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I’m writing this article using speech recognition software, Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9.  I have always been fascinated with voice recognition software, and finally took the plunge after reading reviews of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 (Preferred Edition).  The software is easy to install, and it took only 30 minutes to train and adapt to my writing style.  NaturallySpeaking 9 Preferred Edition appears to work with all of my software programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel and even Windows Live Writer, which I’m using now to create this post.

The voice recognition seems to be very accurate, but I have to make sure that I enunciate all of my words.  You don’t have to talk slowly like a robot and can speak naturally, which is critical (first voice recognition mistake) very cool.  I’ve been playing around with the software for less than an hour and I’m pretty pleased with it so far.  Right now it’s a low (second mistake) little slower than actually typing, because I have to filter my thoughts and speak only what I want to write.

It’s going to take me some time to learn all the commands vertically (third mistake) particularly the editing commands.  But I plan on dictating future blog entries using Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9.  I’ll post a longer and more detailed review after a coastal (fourth mistake) I get more familiar and comfortable with the software.

As far as the microphone, I’m not using the one supplied by Nuance.  I purchased the Plantronics DSP-400 after checking Nuance’s hardware compatibility list. The DSP 400 is a foldable USB headset that is very comfortable to wear. The only thing I don’t like about the headset is the big digital signal processing unit attached to the USB cord.

Note: I used Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 to dictate and edit this blog entry, but inserted the picture and hyperlinks manually.