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Software

We will start with the assumption that you will be using Dragon NaturallySpeaking, a product of Nuance, since this is the recognized leader in the field of speech recognition software. Are there alternatives? If you are a Mac user and have a current Intel based machine, you can set up Window XP as a "virtual operating system" and run Dragon from this. Learn more at our Mac Computer Resource Page. Likewise, you can probably use ViaVoice, although most users feel that the Dragon product is clearly superior. Finally, Macintosh users have the availability of iListen.

While speech recognition capabilities are currently included in Microsoft Office products and the Windows Vista operating system, and the basic speech engine appears to be reasonably good, other aspects of the Microsoft product, particularly the ability to build and use macros, is clearly inferior to the Nuance product. The recently released Windows Vista operating system includes a speech recognition application considerably more robust than those contained within the prior Office product, but this has clearly not reached the level of sophistication and ease of use as Dragon NaturallySpeaking. All of this having been said, particularly for those running a Windows based system,Dragon NaturallySpeaking appears to be your most practical option.

Which version of Dragon should you buy? If you are purchasing now, you clearly want to take advantage of the newer speech recognition algorithms used in the recently released Version 9. Beyond that, should you purchase the Standard, Preferred, Professional or the Legal or Medical Versions? An overview of the differences in these version can be viewed from the Nuance Product Matrix. It is important to realize that all of the versions use the same basic speech engine and therefore provide similar accuracy. The most important difference in the versions has to do with the "bells and whistles", particularly the ability to create commands, and the built in vocabularies.

• Standard Version: No ability to create personalized text or graphics commands, or advanced commands
• Preferred Edition: Ability to create basic text and graphics commands, but no advanced scripting commands
• Professional Edition (Including Medical and Legal Solutions): All features included.

The bottom line is that if you plan to use this for general home use, for dictating your novel and similar uses, the Standard Edition should suffice. If you are anticipating the use of advanced features as indicated in the matrix, and particularly if you can get your business to foot the price, strongly consider the Professional Edition. Finally, if you are a doctor or lawyer, the specialty vocabularies in the Medical and Legal Solutions Edition will probably make it worth spending the extra money for these versions.

Best Price Guide on NaturallySpeaking Software:

Microphones

Although we hope you will consider purchasing a microphone from us, we encourage you to visit our competetor's sites and purchase from the source that works best for you based on your location, intended suport needs, etc. These are the site we would recommend you visit:

• Speech Recognition Solutions
• eMicrophones.com
• Knowbrainer
• Microphones.com

Certain microphones can be purchased less expensively from large on-line wholesalers. For users that know exactly what they want and do not anticipate the need for human support, this is a perfectly good option. Be aware, though, that large retailors may be deficient in specialized knowledge that may asssist you in the correct choice of microphone and successful use of the microphone after your purchase. These are some sites you might check out for certain microphones:

• Amazon.com: This is a source of many products at low prices.
• B&H PhotoVideo: This is a trusted on-line reseller of a variety of online products, including microphones
• Northern Sound and Light: This large reseller offers very good prices on a variety of microphones. Be aware that their advertised prices are not their best prices. You should call or email them for a specific quote on any product they show. The actual price you pay will likely be considerably less than the advertised price. Before we started purchasing Sennheiser ME3s directly from Sennheiser, this was our favorite source of this microphone due to the very low price.

Non-United States Sources of Speech Recognition Products

Although our experience with European and Great Britain sources of speech recogntion supplies is limited we can recommend the follow two sources with confidence:

• ITSpeaking
• Speech Empowered Computing - in addition to being a source of both software and hardware, this is a source of personalized training in the use of speech recognition software.

Software Utilities

• Knowbrainer: This is an extremely helpful collection of thousands of useful commands and is available only through knowbrainer.com and current prices are as follows:
  
  • Full Version of Knowbrainer 2006: $169
  • Upgrade to Knowbrainer 2006: $75
  • Specialty Vocabularies: Full version $199 and upgrade $75
    
    
• VoicePower: This is a unique product which combines tens of thousands of ready to use commands for Dragon and a unique system for training you to use Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Cost: $195. Visit web site.
  
  
• Enable That: this is an alternative to Dragon's "Dictation Box" for situations in which "select and say" capabilities are not present in a program and you need to do your dictation outside of the main program. It is available from SpeechUtilities.com for $19.
  
  
• SayWhatPro: SayWhatPro is a macro file viewer/editor and is an alternative to Dragon's Command Browser. The newest version, designed for NaturallySpeaking 9, comes in both a free and registered version ( $49) and is available from speechutilities.com