BRLTTY can be downloaded from its web site (see section Contact Information for its location). All releases are provided as compressed tar balls. Newer releases are also provided as RPM (RedHat Package Manager) files.
That tidbit of information has probably peaked your curiosity, and now you just can't wait to get started. It's a good idea, though, to first become familiar with the files which will ultimately be installed.
The build procedure should result in the installation of the following files:
The BRLTTY program.
A utility for copying BRLTTY's installed file hierarchy from one location to another.
A utility which sets a number of environment variables to values which reflect the current installation of BRLTTY.
Static archive of the Application Programming Interface.
Dynamically loadable object for the Application Programming Interface.
Your installation of BRLTTY may not have all of the following types of files. They're only created as needed based on the build options you select (see Build Options).
A list of the braille display drivers which have been built as dynamically loadable shared objects, and, therefore, which can be selected at run-time. Each line consists of the two-letter identification code for a driver, a tab character, and a description of the braille display which that driver is for.
The dynamically loadable driver for a braille display, where driver is the two-letter driver identification code.
A list of the speech synthesizer drivers which have been built as dynamically loadable shared objects, and, therefore, which can be selected at run-time. Each line consists of the two-letter identification code for a driver, a tab character, and a description of the speech synthesizer which that driver is for.
The dynamically loadable driver for a speech synthesizer, where driver is the two-letter driver identification code.
Files created at run-time, e.g. needed but missing system resources.
System defaults for BRLTTY.
The access key for BrlAPI.
Your installation of BRLTTY may not have all of the following types of files. They're only created as needed based on the build options you select (see Build Options).
Driver-specific configuration data.
Their names look more or less like brltty-driver.conf,
where driver is the two-letter
driver identification code.
Attributes tables
(see section
Attributes Tables for details).
Their names look like name.atb.
Include files for attributes tables.
Contraction tables
(see section
Contraction Tables for details).
Their names look like language-country-level.ctb.
Include files for contraction tables.
Key tables
(see section
Key Tables for details).
Their names look like name.ktb.
Include files for key tables.
Text tables
(see section
Text Tables for details).
Their names look like language.ttb.
Include files for text tables.
Driver-specific help pages.
Their names look more or less like brltty-driver.hlp,
where driver is the two-letter
driver identification code.
Local sockets for connecting to the Application Programming Interface.
C header files for the Application Programming Interface.
Their names look like brlapi-function.h.
The main header is brlapi.h.
C header files for accessing braille hardware.
Their names look like brldefs-driver.h
(where driver is the two-letter
driver identification code).
The headers brldefs.h and api.h are provided
for backward compatibility and shouldn't be used.
Man pages.
Man pages for BRLTTY-related user commands.
Man pages for Application Programming Interface library routines.
Some optional files which you should be aware of, although they aren't part of the installed file hierarchy, are:
The system defaults configuration file. It's created by the system administrator. See The Configuration File for details.
The saved preferences settings file (driver is a two-letter driver identification code). It's created by the PREFSAVE command. See Preferences Settings for details.
Here's what to do if you just want to install BRLTTY as quickly as possible, trusting that all of our defaults are correct.
brltty-release.tar.gz,
e.g. brltty-3.0.tar.gz.
tar xzf brltty-release.tar.gz
brltty-release.
cd brltty-release
./configure
make install
To uninstall BRLTTY, do:
cd brltty-release
make uninstall
That's all there's to it. Now, for those who really want to know what's going on, here are the details.
The first step in building BRLTTY is to configure it
for your system and/or for your personal needs.
This is done by running the configure script in BRLTTY's top-level directory.
We've tried to make the defaults fit the most common case, so,
assuming that you're not attempting to do anything out of the ordinary,
you may not need to do anything more complicated than
invoke this script without specifying any options at all.
./configure
./configure --help
README file in the subdirectory
containing the driver for your braille display
for any additional display-specific instructions.
--with-braille-driver=driver
Specify the braille display drivers
which are to be linked into the BRLTTY binary.
Those drivers which aren't listed via this option
are built as dynamically loadable shared objects
and can still be selected at run-time.
Each driver must be identified
either by its two-letter
driver identification code
or by its proper name (full or abbreviated).
The driver identifiers must be
separated from one another by a single comma.
If a driver identifier is prefixed by a minus sign (-),
then that driver is excluded from the build.
Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Link all of the drivers into the binary. Don't build any of them as dynamically loadable shared objects. This word may also be specified as the final element of a driver list. This is how to specify the default driver when all the drivers are to be linked in.
Only build those drivers which have been explicitly included via this option.
Don't build any drivers at all.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-braille-driver.
Build all of the drivers as dynamically loadable shared objects.
Don't link any of them into the binary.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-braille-driver.
--with-braille-parameters=[driver:]name=value,...
Specify the default parameter settings for the braille display drivers. If the same parameter is specified more than once, then its rightmost assignment is used. If a parameter name is qualified by a driver (see section Driver Identification Codes) then that setting only applies to that driver; if it isn't then it applies to all drivers. For a description of the parameters accepted by a specific driver, please see the documentation for that driver. See the braille-parameters configuration file directive and the -B command line option for run-time selection.
--with-braille-device=device,...
Specify the default device to which the braille display is connected
(see section
Braille Device Specification).
If this option isn't specified then
usb: is assumed if USB support is available,
bluetooth: is assumed if Bluetooth support is available,
and usb:,bluetooth: is assumed if both are available.
If neither USB nor Bluetooth support is available then
an operating system appropriate path
for the primary (first) serial port (device) is assumed.
See the
braille-device configuration file directive
and the
-d command line option
for run-time selection.
--with-libbraille=directory
Specify the installed location of the Libbraille package, and build the Libbraille braille display driver (see Build Restrictions). Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Don't build the driver.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-libbraille.
Build the driver if the package can be found in
/usr,
/usr/local,
/usr/local/Libbraille,
/usr/local/libbraille,
/opt/Libbraille,
or /opt/libbraille.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-libbraille.
--with-text-table=file
Specify the built-in (fallback) text table
(see section
Text Tables for details).
The specified table is linked into the BRLTTY binary, and is used
either if locale-based autoselection fails
or if the requested table can't be loaded.
The absolute path to a table outside the source tree may be specified.
The .ttb extension is optional.
If this option isn't specified,
then en-nabcc,
a commonly (in North America) used 8-dot variant of the
North American Braille Computer Code,
is assumed.
See the
text-table configuration file directive
and the
-t command line option
for run-time selection.
This setting can be changed with the
Text Table preference.
--with-attributes-table=file
Specify the built-in (fallback) attributes table
(see section
Attributes Translation for details).
The specified table is linked into the BRLTTY binary, and is used
if the requested table can't be loaded.
The absolute path to a table outside the source tree may be specified.
The .atb extension is optional.
If this option isn't specified,
then left_right is assumed.
Change it to invleft_right if you'd like it done the old way.
See the
attributes-table configuration file directive
and the
-a command line option
for run-time selection.
This setting can be changed with the
Attributes Table preference.
--with-speech-driver=driver
Specify the speech synthesizer drivers
which are to be linked into the BRLTTY binary.
Those drivers which aren't listed via this option
are built as dynamically loadable shared objects
and can still be selected at run-time.
Each driver must be identified
either by its two-letter
driver identification code
or by its proper name (full or abbreviated).
The driver identifiers must be
separated from one another by a single comma.
If a driver identifier is prefixed by a minus sign (-),
then that driver is excluded from the build.
Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Link all of the drivers into the binary. Don't build any of them as dynamically loadable shared objects. This word may also be specified as the final element of a driver list. This is how to specify the default driver when all the drivers are to be linked in.
Only build those drivers which have been explicitly included via this option.
Don't build any drivers at all.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-speech-driver.
Build all of the drivers as dynamically loadable shared objects.
Don't link any of them into the binary.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-speech-driver.
--with-speech-parameters=[driver:]name=value,...
Specify the default parameter settings for the speech synthesizer drivers. If the same parameter is specified more than once, then its rightmost assignment is used. If a parameter name is qualified by a driver (see section Driver Identification Codes) then that setting only applies to that driver; if it isn't then it applies to all drivers. For a description of the parameters accepted by a specific driver, please see the documentation for that driver. See the speech-parameters configuration file directive and the -S command line option for run-time selection.
--with-flite=directory
Specify the installed location of the FestivalLite text-to-speech package, and build the FestivalLite speech synthesizer driver (see Build Restrictions). Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Don't build the driver.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-flite.
Build the driver if the package can be found in
/usr,
/usr/local,
/usr/local/FestivalLite,
/usr/local/flite,
/opt/FestivalLite,
or /opt/flite.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-flite.
--with-flite-language=language
Specify the language which the FestivalLite text to speech engine is to use.
The default language is usenglish.
--with-flite-lexicon=lexicon
Specify the lexicon which the FestivalLite text to speech engine is to use.
The default lexicon is cmulex.
--with-flite-voice=voice
Specify the voice which the FestivalLite text to speech engine is to use.
The default voice is cmu_us_kal16.
--with-mikropuhe=directory
Specify the installed location of the Mikropuhe text-to-speech package, and build the Mikropuhe speech synthesizer driver (see Build Restrictions). Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Don't build the driver.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-mikropuhe.
Build the driver if the package can be found in
/usr,
/usr/local,
/usr/local/Mikropuhe,
/usr/local/mikropuhe,
/opt/Mikropuhe,
or /opt/mikropuhe.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-mikropuhe.
--with-speechd=directory
Specify the installed location of the speech-dispatcher text-to-speech package, and build the speech-dispatcher speech synthesizer driver. Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Don't build the driver.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-speechd.
Build the driver if the package can be found in
/usr,
/usr/local,
/usr/local/speech-dispatcher,
/usr/local/speechd,
/opt/speech-dispatcher,
or /opt/speechd.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-speechd.
--with-swift=directory
Specify the installed location of the Swift text-to-speech package, and build the Swift speech synthesizer driver. Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Don't build the driver.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-swift.
Build the driver if the package can be found in
/usr,
/usr/local,
/usr/local/Swift,
/usr/local/swift,
/opt/Swift,
or /opt/swift.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-swift.
--with-theta=directory
Specify the installed location of the Theta text-to-speech package, and build the Theta speech synthesizer driver (see Build Restrictions). Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Don't build the driver.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-theta.
Build the driver if the package can be found in
/usr,
/usr/local,
/usr/local/Theta,
/usr/local/theta,
/opt/Theta,
or /opt/theta.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-theta.
--with-screen-driver=driver
Specify the screen drivers
which are to be linked into the BRLTTY binary.
Those drivers which aren't listed via this option
are built as dynamically loadable shared objects
and can still be selected at run-time.
Each driver must be identified
either by its two-letter driver identification code
(see section
Supported Screen Drivers)
or by its proper name (full or abbreviated).
The driver identifiers must be
separated from one another by a single comma.
If a driver identifier is prefixed by a minus sign (-),
then that driver is excluded from the build.
Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Link all of the drivers into the binary. Don't build any of them as dynamically loadable shared objects. This word may also be specified as the final element of a driver list. This is how to specify the default driver when all the drivers are to be linked in.
Only build those drivers which have been explicitly included via this option.
Don't build any drivers at all.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-screen-driver.
Build all of the drivers as dynamically loadable shared objects.
Don't link any of them into the binary.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-screen-driver.
sc is selected.
See the
screen-driver configuration file directive
and the
-x command line option
for run-time selection.
--with-screen-parameters=[driver:]name=value,...
Specify the default parameter settings for the screen drivers. If the same parameter is specified more than once, then its rightmost assignment is used. If a parameter name is qualified by a driver (see section Supported Screen Drivers) then that setting only applies to that driver; if it isn't then it applies to all drivers. For a description of the parameters accepted by a specific driver, please see the documentation for that driver. See the screen-parameters configuration file directive and the -X command line option for run-time selection.
--with-usb-package=package,...
Specify the package which is to be used for USB I/O. The package names must be separated from one another by a single comma, and are processed from left to right. The first one which is installed on the system is selected. The following packages are supported:
Don't support USB I/O.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-usb-package.
Use native support for USB I/O.
If native support isn't available for the current platform
then use the first available supported package
(as per the order specified above).
This is equivalent to specifying --with-usb-package.
--with-bluetooth-package=package,...
Specify the package which is to be used for Bluetooth I/O. The package names must be separated from one another by a single comma, and are processed from left to right. The first one which is installed on the system is selected. The following packages are supported:
Don't support Bluetooth I/O.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-bluetooth-package.
Use native support for Bluetooth I/O.
If native support isn't available for the current platform
then use the first available supported package
(as per the order specified above).
This is equivalent to specifying --with-bluetooth-package.
--with-execute-root=directory
Specify the directory at which the installed file hierarchy is to be rooted at run-time. The absolute path should be supplied. If this option isn't specified, then the system's root directory is assumed. Use this option if you need to install BRLTTY's run-time files in a non-standard location. You need to use this feature, for example, if you'd like to have more than one version of BRLTTY installed at the same time (see section Installing Multiple Versions for an example of how to do this).
--with-install-root=directory
Specify the directory beneath which the installed file hierarchy is to be installed. The absolute path should be supplied. If this option isn't specified, then the run-time package root (see the --with-execute-root build option) is assumed. This directory is only used by make install and make uninstall. Use this option if you need to install BRLTTY in a different location than the one from which it'll ultimately be executed. You need to use this feature, for example, if you're building BRLTTY on one system for use on another.
--prefix=directory
Specify the directory within the installed file hierarchy where the default directories for the architecture-independent files are to be rooted. These directories include:
--exec-prefix=directory
Specify the directory within the installed file hierarchy where the default directories for the architecture-dependent files are to be rooted. These directories include:
--libdir=directory
Specify the directory within the
installed file hierarchy
where the static archive and the dynamically loadable object
for the Application Programming Interface are to be installed.
The absolute path should be supplied.
If this option isn't specified,
then the directory
specified via the standard configure option --libdir
(which defaults to /lib rooted at the directory specified by the
--exec-prefix build option)
is assumed.
The directory is created if it doesn't exist.
--sysconfdir=directory
Specify the directory within the
installed file hierarchy
where the configuration files are to be installed.
The absolute path should be supplied.
If this option isn't specified,
then the directory
specified via the standard configure option --sysconfdir
(which defaults to /etc rooted at the directory specified by the
--prefix build option)
is assumed.
The directory is created if it doesn't exist.
--with-program-directory=directory
Specify the directory within the
installed file hierarchy
where the runnable programs (binaries, executables) are to be installed.
The absolute path should be supplied.
If this option isn't specified,
then the directory
specified via the standard configure option --bindir
(which defaults to /bin rooted at the directory specified by the
--exec-prefix build option)
is assumed.
The directory is created if it doesn't exist.
--with-library-directory=directory
Specify the directory within the
installed file hierarchy
where the drivers and other architecture-dependent files are to be installed.
The absolute path should be supplied.
If this option isn't specified,
then the brltty subdirectory of the directory
specified via the standard configure option --libdir
(which defaults to /lib rooted at the directory specified by the
--exec-prefix build option)
is assumed.
The directory is created if it doesn't exist.
--with-writable-directory=directory
Specify the directory within the installed file hierarchy which may be written to. The absolute path should be supplied. Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Don't define a writable directory.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-writable-directory.
Use the default location.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-writable-directory.
rw subdirectory of the directory specified via the
--with-library-directory build option
is assumed.
The directory is created if it doesn't exist.
--with-data-directory=directory
Specify the directory within the
installed file hierarchy
where the tables, help pages,
and other architecture-independent files are to be installed.
The absolute path should be supplied.
If this option isn't specified,
then the brltty subdirectory of the directory
specified via the standard configure option --sysconfdir
(which defaults to /etc rooted at the directory specified by the
--prefix build option)
is assumed.
The directory is created if it doesn't exist.
--with-manpage-directory=directory
Specify the directory within the
installed file hierarchy
where the man pages are to be installed.
The absolute path should be supplied.
If this option isn't specified,
then the directory
specified via the standard configure option --mandir
(which defaults to /man rooted at the directory specified by the
--prefix build option)
is assumed.
The directory is created if it doesn't exist.
--with-include-directory=directory
Specify the directory within the
installed file hierarchy
where the C header files for the Application Programming Interface
are to be installed.
The absolute path should be supplied.
If this option isn't specified,
then the brltty subdirectory of the directory
specified via the standard configure option --includedir
(which defaults to /include rooted at the directory specified by the
--prefix build option)
is assumed.
The directory is created if it doesn't exist.
These options are primarily useful when building BRLTTY for use on a boot disk.
--enable-standalone-programs
Create statically linked, rather than dynamically linked, programs. This option removes all dependencies on shared objects at run-time. Only the default drivers (see the --with-braille-driver, --with-speech-driver, and --with-screen-driver build options) are compiled.
--enable-relocatable-install
If this feature is enabled then all internal paths are recalculated to be relative to the program directory. If it's disabled then all internal paths are absolute. This feature allows the entire installed file hierarchy to be copied or moved, in tact, from one place to another, and is primarily intended for use on Windows platforms.
--disable-stripping
Don't remove the symbol tables from executables and shared objects when installing them.
--disable-learn-mode
Reduce program size by excluding command learn mode (see section Command Learn Mode).
--disable-contracted-braille
Reduce program size by excluding support for contracted braille (see section Contraction Tables).
--disable-speech-support
Reduce program size by excluding support for speech synthesizers.
--disable-iconv
Reduce program size by excluding support for character set conversion.
--disable-icu
Reduce program size by excluding support for Unicode-based internationalization.
--disable-x
Reduce program size by excluding support for X11.
--disable-beeper-support
Reduce program size by excluding support for the console tone generator.
--disable-pcm-support
Reduce program size by excluding support for the digital audio interface on the sound card.
--enable-pcm-support=interfaceIf a platform provides more than one digital audio interface
then the one which is to be used may be specified.
| Platform | Interface | Description |
| Linux | oss | Open Sound System |
| alsa | Advanced Linux Sound Architecture | |
--disable-midi-support
Reduce program size by excluding support for the Musical Instrument Digital Interface of the sound card.
--enable-midi-support=interfaceIf a platform provides more than one Musical Instrument Digital Interface
then the one which is to be used may be specified.
| Platform | Interface | Description |
| Linux | oss | Open Sound System |
| alsa | Advanced Linux Sound Architecture | |
--disable-fm-support
Reduce program size by excluding support for the FM synthesizer on an AdLib, OPL3, Sound Blaster, or equivalent sound card.
--disable-pm-configfile
Reduce program size by excluding support for the Papenmeier driver's configuration file.
--disable-gpm
Reduce program size by excluding
the interface to the gpm application
which allows BRLTTY to interact with the pointer (mouse) device
(see section
Pointer (Mouse) Support via GPM).
--disable-api
Reduce program size by excluding the Application Programming Interface.
--with-api-parameters=name=value,...
Specify the default parameter settings for the Application Programming Interface. If the same parameter is specified more than once, then its rightmost assignment is used. For a description of the parameters accepted by the interface, please see the BrlAPI reference manual. See the api-parameters configuration file directive and the -A command line option for run-time selection.
--disable-caml-bindings
Don't build the Caml bindings for the Application Programming Interface.
--disable-java-bindings
Don't build the Java bindings for the Application Programming Interface.
--disable-lisp-bindings
Don't build the Lisp bindings for the Application Programming Interface.
--disable-python-bindings
Don't build the Python bindings for the Application Programming Interface.
--disable-tcl-bindings
Don't build the Tcl bindings for the Application Programming Interface.
--with-tcl-config=path
Specify the location of the Tcl configuration script (tclConfig.sh).
Either the path to the script itself
or to the directory containing it
may be supplied.
Any of the following words can also be used as the operand of this option:
Use other means to guess if Tcl is available, and, if so, where it has been installed.
This is equivalent to specifying --without-tcl-config.
Search for the script in a few commonly used directories.
This is equivalent to specifying --with-tcl-config.
--with-init-path=path
Specify the path to the real init program for the system.
The absolute path should be supplied.
If this option is specified, then:
init program should be moved to a new location.brltty should be moved to the init program's original location.init at startup,
brltty is actually run.
It puts itself into the background,
and runs the real init in the foreground.
This is one (somewhat sneaky) way to have braille right at the outset.
It's especially useful for some install/rescue disks.--with-stderr-path=path
Specify the path to the file or device where standard erorr output is to be written. The absolute path should be supplied. If this option isn't specified, then this feature isn't activated. This option is primarily intended for building a braillified installer image.
Once BRLTTY has been configured,
the next steps are to compile and to install it.
These are done by applying the system's make command
to BRLTTY's main make file (Makefile in the top-level directory).
BRLTTY's make file supports most of the common application maintenance targets.
They include:
A shortcut for make all.
Compile and link the BRLTTY executable, its drivers and their help pages, its test programs, and a few other small utilities.
Complete the compile and link phase (see make all), and then install the BRLTTY executable, its data files, drivers, and help pages, in the correct places and with the correct permissions.
Remove the BRLTTY executable, its data files, drivers, and help pages, from the system.
Ensure that the next compile and link (see make all) will be done from scratch by removing the results of compiling, linking, and testing from the source directory structure. This includes the removal of object files, executables, dynamically loadable shared objects, driver lists, help pages, temporary header files, and core files.
In addition to removing the results of compiling and linking (see make clean):
config.mk, config.h,
config.cache, config.status, and config.log.After compiling, linking, and installing BRLTTY, it's a good idea to give it a quick test before activating it permanently. To do so, invoke it with the command:
brltty -bdriver -ddevice
If you don't want to explicitly identify the driver and device each time you start BRLTTY, then you can take two approaches. You can establish system defaults via the braille-driver and the braille-device configuration file directives, and/or compile your needs right into BRLTTY via the --with-braille-driver and the --with-braille-device build options.
If all is well, BRLTTY's version identification message should appear on the braille display for a few seconds (see the -M command line option). After it goes away (which you can hasten by pressing any key on the display), the area of the screen where the cursor is should appear. This means that you should expect to see your shell's command prompt. Then, as you enter your next command, each character should appear on the display as it's typed on the keyboard.
If this is your experience, then leave BRLTTY running, and enjoy it. If this isn't your experience, then it may be necessary to test each driver separately in order to isolate the source of the problem. The screen driver can be tested with scrtest, and the braille display driver can be tested with brltest.
If you experience a problem which requires a lot of digging,
then you may wish to use the following brltty command line options:
BRLTTY, when properly installed, is invoked with the single command brltty.
A configuration file
(see section
The Configuration File for details)
can be created in order to establish system defaults for such things as
the location of the preferences file,
the braille display driver to be used,
the device to which the braille display is connected,
and the text table to be used.
Many options
(see section
Command Line Options for details)
allow explicit run-time specification of such things as
the location of the configuration file,
any defaults established within the configuration file,
and some characteristics which have reasonable defaults
but which those who think they know what they're doing may wish to play with.
The
-h option
displays a summary of all the options.
The
-V option
displays the current version of the program, the API, and the selected drivers.
The
-v option
displays the values of the options after all sources have been considered.
It's probably best to have the system automatically start BRLTTY as part of the boot sequence so that the braille display is already up and running when the login prompt appears. Most (probably all) distributions provide a script wherein user-supplied applications can be safely started near the end of the boot sequence. The name of this script is distribution-dependent. Here are the ones we know about so far:
/etc/rc.d/rc.local
Starting BRLTTY from this script is a good approach (especially for new users). Just add a set of lines like these:
if [ -x /bin/brltty -a -f /etc/brltty.conf ]
then
/bin/brltty
fi
[ -x /bin/brltty -a -f /etc/brltty.conf ] && /bin/brltty
#!/bin/sh).
If the braille display is to be used by a system administrator, then it should probably be started as early as possible during the boot sequence (like before the file systems are checked) so that the display is usable in the event that something goes wrong during these checks and the system drops into single user mode. Again, exactly where it's best to do this is distribution-dependent. Here are the places we know about so far:
/etc/init.d/boot (for older releases)
/etc/init.d/ (for newer releases)
A brltty package is provided
(see [
http://packages.debian.org/brltty])
as of release 3.0 (Woody).
Since this package takes care of starting BRLTTY,
there's no need for user-supplied code to do so if it's installed.
If you need the daemon to run with some command-line options,
you can change the contents between quotes
on the directive ARGUMENTS
in the /etc/default/brltty file.
/etc/rc.d/rc.sysinit
Beware that later releases,
in order to support a more user-oriented system initialization procedure,
have this script reinvoke itself such that
it's under the control of initlog.
Look, probably right up near the top, for a set of lines like these:
# Rerun ourselves through initlog
if [ -z "$IN_INITLOG" ]; then
[ -f /sbin/initlog ] && exec /sbin/initlog $INITLOG_ARGS -r /etc/rc.sysinit
fi
/etc/rc.d/rc.S
/sbin/init.d/boot
An alternative is to start BRLTTY from /etc/inittab.
You have two choices if you choose this route.
:sysinit: line which is already in there.
brl::sysinit:/bin/brltty
brl:12345:respawn:/bin/brltty -n
--nodaemon) option is very
important when running BRLTTY with init's respawn facility.
You'll end up with hundreds of BRLTTY processes all running at the same time
if you forget to specify it.brl in these examples)
isn't already being used by another entry,
and, if it is, choose a different one which isn't.
Note that a command like kill -TERM
is sufficient to stop BRLTTY in its tracks.
If it dies during entry into single user mode, for example,
it may well be due to a problem of this nature.
Some systems, as part of the boot sequence, probe the serial ports (usually in order to automatically find the mouse and deduce its type). If your braille display is using a serial port, this kind of probing may be enough to get it confused. If this happens to you, then try restarting the braille driver (see the RESTARTBRL command). Better yet, turn off the serial port probing. Here's what we know so far about how to do this:
The probing is done by a service named kudzu.
Use the command
chkconfig --list kudzu
chkconfig kudzu off
kudzu run
without probing the serial ports.
To do this, edit the file /etc/sysconfig/kudzu,
and set SAFE to yes.
If you want to start BRLTTY before any file systems are mounted, then ensure that all of its components are installed within the root file system. See the --with-execute-root, --bindir, --libdir, --with-writable-directory, and --with-data-directory build options.
BRLTTY needs to run with root privileges because it needs
read and write access for the port to which the braille display is connected,
read access to /dev/vcsa or equivalent
(to query the screen dimensions and the cursor position,
and to review the current screen content and highlighting),
and read and write access to the system console
(for arrow key entry during cursor routing,
for input character insertion during paste,
for special key simulation using keys on the braille display,
for retrieving output character translation and screen font mapping tables,
and for activation of the internal beeper).
Access to the needed devices can, of course, be granted to a non-root user
by changing the file permissions associated with the devices.
Merely having access to the console, however, isn't enough because
activating the internal beeper and simulating key strokes still require root privilege.
So, if you're willing to give up cursor routing, cut&paste, beeps,
and all that, you can run BRLTTY without root priviledge.
Some platforms don't support all of the tune devices. See the Tune Device preference for details.
The driver for the FestivalLite text to speech engine is only built if that package has been installed.
This driver and the driver for the Theta text to speech engine (see the --with-theta build option) cannot be simultaneously linked into the BRLTTY binary (see the --with-speech-driver build option) because their run-time libraries contain conflicting symbols.
The driver for the Libbraille package is only built if that package has been installed.
The driver for the Mikropuhe text to speech engine is only built if that package has been installed.
This driver cannot be included if the BRLTTY binary is statically linked (see the --enable-standalone-programs build option) because a static archive isn't included with the package.
The driver for the Theta text to speech engine is only built if that package has been installed.
This driver and the driver for the FestivalLite text to speech engine (see the --with-flite build option) cannot be simultaneously linked into the BRLTTY binary (see the --with-speech-driver build option) because their run-time libraries contain conflicting symbols.
If this driver is built as a dynamically loadable shared object
then $THETA_HOME/lib must be added
to the LD_LIBRARY_PATH environment variable
before BRLTTY is invoked
because the shared objects within the package don't contain
run-time search paths for their dependencies.
The driver for the ViaVoice text to speech engine is only built if that package has been installed.
This driver cannot be included if the BRLTTY binary is statically linked (see the --enable-standalone-programs build option) because a static archive isn't included with the package.
The driver for the VideoBraille braille display is built on all systems, but only works on Linux.
To install BRLTTY from an RPM (RedHat Package Manager) file, do the following:
brltty-release-version.architecture.rpm,
e.g. brltty-3.0-1.i386.rpm.
rpm -Uvh brltty-release-version.architecture.rpm
-U (update) option is the only one which is necessary.
The -v (verbose) option displays the name of the package as it's being installed.
The -h (hashes) option displays a progress meter (using hash signs)..src.rpm) file,
but that's beyond the scope of this document.
To uninstall BRLTTY, do:
rpm -e brltty
Building BRLTTY also results in the building of a few small helper and diagnostic utilities.
This utility sets a number of environment variables to values which reflect the current installation of BRLTTY (see Build Options). It should be executed within an existing shell environment, i.e. not as a command in its own right, and can only be used by scripts which support Bourne Shell syntax.
. brltty-config
The following environment variables are set:
The version number of the BRLTTY package.
Run-time root for the installed package. Configured via the --with-execute-root build option.
Directory for runnable programs (binaries, executables). Configured via the --with-program-directory build option.
Directory for drivers. Configured via the --with-library-directory build option.
Directory which can be written to. Configured via the --with-writable-directory build option.
Directory for tables and help pages. Configured via the --with-data-directory build option.
Directory for manual pages. Configured via the --with-manpage-directory build option.
Directory for BrlAPI's C header files. Configured via the --with-include-directory build option.
The version number of BrlAPI (BRLTTY's Application Programming Interface).
The full release number of BrlAPI.
The name of BrlAPI's key file.
In addition, the following standard autoconf environment variables are also set:
Subroot for architecture-independent files. Configured via the --prefix build option.
Subroot for architecture-dependent files. Configured via the --exec-prefix build option.
Default location for
program directory.
Configured via the --bindir build option.
Directory for BrlAPI's static archive and dynamically loadable object. Default anchor for library directory. Configured via the --libdir build option.
Directory for configuration files. Default anchor for data directory. Configured via the --sysconfdir build option.
Default location for
manual pages directory.
Configured via the --mandir build option.
Default anchor for
header files directory.
Configured via the --includedir build option.
This utility copies BRLTTY's installed file hierarchy from one location to another.
brltty-install to [from]
The location to which the installed file hierarchy is to be copied. It must be an existing directory.
The location from which the installed file hierarchy is to be taken. If it's specified, then it must be an existing directory. If it's not specified, then the location used for the build is assumed.
This utility can be used, for example, to copy BRLTTY to a root disk.
If a root floppy is mounted as /mnt,
and BRLTTY is installed on the main system,
then typing
brltty-install /mnt
Some problems have been experienced when copying BRLTTY between systems with different versions of the shared C library. This is worth investigating if you have difficulties.
This utility tests a braille display driver, and also provides an interactive way to learn what the keys on the braille display do. It should be run as root.
brltest -option ... [driver [name=value ...]]
The driver for the braille display. It must be a two-letter driver identification code. If it's not specified, then the first driver configured via the --with-braille-driver build option is assumed.
=valueSet a braille display driver parameter. For a description of the parameters accepted by a specific driver, please see the documentation for that driver.
-ddevice --device=deviceThe absolute path for the device to which the braille display is connected. If it's not specified, then the device configured via the --with-braille-device build option is assumed.
-Ddirectory --data-directory=directoryThe absolute path for the directory wherein the driver data files reside. If it's not specified, then the directory configured via the --with-data-directory build option is assumed.
-Ldirectory --library-directory=directoryThe absolute path for the directory wherein the drivers reside. If it's not specified, then the directory configured via the --libdir build option is assumed.
-Wdirectory --writable-directory=directoryThe absolute path for a directory which can be written to. If it's not specified, then the directory configured via the --with-writable-directory build option is assumed.
-h --helpDisplay a summary of the command line options, and then exit.
This utility uses BRLTTY's
Command Learn Mode.
The key press timeout
(after which this utility exits)
is 10 seconds.
The message hold time
(used for non-final segments of long messages)
is 4 seconds.
This utility tests a speech synthesizer driver. It may need to be run as root.
spktest -option ... [driver [name=value ...]]
The driver for the speech synthesizer. It must be a two-letter driver identification code. If it's not specified, then the first driver configured via the --with-speech-driver build option is assumed.
=valueSet a speech synthesizer driver parameter. For a description of the parameters accepted by a specific driver, please see the documentation for that driver.
-tstring --text-string=stringThe text to be spoken. If it's not specified, then standard input is read.
-Ddirectory --data-directory=directoryThe absolute path for the directory wherein the driver data files reside. If it's not specified, then the directory configured via the --with-data-directory build option is assumed.
-Ldirectory --library-directory=directoryThe absolute path for the directory wherein the drivers reside. If it's not specified, then the directory configured via the --libdir build option is assumed.
-h --helpDisplay a summary of the command line options, and then exit.
This utility tests the screen driver. It must be run as root.
scrtest -option ... [name=value ...]
=valueSet a screen driver parameter. For a description of the parameters accepted by a specific driver, please see the documentation for that driver.
-lcolumn --left=columnSpecify the starting (left) column (zero-origin) of the region. If this value isn't supplied, then a default value, based on the specified width, is selected such that the region is horizontally centred.
-ccount --columns=countSpecify the width of the region (in columns). If this value isn't supplied, then a default value, based on the specified starting column, is selected such that the region is horizontally centred.
-trow --top=rowSpecify the starting (top) row (zero-origin) of the region. If this value isn't supplied, then a default value, based on the specified height, is selected such that the region is vertically centred.
-rcount --rows=countSpecify the height of the region (in rows). If this value isn't supplied, then a default value, based on the specified starting row, is selected such that the region is vertically centred.
-h --helpDisplay a summary of the command line options, and then exit.
Notes:
The following is written to standard output:
Screen: widthxheight
Cursor: [column,row]
Region: widthxheight@[column,row]
This utility tests a text table (see section Text Tables).
ttbtest -option ... input-table output-table
The file system path to the input text table. If it's relative then it's anchored at the directory configured via the --with-data-directory build option.
The file system path to the output text table. If it's relative then it's anchored at the current working directory. If this parameter isn't supplied then no output table is written.
-iformat --input-format=formatSpecify the format of the input table. If this option isn't supplied then the format of the input table is deduced from the extension of the input table's file name.
-oformat --output-format=formatSpecify the format of the output table. If this option isn't supplied then the format of the output table is deduced from the extension of the output table's file name.
-ccharset --charset=charsetSpecify the name of the 8-bit character set to use when interpreting the tables. If this option isn't supplied then the host's character set is used.
-e --editInvoke the text table editor. If the output table is specified then changes are written to it. If not then the input table is rewritten.
-h --helpDisplay a summary of the command line options, and then exit.
If no special action is requested then the output table is optional. If it is not specified then the input table is checked. If it is specified then the input table is converted.
The following table formats are supported:
BRLTTY
SuSE Blinux
Gnopernicus
Gnome Braille
This utility tests a contraction table (see section Contraction Tables). The text read from the input files (or standard input) is rewritten to standard output as contracted braille.
ctbtest -option ... input-file ...
The list of files to be processed.
Any number of files may be specified.
They're processed from left to right.
The special file name - is interpreted to mean standard input.
If no files are specified then standard input is processed.
-cfile --contraction-table=fileThe file system path to the contraction table.
If it's relative then it's anchored at the directory configured via the
--with-data-directory build option.
The .ctb extension is optional.
If this option isn't supplied then en-us-g2 is assumed.
-tfile|auto --text-table=file|autoSpecify the text table
(see section
Text Tables for details).
If a relative path is supplied, then it's anchored at /etc/brltty
(see the
--with-data-directory
and the
--with-execute-root
build options for more details).
The .ttb extension is optional.
See the
text-table
configuration file directive for the default run-time setting.
This setting can be changed with the
Text Table preference.
-wcolumns --output-width=columnsThe maximum length of an output line. Each contracted input line is wrapped into as many output lines as necessary. If this option isn't specified then there's no limit, and there's a one-to-one correspondence between input and output lines.
-h --helpDisplay a summary of the command line options, and then exit.
The text table is used:
=
(see section
Character Translation).The brf.ttb text table is provided for use with this utility.
It defines the format used within .brf files.
This is also the preferred format used
by most braille printers
and within electronically distributed braille documents.
This table effectively allows this utility to be used as a text to braille translator.
This utility tests the alert tunes facility, and also provides an easy way to compose new tunes. It may need to be run as root.
tunetest -option ... {note duration} ...
A standard MIDI note number.
It must be an integer from 1 through 127,
with 60 representing Middle C.
Each value represents a standard chromatic semi-tone,
with the next lower and higher values
representing, respectively, the next lower and higher notes.
The lowest value (1) represents
the fifth C-Sharp below Middle C,
and the highest value (127) represents
the sixth G above Middle C.
The duration of the note in milliseconds.
It must be an integer from 1 through 255.
-ddevice --device=deviceThe device on which to play the tune.
The internal beeper (console tone generator).
The digital audio interface on the sound card.
The Musical Instrument Digital Interface on the sound card.
The FM synthesizer on an AdLib, OPL3, Sound Blaster, or equivalent sound card.
-vloudness --volume=loudnessSpecify the output volume (loudness) as a percentage of the maximum.
The default output volume is 50.
-pdevice --pcm-device=deviceSpecify the device to use for digital audio (see section PCM Device Specification). This option isn't available if the --disable-pcm-support build option was specified.
-mdevice --midi-device=deviceSpecify the device to use for the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (see section MIDI Device Specification). This option isn't available if the --disable-midi-support build option was specified.
-iinstrument --instrument=instrumentThe instrument to use if the selected device is midi.
For the complete list of instruments,
see the
MIDI Instrument Table.
The default instrument is an acoustic grand piano.
The words comprising the instrument name must be separated from one another
by a single minus sign rather than by spaces,
and any of the words may be abbreviated.
An acoustic grand piano, for example, may be specified as a-gra-pi.
-h --helpDisplay a summary of the command line options, and then exit.