Dragon Naturally Speaking V.6 Preferred.ScanSoft (9 Centennial Dr., Peabody, MA 01960. 978-977-2000 www.ScanSoft.com). c1997-2002. Windows XP/ME/2000/98/95 or NT 4.0 (SP-6 min.), Pentium 11/400MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. , 128MB, 300MB free hard disk space, 16-bit sound card, Microsoft Internet Explorer See Internet Explorer. 5 min., CD-ROM drive A device that holds and reads CD-ROM discs. CD-ROM drives generally also play audio CD discs by sending analog sound to the sound card via a 4-pin cable. For specifications of 10x, 20x, etc. drives, see CD-ROM drives. See CD-ROM, CD-ROM changer, CD-ROM server and CD-ROM audio cable. , speakers. CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). disk, headset microphone, user's guide. $199.99; standard edition or preferred upgrade, $99.99. JSA JSA - Japanese Standards Association. This is the third version of this software I have reviewed over the years, and it is the best one yet. For those unfamiliar with dictation software, it is a revelation to see your spoken word appear on the screen, as if by magic. This new version installed easily, and training the software to recognize my voice took only a few minutes. Although my computer has poor audio quality, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the program, speech transcription accuracy was very good. Accuracy improves when the user speaks at a natural speed in complete sentences or paragraphs, a far cry from early versions that required pauses between words. Text conversion from the spoken word is faster than ever. The software claims to handle up to 160 wpm, and I have no reason to doubt that claim. Users can dictate into a Naturally Speaking window, or into any of the major word processors (for example, Microsoft Word). Dictation also works with most Windows programs, including e-mail software. Carried over from previous versions, but improved, are a comprehensive reference manual; extensive online help, including a multimedia tour; and a quick reference card. It is easy to edit and make corrections with voice commands. When ready to proofread, the user simply has Naturally Speaking read back the text. My old standby test, "She sells seashells by the seashore," worked perfectly the first time. The default proofreading Proofreading traditionally means reading a proof copy of a text in order to detect and correct any errors. Modern proofreading often requires reading copy at earlier stages as well. voice is a human-sounding female with a slight Scandinavian accent. Away from your computer? Dictate into an approved tape recorder, and let the software transcribe To copy data from one medium to another; for example, from one source document to another, or from a source document to the computer. It often implies a change of format or codes. your dictation when you return. The software isn't perfect, however. Occasionally, it would interpret my breathing as the word "and". A microphone position adjustment corrected that minor problem. And a couple of times, when I wanted to insert the words Naturally Speaking, the software opened the Naturally Speaking menu instead. To be fair, the software was uncannily good at distinguishing between commands and dictation. The software is potentially useful to nearly everyone. It is especially useful for people who would rather speak than type. For anyone with a disability involving his or her hands (or eyes), it would be a wonderful tool. As with previous versions, version 6 is an easy recommendation. Eric Fortess, Assoc. Prof., Suffolk Univ., Boston, MA |
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