Voice Recognition Software: I am really impressed!

[Kipper is King]

Over the past semester, it became clear to me that my slow typing was quite a hindrance. It would take me substantially longer to write long papers than it would for other students.

I had thought about voice recognition software, but I had always thought that it was such a gimmick. Years ago, my dad tried ViaVoice and we found it to be abysmal.

A week ago, I went in to the U of C Micro Store, and I noticed they had voice recognition software called Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 with a student discount. The software could be bought with a headset for $113 with tax ($220 regular, I think), if you are currently a student at the University. I read some reviews on the web and it seemed fairly good, so I decided to buy it.

I bought it yesterday evening, and I'm narrating this post with the software now. I've had to correct a few words, but already it has improved greatly with the little bit of training that I have done with the software. I've basically been working with it for half an hour, and it has already improved in accuracy. Occasionally, it will make a mistake such as spelling "in accuracy" as being "in a key", for instance. Like I said though, these mistakes have gone down greatly just with the little bits of training I have done. The speed of the software also is very good, sentences appear just a split second after I say them.

I have been able to write this post much faster than I ever would be able to just typing. If you also are a student who is a slow typer, you may wish to check this software out. I know it will save me a lot of time working on papers.

[Rathji]

Will it type this? Cuz if it will I am sold.

For (Object object : List){
if object.equals(this) return true;
return false;
}

[Kipper is King]

for [object object : list] [
if object. Equals [this] return true;
return false;
]


The above is unedited from my first try at stating what you said, I never touched the keyboard then. I'm not sure what the proper term is for a rounded bracket, or the other thingy, but it seems to do decent job.Note how the software adds a space after periods, too, which may be a problem. The catch is that you actually have to say all the punctuation in what you are wanting to type. I'm sure there are also commands to capitalize the first letters of a word you're saying, I'm just not sure what they are.

I'm not sure how quick you could say that versus typing it. I think the disability resource Center at the U of C would have the software installed you might want to try it out there briefly.

Edit: It used to get confused when I would say U of C, now it doesn't anymore. that is just awesome!

[dobbles]

i used dragon speaking a few years back when i chatted a lot and wanted to type less.

also, i was at an accessibility conference last month and they did a demonstration of the new version of dragon, and since the guy knew all the commands, it was amazing watching him go to town with the various apps.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

for [object object : list] [
if object. Equals [this] return true;
return false;
]


The above is unedited from my first try at stating what you said, I never touched the keyboard then. I'm not sure what the proper command is for a rounded bracket is, or the other thingy, but it seems to do decent job. The catch is that you actually have to say all the punctuation in what you are wanting to type. I'm sure there are also commands to capitalize the first letters of a word you're saying, I'm just not sure what they are.

I'm not sure how quick you could say that versus typing it. I think the disability resource Center at the U of C would have the software installed you might want to try it out there briefly.

Edit: It used to get confused when I would say U of C, now it doesn't anymore. that is just awesome!

I am suprised it got that close. Does it support macro type things? Where you define a macro that would set up the code block and be able to insert each field in it as you listed the parameters?

Or could you set up a macro to make a table, and then rattle of column names, or element contents and get them in the right location?

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I am suprised it got that close. Does it support macro type things? Where you define a macro that would set up the code block and be able to insert each field in it as you listed the parameters?

Or could you set up a macro to make a table, and then rattle of column names, or element contents and get them in the right location?

It has several ways of adding your own commands, so I'm sure you could figure out a way of getting it to do most of what you want it to do.

Having used this for an hour now, I'm not too sure of the specifics.

Edit: I just looked it up. For programmable macros, it appears you need the professional version. However, I think the preferred version might work out okay for some of what you want to do.

[Rathji]

I really have no need for it personally. I am just seriously interested in the development of types of software that add to the current means of human computer interaction.

[Mango]

I bought that my last semester in university too. I was completing my final courses in my English degree. My suggestion, try to train it for an hour or so every week. At this point, it's almost flawless. I have some interesting speaking tendencies that I never noticed until I purchased Dragon. It's very useful, especially when just doing notes to get a paper etc. started. You can just dictate off the top of your head and go back to it.

[psicodude]

We have a lawyer on staff here, and he loves this software. He also got the Law add-on and uses it for everything.

One thing he said really made a difference though, was to take the time to do the voice training. I think he said about 4 hours or so.

[BlackEleven]

Originally Posted by Rathji

Will it type this? Cuz if it will I am sold.

For (Object object : List){
if object.equals(this) return true;
return false;
}

Okay, I'm probably venturing deep into ultra-nerd territory here, but I think you want to close the loop before the return false.

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by BlackEleven

Okay, I'm probably venturing deep into ultra-nerd territory here, but I think you want to close the loop before the return false.

If that is the entire method, then yes you are 100% correct.

[old-fart]

Originally Posted by BlackEleven

Okay, I'm probably venturing deep into ultra-nerd territory here, but I think you want to close the loop before the return false.

No "probably" about it...

[BlackEleven]

^ Hah. Well.. at least its a living

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

Over the past semester, it became clear to me that my slow typing was quite a hindrance. It would take me substantially longer to write long papers than it would for other students.

I had thought about voice recognition software, but I had always thought that it was such a gimmick. Years ago, my dad tried ViaVoice and we found it to be abysmal.

A week ago, I went in to the U of C Micro Store, and I noticed they had voice recognition software called Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 with a student discount. The software could be bought with a headset for $113 with tax ($220 regular, I think), if you are currently a student at the University. I read some reviews on the web and it seemed fairly good, so I decided to buy it.

I bought it yesterday evening, and I'm narrating this post with the software now. I've had to correct a few words, but already it has improved greatly with the little bit of training that I have done with the software. I've basically been working with it for half an hour, and it has already improved in accuracy. Occasionally, it will make a mistake such as spelling "in accuracy" as being "in a key", for instance. Like I said though, these mistakes have gone down greatly just with the little bits of training I have done. The speed of the software also is very good, sentences appear just a split second after I say them.

I have been able to write this post much faster than I ever would be able to just typing. If you also are a student who is a slow typer, you may wish to check this software out. I know it will save me a lot of time working on papers.

+1 Vote for the CP Thread of the year.

Purchased software to improve his typing skills on CP

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

+1 Vote for the CP Thread of the year.

Purchased software to improve his typing skills on CP

What can I say? I've finally gotten my priorities straight!

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Kipper is King

The above is unedited from my first try at stating what you said, I never touched the keyboard then. I'm not sure what the proper term is for a rounded bracket, or the other thingy, but it seems to do decent job.

Try "parenthesis" for ( and ) and "brace" for { and }.