Dragon Speech to Text Software- Does it really work?
By Brett.Tesol
The Proof
This may surprise you, but I am actually writing this hub with speech to text software. It is surprisingly easy to use, even though I have only completed the basic training so far. The more that you use the software, the more accurate it will become. With modern day speech to text software, you can actually correct words that it misunderstands by using your voice only, there is no longer a need for you to select using the mouse or typing words using the keyboard. You can change misunderstood words by saying “Select misspelled-word”, and then choosing from the options displayed by saying 'option' and the number that you require. If this doesn't contain the word you wanted, you can also verbally spell the word and it will remember it for next time.
The fact that you can correct via voice means that you can relax and continue writing without having to use your hands. Although this seems like a minor improvement, it actually makes correcting your writing very easy. The number of mistakes that the software makes initially are surprisingly low, I would guess about 5% maybe less. This is after only completing the initial training, however you can continue to train the program by reading text to it. This allows it to gain a better sample of your voice and the different ways you pronounce words, it will then adjust its entire sample system to match your particular way of speaking. With this level of accuracy, writing suddenly becomes as easy as speaking to a friend. Obviously you do still need to look for mistakes, but you also have to proof read your own writing anyway, so all in all I find that this is a much better way to write.
Although there are many programs for text-to-speech and speech to text on the market, the program I am using to write this hub is called Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11.5. With this software you can actually control your entire computer via voice. You can write e-mails, use the Internet, switch between programs, launch programs, and access menus. Personally I am new to using this, so at the moment I'm just using it for writing. However, I have been very impressed with how easy it is to use. Eventually I will learn the commands required to use the entire computer. Once you know the commands, using any program on your computer becomes a simple as speaking.
At the start, you may need to train the program to recognize certain unique words that you use. The vocabulary that it has as standard is very extensive, however local words would not be known. If you wish to speak as you do normally, then you can train it your way of saying a word. You can even give it specific spellings for words that are not within the normal English dictionary.
As I have written this hub using this program and it has only made about 10-15 mistakes, despite the fact that I have a flu virus at the moment and I am very difficult to understand, I feel extremely happy about the £60 that I spent on this program. The main mistakes that it made, were 'Hubs', 'Hub', and words where I coughed, sneezed, or mumbled. However, it is only because I have not trained it to understand these words, or human error on my part. The more I use the program, the better it will get, and as I use the Internet for a lot of writing, it will save me from hand aches and possible RSI problems in the future. I will use this to write on Hubpages, Webanswers, and my websites.
For anyone that does a lot of writing, I would have to recommend this type of software, as it is much faster than typing and is much easier to write. Even if initially you have to use the mouse or keyboard a little, it is a fraction of the effort that you would normally put into writing. A rough guess, I would say that it is twice possibly three times the speed of normal writing. The better your computer is and the better your microphone is, the more accurate this program will be. Yet, I am still able to run it well on a little netbook, which has 2GB of RAM and is 1.6ghz. I am also using an analogue (jack plug, not digital USB) microphone which was £15 and the free OpenOffice Writer software.
So, if you write a lot like me, I highly recommend you check out this software. I won't put a link here, but if you Google Dragon NaturallySpeaking, it will come up (alternative I have also acknowledged them in the link under the photo). I hope it saves a few people from aching hands and hours of typing.
© Copyright 2011. Brett.Tesol - Full terms available on Brett.Tesol's profile page (click the blue link for profile, failure to read the Copyright Contract could be expensive. The act of copying this work means that you accept the full terms of the contract, regardless of whether or not you have read it).
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Comments
This could be handy for multi tasking. While working on something else you could talk/type a story, take notes or make lists. Great information.
Typing is in my blood so I type everything, however, when I was working in school (Tech. Dir.) we purchased Dragon for handicapped students and adults. We actually started with one of the earliest versions (which made a lot of mistakes) but it has improved tremendously over the years.
Very informative hub and I'm sure a lot of people will benefit from it! Voted up, useful and interesting. Thanks for SHARING.
Very useful review of Dragon voice to text software. I can see where it would be extremely useful in some situations, though I don't think I would like to be talking to my computer if there were other people in the room. Voted up and useful and Tweeted.
Brett this sounds like it could save a lot of time and finger effort while writing articles. I really could have used it Sunday. Luckily it is not often I am required to write four articles in a day. With something like this chances are I could actually find time to write more hubs.
Voted up Interesting and SHARING on twitter.
The software is great on Macs too. In fact, this software is available for the iPad in the iTunes store for free at the moment (or it was, last I heard) ... so grab it while you can if you have an iPad.
This software sounds very useful.
I tried this software way back but sadly it dont work well with me :( But after reading this I might give this software another try. Thanks for sharing
I am glad you found success with Dragon. My husband broke both of his hands and is addicted to the computer. He lasted about a day and a half with hunting in pecking around his cast and brace. Then he went on Amazon, picked one-day shipping and got Dragon. However, he got tired of trying to train it, very low threshold for patience.
I just picked up that software. The only problem I found was that it has trouble recognizing my voice where there is too much background noise (I have two kids), a problem I plan to remedy soon (my hubby is setting up an office for me in our basement). I'm hoping it will increase my productivity, when I get the chance to actually start using it. Thanks for sharing how it workd for you. Now I have confidence that it will work for me as well.
I've been very interested in using software like this. I'm curious on any insight that you or any of your followers may have on software for Macs.
GREAT topic and I'll SHARE this with my followers!
This program is really great, and has been around for quite a long time, but with updated versions of course. My dad used to use this 15 years or more ago, and as a kid I played around with it a lot. Personally, I am a typer, always have been, so for blogging or any writing really I will stick with the keyboard, however I believe this is very useful for companies who want to keep a written record, rather than using a transcriptionist's service =)
Just had dinner with a friend the other night and her husband was "selling" this idea. He said it would adapt to accents and speech patterns. He thought I should dictate my novels with one. But I think I have too much newspaper woman in my blood. I think through my fingers hitting the keys!
How interesting. I've heard of such software programs, but
never used one. This is a great review. I kind of want to try one now! Voted up, interesting, and useful. Thanks for SHARING!
It's good to read a review from someone I "know." The Dragon program is one I will keep in mind for the future.
Voted up and SHARED.
Thank you for all your comments, I actually really love this program and it is making a big difference to my online earnings :-).
@ Duschess, I haven't tried the transcribing, but I know the pro version can do this from a recorder. If you go for it, Google 'Discount codes' and the version you want, you can save up to 50% off the cost, but normally at least $20-50!
I saw a commercial for this, and I definitely want to look into buying this software. I use an opposite type of tool for text-to-speech in Adobe Captivate which allows you to add temporary scratch audio to a tutorial which is great for testing before adding professional audio. It's all very cool!
On my iPhone 4, I used Suri all the time to talk into my phone and compose text messages and email messages. Sometimes I do have to tweak words and make corrections, but overall, it is a great.
Thumbs up on this hub!
I wonder if after you "train" it, if you could use it to transcribe notes you have dictated into your hand held recorder. I keep one with me for ideas that pop into my head. Have you tried that?
Oh, I forgot to tell you that I plus one your hub, and also "liked" it on Facebook.
This is amazing, I've never heard of it before. But as one commenter states, I type pretty fast, and I think as I type, so I don't know how useful this is for me. I do think it is amazing that you, in effect, dictated this entire article. I'd like to get the program for entertainment value at least. Anyway I voted this hub up, useful, awesome, and interesting. "SHARING!" I hope you're benefiting from your "sharing suggestion." The jury is still out on mine, so far.
Wow phdast7, I think that you hold my unofficial record for longest comment EVER lol. Very interesting points that you made, thanks for taking the time to give your experience!
Hi Brett - Thank you for sharing with all of us about your experience with Dragon, voice recognition software.I have been using it for five years with a great deal of success. After recovering from a cerebral infarction (stroke)and returning to work seven years ago, I could still only type with the index finger of my right hand. Someone recommended Dragon. It took me a little while to get used to it but now I can't imagine working or writing for pleasure without it.
Couple of comments and suggestions: if you type really well and really fast you probably don't need and may not like Dragon. You do have to spend some time teaching Dragon your particular voice and your particular pronunciation. But as Brett said the more you work with it the better it gets.
If you are an average, or very slow, typist like me; if you make a fair number of mistakes a regular basis when you're typing; if your arms, hands, or shoulders get tired... then Dragon can be very helpful. As for correcting mistakes with the mouse, I was doing that anyway so it doesn't bother me to occasionally corrects a mistake that occurs when I'm speaking. As Brett said, practice makes perfect, but it will pick up your coughs, your sneezes, and any comments you mutter under your breath. :-)
Some people's words do not flow as easily when they speak as when they type. You will probably find that that improves with practice, if it doesn't, dragon may not be for you. But do give it some time because they can be of invaluable help when you are tired, would you have a lot of text to type, if you have arthritis, or if you are crummy typist like me.
One last suggestion, if you are considering buying the software you might want to buy an older edition. When I first looked at Dragon the most recent version was $89.95.I didn't want to pay that for something that I might not like or be able to use. So I went back two versions, this was on Amazon by the way, and purchased the older version for $29.95. probably the best $30 I've ever spent. A couple of years later I purchased a later version and I'm happy with it as well.
Before you buy just make sure that your system meets the dragon memory and speed requirements and make sure you have time to work with the program. I think you will be pleased.
Thanks for SHARING.
P.S. I had to manually correct four words in this comments, where Dragon selected the wrong word. I would have made many more typing errors than that is typing manually. You may also notice that dragon is more likely to make mistakes with small common words, that and hat, his and this, than it is width to three and four syllable words. Good luck.
Hi Ajayshah2005,
I'm not sure about 10, but version 11.5 seems to be very good. I've been using it this week with a sticking cold and somehow it still does pretty well. I just talk off the whole hub and then edit any mistakes after, the same as I would do if I were typing.
@ moiragallaga,
I agree completely, the technology makes writing very easy. It even has variations built in the for US, UK, Australia, and Asian English accents. Although it does make some mistakes, for me it makes very few and probably about as many as I would make in typos while writing a large document. Hence, I just say exactly what I want to write, and then proof read the document as normal after.
I have Dragon Naturally Speaking 10, and I use it rarely. I find it to be too difficult to use. I prefer to type rather than to correct the words every time using this software!
However, I liked the feature of this software which allows us to open, copy or do any other activity (command).
Wow, this is amazing technology. It's the first I ever heard of it, so thanks for sharing this very useful and interesting bit of information Brett. I like the application, it will allow me to do my writing via voice and have my hands free for other tasks. Very convenient.
Hi alocsin, I find it faster too, especially now it's trained. Much easier for writing hubs and comments!
I actually use Dragon for writing some of my hubs. It's a great timesaver though speaking an article is an entirely different creation process than writing it. Voting this Up and Useful.
Hi Rajan Jolly,
as your comments are very detailed, you would probably find this software very useful, as it would save you a lot of typing and you can also use it for your hubs to write quickly. Although it makes some mistakes, on a full paragraph you may be will need to change one or two words. For me a small amount of editing and tweaking is much easier than a lot of typing.
Hi amymarie_5,
Thanks for commenting. If you do try the software, the trick is to remember that the text on the screen doesn't need to be up to where your voice is, you can speak well ahead of what the software is writing, and it will remember and then catch up. In fact, I'm actually writing this comment with Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
This is an intesting, useful and awesome tool. Writing probably is the most cumbersome part after research for a topic that is. I like the fact that it saves not physical fatigue but I guess saves mental fatigue as well.
One of these days I certainly would like to try it out.
Thanks for sharing.
Voted up, useful and awesome.
I think I'm better and faster at writing my thoughts then speaking them. That said, I haven't used the software but am open to trying it out. This hub was very useful and is a great review of the software.
Hi ITCoach,
This software actually listens to your voice and turns it into text for you. However, if you are looking for text to speech software, I would like to recommend NextUp TextAloud ... it is very realistic and fast for converting text to speech.
Hi ITCoach,
This software actually listens to your voice and turns it into text for you. However, if you are looking for text to speech software, I would like to recommend NextUp TextAloud ... it is very realistic and fast for converting text to speech.
Its really a good information for me, as I was looking for that type of software,How many voices this software have,multiple or just one voice.Voted up and useful.
Hi BlissfulWriter,
That is more what I use it for. If I am doing a lot of writing or commenting, then speaking is a much more relaxed way to do it.
Hi whoisbid,
Yea, it does get better the more you use it and you also get better at using it. Simple things like pronunciation tweaks can help a lot too.
I have Dragon Natually Speaking. I also would occasionally use Dragon Naturally Speaking if I'm writing long text. It does make some errors for me and I have to correct punctuations. But still faster than typing when writing large amounts of text.
Hi Point2make,
It depends on how much you write, but for me this is a much easier way to write, as instead of tapping frantically, you just chat with your PC lol.
I have not used it enough so I guess it is still wanting
Hi Xenonlit,
Yes, it is excellent for a netbook or anyone that writes a lot! I find that although I could write at a similar speed, I would be tired out quickly, but with this I can 'write' much much more.
Hi Hunbbel Meer,
Can I ask which version you used? I find that with 11.5, after 40 minutes of training that I can speak at a normal speed and it writes everything down, with a 90-95% accuracy. I admit the older versions weren't too good, but a lot of progress has been made in the last year or two.
I just got a netbook and it looks like speech to text might be a solution for some typing issues. Thanks for the info!
Good hub. I have been wondering if Dragon would be useful to my hub writing. Your information helps a lot and I will investigate further. Thanks Brett for the help.
Hey Samsons1.
Glad you found it useful. The latest version is really accurate. I had an old version a couple of years back that wasn't too good, but this only makes a few errors and save loads of typing! :-)
Hi Snurre,
If you are a Pianist, I can well believe you can type faster. For me, I probably could type as fast, but not for long periods and it is a lot more effort than talking. It won't suite everyone, but the latest version is very accurate and keeps up with pretty fast speech.
I have the same point. I used the dragon software, though I didn't like the mechanics because I felt that I can type a lot faster than I speak into it.
The software also requires an extensive training too, otherwise it makes a lot of mistakes.
Up and useful! Thanks Brett, I've been considering this same software program and reading this has just about summed it up. Very interesting and fulfilling read...
Dragon is good software, but I didn't like using it. Not because it misunderstand a lot of words, but because I write faster with my hands. Somehow for me it's easier to type things than say them. Perhaps that's because I'm a professional pianist lol
DMartelonline 6 weeks ago
I use Dragon all the time. Since I'm legally blind it helps me keep my eyes rested and allows me to work more hours a day.