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Rating: 
- Utterly Useless
This product is a very expensive waste of time. I followed the set-up instructions and tried to use the software to read into type a long hand written document. This was a waste of time, it did enter the document but with so many mistakes that it took longer to correct that it would have taken to type. I used the 'correction' by which it is supposed to 'learn' new words - again utterly useless. I have corrected a name 10 times and it refuses to recognise it, making the same mistake over and over again. This product is far too expensive not to work as advertised.
Rating:
- It's not perfect, but it works!
Everyday I spend countless hours on the computer, typing. This product has changed that. I'm very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone that really wants something like this. You need to put in a little bit of time to figure out how it works, but it's worth it. Details below.
On system requirements:
On my computer, the program runs smoothly (Windows xp, with 1 giga of RAM, 2.4 GHz dual processor). The box says that with 512 MB RAM and 1 GHz processor it would work ( I'd go a little higher on that). On their website they have a list of microphones that will work but they don't have a list of sound cards, rather they say you need a Sound Blaster 16 (which I couldn't find anywhere). Mine just happened to work, but I'd check that out first .
About the product:
It works, period. It's not 100% accurate but it has cut down my typing time dramatically. If you are like me and a product like this one would make a big difference to your life, get it. I tried other brands (the mac version) and this one is far superior.
Ease of use:
Do the tutorial. You'll get all the information you need. But I did need some training for it so plan on putting in some time to learn how to use it.
Over all I'm very satisfied with my purchase, and considering everything else that's out there, I would recommend this one to anyone.
Rating: - Brilliant if you know how to use it
I'm giving this 5 stars because versions 8 and 9 between them have saved me so much time and money, but I can fully appreciate its limitations for other people. What works really really well, is dictating a long report into a digital recorder, transferring the sound file to the PC, and then leaving Dragon to get on with transcribing it into Word, which on a good PC will be at about 250wpm. I'd say the accuracy on this basis really is 99% at the very least, and this using onboard sound rather than an additional sound card.
Otherwise, my experience has been that:
Minijack microphones just don't work. The connection isn't tight enough, and even with a USB microphone the sound properties will probably have been changed by some other program since you set them up last time anyway.
You need a minimum of 1GB of RAM on XP, 2GB on Vista.
It will work on Vista, but ONLY if you turn off User Account Control.
It doesn't work at all on 64 bit systems, this is acknowledged.
It doesn't work properly on Limited accounts. You need to be on as Administrator.
This is the real killer! The automatic Windows Updates to MS Office will often result in Dragon failing to recognise Word! You can overcome this by a) "repairing" the Dragon installation from disc, or b) turning off Windows Updates.
Version 9 comes with a most unwelcome addition: Program Updates Manager from Adobe. This is a new form of InstallShield that works on both XP and Vista, and is therefore a godsend to the enthusiastic amateur school of programmers, i.e. Nuance, who don't have to write separate installation routines of their own. You can't not have it (or Dragon can't install), and you can't easily remove it afterwards.
I haven't myself tried phoning or emailing the Nuance "customer support" people, but what I do hear from friends and colleagues is that their rudeness and incompetence are legendary, fully on a par with BT's overseas call-centres, and that's saying something!
So in summary: if you have a high level of IT skills, then this product can be made to sing and dance, and you'll love the results. If not...
Rating: - Brilliant piece of software - use it all the time!!!
I used to use the very early editions of this software and was very disappointed as it was slow, wasn't great at recognising words and to be frank it was quicker to type the letters myself. However, due to my PA leaving on very short notice I was recommended this software by my accountant. I was dubious but being in my predictament thought I would have a go.
I initially downloaded the trial version from the internet, which is a good start but doesn't come with a mic or headphones obviously. So I used an external mic and my ipod headphones. Surprisingly the programme worked well and above expectations. I gave it a few days trial then bought this edition. On the plus side it comes with a mic/headphone but its very flimsey so I bought a well known make for £19.99 (Review later!!!)
It is so easy to use but you do need to train the programme to recognise your dialect and words. I did a few exercises and then away I went. Ok I am no expert but with about 30% of the commands anyone can use the software.I only wish it could recognise the way I say "e".
I do still do the exercises to improve the software and thats essential, but I now find it can be quicker to dictate straight into the computer for emails and letters then giving dictation to my new (and much better) PA.
I know that there is soon to be a new version in v.10 but this software is awesome and as long as you do the exercises it should perform very well. Shame about the substandard headphones/mic though but I won't let that get in the way of a great software review.
All in all after 6 weeks of use I can see no downside to this software. Shame they don't do it on a MAC though!!
Rating:
- This is a Tool, not the Computer from Star Trek
I'm semiprofessional writer, and just under a year ago I started developing fairly serious repetitive strain injury. That was when I got into Dragon.
It's a tool, not a gadget. Learning to speak to it takes some work, I myself only really got the hang of it after six months and some of the features still don't work for me (for example I'm still unable to navigate menus reliably). The software doesn't always recognize what you say correctly, although the fact that I have a British regional accent might not help, and there seem to be some inconsistencies in the way it applies punctuation...
With that said, as a tool it does what it says on the box and I wouldn't say that it's a waste of money. You'll have to speak slowly and clearly and put on your best telephone voice; your days of typing in front of the television are over, and I recommend that you set the correction window to display as many options as humanly possible -- but it works, this software really will replace your hands if you are unable to type.
On the USB microphone versus 3.5 millimeter jack debate: I would definitely come down on the side of the noise cancellation USB microphone, I would also suggest that you get the best sound card you possibly can.
So in conclusion -- come to this software expecting to learn to use a new tool. If you put in the same amount of effort that you used to learn to type in the first place you'll probably come out pleasantly surprised. You won't be able to speak into it colloquially, mumble or use it in crowded trains; you'll have to modulate your voice to a pitch and rhythm that can understand, but with that in mind the software does work and I expect that in another few editions it's going to be truly world beating.
And yes, this review was dictated using Dragon Naturally Speaking Nine.
- Utterly UselessThis product is a very expensive waste of time. I followed the set-up instructions and tried to use the software to read into type a long hand written document. This was a waste of time, it did enter the document but with so many mistakes that it took longer to correct that it would have taken to type. I used the 'correction' by which it is supposed to 'learn' new words - again utterly useless. I have corrected a name 10 times and it refuses to recognise it, making the same mistake over and over again. This product is far too expensive not to work as advertised.
Rating:
- It's not perfect, but it works!Everyday I spend countless hours on the computer, typing. This product has changed that. I'm very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone that really wants something like this. You need to put in a little bit of time to figure out how it works, but it's worth it. Details below.
On system requirements:
On my computer, the program runs smoothly (Windows xp, with 1 giga of RAM, 2.4 GHz dual processor). The box says that with 512 MB RAM and 1 GHz processor it would work ( I'd go a little higher on that). On their website they have a list of microphones that will work but they don't have a list of sound cards, rather they say you need a Sound Blaster 16 (which I couldn't find anywhere). Mine just happened to work, but I'd check that out first .
About the product:
It works, period. It's not 100% accurate but it has cut down my typing time dramatically. If you are like me and a product like this one would make a big difference to your life, get it. I tried other brands (the mac version) and this one is far superior.
Ease of use:
Do the tutorial. You'll get all the information you need. But I did need some training for it so plan on putting in some time to learn how to use it.
Over all I'm very satisfied with my purchase, and considering everything else that's out there, I would recommend this one to anyone.
Rating:
- Brilliant if you know how to use itI'm giving this 5 stars because versions 8 and 9 between them have saved me so much time and money, but I can fully appreciate its limitations for other people. What works really really well, is dictating a long report into a digital recorder, transferring the sound file to the PC, and then leaving Dragon to get on with transcribing it into Word, which on a good PC will be at about 250wpm. I'd say the accuracy on this basis really is 99% at the very least, and this using onboard sound rather than an additional sound card.
Otherwise, my experience has been that:
Minijack microphones just don't work. The connection isn't tight enough, and even with a USB microphone the sound properties will probably have been changed by some other program since you set them up last time anyway.
You need a minimum of 1GB of RAM on XP, 2GB on Vista.
It will work on Vista, but ONLY if you turn off User Account Control.
It doesn't work at all on 64 bit systems, this is acknowledged.
It doesn't work properly on Limited accounts. You need to be on as Administrator.
This is the real killer! The automatic Windows Updates to MS Office will often result in Dragon failing to recognise Word! You can overcome this by a) "repairing" the Dragon installation from disc, or b) turning off Windows Updates.
Version 9 comes with a most unwelcome addition: Program Updates Manager from Adobe. This is a new form of InstallShield that works on both XP and Vista, and is therefore a godsend to the enthusiastic amateur school of programmers, i.e. Nuance, who don't have to write separate installation routines of their own. You can't not have it (or Dragon can't install), and you can't easily remove it afterwards.
I haven't myself tried phoning or emailing the Nuance "customer support" people, but what I do hear from friends and colleagues is that their rudeness and incompetence are legendary, fully on a par with BT's overseas call-centres, and that's saying something!
So in summary: if you have a high level of IT skills, then this product can be made to sing and dance, and you'll love the results. If not...
Rating:
- Brilliant piece of software - use it all the time!!!I used to use the very early editions of this software and was very disappointed as it was slow, wasn't great at recognising words and to be frank it was quicker to type the letters myself. However, due to my PA leaving on very short notice I was recommended this software by my accountant. I was dubious but being in my predictament thought I would have a go.
I initially downloaded the trial version from the internet, which is a good start but doesn't come with a mic or headphones obviously. So I used an external mic and my ipod headphones. Surprisingly the programme worked well and above expectations. I gave it a few days trial then bought this edition. On the plus side it comes with a mic/headphone but its very flimsey so I bought a well known make for £19.99 (Review later!!!)
It is so easy to use but you do need to train the programme to recognise your dialect and words. I did a few exercises and then away I went. Ok I am no expert but with about 30% of the commands anyone can use the software.I only wish it could recognise the way I say "e".
I do still do the exercises to improve the software and thats essential, but I now find it can be quicker to dictate straight into the computer for emails and letters then giving dictation to my new (and much better) PA.
I know that there is soon to be a new version in v.10 but this software is awesome and as long as you do the exercises it should perform very well. Shame about the substandard headphones/mic though but I won't let that get in the way of a great software review.
All in all after 6 weeks of use I can see no downside to this software. Shame they don't do it on a MAC though!!
Rating:
- This is a Tool, not the Computer from Star TrekI'm semiprofessional writer, and just under a year ago I started developing fairly serious repetitive strain injury. That was when I got into Dragon.
It's a tool, not a gadget. Learning to speak to it takes some work, I myself only really got the hang of it after six months and some of the features still don't work for me (for example I'm still unable to navigate menus reliably). The software doesn't always recognize what you say correctly, although the fact that I have a British regional accent might not help, and there seem to be some inconsistencies in the way it applies punctuation...
With that said, as a tool it does what it says on the box and I wouldn't say that it's a waste of money. You'll have to speak slowly and clearly and put on your best telephone voice; your days of typing in front of the television are over, and I recommend that you set the correction window to display as many options as humanly possible -- but it works, this software really will replace your hands if you are unable to type.
On the USB microphone versus 3.5 millimeter jack debate: I would definitely come down on the side of the noise cancellation USB microphone, I would also suggest that you get the best sound card you possibly can.
So in conclusion -- come to this software expecting to learn to use a new tool. If you put in the same amount of effort that you used to learn to type in the first place you'll probably come out pleasantly surprised. You won't be able to speak into it colloquially, mumble or use it in crowded trains; you'll have to modulate your voice to a pitch and rhythm that can understand, but with that in mind the software does work and I expect that in another few editions it's going to be truly world beating.
And yes, this review was dictated using Dragon Naturally Speaking Nine.
