PC Dragon Voice Activated Software

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posted by : Jason


Hello,
I tried Voice Activated Software (VAS) about 5 years ago and was not to impressed with the way it worked for me so I left it a that and kept up my one finger typing with the help of my finger splint.

Recently I had the chance to try the latest version "Dragon" VAS and was blown away by how well it picked up my voice commands and how good the dictation was, especially considering that my speech is not the best. Big improvement!

This voice activated software is right up to speed, so much that I purchased the software and happily use it.

There is a degree of training involved but it was quick and simple.

[aqaforum]

posted by : grant

hi Jason, i am using dragon dictate too, i paid about $180 for version 7 early this year. you are right, it does take a while to learn your speach patterns and sounds but it is well worth the time. i was stuck in bed for a few months and its much easier to dictate than to type lying down... well worth the effort to use dragon dictate.



Grant Walker
www.grantsgallery.com.au (http://www.grantsgallery.com.au/)

[aqaforum]

posted by : Shane


I had tried Dragon Dictate at work 3 years ago and found the microphone very sensitive. It would pickup everyone elses voices and create junk text for me. Being in an open plan office and not having an individual office for myself has now got me typing reasonable well with 2 fingers.

Shane

[aqaforum]

posted by : Mark


Hello everyone

Dragon dictate version 8 is out, I use it and in a noisy office no problems.

It did need about a week to settle down an only recognise my voice through the other noises in the office.

I saw it for sale at **** smith powerhouse for $180

cheers

Mark

[aqaforum]

posted by : Steven


Operating Your Computer By Voice

My name is Steven and I am a C4 – C5 quadriplegic. Back in 1981, I broke my neck as a result of a car accident. Because of my high-level neck injury, I am limited physically by what I can do. My Occupational Therapist at the time, set me up with a typewriter on a table in front of me, so that I could try typing with a stick in my mouth. I found this very slow and frustrating.
Approximately 2 years later I regained a bit of movement in my right arm and I then went back to the Austin Hospital where the doctors performed a tendon transfer operation on my right shoulder. This enabled me to feed myself and drive an electric wheelchair. After returning home I purchased myself a computer. With the aid of a splint on my hand I tried typing, one key at time. This was even more frustrating than using a stick in my mouth, as a computer sometimes requires you to press more than one key at a time. I gave it up as a bad joke.
Approximately 2 years ago, my wife bought a secondhand computer. My interest in computers was rekindled. I tried to operate it with the mouse, however my hand co-ordination wasn't accurate enough. I went to a shop that sold computers and I spoke to one of the salesman there explaining to him about the problems I was having. He mentioned to me about operating a computer by voice using the program, Dragon Naturally Speaking.
After making a few phone calls and speaking to the people that sell this program, I decided to have another go at using a computer.
The program that I purchased is called Dragon Naturally Speaking – Preferred 8. To use this program, it requires a computer with no less than 512 MB of RAM and it costs approximately $500 including a headset. Optionally, you can purchase 3 Months help assistance by telephone or online for approximately $30. If you live in a Capital City, some lessons are included.
With some patients and training, this program has enabled me to operate a computer as if I were using a keyboard and mouse. Continuously correcting mistakes improves the programs accuracy. The more I use it, the better it gets! Some of the things I can now do and use are Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook express, Microsoft XL, Messenger, communicate by e-mail, Surf the Internet and much more. There are no limitations on what you can do! It takes time and patience, however it's not impossible.
By using this program, it has enabled me to attend Tafe to study a computer course. Eventually, I am hoping to gain some employment from it.
It has changed my life in many ways by giving me a new independence which was lost due to my accident, created a social outing by meeting new people by attending a Tafe course and also helped boost my self-esteem by being able to communicate with people independently. Now I can even read the AQA newsletter via an e-mail without any assistance. I could rave on forever, about how good this program is.

[aqaforum]

posted by : Coolmobility


I'm a C5-6 complete quad and have a copy of Dragon Naturally Speaking and with the cheap noise cancelling microphone that comes with it I can dictate large documents, even when my wife is watching TV only metres behind me!

I bought Dragon Dictate many years ago and was not impressed but DNS 8 or 9 is a totally different system.

It does suck a lot of computing power even on my Dual core laptop with 1GB RAM so I only activate it for long documents as I often multitask lots of programs.

I paid under $250 for version 8 within the last year from Dick Smith Superstore.

Colin

"KISS - Keep it simple (stupid), and let function develop form"

[aqaforum]

Hello

I use dragon voice activated software version 9, at AQA and it is very good.

Huge step up in performance from version 8.

If you would like to check it out come into AQA at Fairfield and I'll show you !

petervanbenthem@aqavic.org.au

seeya

regards
peter

[aqaforum]

Created by : Coolmobility


This week I received an upgrade offer for Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred for $99.95. Not sure if I'll upgrade or not.http://www.aqavic.org.au/forum/icon_smile_question.gif

According to the E-mail
The new release also makes major leaps forward in ease of use. Here are just a few of the ways the best is now better:
• Significantly more accurate.
• Significantly improved speed. Words now appear on screen in less than half the time.
• New Dragon Voice Shortcuts. Now you can collapse common tasks into simple voice commands so you can quickly search the Web and your desktop.
• Quick Voice Formatting. Delete and format text faster and more easily than ever.
• Great low price. Only $99.99 if you order before 30 September 2008.


Colin
"KISS - Keep it simple (stupid), and let function develop form"
www.coolmobility.com.au (http://www.coolmobility.com.au/)