Anybody ever used 'Dragon Naturally Speaking' to dictate prose into a computer? And if so... is it any good? Looks expensive if it isn't!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/browse.html/ref=pe_184721_29223361_pe04a/?node=680953011
Dictation Software
Yes.
I have it and rarely use it, I found it made far too many errors.
Although it does get those words on the paper bloody quick.
You have to spend a lot of time "training" it. Something I have little time for.
I've just got a puppy so I know all about that! 
How old is the version you have got BF?
I got it about a year ago. I think with the training, it would be okay, but it does seem to need a lot.
What breed is the puppy?
Jack Russell and Chihuahua
More RJ in her though I fancy!! 
I've recently acquired dragon naturally speaking as part of my student support stuff. BF is right about it taking a lot of training.
However, I think it would depend a lot on the specific use. For me, as far as it goes in dictating large lumps of relevant texts for writing essays, it is brilliant and probably is more accurate than my typing. But I'm finding dictating without a script difficult, which is bizarre as I have no problem composing when using a keyboard but it's a different way of working.
The other fun and games is consistency in equipment. I now have three different headsets - crap, not quite as crap and expensive crap (bluetooth) - and to be honest I don't think there's a a whole lot to choose between them. However, you need to pick one and stick with it as well as remembering not to shout at the software when it gets wrong, don't use it when you've got a cold and remember you've got the bluetooth on when you open the door to the postie or you will return to find a written record of the conversation in the middle of whatever you were working on.
Quote: KLRiley @ March 25 2012, 8:53 PM GMTand remember you've got the bluetooth on when you open the door to the postie or you will return to find a written record of the conversation in the middle of whatever you were working on.
Terry Pratchett used it to write his last book because he can't type.
I mean granted it was shit.
I have it but never use it as I type like the wind, typing aint my problem.
I suppose you could buy my laptop and softwear if you wanted, I'd need enough sponds to buy a new laptop?
Typing speed isn't your problem...
Quote: sootyj @ March 25 2012, 9:07 PM GMTI suppose you could buy my laptop and softwear if you wanted, I'd need enough sponds to buy a new laptop?
Quote: zooo @ March 25 2012, 9:09 PM GMTTyping speed isn't your problem...
As a mod
it's yours
arf arf
Hehehe!
I've tried using some of the dictation software in the past. Cant remember which.
It wasn't too bad at it, but you do have to persevere and later when using it seriously, you should always use the voice correction facilities even if they are slower than the keyboard because otherwise the software learns bad habits.
Microsoft Office has dictation software built in I think, but it is rather difficult to find out how to set it up. (I've forgotten). So you can try that out for free.
Open Microsoft HELP & SUPPORT from the Windows button then type "Voice recognition" in the search box.
In Win XP it is controlled through an icon in the Control Panel called SPEECH.
Then open MS WORD and open its HELP facility and type "Voice Recognition" or "Speech Recognition" in its search box, for more information.
Cheers Bill, will give it a go when I get my new apple in a day or so!