Gadget Review
Hands-free interaction
Voice recognition software was originally designed for computer users with visual impairment. However the advantages it offered in terms of time saving and increased productivity were quickly recognized by busy professionals. The latest voice-recognition software packages provide immediate transcription with 98 to 99 percent accuracy and include large vocabularies -- a far cry from the clunky packages of the past.
Once installed, the latest systems claim to learn your voice in less than five minutes. However, the first few hours will be slow while you learn the basic commands and train the software but reviewers assure us that it is worth investing the time. The benefits include text-to-speech options that allow your computer to read e-mail and other documents aloud.
The most recent versions available are NaturallySpeaking, Voice Xpress and ViaVoice. However, it is important to find the right software for you. Some reviews suggest that anyone who uses word processing, e-mail and the internet, may prefer NaturallySpeaking; however, ViaVoice might be more suitable for someone who is likely to also use Excel. ViaVoice is the only option available for Mac users.
For more tips and advice from the experts who use the packages every day join a voice-recognition software newsgroup (see list below).
Software reviews
ZDNet
http://www.zdnet.com
Wired News
http://www.wirednews.com
Voice-recognition software
NaturallySpeaking - Dragon Systems Inc.
http://www.dragonsys.com
Voice Xpress - Lernout & Hauspie
http://www.lhs.com
ViaVoice - IBM
http://www.ibm.com/viavoice
Voice-recognition software newsgroup
http://vglist.paonia.com/index.html
Search assistance
If you cannot find suppliers for your area listed above, use these keywords to search for suppliers:
NaturallySpeaking, Voice Xpress, ViaVoice, Dragon Systems, Lernout & Hauspie, voice recognition software.
