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What's on your computer? |
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Jerry 
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Moderator Joined: 24/Jul/2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Status: Offline Points: 25 |
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 Topic: What's on your computer?Posted: 18/Oct/2008 at 9:49pm |
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This question comes with the basic assumption that you are utilizing one of the Vista operating system options. This operating system came with Windows speech recognition built-in. Though not heavily advertised, this is a significant recognition of the fact that not everyone types with their hands. For those of us who have been using speech recognition for a period of time, programs like ViaVoice and Dragon dictate are familiar to us. My question is, are you using Windows speech recognition as your primary voice dictation program or are you using another? If so, how do you compare them? More on what I am doing later.
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Take care, Jerry
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GM W
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Joined: 23/Oct/2008 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 26/Oct/2008 at 7:37pm |
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Hi Jerry
I have to use WSR exclusively .I have Windows Vista With a 64 bit and DragonDictate cannot be installed. WSR is proving extremely trouble some. Example, I cannot dictate into this window.
Regards--GM W
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fabbott
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Joined: 18/Aug/2008 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Posted: 27/Oct/2008 at 6:18pm |
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You can use a program called "dictation box" to allow you to dictate into this window. If you have not done so, download the macro installation program from the "Macro and MAcro Development" topic list from the main page and install it, then copy the macro at the bottom of the page and save it in your speech macros folder. Once you have installed of the macro, Start a message window and then say "open dictation box." It will open a window into which you can dictate your messages. When you are through dictating, just say " post dictation," and the macro will transfer your dictation back to the MSS speech forum and then close the dictation window. While you were in the dictation window, you will be able to use select and say editing and most other commands. It works well, and I have dictated this message using that process.
Gie the thanks to BradT who developed the macro. Frank Abbott ----copy and install this macro <speechMacros> <!-- begin dictation --> <command> <listenFor>open dictation box</listenFor> <run command="wordpad.exe" params=""/> </command> <!-- post dictation --> <command> <listenFor>post dictation</listenFor> <sendKeys>{{CTRL}}a</sendKeys> <waitFor seconds=".25"/> <sendKeys>{{CTRL}}c</sendKeys> <waitFor seconds=".25"/> <!-- switch to non-SR app --> <sendKeys>{{ALT}}{TAB}</sendKeys> <waitFor seconds=".5"/> <sendKeys>{{CTRL}}v</sendKeys> <waitFor seconds=".25"/> <!-- switch back and clear --> <sendKeys>{{ALT}}{TAB}</sendKeys> <waitFor seconds=".5"/> <sendKeys>{{CTRL}}a{250 WAIT}{DELETE}</sendKeys> </command> </speechMacros> |
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Jerry
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Moderator Joined: 24/Jul/2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Status: Offline Points: 25 |
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Posted: 28/Oct/2008 at 11:20pm |
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Glad to have you onboard! You are the 1st person that I have heard from who uses WSR on a 64-bit machine. Hopefully, you'll find the post that follows yours helpful. Let me know if it works for you. |
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Take care, Jerry
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Jerry
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Moderator Joined: 24/Jul/2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Status: Offline Points: 25 |
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Posted: 28/Oct/2008 at 11:22pm |
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Thank you for your input. This is certainly something I didn't know. I have thought about going to a 64-bit computer myself but held back because of the lack of dictation options available. Thanks again. |
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Take care, Jerry
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GM W
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Joined: 23/Oct/2008 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 30/Oct/2008 at 8:53pm |
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Thank you Frank Abbott and Brad for your help with this. I think I have quite a lot to learn about macros as they apply to MSR. Are there other forums out there in addition to this one? Again thanks –GM W |
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GM W
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Joined: 23/Oct/2008 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 30/Oct/2008 at 9:05pm |
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Hi Jerry:
I am happy to be onboard and to have people to discuss my problems and frustrations with MSR.
Thanks and good wishes -GM W
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fabbott
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Joined: 18/Aug/2008 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 13 |
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Posted: 31/Oct/2008 at 9:46pm |
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I thought others might give you directions to some of these groups, but just so you don't have to go a long time without some guidance, I would recommend two to you.
The first one is dedicated to Windows Speech Recognition and has been quite active related to the use of macros. It has a large collection of macros that others have written. Founded by Itamar, perhaps the first person who was a cheerleader for WSR, it is a Yahoo group, and you have to join (free), but it is really helpful. http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ms-speech/messages The second is one run by Skip, this one is older and has contributors both for WSR and Dragon NaturallySpeaking (along with a few holdouts for ViaVoice), it also will give you a lot of ideas. www.speechcomputing.com There are others that may be more focused on Dragon, but you are probably more interested in the ones with WSR elements. Martin and his moderators have done a really good job focusing this forum on WSR, and they should be commended for their efforts. Frank Abbott |
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GM W
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Joined: 23/Oct/2008 Status: Offline Points: 4 |
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Posted: 01/Nov/2008 at 6:22am |
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Hi Frank Abbott:
Thank you for this.
At the moment I'm only interested in WSR and I will try out your suggestions as time goes by. This is all very reassuring.
Regards - GM W
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Jerry
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Moderator Joined: 24/Jul/2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Status: Offline Points: 25 |
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Posted: 18/Nov/2008 at 9:40pm |
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A while ago, I said that I would share with you some details about my computer. Being a bit of a geek myself, I designed and built it around the Intel core 2 duo at 2.4 GHz about 2 years ago as an upgrade from an older Pentium 4 processor. I read about the release of Vista and kept its hardware requirements in mind. It includes 2 gigs of RAM and a Radeon X1950 series video card. For audio, I use the Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum. In putting this computer together, it had to be able to serve 2 important sides of my life. One side is that I am a musician. The other side is my professional life which absolutely requires voice dictation capability due to my disability. The musician side of my life had some legacy hardware associated with it that would be quite expensive to upgrade with no practical reason for doing so. Some of the hardware would not work in a Vista system due to driver incompatibility. So I have a dual boot system with multiple hard drives to handle Windows XP professional (the musician side) and Vista ultimate to handle my professional side. As such, I get to personally experience the debate about which is better, Windows XP or Windows Vista? I vote hands down for Windows Vista but that's a whole other issue. The benefit of building your own computer is that you can usually build a much stronger computer at a lower price and that was my experience. When I think about the issue of using computer technology to compensate for physical limitations, cost must be a factor that is considered by the consumer. The setup that I use cost much less than the equivalent computer purchased through HP or Dell. It does so because I was able to bring in much of the software that I already had. For Vista, I did upgrade my office applications to take advantage of some of Vista's features. Where voice dictation is concerned, you do not need a killer computer to experience a very positive use of voice dictation software. If you can run Windows Vista on your computer you have a built-in voice dictation program that is capable of doing some wonderful things. Hopefully, the upcoming new version of Windows (Windows 7) will offer an even better voice dictation experience. For power users, it is very hard to beat Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 for speed and accuracy. Wouldn't you know it? Just as I am really comfortable with this computer, Intel has just released an incredible new processor... |
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Take care, Jerry
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ramble
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Joined: 03/Dec/2008 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Posted: 03/Dec/2008 at 10:34am |
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Hi Jerry,
You probably get asked this quite a bit. My brother in law has MS and has lost the use of his hands. He is currently running XP. Would it make more sense to go to Vista or try ViaVoice. Funds are limited. Thanks |
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mmarkoe
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Joined: 24/Jul/2008 Status: Offline Points: 210 |
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Posted: 03/Dec/2008 at 11:45am |
Two summers ago, before the release of the Vista operating system, I was invited to Redmond Washington by the Microsoft speech group to preview Windows® Speech Recognition. The very first statement made by the head of the workgroup was that the workgroup was charged by management with creating a speech interface that would help people with disabilities use a computer. I believe that they've done a very good job of speech enabling almost every function.
Therefore, I would recommend going with Windows Speech Recognition. ViaVoice used to be a very good program, but is basically software that has not been developed in over five years. There was one small upgrade so that it would work with office 2003.
The only caution I offer is that you may need a more powerful machine to run the Vista. At a minimum, I recommend a high-end Pentium 4 (preferably a Core 2 Duo or better) with at least 2 GB of RAM and 3 GB or 4 GB if you can afford it. If your machine meets these requirements, I say go for it.
Do you know about the WSRToolkit? This software adds many of the functions from Dragon NaturallySpeaking and ViaVoice you would expect. As your brother-in-law has a disability, he can apply for a free copy of the WSRToolkit. Edited by mmarkoe - 03/Dec/2008 at 11:45am |
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Marty Markoe, MVP
Microsoft Valued Partner See us at: http://www.mymsspeech.com |
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ramble
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Joined: 03/Dec/2008 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Posted: 03/Dec/2008 at 12:23pm |
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Thanks, Marty. I will be seeing Craig tomorrow or Friday and will get a closer look at his laptop. The WSR toolkit is very affordable. Some of the Dragon products are not. The Vista option sounds like a very exciting option for him.
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Jerry
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Moderator Joined: 24/Jul/2008 Location: Casselberry, Fl Status: Offline Points: 25 |
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Posted: 03/Dec/2008 at 4:25pm |
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Hello Ramble, It is good here from you. Welcome to the forum! This is a very good question and a great deal depends on the status of your brother-in-law's computer. By status, I am primarily concerned about the age of the computer. I could not recommend going to ViaVoice at all for someone who has lost the use of their hands. Navigational control is one of the benefits of using today's voice dictation products. It is vastly improved. As Marty indicated, moving to Vista does require a certain level of hardware performance. Microsoft makes available a program on their website which will actually diagnose your computer's performance and advise you on whether not your computer can handle Vista. Vista comes in a number of varieties and the program would indicate which one can be supported on your computer. Minimally, if the computer can run it, Vista Home Premium would be highly recommended by me and is available on Amazon for $89 as an upgrade to XP. Of course, that includes Windows speech recognition and it would be an economical choice given that money is an issue. If the computer needs to be upgraded to run Vista, then the overall cost of this project would be more. Another alternative would be to purchase Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred. You would not need to upgrade the computer and the price would be somewhere around $140. One other issue that needs to be considered is the issue of how your brother-in-law intends to use the computer. If he does a great deal of writing then accuracy is also an important issue and an upgraded microphone might be important. Marty is the expert on that and can make recommendations for you. Also, the environment that he plans to use the computer in plays a part in this as you would want good noise cancellation in a noisier environment. That is primarily a function of the microphone. I hope that this helps. Let us know how it works out. I would be really interested in hearing how you resolve this issue. |
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Take care, Jerry
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ramble
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Joined: 03/Dec/2008 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Posted: 03/Dec/2008 at 5:11pm |
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Jerry,
I can hardly contain my excitement over this. Craig's laptop is relatively new, although it may not have the Duo Core processor. He used to compose music through it as he was also a musician. I listen to his Christmas music all the time during the season. My guess is that the memory will be there as his sampling program is most likely a memory hog. He is having dinner with his mom tonight (his birthday is tomorrow) and she will be telling him about this. I am keeping positive thoughts for this working. |
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ramble
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Joined: 03/Dec/2008 Location: Minnesota Status: Offline Points: 6 |
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Posted: 10/Dec/2008 at 12:24pm |
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I brought Craig's computer back to him yesterday. Installed Vista on it, added memory and reconfigured his email. We went thru the SR tutorial and replied to an email. It worked beautifully. He is in awe of it and is well on his way. I was concerned that he might get into areas where he would get stuck but he tried the mouse grid and worked his way thru a couple of problems.
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ramble wrote: