Anyone happen to know

[Wizard]

Anyone happen to know of a program that permits you to talk to your computer and it types what you are saying? I have heard of such program but couldn't for the life of me remember the name of it. A free one would be better yet but the one I'm thinking of you buy.
Thanks guys

 

[JRaven]

"Naturally Speaking"

I haven't used it or anything. I'm not sure who produces it, but I think it's IBM.

May not even be around anymore.

Jenny

 

[INeedLove]

I know college's use Dragon Dictate. You have to teach it to recognize your voice patterns and then it just types away. I'm sure there must be some cost involved but I don't know how much. Good luck!

 

[Wizard]

Cool I'll run a search and see what I find.

 

[kitedemon]

Can we talk?

Anyone happen to know of a program that permits you to talk to your computer and it types what you are saying? I have heard of such program but couldn't for the life of me remember the name of it. A free one would be better yet but the one I'm thinking of you buy.
Thanks guys

I regularly use a program called Dragon Naturally Speaking. Version 8 is the latest. After a 30 minute 'training period' it works well. The more you use it the better it recognizes your voice. It can even type from a dictation device such as an interview recorder.

You can get more info here.

The competing product from IBM is called Via Voice. I have never used it. Check out the product info here.

 

[wideeyedgrin]

There is one program called ZebSpeech that's available as freeware on the Tucows site. I haven't tried it yet.

 

[boston_bbw]

I have a friend who is blind and he uses a form of Dragon as well. Since his is for a true disability I believe he had a connection with Easter Seals and they took care of it or donated it. From what I understand a good one can be a little pricey. If it's just to make your cyber experience more enjoyable I can't see anyone helping you foot the bill for that but I'm sure it's available to the general public.

 

[boston_bbw]

oops !

 

[Wizard]

There is one program called ZebSpeech that's available as freeware on the Tucows site. I haven't tried it yet.

I found that one and will have to try it, I downloaded but haven't tried yet.

I have a friend who is blind and he uses a form of Dragon as well. His also talks back to him and tells him whats on his screen or can read him his e-mails etc.. Since his is for a true disability I believe he had a connection with Easter Seals and they took care of it or donated it. From what I understand a good one can be a little pricey. If it's just to make your cyber experience more enjoyable I can't see anyone helping you foot the bill for that but I'm sure it's available to the general public.

I sure agree with it being free to folks like that, it truly can make life easier for them and should be free to them.

 

[CopyCarver]

Zeb is by far the best of the free or cheap "speak-writers," but it isn't nearly as good as Dragon. The best feature of the latter is that it's semi-heuristic. When you correct errors on Dragon, it remembers both its mistake and your subsequent correction--at least after a few repititions. Zeb can't do that nearly as well. On the other hand, it's hard to beat free or near-free. Ultimately, it's a question of whether you have more money or more patience to tolerate computer error.

 

[EJFan]

another vote for dragon naturally speaking... they all take time to set up and "teach" but everyone i know who has taken the time to work out the kinks thinks it's fantastic.

i've read a number of articles that recommend plugging your mic into a USB port rather than through your sound card for a better result. it has something to do with how directly the sound is received by the pc... less electronic interference through the USB port. i can't justify this but i've read and heard it enough to feel it's a prudent step to take.

 

[wideeyedgrin]

Dragon and Naturally Speaking were recommended by the local special ed counseler, but the price for either is very steep.