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Home > Managing Daily Life > Speech Recognition

Reviews and Buyers' Guides

What is speech recognition software and how might it be helpful to you? Interested in making a purchase but not sure which is best for your needs? Check out some reviews and buyers' guides to help you decide.

• Buyers' Guide  http://www.sayican.com/buyersguide.html
  Helpful information from SayICan.com on software, microphones, recorders, computers, books and learning, and more, related to speech recognition technology. By Dan Newman, SayICan.com.
• CNET: Voice Recognition Software  http://www.cnet.com/software/1,11066,0-3227838-1202-0,00.html?st.sw.3731-7-1493902.more.3731
  CNET reviews several recognition applications and includes reader survey comments and votes. IBM ViaVoice Pro, L&H Voice Xpress Professional, Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred Edition, Philips FreeSpeech, more.
• Computing Out Loud Overview  http://www.out-loud.com/sitemap.html
  An entire site devoted to voice recognition hardware, software, and related products. Reviews of software, hardware, microphones, recorders, and more. Very helpful source for exploring information. By author Susan Fulton.
• Voice Recognition Software for Disabilities  http://www.speechtechnology.com/voicerecognition/disability.html
  The speechtechnology.com site has a section specific to disabilities that includes recommendations for software, hardware, and compatible products.
• VoiceWizard  http://www.voicewizard.com/
  An entire site devoted to voice recognition software and hardware information. Although the site states it's “for executives and other adventurers exploring voice technology miracles”, it's helpful for anyone wanting to learn more before purchasing. They provide information about what's available, product reviews, a section for developers, and more. As of August 2002 their information is a bit dated (6 months to a year old, and this technology updates and changes quickly), but it's still helpful.
• ZDNet Buyer's Guide to Speech Recognition Software  http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/review/43/1/1610.html
  ZDNet provides helpful information, reviews and links to software companies for speech recognition software.

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Speech Recognition Software

The following links will take you to the companies' websites for details and further information, including where to purchase online or locally.

• Dragon NaturallySpeaking  http://www.scansoft.com/naturallyspeaking/
  Speak at a conversational pace and your spoken words are transcribed immediately onto your computer screen and into your document with Dragon NaturallySpeaking software. Integrates with most Windows-based applications. Comes in several versions depending on your needs and budget. Their category overview and comparison chart provide easy ways to see which version fits your needs. For Windows.
• IBM ViaVoice  
  The Windows version “offers a complete suite of products to suit the needs of every level of user, from beginners in voice recognition to power users who know that speech can be a powerful productivity tool.” For Windows, Mac, Linux.

Speech Recognition Hardware

• SpeechControl.com  http://www.speechcontrol.com/
  Headsets, microphones, and more, in a variety of choices - wireless, handheld, headsets, desktop, USB, Windows or Mac, call centers, and more. “Pre-tested computer microphones for all your speech recognition / voice recognition or call center needs.” They also provide training for all equipment and software. AKA eMicrophones.com. Good prices, great service.
• SpeechTechnology.com.  http://www.speechtechnology.com/
  Dictation and voice recognition software and hardware. Digital recorders, microphones, transcription systems, headsets, and more. Good prices.

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Speech, Voice Recognition Discussion Lists

• Dragon Forum  http://support.lhsl.com/databases/dragon/sitereg.nsf
  A helpful discussion forum for current and future users of Dragon Software. Ask questions, read responses and information.
• DragonNaturallySpeaking  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DragonNaturallySpeaking/
  Moderated discussion list for users of Dragon NaturallySpeaking with other computer applications, such as word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, database, and indexing software programs (Cindex, Macrex and Sky).
• NatPro Macros Writers Group  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/natpro-wp8/
  Discussion list for all voice macros used in any application with Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional.
• SpeechMicrophones  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SpeechMicrophones/
  What's the best microphone to use with speech recognition software? The eternal question for Speech Recognition users! Join in the discussion, search the archives, and see what others have to say. The group has novices and experts alike.
• ViaVoice  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ViaVoice/
  A discussion list especially for IBM ViaVoice, sharing macros, tips, interface questions, and more.
• Voice Users Mailing List  http://www.voicerecognition.net/
  Since 1998 this discussion list has been quite active, offering help, suggestions and recommendations for new users through advanced users for hardware and software and related. Searchable archives available to the public.
• VoiceCoder  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VoiceCoder/
  A discussion list for using voice recognition to write computer code or other complex (i.e. non-prose) documents. See also their FAQ http://www.codevox.com/voicecoder/faq.htm.
• VoiceGroup  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VoiceGroup/
  A discussion list for beginners through advanced users of speech recognition hardware and software, such as Dragon Systems/IBM/L&H and more. Learn about speech recognition, receive or provide help with using equipment, macrorecording, want to share information, more. Searchable archives if you're subscribed. Through Yahoo! Groups.

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Articles and Tutorials

• Be a slackjaw: Advice for the voice  http://www.out-loud.com/be_a_slack-jaw__advice_for_the_voice.html
  Very helpful, thorough article of how to use your voice, exercise and stretch your face and jaw muscles, and more. Excellent tips by Susan Fulton.
• Dictation Box Commands  http://knowledgebase.scansoft.com/view.asp?tnID=3360
  Example “dictation box” commands for dictating in applications where Select-and-Say is not supported. For NaturallySpeaking Professional, Medical, and others. Helpful information from Scansoft's NaturallySpeaking Knowledge Base.
• How to Treat a Sick Dragon  http://brightok.net/~edrose/page10.html
  Very helpful tips about using Dragon, how to resolve problems, and lots of links to great resources. By Ruth Rose.
• Key Steps to High Speech Recognition Accuracy  http://www.emicrophones.com/articles/Keys_to_dictation.asp
  This article provides solid information about making sure you set up your computer properly, buy appropriate hardware and software, and has good tips to help with accurate speech recognition. By Douglas Durham, with help from Martin Markoe and Susan Fulton. Updated February 2002.
• Maintaining Good Vocal Health  http://sayican.com/sayican/maingoodvoch.html
  Helpful tips about taking care of voice when using voice recognition software. By Dan Newman, SayICan.com.
• Microphones and How They Work  http://arts.ucsc.edu/EMS/Music/tech_background/TE-20/teces_20.html
  Although a bit dated, this article provides a great introduction to microphones and how they work. Peter Elsea, UCSC Electronic Music Studio, 1996.
• Speech Command and Control  http://www.scriven.com/RSI/RSIdata/KimsMacros/Kims_Macro_Talk.html
  An excellent talk given to the Boston voice users group on March 12, 2002 explaining how voice recognition software works, the logic behind it, the advantages of macros and using voice recognition software, and more. Tremendous insight. By Kimberly Patch, scriven.com.
• TechNotes Index  http://support.lhsl.com/databases/developer/tnotes.nsf/AllTechnotes?OpenView
  Scansoft's Dragon NaturallySpeaking index of all TechNotes. Plenty of helpful tips and answers to problems directly from Scansoft.
• The Rose handbook on training NatSpeak  http://www.out-loud.com/the_rose_handbook_on_optimizing_natspeak.html
  Excellent insight and tips about training NatSpeak for accuracy. By Ruth Ann Rose.

Macros for Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional

The professional version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking provides the ability to create your own customized commands, known as macros. Many offer macros online as freeware, shareware, and there is some commercially available, too. Below is a sampling.

While you can create some simple commands within NatSpeak Pro without needing to know any programming, the advanced scripts are based on Visual Basic. A few places to learn about Visual Basic are Microsoft's Introducing Visual Basic section, VBTutor.net's Visual Basic Tutorials, or Gary Beene's Visual Basic Tutorials. There are links to lots more at VBTutor's Links page.

• DragonDictate and NaturallySpeaking^(TM) Macros and Tips  http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~dcfox/dragon/index.html
  Very helpful listing of macros and tips by David Fox and links to others, too. By David Fox.
• DragonDictate^(TM) Macros for HTML  http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~dcfox/dragon/HTML.html
  There's a link to Dragon NaturallySpeaking HTML macros, too.
• KnowBrainer  http://knowbrainer.com/
  Dozens of commands and utilities, some freeware, some shareware. By Lunis Orcutt.
• NatSpeak Macros  http://www.inficad.com/~chadt/dragon/natspeak.html
  Macros for general computer use and for specific programs, including Netscape 4.5, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer 5.0 and 5.5, WinAmp, Office calculator, and more. By Chad.
• SayWhatPro?  http://www.speechutilities.com/SayWhatPro/SayWhatPro.htm
  A macro file viewer/editor utility program for Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional, version 6 only. Freeware and shareware versions via SpeechUtilitities.com.
• Speech Recognition Macros  http://www.scriven.com/RSI/RSIdata/KimsMacros/Kims_Macros.html
  An exceptional listing of macros for so many common commands and programs - common mouse commands, CuteFTP, Dreamweaver, Editpad, Eudora, Notepad, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Quicken, and many more.
• TrimLists  http://www.speechutilities.com/natpro6/trimlists.htm
  Freeware program via SpeechUtilitities.com.

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Sites, Sections of Sites Devoted to Speech Recognition

• Computing Out Loud  http://www.out-loud.com/
  An entire site devoted to voice recognition hardware, software, and related products. Reviews of software, hardware, microphones, recorders, and more. Very helpful source for exploring information. By author Susan Fulton.
• KnowBrainer  http://knowbrainer.com
  An entire site devoted to voice recognition technology. You'll find macros and utilities, software and hardware, tips, and more. By Lunis Orcutt.
• Microphone Related Information  http://www.emicrophones.com/articles/
  Helpful and insightful tutorials and articles on getting the most of speech recognition software, with tips about microphones, dictating, achieving accuracy, how microphones work, links to other websites, and more. Very helpful section at eMicrophones.com.
• NaturallySpeaking Unofficial Information Pages  http://www.synapseadaptive.com/joel/
  “The Insider's Guide to Dragon NaturallySpeaking by Joel Gould.” A former programmer for NaturallySpeaking, Joel Gould provides a great deal of insight, tips, and information about the program.
• SayICan.com  http://www.sayican.com/
  SayICan.com is devoted to speech recognition technology, providing hardware, software, accessories, tips, resources, a newsletter, and more.
• SpeechUtilities.com  http://www.speechutilities.com
  An entire site devoted to providing tips, macros, and freeware or low-cost solutions to users of voice recognition software. For now it's devoted to ScanSoft Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional but may develop for IBM ViaVoice and Microsoft Speech. Terrific resource.
• Softnet Systems  http://www.pcspeak.com/
  Articles on choosing the right speech recognition system, microphone, sound card, memory, tips on enunciation, vocabulary-building resources, practicing, many hints for Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and more. By Larry Allen, pcspeak.com.

Speech Technology Resources

• DMOZ: Speech Technology Hardware  http://dmoz.org/Computers/Speech_Technology/Hardware/
  Links to many sites via DMOZ.
• DMOZ: Speech Technology  http://dmoz.org/Computers/Speech_Technology/
  Links to speech technology software, hardware, research, link resources, and more via DMOZ.

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