Voice recognition programs - any recs/warnings?

[Exhale]

I'm looking into getting voice recognition software - any recommendations and/or caveats?

Thanks for your advice!

[kpd905]

I've used Dragon at work for dictating specimens.  It works pretty well after you've trained it to recognize your voice and different phrases.

[Bicycle_B]

My friend has tried DragonSpeech twice. 

The first time, he essentially abandoned it because even after an extended period of "training his Dragon", it didn't recognize his speech accurately enough to prevent numerous errors.  It wasn't saving him a lot of time.

During this past month, he upgraded to the most recent version and reports that it is much better.

[Insanity]

Don't train it to execute system commands like shut down the computer .   Some might enjoy playing tricks or being evil....  Not that I know anyone who would do that *whistles innocently*

[curler]

Getting a good headset makes a huge difference in it's ability to work properly.

[Rural]

Surprisingly, the ipad speech recognition is quite good with a little training - as good as Dragon, though I haven't used the newest version.

[Emg03063]

I use the dragon app on my ipad.  Much less $$ than buying it for a PC.

[arebelspy]

Don't train it to execute system commands like shut down the computer .   Some might enjoy playing tricks or being evil....  Not that I know anyone who would do that *whistles innocently*

Reminds me of an early Dilbert comic (from over 20 years ago!):
http://dilbert.com/strip/1994-04-24

[Insanity]

Don't train it to execute system commands like shut down the computer .   Some might enjoy playing tricks or being evil....  Not that I know anyone who would do that *whistles innocently*

Reminds me of an early Dilbert comic (from over 20 years ago!):
http://dilbert.com/strip/1994-04-24

The incident occurred in the winter of 1992-1993...  Freshman year at school.  My room was training his machine.  Someone kept yelling restart ...   The machine would restart.  He would give a dirty look and chuckle (he is still a good friend today).  He would be working on training it and then someone would yell restart again.   He started getting annoyed and told us to stop restarting his computer. 

So next time the person said:  shut down.


Told him:  hey, I didn't say restart.

[Exhale]

I've used Dragon at work for dictating specimens.  It works pretty well after you've trained it to recognize your voice and different phrases.

Thanks for the vote kpd905 - that's the program I've been considering.

My friend has tried DragonSpeech twice....During this past month, he upgraded to the most recent version and reports that it is much better.

This is good to hear BarrettSun. I was worried about the bad reviews I was seeing, but they were for the earlier version.

Getting a good headset makes a huge difference in it's ability to work properly.

Hadn't even thought of this, but it makes sense. Thanks for the rec curler.

Surprisingly, the ipad speech recognition is quite good with a little training - as good as Dragon, though I haven't used the newest version.

What a great idea Rural. Will look into it. Thanks!

I use the dragon app on my ipad.  Much less $$ than buying it for a PC.

Now there's a cost-saving idea I like. Thank you Emg03063!

[Exhale]

Don't train it to execute system commands like shut down the computer .   Some might enjoy playing tricks or being evil....  Not that I know anyone who would do that *whistles innocently*

Reminds me of an early Dilbert comic (from over 20 years ago!):

The incident occurred in the winter of 1992-1993...  Freshman year at school.  My room was training his machine.  Someone kept yelling restart ...   The machine would restart.  He would give a dirty look and chuckle (he is still a good friend today).  He would be working on training it and then someone would yell restart again.   He started getting annoyed and told us to stop restarting his computer. 
So next time the person said:  shut down.
Told him:  hey, I didn't say restart.

This reminds me to be sure and keep this system away from my "little" (now 40+) brother. He'd quite enjoy doing something like that!

[neo von retorch]

I use the dragon app on my ipad.  Much less $$ than buying it for a PC.

Now there's a cost-saving idea I like. Thank you Emg03063!

Wait, how much for the iPad again ;)

[Rural]

I use the dragon app on my ipad.  Much less $$ than buying it for a PC.

Now there's a cost-saving idea I like. Thank you Emg03063!

Wait, how much for the iPad again ;)

Mine was free... which is why I have it.

[Cassie]

I have had good success with dragon. I always buy the 1 year older version so pay 50 instead of 100.