Best voice recognition software ???

[HardwareAddicted]

So here's the deal....

I am volunteering my time to a physically disabled child (5 yrs old) that needs to be able to use a computer.

Browse the internet, send email, start her little games, create a word doc....stuff like that.

I thought she might as well start now and get a jump on things.

I have Office XP & Windows XP for her already....the PC is in bad need of a clean install anyway.(P2-450, 256, 10gb)

So, I know XP has this as a feature by default, but that does not sell me so fast....it has burning software too, but most people install something better.

But I have no idea if this is the case with the voice technology too....is dragon way ahead of XP....or maybe IBM's Via voice ?

I don't want to have to start over after finding that I don't like what XP has to offer....so there it is.

If it's a close race, I will keep what I have...but if it's no contest and another program is a no brainer, then please save me some time.

Thx guys....

~ The Addicted One

 

[ojai00]

I've used both Dragon Naturally Speaking and the voice recognition software that comes with Office XP, and honestly, I can't really tell the difference. You have to speak slowly into the microphone in order for the application to pick it up, so that can get frustrating after a while. That's the main reason I uninstalled Dragon. However, in your case, you have no choice but to use the software. I'm not a hardcore voice recognition person, so I can't really give you hard evidence, but based on my experience, they're about the same. You should give Office XP a shot first, and if you don't like it, purchase one of the other programs. Why spend money when you don't have to? Hope this helps.

BTW: I think it's really nice what you're doing. Good for you!!

 

[YaKuZa]

ive tried a few of them too and found out that a lot of it depends on the quality of the mic because if you have a bad one, the software won't pick anything up anyway.

 

[HardwareAddicted]

Well I have provided her with a headset w/boomic....so I think I have this covered.

At least I hope so...

 

[HardwareAddicted]

Anyone else with any comments on this...?

 

[Miramonti]

<< Anyone else with any comments on this...? >>

 

[Cosmic_Horror]

i used ibm via voice a few years back and you really need a quality mic and a lot of time to train the software to your voice...

a friend's dad got dragon natural speaking ad he said he had resonanable results with it.. so ia ssume the newer versions are probably better and also require a resonably fast system also.

Also the background noise needs to be somewhat constant also ....

 

[Luxiou]

hey, ive actually done some research in voice recognition before, and basically it doesnt really matter which program you get. what does matter is that they all use similar learning algorithms, and so for whichever program you choose make sure you have your child spend time training it. in the beginning itll probably give you lots of wrong outputs, especially if her voice is really high, but after the initial training the program will become much more responsive. after that, it keeps getting better and better, although youll stop noticing after awhile. hope this helps

 

[manly]

PC Magazine recently reviewed voice recognition software.

 

[powerMarkymark]

Software is less important than the hardware.

Pay good money for a excellent digital headset/ boom Mic. (you didn't mmention if yours was digital or not)

I have Dragon with a Plantronics digital headset/ boom Mic and get great results, but don't expect perfection. Need to spend a good amount of time "teaching" the software.

Good luck.