Sometimes while reading wireless access point passwords, or serial numbers for software, or auto-generated passwords for websites, etc., it can be difficult to determine the differences between O (the letter) and 0 (the number) or 1 (the number) and l (the letter) -- depending on the font, these characters (and some others) can look nearly identical.
The solution is to use speech to read them out to you. In Cocoa applications like TextEdit or Mail, just highlight the text, control-click on the selection, and choose Speech -> Start Speaking. Simple, yet effective!
[robg adds: For non-Cocoa applications, you can use the method described in this hint to speak the selection in any application. Obviously, you probably won't want to use this hint with your online banking password in a Starbucks, unless you happen to be wearing headphones :).]
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Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20041109040349189