Does Voice Recognition Replace the Need for Typing?

A few years ago we thought typing wasthe patience to "train" the voice recognition
passé. We would no longer have tosoftware. If you are tempted to try it, expect a
struggle with typing. And our children may notlong learning curve.
have to learn how to type anymore. My agedIf you would only use your computer in a closed
mother was thrilled because she never learned tosilent room, never have a cold or other voice
type and thought this was the answer to heraltering condition, and don't have an accent, voice
prayers. Typing, at last, was on the trash heap ofrecognition software would work and be fabulous
technology, because of this "new and improved"most of the time. But how often are you in that
invention ... Voice Recognition Software.situation? The conditions in my life are never
Did voice recognition come to pass? Well notperfect for voice recognition. I am either talking
exactly! In fact, voice recognition technology hason the phone with my children or husband, or in
been a great disappointment.the room with the radio or TV. Thunder, lighting,
If you have ever used voice recognition softwarehail and petulance, there is always something
on cell phones, you know exactly what I'm talkingdisturbing my silence. When working at my laptop
about. Not only do you have to train the cellI maybe at Starbucks, the airport or a restaurant,
phone to recognize your voice but you have toall very noisy places affecting voice recognition
interface with the name in your address book assoftware.
you say it.The ability to type quickly and accurately is crucial
It hasn't been very dependable. The success ratefor everyday life. Typing speed will affect how
of this feature has been less than steller and forfast you can do research, surf the Web, write
the most part very frustrating. Often you havepapers, and save time in school and the rest of
to repeat (or yell) the name over and over totheir life! Every job requires typing skills.
initiate the call (most times resorting to dialing itTyping is important for school work starting as
yourself).early as elementary grade level. Life will be a lot
Similarly, voice recognition software for theeasier for your children if they learn correct
computer promised to be a panacea to thosetyping techniques at a young age. Did you now
who were "keyboard challenged" but it too hasthat typing has been shown to improve spelling,
fallen short of the promises.writing, language skills, and grades.
Most doctors thought that voice recognition wouldMaybe in the future someone will perfect a voice
eliminate the need to outsource medicalrecognition system that can be used in our noisy
transcription. Not so! Most don't have the time norlives...but now... Happy Typing!