Voice recognition - anyone got it to work?

Jolly_Roger

As a working journalist, I use Dragon Preferred all the time, both to make lists and also to compose. I use the microphone supplied with the software, which isn't a very good one, but does do the job. One of my editors also uses Dragon Preferred and swears by the package. However, there are problems. The laptop on which I am writing this does struggle somewhat in processing information -remember, voice recognition uses vast amounts of memory, given that it has to make sense of what you are saying as well as picking all the individual words. When I use the software on my PC, which has a slightly faster processor, results are better. You have to train the software, which is capable of learning every time you use it. Early on, you also have to correct mistakes that Dragon makes. This is initially tedious, but things do get easier the more you do it. Most often, major mistakes occur when you slightly position the microphone in the wrong place -it makes a HUGE amount of difference to the sense or otherwise you see on screen. Persist and the benefits are worth having. Honest! One thing, after loading Dragon onto XP on two different computers, it becomes much harder to turn the computer off at the end of the day, it takes at least two attempts.

tomthebomb

I have been using IBM Viavoice since I picked it up in PC World Smash 'n Bash Corner.
An hour's training did the trick and a few corrections as I go along .
I think it's magic.

jellyhead80

Has anyone got the XP built in recognition software to work well with internet explorer, all i seem to be able to do is fill in search boxes by using the dictation and then ENTER, but nothing else, i'm i expecting too much or can i just not find the 'secret words' to move the scroll up or down ect.
Any help much appreciated.