Voice Recognition Software

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by staylor

Anyone have a recommendation on the best microphone? Also, is a wireless mic available?

Hi Steve,

DNS recommend this wireless headset: http://www.microphones.com/microphon...alkproB150-GTX you will also need a bluetooth enabled computer or a bluetooth USB dongle.

Regards

Gerry

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

I started with DNS version 8 a couple of years ago and yes it took it a while to learn and was slow in the beginning. On occasion it even would hang up but that is it going through the learning process. However, I was offered an upgrade at a really low price and took the chance. The computer saved all my old files so the learning curve for version 9 was basically non-existent. Like I said, spring for a good microphone and avoid some of the aggrevation in the early stages of developing the voice library. RR is right about interruptions, background noise, etc. DNS is easily tripped up in the very early stages while it trying to learn your voice. It is after all voice recognition software. I have an accent and have noticed certain words take longer to learn. There are all kinds of little tricks for the operator to learn as well that makes it work better and faster. It is not just a speak and it will type it program. It will also do voice commands functions like "cut" and "paste", etc. I got the idea to just open a Word document and just read from an article or book to help the system learn quicker. I did not have to think about what I was saying, just reading it. Most people try to go too slow. Reading in a normal pace worked very well and the system picked up very quickly.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by dedwards

Most people try to go too slow.

Indeed-o. That's-o where-o most-o people-o fail-o in-o getting-o VRS-o to-o learn-o their-o voice-o.

[David A. Andersen]

If your moving your program to another computer, copy the voice files with the new install. You can do it on install with Dragon or you can add it later after the first short training session (in any program.

Always keep a good copy on hand.
If you leave the program in the training mode, it may update your recording after you had a few margaritas and you won't be able to work unless your drunk!

I have used IBM for many years (got a good deal on it) and changed to Dragon. Dragon currently is the best for me.

I can dictate my reports driving back to the office. It does not pick up all the crap in the background like all programs did in the past.

It is quicker to dictate than look up an auto text or cut/paste. It will also be an entry pertinent to the inspection your working on. I still use all the cut/paste for the long follow up stuff you throw in, explaining why a deficiency is substantial ect.

[ldapkus]

I got my DNS today and just trained it and everything looks fine but I promise I will not leave any rambling posts.Thanks again for your suggestions.

[tneumann]

I am dying to try this software...I just fear looking/sounding like an idiot to all the others in my office building. Can you train it with whispers?

[ldapkus]

Tony, When you set it up. You have to set it up with a normal tone of voice,no whispering,those secrets. It sure saves a lot of time on the keyboard, and it's fairly easy to set up. I got mine at Amazon.com for about 170 bucks. I've just been using it today. And I haven't had any problems with it so far.

[cfuoco]

I just got mine off of e-bay for 49.00 brand new sealed in the box.

[ldapkus]

Guess you can get them cheaper out there. I opted for the Dragon Naturally Speaking 9. So I guess you get what you pay for.

[Larry D. Kage]

Did you get the "Standard", "Perferred" or "Professional"?

[ldapkus]

Larry, I got the preferred package. I also got a $40 rebate. But that rebate has expired, at Amazon.com.

[cfuoco]

I got the preferred.

[ldapkus]

Originally Posted by cfuoco

I got the preferred.

What you got was the series 8 Preferred. The updated version, which is series 9 is what I got. That's why there is a difference in price. They had a deal on Amazon.com, where you could get a rebate of $50. If you send in your old series 8. That's why it was less expensive because it's the older version.

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by tneumann

I am dying to try this software...I just fear looking/sounding like an idiot to all the others in my office building. Can you train it with whispers?

Yes you can but it just transcribes the text very very small

Regards

Gerry

[cfuoco]

Originally Posted by ldapkus

What you got was the series 8 Preferred. The updated version, which is series 9 is what I got. That's why there is a difference in price. They had a deal on Amazon.com, where you could get a rebate of $50. If you send in your old series 8. That's why it was less expensive because it's the older version.

I got series 9 preferred. I guess I just got lucky with the price.