| If you're a slow typist, using a speech recognition | | | | press Ctrl+O which is faster than saying "file |
| program may boost your productivity. People | | | | open." But learning the shortcut keys takes some |
| speak at 100 to 175 WPM. If you only type 30 | | | | initial effort.) |
| WPM, using a program that recognizes your | | | | If you have Windows Vista, it comes with a |
| speech could increase your productivity by 5 | | | | program that recognizes your speech. To find it, |
| times. | | | | press the Start button and type "speech |
| To use a program that recognizes your speech, | | | | recognition" in the "Start Search" field. You'll see a |
| you speak into a microphone that's connected to | | | | program called "Windows Speech Recognition." |
| your computer. Then as you speak, the program | | | | You can configure it by selecting the program |
| will translate your words into text on the | | | | "Speech Recognition Options." |
| computer. It will do your typing for you. | | | | The programs you use to recognize your speech |
| There are different speech recognition programs | | | | won't have 100% accuracy. So it'll make mistakes |
| out there you can use. In one program, you can | | | | here and there. If you don't mind a little editing, |
| even speak commands into your computer. To | | | | the program can be beneficial. It's even more |
| open a file, you can say, "File open." This can be | | | | beneficial if you're a slow typer. Give it a try and |
| handy if you have trouble finding commands, such | | | | see if it boosts your productivity. If it doesn't, you |
| as opening a file. (But then again, you can always | | | | can always scrap it. So there's nothing to lose. |