251 lines
7.7 KiB
Markdown
251 lines
7.7 KiB
Markdown
# Vocalinux
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[](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0)
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[](https://www.python.org/downloads/)
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[](https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/releases)
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[](https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/issues)
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[](https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux/issues)
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A seamless voice dictation system for Linux, comparable to the built-in solutions on macOS and Windows.
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## Overview
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Vocalinux provides a user-friendly speech-to-text solution for Linux users with:
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- Activation via customizable keyboard shortcuts (default: Alt+Shift+V)
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- Real-time transcription with minimal latency
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- Universal compatibility across applications
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- Offline operation for privacy and reliability
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- Visual indicators for microphone status
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- Audio feedback for recognition status
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## Technical Foundation
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This project leverages existing open-source technologies:
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- Speech recognition: VOSK API / Whisper
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- Text injection: xdotool (X11) / ydotool/wtype (Wayland)
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- User interface: GTK for system tray and settings
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- Audio feedback: PulseAudio for sound notifications
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## Project Structure
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```
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vocalinux/
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├── docs/ # Documentation
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│ ├── INSTALL.md # Installation guide
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│ └── USER_GUIDE.md # User guide with command reference
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├── resources/ # Resource files
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│ └── sounds/ # Audio notification sounds
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│ ├── start_recording.mp3 # Sound when recording starts
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│ ├── stop_recording.mp3 # Sound when recording stops
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│ └── error.mp3 # Sound when an error occurs
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├── src/ # Source code
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│ ├── __init__.py # Package initialization
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│ ├── main.py # Main entry point
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│ ├── speech_recognition/ # Speech recognition components
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│ │ ├── __init__.py
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│ │ ├── command_processor.py # Voice commands processor
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│ │ └── recognition_manager.py # Speech recognition engine management
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│ ├── text_injection/ # Text injection components
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│ │ ├── __init__.py
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│ │ └── text_injector.py # X11/Wayland text injection
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│ └── ui/ # User interface components
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│ ├── __init__.py
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│ ├── audio_feedback.py # Audio notification system
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│ ├── config_manager.py # Configuration management
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│ ├── keyboard_shortcuts.py # Keyboard shortcut handling
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│ └── tray_indicator.py # System tray UI
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├── tests/ # Test suite
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│ └── test_basic.py # Basic unit tests
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├── install.sh # Installation script
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├── LICENSE # GPLv3 license
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├── README.md # This file
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├── setup.py # Python package configuration
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└── vocalinux.desktop # Desktop entry file
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```
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## Installation
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### Prerequisites
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- Ubuntu 22.04 or newer (may work on other Linux distributions)
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- Python 3.6 or newer
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- X11 or Wayland desktop environment
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### Quick Install
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```bash
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# Clone the repository
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git clone https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux.git
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cd vocalinux
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# Run the installer script
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./install.sh
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```
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The installer will:
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1. Install system dependencies
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2. Set up Python dependencies
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3. Configure the application
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4. Create a desktop entry
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For detailed installation instructions, see [docs/INSTALL.md](docs/INSTALL.md).
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## Usage
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### Starting the Application
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After installation, you can start Vocalinux in several ways:
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```bash
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# From the terminal
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vocalinux
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# With debugging enabled
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vocalinux --debug
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# With a specific speech recognition engine
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vocalinux --engine whisper
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# With a specific model size
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vocalinux --model medium
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```
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### Using Voice Dictation
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1. Press the keyboard shortcut (default: Alt+Shift+V) to start recording
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2. You'll hear a start sound when recording begins
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3. Speak clearly into your microphone
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4. Press the same shortcut again or pause speaking to stop recording
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5. You'll hear a stop sound when recording ends
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### Using Voice Commands
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Vocalinux supports various voice commands for text formatting:
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| Command | Action |
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|---------|--------|
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| "new line" | Inserts a line break |
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| "period" | Types a period (.) |
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| "comma" | Types a comma (,) |
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| "question mark" | Types a question mark (?) |
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| "delete that" | Deletes the last sentence |
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| "capitalize" | Capitalizes the next word |
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For a complete list of commands, see [docs/USER_GUIDE.md](docs/USER_GUIDE.md).
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## Configuration
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Configuration is stored in `~/.config/vocalinux/config.json` and includes:
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```json
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{
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"recognition": {
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"engine": "vosk",
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"model_size": "small",
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"auto_punctuate": true,
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"vad_sensitivity": 3,
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"timeout": 2.0
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},
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"shortcuts": {
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"toggle_recognition": "alt+shift+v"
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},
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"ui": {
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"start_minimized": false,
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"show_notifications": true,
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"audio_feedback": true
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},
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"advanced": {
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"debug_logging": false,
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"wayland_mode": false
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}
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}
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```
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### Custom Sounds
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You can customize the audio feedback by replacing the sound files in the `resources/sounds/` directory:
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- `start_recording.mp3` - Played when recording starts
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- `stop_recording.mp3` - Played when recording stops
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- `error.mp3` - Played when an error occurs
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Both MP3 and WAV formats are supported, with MP3 being the primary format.
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## Development
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### Setting Up Development Environment
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```bash
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# Clone the repository
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git clone https://github.com/jatinkrmalik/vocalinux.git
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cd vocalinux
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# Install development dependencies
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pip install -e ".[dev]"
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# Run tests
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pytest tests/
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```
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### Key Components
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1. **Speech Recognition Manager** (`src/speech_recognition/recognition_manager.py`)
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- Manages speech recognition engines (VOSK, Whisper)
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- Handles audio recording and voice activity detection
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- Processes recognition results
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2. **Command Processor** (`src/speech_recognition/command_processor.py`)
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- Interprets voice commands in recognition results
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- Converts commands to text or actions
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3. **Text Injector** (`src/text_injection/text_injector.py`)
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- Injects text into active applications
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- Supports both X11 and Wayland environments
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- Automatically falls back to XWayland when needed
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4. **Audio Feedback** (`src/ui/audio_feedback.py`)
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- Provides audio cues for application states
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- Supports both MP3 and WAV formats
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- Uses system audio players (PulseAudio/ALSA)
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5. **Tray Indicator** (`src/ui/tray_indicator.py`)
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- Provides system tray interface
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- Shows recognition status
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- Offers menu for control
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6. **Keyboard Shortcut Manager** (`src/ui/keyboard_shortcuts.py`)
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- Manages global keyboard shortcuts
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- Enables activation from any application
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- Handles modifier key normalization
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### Running Tests
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```bash
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# Run all tests
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pytest
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# Run with coverage report
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pytest --cov=src
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```
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## Roadmap
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Future development plans include:
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1. Custom icon design
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2. Graphical settings dialog
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3. Advanced voice commands for specific applications
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4. Multi-language support
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5. Better integration with popular applications
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6. Improved model management
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7. Customizable keyboard shortcuts via GUI
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8. More audio feedback options
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## Contributing
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Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.
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## License
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This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 - see the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details. |