Speech Recognition Software

[Kov-Ice]

Anyone have any experience with this? I came across a product called Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred 7 that sounds pretty powerful. I found a post here that pointed out that XP may have SR software that can be installed through Control Panel/Regional and Language Options. Can it work nearly as well as a dedicated software package like the one mentioned above?

[TheJackal]

No... What is included with XP is nothing compared to Dragon Naturally Speaking... While it takes a bit of time to get used to, it is well worth it, if you need the speech recognition capabilities.

[Kov-Ice]

Is there quite a bit of a learning curve to get it down, or is just that you have to enunciate your words in a specific way? Also, is there capability for hands-free keyboard commands such as Enter, Delete, Tab, etc?

[sdkfz]

From what I understand it takes a couple of hours to get the software to "know you", what is involved is your reading aloud specific text to the computer. Since the computer software knows what to expect it 'learns' how you speak.

I used the XP and Office software for a while, it took a bit of getting used to as I expect the more powerful dragon does. And yes there is a specific way to access the other keys. (enter delete and the menus too)

The biggest problem I had was that I tended to use the software at night and my wife was directly above me trying to sleep while I dictated. Oh yeah - you need to work in relative quiet so that the software does not pick up other stuff, I left mine on once and it did a reasonable job off taking down the evening news from the TV!

[TheJackal]

With Dragon Naturally Speaking there is quite a learning curve, as you have to basically teach it to speak, by speaking to it. It takes between 4 and 6 hours to completely teach it, however after that you will find that as you are going along you may have to teach it additional words.

One of the other nice things about Dragon is its use of user profiles. As Sdkfz, was saying, he had to speak in relative quiet so as to not wake is wife. (Everyone knows a woken wife is a very bad thing ) You can have one user profile where you speak to it in a louder more everyday speaking voice, and another user profile where you speak to it in a quieter voice. This does mean that you will have to teach it twice. However the more times you teach it, the faster the teaching process becomes and the easier it is.

Yes, it is true that you cant use it in a loud space effectively. However if you were in an office and there were people talking in the next room that wouldn't effect you.

And finally Yes, with Dragon if you want to, you can use it as a complete mouse replacement... and it works rather well to. For most commands you just say them, and it does them. For example, navigating the start menu is a breeze. as is opening any programs and surfing the net.

[Yuanji]

lets all have a net cafe trying to play UT2004 using that stuff. would be rlly funny JUMP SHOOT DUCK ROLL

[TheJackal]

Originally Posted by Yuanji lets all have a net cafe trying to play UT2004 using that stuff. would be rlly funny JUMP SHOOT DUCK ROLL

Voice recognition software aint for gaming.

[Kov-Ice]

My wife is actually in need of something like this, so I won't have to worry about waking her up with it. Since I'm up all hours, she won't be waking me either.

I came across Dragon 7 at www.academicsuperstore.com for $160. I'm thinking that's about the best price I'll be able to find for it.

Question: What do you use for a microphone input? Headset mic a possibility? Thx.

[Yuanji]

Originally Posted by TheJackal Voice recognition software aint for gaming.

i know i was joking

[sdkfz]

Head set mics work fine, basically any mic will do, but the head set is better so you can turn your head and still get picked up, heck with a longer cord you could pace if that is your wont

[TheJackal]

Dragon Naturally Speaking comes with a headset for you to use, and it works great. The Mic. and headset are completely adjustable, and it seems to be of good quality.