Speak This!
New Software Turns Talk Into Type
Posted by Paul Hochman on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 6:59 PM
Dear Paul.
My typing skills are poor. What voice-recognition typing software do you recommend, and what equipment should I purchase to ensure it works optimally (microphone, PC , etc.)?
Dear Denny:
By many accounts, the best voice-recognition software out there is called Dragon NaturallySpeaking (the latest, most powerful version is v10). It’s straightforward, makes very few errors and, frankly, is pretty miraculous -- you speak, and the software writes, with high accuracy.
Here’s a review written by David Pogue of the New York Times.
Among other features of this software (which works best with PCs but which has a slightly stripped-down version for Mac, as long as Mac is running) is that it also allows you some voice control over your computer – you can tell it to browse the Web, italicize a word and so on.
To answer your other question, it is highly recommended that you use the included microphone headset; a direct, wired link to your computer’s microphone input is almost always better for this purpose than using your PC’s onboard microphone.
Good luck!
My typing skills are poor. What voice-recognition typing software do you recommend, and what equipment should I purchase to ensure it works optimally (microphone, PC , etc.)?
Dear Denny:
By many accounts, the best voice-recognition software out there is called Dragon NaturallySpeaking (the latest, most powerful version is v10). It’s straightforward, makes very few errors and, frankly, is pretty miraculous -- you speak, and the software writes, with high accuracy.
Here’s a review written by David Pogue of the New York Times.
Among other features of this software (which works best with PCs but which has a slightly stripped-down version for Mac, as long as Mac is running) is that it also allows you some voice control over your computer – you can tell it to browse the Web, italicize a word and so on.
To answer your other question, it is highly recommended that you use the included microphone headset; a direct, wired link to your computer’s microphone input is almost always better for this purpose than using your PC’s onboard microphone.
Good luck!
click here to get Christmas gifts 
About Paul Hochman
Paul Hochman is co-host of MSN's GearDaddy video series and the TODAY Show’s Gear and Technology Editor. A former teacher and the ultimate consumer advocate, Paul’s knowledge and guidance will help you demystify technology.
