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HOWTO Make your Mac speak over the Web

Jan 15, 2009

Randall Munroe's XKCD has inspired interesting product features in the past. A recent one has sent a lot of Mac users scurrying to set up an audio doorbell on their Mac Minis.

Here's how you can do it.

The Source Code

<?php
if (isset($_GET['say'])) {
  $cmd = sprintf('say "%s"', preg_replace('/[^\w\d ]/', '', $_GET['say']));
  `$cmd`;

} else if (isset($_GET['up'])) {
  $cmd = 'set output_vol to output volume of (get volume settings)
  set volume output volume (output_vol + 10)';
  `osascript -e "$cmd"`;

} else  if (isset($_GET['down'])) {
  $cmd = 'set output_vol to output volume of (get volume settings)
  set volume output volume (output_vol - 10)';
  `osascript -e "$cmd"`;
}
?>
<form action="<?= $_SERVER['PHP_SELF'] ?>" method="get">
  <p><input type="text" name="say">
  <input type="submit" value="Say"></p>
  <p>Volume:
  <input type="submit" name="up" value="Up">
  <input type="submit" name="down" value="Down"></p>
</form>
<p>Hey Randall, here's how you
  <a href="https://xkcd.com/530/">change the volume</a>.<br/>
  &ndash;<a href="https://manas.tungare.name/">Manas</a>.
</p>

Where to Put It

Copy the code to a new file, name it "say.php" (or whatever else you want to call it) and put it in Macintosh HD /Library/WebServer/Documents/. Remember, this is the top-level /Library directory, not the one under your own user account. You also need to make sure that Web Sharing has been turned on under System Preferences > Sharing.

How to Use It

Open a browser, and type in:

http://localhost/say.php

from your own machine.

To do this from another machine connected to the same router, use the Bonjour name of your Mac (this can be found under System Preferences > Sharing.) E.g.

https://Manas-Desktop.local/say.php

To do this from a machine outside your router, you need to have configured your router correctly. And if you can do that, you don't need me to tell how to do the rest of it.

Bonus feature: this script also lets you increase and decrease the volume. Perhaps then, Randall's roommate might have heard him.

Screenshot

Warning: Security Issues

To achieve what this script does, it needs to take input from the Web and use it in a command that executes in a shell. The input is sanitized and I believe that such a risk is minimal. However, if you're concerned about this possibility, do not install this script. You are responsible for what you do with this script and your machine. If you're really concerned, put it inside an authenticated session.

Update: Added a command injection filter suggested by Mac OS X Hints user skicker.

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