Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,479 
January 3rd, 2008, 05:58 PM
Is anyone here an expert on Dragon, "Naturally Speaking" voice recognition software? Santa brought me the software for Christmas. I haven't yet installed it but I will in the next day or two. I was just wondering if anyone had any hints on this. The adds say it will triple your typing speed......hell, I would be happy if it got my typing up to normal speed. Friends who have used voice recognition software tell me it doesn't do any good to yell at the computer if it doesn't type what you say...............Sounds reasonable to me..........I wonder if you have to teach it swear words.....
Is anyone here an expert on Dragon, "Naturally Speaking" voice recognition software? Santa brought me the software for Christmas. I haven't yet installed it but I will in the next day or two. I was just wondering if anyone had any hints on this. The adds say it will triple your typing speed......hell, I would be happy if it got my typing up to normal speed. Friends who have used voice recognition software tell me it doesn't do any good to yell at the computer if it doesn't type what you say...............Sounds reasonable to me..........I wonder if you have to teach it swear words.....
Gobsmacked
Posts: 4,440
January 3rd, 2008, 11:44 PM
I was hoping someone would make a post that helps me decipher what this software is/does, but so far no one has - so I shall have to yet again display my utter techno-incompetence and come right out and ask. I gather it uses voice commands, but does it actually type the words out that you speak? If so, how would that help your typing Juan?
I was hoping someone would make a post that helps me decipher what this software is/does, but so far no one has - so I shall have to yet again display my utter techno-incompetence and come right out and ask. I gather it uses voice commands, but does it actually type the words out that you speak? If so, how would that help your typing Juan?
Knows No Bounds
Posts: 3,311
Videos: 2
Location: 50° 30' N, 104° 38' W
Videos: 2
Location: 50° 30' N, 104° 38' W
January 3rd, 2008, 11:59 PM
I'm not an expert in Naturally Speaking, or any other voice recognition software, but I've used it, and it's pretty impressive. You have to train it a bit, so it learns to recognize your particular inflections and pronunciations, but the documentation will guide you through that easily. I don't think it's much good for expressing really complex ideas that require specialized terminology, nor do I think it'll ever perfectly recognize every word you speak, you'll always have to edit the text it produces. If you say something like "2-4 D" for instance, it might produce "two four dee." and question the dee, because it isn't a word. Or it might produce "two four D," I dunno. I haven't used the most recent version of it, it was a few years ago that I tried it out, and I found it worked much more accurately if I paused slightly between each word, but that's a very awkward and unnatural way to speak, and surprisingly tiring.
And you have to be careful. When the microphone's on, it'll record everything you say, so if you mess up a sentence and mutter "aw sh*t" it'll put that down too. My personal preference is to avoid such things, but I'm a 10-finger touch typist and can do 80 words a minute, so voice recognition software is pretty much useless to me. I don't need it. My personal opinion is that you'd do better to develop your typing skills. But there's a bit of the Luddite about me, despite a career that required much use of computers and related technology. Just because we can make a machine do something doesn't mean it's a good idea, and what I've seen of voice recognition software suggests it's one of the things that aren't good ideas yet. Until we've got machines smart enough to understand natural human languages, and I think we're a long way from there, this idea isn't going to work very well for anything but the simplest compositions.
I'm not an expert in Naturally Speaking, or any other voice recognition software, but I've used it, and it's pretty impressive. You have to train it a bit, so it learns to recognize your particular inflections and pronunciations, but the documentation will guide you through that easily. I don't think it's much good for expressing really complex ideas that require specialized terminology, nor do I think it'll ever perfectly recognize every word you speak, you'll always have to edit the text it produces. If you say something like "2-4 D" for instance, it might produce "two four dee." and question the dee, because it isn't a word. Or it might produce "two four D," I dunno. I haven't used the most recent version of it, it was a few years ago that I tried it out, and I found it worked much more accurately if I paused slightly between each word, but that's a very awkward and unnatural way to speak, and surprisingly tiring.
And you have to be careful. When the microphone's on, it'll record everything you say, so if you mess up a sentence and mutter "aw sh*t" it'll put that down too. My personal preference is to avoid such things, but I'm a 10-finger touch typist and can do 80 words a minute, so voice recognition software is pretty much useless to me. I don't need it. My personal opinion is that you'd do better to develop your typing skills. But there's a bit of the Luddite about me, despite a career that required much use of computers and related technology. Just because we can make a machine do something doesn't mean it's a good idea, and what I've seen of voice recognition software suggests it's one of the things that aren't good ideas yet. Until we've got machines smart enough to understand natural human languages, and I think we're a long way from there, this idea isn't going to work very well for anything but the simplest compositions.
Gobsmacked
Posts: 4,440
January 4th, 2008, 12:05 AM
well thank you Dexter, for explaining it to me.
I think this could be a great idea. I have an Aunt who has promised to get a computer and an email address this summer. She doesn't type and is not at all keen to explore the cyber world, but I'd like to be able to email her stuff and send her links etc, so I'm pushing her to give it a shot. Maybe a program like this would be an encouragement her, or just help those who don't have the dexterity or desire to get their typing speeds up.
Juan, can you let us know how you progress with it? I'm curious now.
well thank you Dexter, for explaining it to me.
I think this could be a great idea. I have an Aunt who has promised to get a computer and an email address this summer. She doesn't type and is not at all keen to explore the cyber world, but I'd like to be able to email her stuff and send her links etc, so I'm pushing her to give it a shot. Maybe a program like this would be an encouragement her, or just help those who don't have the dexterity or desire to get their typing speeds up.
Juan, can you let us know how you progress with it? I'm curious now.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,479
January 4th, 2008, 09:02 AM
Thanks all
I expressed an interest in this software last summer and my daughter remembered and bought it for me for Christmas. Whether it is the best thing since running water, or a technology-limited pipe dream, I have to give it my best effort to make it work. The idea of just talking to my computer and having it type what I say is attractive to me in a "Star Trek" sort of way. I will get the software installed sometime today, and over the next few days I should have a better idea of the limitations of this human/computer interface. Dexter's comments bring to mind a whole pile of possible trouble situations but let's see how it goes.
Thanks all
I expressed an interest in this software last summer and my daughter remembered and bought it for me for Christmas. Whether it is the best thing since running water, or a technology-limited pipe dream, I have to give it my best effort to make it work. The idea of just talking to my computer and having it type what I say is attractive to me in a "Star Trek" sort of way. I will get the software installed sometime today, and over the next few days I should have a better idea of the limitations of this human/computer interface. Dexter's comments bring to mind a whole pile of possible trouble situations but let's see how it goes.
Ponderous Intellect
Posts: 4,118
January 4th, 2008, 09:18 AM
I use a speech recognition engine called Via Voice from IBM. The training takes a while but this software hasn't recieved the same raves as Dragon....
It took about an hour to teach the system but (I've heard) that Dragon is less sensitive to changes in vocal frequency changes that occur over the period of a day.... Your vocal chords are 'relaxed' in the morning but become less flexible as the day goes on and you use your voice. Training your system should be done in the afternoon I suppose and if you have a tooth removed it can change the way the system "hears" your intonation and may require re-teaching....
I use a speech recognition engine called Via Voice from IBM. The training takes a while but this software hasn't recieved the same raves as Dragon....
It took about an hour to teach the system but (I've heard) that Dragon is less sensitive to changes in vocal frequency changes that occur over the period of a day.... Your vocal chords are 'relaxed' in the morning but become less flexible as the day goes on and you use your voice. Training your system should be done in the afternoon I suppose and if you have a tooth removed it can change the way the system "hears" your intonation and may require re-teaching....
Newbie
Posts: 47
Location: Alberta
Location: Alberta
January 4th, 2008, 12:28 PM
I have used it on and off for the past year - initially it is tiresome because you have to train it and frankly, it also trains you. I am a 3 finger typist so anything faster than 20 words a minute is fast for me. Recognition rate is about 90-95 % at the moment which sounds good but that still means 1 in 10 to 1 in 20 words are not going to be recognized correctly.
I have an added disadvantage in that I am not from north america and speak english with a south african accent, but there is a software switch and I've set it on British rather than North American.
There are other perks - it recognizes windows command and allows you to write email and send it and move betweeen windows without touching the keyboard or mouse.
I have used it on and off for the past year - initially it is tiresome because you have to train it and frankly, it also trains you. I am a 3 finger typist so anything faster than 20 words a minute is fast for me. Recognition rate is about 90-95 % at the moment which sounds good but that still means 1 in 10 to 1 in 20 words are not going to be recognized correctly.
I have an added disadvantage in that I am not from north america and speak english with a south african accent, but there is a software switch and I've set it on British rather than North American.
There are other perks - it recognizes windows command and allows you to write email and send it and move betweeen windows without touching the keyboard or mouse.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,479
January 4th, 2008, 05:17 PM
I have just installed NaturallySpeaking and though I'm no expert I can see the possibilities. I think that most of the problems can be overcome.I am typing this reply by talking to my computer. It doesn't seem too awkward but it will take some practice. It is very fast
I have just installed NaturallySpeaking and though I'm no expert I can see the possibilities. I think that most of the problems can be overcome.I am typing this reply by talking to my computer. It doesn't seem too awkward but it will take some practice. It is very fast
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,479
January 5th, 2008, 07:21 AM
The software basically works very well. I haven't stumped it yet. It seems to sort out synonyms and antonyms and all the other funny bits of the English language through context. I understand version 9 which I have, has solved at least some of the problems Dexter mentioned. Understand though, that I would not have purchased this software for myself since I have no requirement for speed and the novelty will wear off very quickly. My daughter bought it for me and I will use it where I can, but left to my own devices, I wouldn't have bought it. Having said all that, it is a great gift and I'm glad I got it. If you have a hundred and twenty dollars lying around not doing anything, go for it. This program will let you do just about any kind of word processing, including all the formatting, without you laying a hand on your keyboard.
Quoting Zan
There is that........
That's cool Juan!
heh heh... must be kinda funny for your wife to walk by the room and hear you in there talking to yourself.
heh heh... must be kinda funny for your wife to walk by the room and hear you in there talking to yourself.
The software basically works very well. I haven't stumped it yet. It seems to sort out synonyms and antonyms and all the other funny bits of the English language through context. I understand version 9 which I have, has solved at least some of the problems Dexter mentioned. Understand though, that I would not have purchased this software for myself since I have no requirement for speed and the novelty will wear off very quickly. My daughter bought it for me and I will use it where I can, but left to my own devices, I wouldn't have bought it. Having said all that, it is a great gift and I'm glad I got it. If you have a hundred and twenty dollars lying around not doing anything, go for it. This program will let you do just about any kind of word processing, including all the formatting, without you laying a hand on your keyboard.
Chief Mogrifier
Posts: 8,479
January 6th, 2008, 11:47 AM
When I installed the program I had a choice between the standard training, that basically makes you read aloud to the computer for about half an hour, and the quick method that takes around three minutes. I opted for the longer method. So far the only mistakes have been my own and I have been very impressed with the performance of this software. I haven't witnessed any changes morning to night, so I would assume that this latest version has overcome most, or all of the earlier problems.
Quoting MikeyDB
Mikey
I use a speech recognition engine called Via Voice from IBM. The training takes a while but this software hasn't recieved the same raves as Dragon....
It took about an hour to teach the system but (I've heard) that Dragon is less sensitive to changes in vocal frequency changes that occur over the period of a day.... Your vocal chords are 'relaxed' in the morning but become less flexible as the day goes on and you use your voice. Training your system should be done in the afternoon I suppose and if you have a tooth removed it can change the way the system "hears" your intonation and may require re-teaching....
It took about an hour to teach the system but (I've heard) that Dragon is less sensitive to changes in vocal frequency changes that occur over the period of a day.... Your vocal chords are 'relaxed' in the morning but become less flexible as the day goes on and you use your voice. Training your system should be done in the afternoon I suppose and if you have a tooth removed it can change the way the system "hears" your intonation and may require re-teaching....
When I installed the program I had a choice between the standard training, that basically makes you read aloud to the computer for about half an hour, and the quick method that takes around three minutes. I opted for the longer method. So far the only mistakes have been my own and I have been very impressed with the performance of this software. I haven't witnessed any changes morning to night, so I would assume that this latest version has overcome most, or all of the earlier problems.
