James O. Born

(Read and find the errors)

This is a review of software. A little something different. This is literally the first time I have ever used the software, and I'm using it in a word for Windows. The software and talking about is Dragon naturally speaking version 10 preferred. It is voice recognition software, and this is part of my training process to make my computer understand what I'm saying is learn how to use the program more efficiently. I will not give the program a rating, a score, or thumbs-up or thumbs down. Simply by reading what I've dictated you can make your own decision on whether it is an effective tool for a writer.

I love to write that I'm a very slow typist. And I know at least for the blog I really don't proofread the way I should. So far, the software has reacted very well to my voice and commands. It took me about 30 minutes to load it in 15 minutes to configure it. So basically right out the box. This is the sort of quality you could get.

I got the idea of using voice recognition software from a friend of mine is little bit of a computer geek. It never occurred to me before to use voice recognition. Like to work on either my laptop or my little travel computer made by Acer. Announced Acer very clearly and didn't even have to spell it out. I'm going to be laid up for a couple of weeks starting next week and wasn't sure how easy it would be for me to work on a keyboard. I decided I should at least get some benefit out of being forced to sit still over the course of several weeks while my shoulder heals from rotator cuff surgery. If this means that I will be more productive in the future because I have voice recognition software. It will be a huge benefit. In addition to easing the constant throbbing in my shoulder.

To take a look at what I've just written or actually spoken. I have the automatic punctuation turned on. However, I've had to say. A couple of times. I guess when you say. This thing rights. No matter what. I received a few minor errors. The software can make. (This is typed: you cannot write period if you say period. It only writes a punction mark.)

I need to put something of use in here besides a software review. So let's put down a joke.
This is one my daughter told me the other day. It's an old joke, but she is so cute. It gave me a belly laugh.

A man walks into a bar with a dog. He says, "I'll bet you $100 my dog can talk."
The bartender says, "don't waste my time a dog can’t talk."
The man says, "come on bet me $100, this dog can talk."
The bartender says, "okay. Let's hear it."
The man looks at the dog and says, "what's on top of this bar?"
The dog says, "roof."
The bartender rolls his eyes, and says, "come on buddy, every dog says that."
The man says, "go ahead. You ask the question."
The bartender says, "okay, who's the greatest baseball player of all time?"
The dog says, "roof"
the bartender tells them both to get out of the bar.
And as they leave the dog looks up at the man shrugs its tiny shoulders and says, "DiMaggio?"

Now I'm telling you, I am sitting on his couch with out touching the keyboard. This is the best evaluation you'll ever have for voice recognition software without me ever saying, whether it's good or bad. You make up your own mind.

If you get a chance leave a comment and tell me what you think. I have read several articles about writers using voice recognition software. In one of make up my own mind about whether typing engages one side of the brain or not. But I just written a blog in a couple of minutes that normally would've taken me 30 minutes.

The only thing that I will use the keyboard for is to paste this into the blog itself and to paste a photo of the cover of the software and maybe a ittle explanation, but I'll be clear what is typed. Now this is an unbiased and fair evaluation for which I hope. The company which makes Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 will pay handsomely. I'm only joking. Unless the company really will pay.

See you next Thursday with either a typed or spoken entry.

Jim