| Speech Recognition | | | | 3. Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional - Allows |
| Speech recognition software allows the user to | | | | you to dictate up to 160 words per minute, launch |
| use their voice as an input device so they can | | | | applications, complete forms, and do other |
| dictate text directly into the computer as well as | | | | complex tasks. Dragon also has specialty |
| give the computer commands such as open, save | | | | programs such as Medical Suite and Legal Suite. |
| or close. Current software has come a long way | | | | 4. Eloquently Started - Designed for physicians for |
| from the first voice recognition software that | | | | producing medical records. It comes complete |
| was available. | | | | with a sophisticated database and is designed for |
| | | | producing detailed medical reports quickly. |
| When shopping for speech recognition software, | | | | 5. Realize Voice - Uses the Whisper speech |
| make sure to have the answers to these | | | | recognition engine that requires no training, |
| questions: | | | | although you can train it to improve its |
| 1. What operating system is the software | | | | vocabulary. It can open and close windows and |
| compatible with? | | | | carry out basic task functions. |
| 2. How much memory is required or | | | | 6. Interactive Voice Assistant IVA - This assistant |
| recommended? | | | | will not only let you talk to it, it will talk to you; |
| 3. What processor speed is required or | | | | and you can tell your assistant what to do in |
| recommended? | | | | English. It is capable of dictating email, sending, |
| 4. What type of learning curve does the software | | | | replying, searching the Internet and carrying out |
| have? | | | | other basic computer tasks. |
| 5. Will it work with existing word processing | | | | 7. Micro Intro Voice II - A complete voice input |
| software? | | | | and output system with an accuracy rate of |
| 6. Does it come with a microphone? | | | | more than 98%. This is a powerful piece of |
| 7. Will you need a USB microphone? | | | | software and it's available for large or small |
| 8. Is it macro capable? | | | | networks. |
| There is quite a variety of Speech Recognition | | | | 8. ViaVoice Millennium Pro - It uses continuous |
| Software packages currently on the market. Here | | | | speech and is capable of desktop navigation; |
| are just a few to check out. | | | | inputting, editing, and formatting text; |
| 1. Conversa Messenger - A desktop messaging | | | | proofreading; and direct dictation. There are also |
| system for small businesses that allows you to | | | | legal and medical dictionaries available. |
| access your voicemail, e-mail, and faxes by voice. | | | | These are eight of the speech recognition |
| It's easy to use and has continuous speech | | | | software choices, but there are many other |
| recognition. | | | | excellent programs. Do a quick search online and |
| 2. Dragon Naturally Speaking Essentials - For ages | | | | you'll have lots to choose from. Do your research |
| 9 and up; it provides an introduction to continuous | | | | and ensure the voice recognition software you |
| speech recognition with a vocabulary of more | | | | choose will meet your needs. |
| than 250,000 terms and 160,000 active words. | | | | |