a number of Australian franchise opportunities that you can check out for yourself.
Chairman of Franchise Council of Australia Releases 2008 Prediction
John O'Brien, Chairman of the Franchise Council of Australia, has given his forecast to the press on what 2008 has in store and his thoughts on Asia growth in the food and beverage industry.
Australian Online Security Company, TrustDefender, Named a 'Global Rising Star' in MIS Magazines' 'Annual Strategic 100' Issue
Leading Australian online security company, TrustDefender has been named in MIS Magazine's 'Top 25 Global Rising Star' list in the magazine's recently issued 'Annual Strategic 100' issue.