speech recognition & e-mail messages probs !!!

[andy t]

I am getting to grips with the Windows Vista "speech recognition" program.
Being a quadriplegic, I find it a Godsend, however, there are still some
things about the program that frustrate me and an answer to this question
would be greatly appreciated.

When I am dictating an e-mail, I seem to lose all of the punctuation and
direction commands and the speech recognition just keeps on typing what I am
saying. For example; if I say comma, or space, or backspace, it just types
the written word just like I have above and it just keeps on typing what I am
saying. Even in a message like this, it will start perfect and "text to
speech" will be working fine and then all of a sudden, "text to speech"
disappears and an alternatives panel comes up for me to choose which text I
want, which is not good for me. Can any one resolve this for me or tell me if
I am doing something wrong?

Another question: is the "Dragon Naturally Speaking" a superior program to
the "Windows Vista Speech Recognition" program and these problems I mention
above, do they or do they not arise in the Dragon program?

An answer to these questions would help me immensely.

 

[Rob]

2nd question, Dragon naturally speaking is better than the default vista one. Accuracy is a
little bit better, but the functionality is way better.

In ur first question, the only thing I can think is u are saying what you want to type, and
saying something that speech interprets as a command. say "what can I say" and check that
nothing ur saying is interfering with the command menus.

also might seem obvious, don't have TV or radio going lol

 

[andy t]

Thanks for the response Rob,

You may have a point Rob, about the sound around me I mean, but I have the
television muted and the only sound you can hear, is the sound of my bed
which is a specialist bed which uses pumps to keep the mattress at a certain
state. The Mic I have is an integral one built into my laptop and it is very
sensitive. Having said that, I do not think that is the problem, I think that
it is more fundamental than that. Thanks for the recommendation on the
"Dragon" program. I too have heard that it is really good now, if I'm right,
I think the correct program is "Dragon Naturally Speaking 9.5 Preferred"

Perhaps the experts out there could answer my original question on the
speech recognition working with emails etc.

I remember posting to this forum before, and if I remember rightly, Mark L.
Ferguson and John Barnett were the very helpful MVP's then, perhaps they can
help me with this question?

 

[andy t]

Thanks for all the valuable advice Mark,

I didn't realise how complex it was. You answered a question that has been
puzzling me for some time. I did read that it was essential to use speech
recognition using a suitable microphone. As mine came with an integral Mic,
I just assumed that any speech recognition program would be fine with that.
I thought by having an external Mic as well, that they would conflict with
each other, but you have explained that this is not the case and that it is
essential to have one with the DNS program. I haven't tried your link yet,
but could you actually give me a make model number of a decent one? What
one have you got?

Having said all that, this Vista program, I find not to be all that bad, and
it works great with its integral Mic.

When reading Grant's earlier post, he said that he used both the Vista and
the DNS Programmes both for different reasons. I would be interested in
understanding how that works. I have not found time to visit the forum
"knowbrainer" yet, the one that Grant recommended, but I will do so maybe
tomorrow. In fact, Grant said he used DNS all the time, so if you read this
Grant, could you tell me again how you interact with the two programmes?
Perhaps you can tell me what Mic you use?

Do you visit that forum Mark? Do you use "Speech Recognition" frequently?

I will probably find all the answers that I require in the knowbrainer
forum. I know it's best to gather all the right criteria first, before
purchasing anything.

As I am disabled, Grant said that I would be entitled to a free DNS software
program, I cannot remember which version it was, I will have to go back to
he's post to find out which one. He said I could download it from an e-mail
that he would send to me. That sounds really great but the only thing that I
am worried about, is opening a virus up on my PC. That is no disrespect to
Grant, but it has happened to me once before. Not that there is anything
worth looking at on my PC.

I will try the forums that he mentions though, and will get to know him
first. I fully expect that he will reply to this post, it is nothing
personal and I think he will realise that.

 

[andy t]

WoW!!! I come back to these posts while I am away for a day or so, and after
reading all of the posts from both of you, I see what you mean about needing
to know what equipment I need, I had no idea how involved it is!!!

I was blown away by the way you two interacted with each other and all the
technology that you were describing. I now know what you mean about it being
complex. It reminded me of you two being highly intelligent headmasters with
me in the middle being a small school child with short trousers and looking
up in amazement!!! Wayyy... above my head...phew!!!

I had a car accident four years ago and it left me paralysed from the neck
down, but before that, I was able, and as an able bodied person, I can see
how speech recognition could be useful and all the mic's and other gadgets
would help you to stop using that dam keyboard, but if you wanted to, for a
change, you could use your fingers and type instead. But what if you could
not use anything but your mouth. After my accident, that is exactly the
position I find myself now and as a disabled person, it is not like a hobby
for me, it is a necessity, and so gentleman I give you "simplicity", make it
simple, the less items I need, the better.

If the speech recognition hierarchy fraternity listened to disabled people,
then they would have sewn the market up. Take it from me, you ask any
disabled person what they need, they will say the same, simple and as
inexpensive as possible. Once you have done that, then even the able bodied
people will sit up and be interested.

Now the question was asked, " what position am i in" and "how far away the
Mic is in relation to My mouth". well let me see, hmm... I am lying in bed,
it is a special bed, in that it has special pumps to keep it inflated to a
certain state due to my paralysis. So there is the noise from the bed in the
background which, I admit, does interfere to an extent, but you get the
picture now, the TV is muted, and as I have said, I have an integral Mic in a
laptop which is sitting on a bed table and I suppose it is approximately
300cm from my mouth to the Mic. I have no leads apart from my Internet cable
and the mains electricity cable. I do not want lots more cables coming out
from my laptop and I do not need them. I like the fact that there is a
gadget that you talk of which is plugged into the usb port of my laptop, but
surely is there not a way to cut down any unnecessary leads? forget yer
"booms" and unnecessary gadgets, keep it simple!!

 

[mac]

WoW!!! I come back to these posts while I am away for a day or so, and
after
reading all of the posts from both of you, I see what you mean about
needing
to know what equipment I need, I had no idea how involved it is!!!

I see that you are still posting from the web Andy )

(Private Joke).

mac

 

[andy t]

Hi Grant and Mark,

Yes I have been doing all my dictation using VSR, (have no choice) I am
getting quite good with it, mind you, I have spent three months practicing
with it, the training took about a day and the rest was spent on learning
dictation, commands and punctuation. I am fairly pleased with it, but I do
get frustrated with it sometimes because I have to correct some of the
spelling by the paragraph and as I have explained before, when I am dictating
e-mail, it has a tendency to lose the commands and punctuation that I give it
at any given time as though it has a mind of its own.

You are right Grant, I got it wrong. It isn't 300cm from my mouth to the
Mic, that would make it the other side of my room lol. I meant to say 300mm
(12") and the laptop is sitting on one of those breakfast bed tables, you
know the type, the ones they give you in hospital, that should give you a
better picture of my explanation.

In answer to other questions, yes I have read all of your posts thoroughly,
I find them very interesting but it is a lot to digest. Another question
asks "do I really want to change from VSR"? Well now I have had a taste of
using speech recognition, I am open minded, I have "got the bug" as they say
and if DNS (and I have noted all the different versions you both mention) can
Refine a lot of the niggling little problems that VSR provides, then I am
really interested in considering the change. Just as I am dictating this
post, I had an interruption, So I told the program to sleep and when I told
it to "start listening" again, my text to speech has disappeared and an
alternatives window shows up with alternatives for me to choose the correct
text, most annoying and frustrating. when I say "new-paragraph" now, instead
of it interpreting the command, it just comes up with the alternatives
window, I now cannot go to a new-paragraph. Also I told speech recognition to
turn off completely (That is when You tell it to "do not listen") It actually
stops the program and turns it off completely, and I cannot get it to come on
again unless I get somebody else or third party, to turn it on for me. By
doing that action and then turning the computer back on, can this produce the
problems I am getting? Any ideas guys? I will have to go guys, I will come
back with a new post, and then I will get my "text to speech" back. See you
in the next post.

 

[andy t]

Hello guys, I'm back, and so is my "text to speech", amazing!!!

So much easier now, straight down into a new paragraph. Now if you are
telling me that DNS can sort out problems like this, then I am very
interested and I wouldn't mind retraining with the new program, as long as I
could revert back to VSR if I wanted to. Even in the last two sentences, if I
dictate something in context, for instance: "he wanted to go to the party",
the word "to" always comes up as "two". If Dragon can do that, I would be
impressed. Actually, I believe you have told me that it does already, in one
of your earlier posts.

It is not the case that I am frightened of all the technology you have
mentioned, indeed I have noted all the makes and model types you have posted,
it is the fact of acquiring unnecessary gadgets and incurring unnecessary
costs, as one of you pointed out, I am not the richest of men, but if I need
a necessary component that will make my speech recognition experience
simpler, then I am all for it. So I have done "my homework" as one of you
pointed out.

I will be joining the knowbrainer forum soon Grant, as a andy t so that you
will recognise me and I will be posting questions of a similar nature that I
have posted for you both. I don't know if you will be joining Mark? As your
knowledge of these subjects is already credible. It seems like the right
place to get the right answers.

I must commend you both again, for sharing your wealth of information.

One other thing, and this is pointed at Grant. You mentioned that I may be
able to acquire a free download of one of the DNS programmes from the site.
Is this true and is it safe for me to download?

Any way must dash, looking forward to your replies.

 

[andy t]

Got the message mark, the VSR works for me, that is not to say there is room
for improvement and i have got nothing to compare it with. So i still would
like to try the DNS, for fear of missing out on improving my SR.

In the VSR program, when you say "stop listening", it then goes to sleep,
this means the SR will not respond until you say "start listening", however,
(this is another one of those annoying quirks with VSR) because I have an
integral Mic which I obviously cannot turn off, the SR bar's "sound meter"
moves up and down a little because it picks up the faintest of noises, one of
them being my bed as I told you before. More often than not, the SR will
then turn itself on by itself, or if I cough or mumble the faintest sounds,
the same happens. Another annoying quirk is, when I am thinking what to
dictate next, and SR is on, the cursor will disappear all of a sudden, then I
have to say the command "show numbers". I then have to pick the
corresponding number in the "Message Pane" then the cursor comes back, but it
shows at the top of the post or message and that means I have to instruct the
cursor to go to the point where I want it every time. If the message is a
rather long one, then it can get quite tedious.

Ok, I have told you about the command "stop listening" with VSR, that is not
to be confused with "do not listen". Example:- I will be dictating away,
then the wife comes into the room, so I'll tell the SR to "stop listening",
then the wife starts talking to me, and then the SR picks up her voice and
opens up again and goes haywire. So in that case, I have to say "show speech
options", this brings up a message pane with several options. I then have to
say "do not listen to anything I say" or just the first bit of that
statement, then the SR bar will completely shut down
and I cannot use SR again until someone physically puts it back on for me.

I know with a DNS program, I will have to learn completely new commands and
punctuation, but if it makes the experience more efficient, then I am willing
to go for it.

Tell me Mark, if you use both programmes, and if they both use slightly
different commands, do you not get confused and forget which set of commands
do what in which program? Or do you just use the DNS?

With the VSR, if I want to point the cursor anywhere on the page, I say
"Mouse Grid", the page then brings up a set of nine numbers in the form of a
grid and I just keep saying the number that is over the point of the page
that I want. The grid gets smaller each time. When It eventually gets to the
point and size with the corresponding number, I then say "click" the cursor
then click's that point on the page exactly as you would do it with a normal
mouse. Tell me Mark, with the DNS program, what command do you use to click
anywhere on the page?

I also can dictate seperate letters and numbers on their own, just as if you
were typing it from a keyboard, I just say the command "start typing mode"
and it will spell a word letter by letter or if I want to use a number 123
etc. I just have to remember to say "stop typing mode" to revert back to
dictation, otherwise it goes berserk. To do that with DNS, what commands do
you have to tell it? I have a feeling it is much easier, if it is, then
easier is good for me.

Just recently I have been talking to a friend of mine, and he has given me
the address of a website where you can (legally I think) acquire the DNS 9.51
Proffessional and download it. http://www.mininova.org/tor/1191278 I
believe there are other versions as well. Take a look, I suppose you can
then burn them to CD. Do you think that version Is too complicated for me to
start with?

Await your replies.

 

[andy t]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all your recent posts, they are making me more confident and
convincing me that it's only a matter of time before I take the plunge and
switch over to a DNS program. Which one? hmn... haven't made my mind up
yet....., You guys have given me a lot to chew over before I make my final
decisions.

I must thank you Mark for all your comparisons between VSR and DNS and it
does seem to me that I should do the sensible thing and switch to a DNS
program, as it seems that it has ironed out all the of the "bugs" (as you put
it Mark) that I have in the VSR.

I like the fact that "Jabbering Wives" (as you put it Mark) LOL! uncanny,
do you know her? Even she cannot wake up the DNS program, and that is saying
something.

I want to thank you as well Grant for all the information on where to get
this stuff, and I will certainly be looking at the uk outlets in more detail
that you suggested. I will be joining the knowbrainer forum, I know I keep
saying that, but I just want to grasp all the recent posts that you have both
sent and be ready with the right questions before I go in. I am in no rush
and want to get this right. When I have indeed joined, I will post here as
well so that you know. I appreciate all the advice though.

 

[andy t]

Very good Mark, I loved the comments you made, (made me laugh!)

I particularly loved the fact and vision of the PC making me a food snack,
lol.

Alas, by the time the PC can do all of the things that you mention by remote
control, I will be dead. Besides, I already have a program for doing the
physical things, It's called the "Wife", she is my Dragon Naturally Speaking
lol!

A few questions for you:-

1. Before this thread "scrolls off" what does that mean? Does it mean that
these
threads and posts will eventually be deleted?

2. How do I highlight only a section of a message or post using VSR? At the
moment, I know how to cut and paste by VSR, I right click and pick
"select all".
But how do I select only the parts of a message or document that I want
and
paste them in where I want in other applications or programmes?
Such as "notepad" or "wordpad" as you mention, with VSR?

3. Can I put in passwords (my own) using VSR? Or can you with DNS?

BTW, the commands for launching the Space Shuttle, I did that back in "69
after doing a routine exercise in "Nam.

Oh, and BTW, when the robot gets here, I will have a bed made up and a pint
of oil ready!!

 

[andy t]

Another question guys,

This is a different but, common question.

It's the backup and restore question.

I know you should backup and restore your files and folders and I know how
you do this (although I have never done it yet). I am a little confused
though. I have been advised to backup and restore my files and folders onto
a cd. I understand that, sounds sensible to me. I have also been advised to
backup my files and folders on to my hard drive (so that I can revert back to
an earlier point in time). So if I download something that is malicious, or
for any other reason my PC starts running slow, I can backup and restore to
the restore point that I created at that time? Or should I do both?

Thanking you,

 

[andy t]

Thanks for all your solid advice Grant and Mark, gosh ! It seems like I have
known you two fellows all my life!! One day, we shall all be able to put our
hands into our PCs and shake each other's hands. Perhaps Bill Gates will
invent something like that soon.

BTW, have you been watching the American Open tennis in "Flushing Meadows"
in New York? I am watching this as we speak, I feel a sense of "nearness" to
you two in watching it. Time here in little UK is 9.30pm and dark, I believe
that in NY they are 5 hours behind us, so time there is 4.30pm in the
afternoon and light. I am intrigued, the U.S. of A is so huge! So what
States are you two from? I know that each State over there is like a
country of its own, so have any of you both visited each others States? What
would be the time difference between you're two States, and "Lil "Ole UK?.

Anyway, back to business,

I will take your advice Grant, I do know someone (an expert geek) who will
advise me on the external hard drive question, (something like a memory
stick?). I always forget about the Google.com option. Will try that as well.
All of your recent posts are noted. I tried the password thingy like you did
Grant, but could not get it to work. I have "Caps" and "small case" letters
and numbers in my password. Guess I should try again. (another case scenario
proving that I should switch to DNS) Grant or Mark, do you think that "Dragon
Naturally Speaking 9.51 "Professional, will be too complicated for me to
start with?

I haven't actually tried "the selective text" App, yet Mark, but I will give
It ago probably Monday as we have got a barbecue on Sunday.

I fell asleep guys, wife came in, pumped me full of drugs and I passed out!
It is now
Sunday. Woke up at 6.00am. Looking out of my window, it is very foggy. Hope
it brightens up, otherwise, it's Mac's on and umbrellas out, as they have
also predicted thunderstorms today. I am worrying over small potatoe's
compared with the "Hurricanes" you have over there, "Jeesh", just looking at
the tele, looks badddd...!

Anyway, I will learn to "backup and restore" fast, so as to save the world
Mark.

 

[andy t]

Hi Guys,

"Yikes" I am glad that I ate my dinner earlier. I looked at some of those
sites Mark, very nice. In fact this brought about another question. When I
am looking at something like a video with sound on the PC, my speech
recognition would not respond to my commands. I believe that this was
because, the speech recognition could not hear me.

Does DNS eliminate this problem? In other words, with a video working and
the sound blaring out, can you still use your DNS programmes to command even
when the sound is blasting out?

Grant, sunny California, very nice indeed. In 'Lil 'Ole UK, if we see the
sun, we think it's a UFO, lol. By the way Mark, you did not tell me what
State you were from?

 

[andy t]

Hi Guys,

Both from California a, hmm...'thinking... I feel a song coming on...
hmm... Mama's and Papa's... hmm... 'still thinking... hmmm... No escapes me!

Anyway I digress.

Thanks for the reply Mark, I am still recovering from a brain haemorrhage
from reading your last post. A simple "No" would have sufficed lol.

Grant, I eventually succumbed to the knowbrainer website. I spent a good
hour filling in their very intricate and complicated knowbrainer criteria
that they asked for to join. They wanted more information than my
government's voting consensus requirements!! After that, they stated they
needed more information to prove I wasn't a "Spambot". So I had to then
write a "short story" on who I was, where I was from and my recent history,
and email them back. I eventually received an email from them the next day.

When I read their e-mail, it stated :-

You don't need to ask to join our forum. If you don't see where to join on
the forum page, just try to respond to a member in you'll be prompted to join
at that time.



If you are physically disabled, it's going to be fairly hard to work with
the Vista speech engine. I would strongly recommend checking out Preferred 10
and we will give you a copy of our KnowBrainer command software (see What is
KnowBrainer PDF file) which will give you total voice control over your
computer. There's no comparison between the 2 products and KnowBrainer
normally cost $200 for those with disabilities.







We do not work hands-free because we have to.

We do so because it is the most efficient way to work!

----------------------------------------------------

This message was dictated with...

KnowBrainer 2008, DNS Pro 10

& the Senneheiser BW 900 bluetooth microphone









From: Marc Orcutt [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:49 PM
To: 'Lunis Orcutt'
Subject: FW: Joining the knowbrainer forums



FYI



Regards,

Marc Orcutt



From: andy t
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 4:47 PM
To: (e-mail address removed)
Subject: Joining the knowbrainer forums

 

[andy t]

It's me again,

If you read my last post Grant, you will see that even filling in all the
knowbrainer information, I eventually got their email back. If you read all
of it, they are also saying that I need a member in the knowbrainer forums,
to accept me as a Bona fide person after I post a few questions on the site.
I will then be prompted by that member to join proper, and I suspect, I will
have to fill in the same form again (which took me an hour the first time,
after digging out all of the requirements about my PC, and then responding to
an e-mail that I had to compose for them, so they could determine if I was a
"Spambot", & THEN! waiting 24 hours for their email, to go into their
forums, to be confirmed again by a member).

Also if you read their email further, they also state :- "If you are
disabled, it will be fairly hard to work with the Vista speech engine. We
strongly recommend checking out Preferred 10, and we will give you free, a
copy of the knowbrainer command software". That is before I have even posted
anything!!! Help me out here Grant, is this just standard procedure? Please
tell me it is?

Anyway Grant, I still haven't gone in yet, but I will try tomorrow, (it is
such hard work just to join!!, Jeez) If you see me in there, you will see my
signature as andy t and it will be in a nice blue colour, perhaps you can
confirm me as a Bona fide person. I will appreciate it very much.
--
andy t

Hi Guys,

Both from California a, hmm...'thinking... I feel a song coming on...
hmm... Mama's and Papa's... hmm... 'still thinking... hmmm... No escapes me!

Anyway I digress.

Thanks for the reply Mark, I am still recovering from a brain haemorrhage
from reading your last post. A simple "No" would have sufficed lol.

Grant, I eventually succumbed to the knowbrainer website. I spent a good
hour filling in their very intricate and complicated knowbrainer criteria
that they asked for to join. They wanted more information than my
government's voting consensus requirements!! After that, they stated they
needed more information to prove I wasn't a "Spambot". So I had to then
write a "short story" on who I was, where I was from and my recent history,
and email them back. I eventually received an email from them the next day.

When I read their e-mail, it stated :-

You don't need to ask to join our forum. If you don't see where to join on
the forum page, just try to respond to a member in you'll be prompted to join
at that time.



If you are physically disabled, it's going to be fairly hard to work with
the Vista speech engine. I would strongly recommend checking out Preferred 10
and we will give you a copy of our KnowBrainer command software (see What is
KnowBrainer PDF file) which will give you total voice control over your
computer. There's no comparison between the 2 products and KnowBrainer
normally cost $200 for those with disabilities.







We do not work hands-free because we have to.

We do so because it is the most efficient way to work!

----------------------------------------------------

This message was dictated with...

KnowBrainer 2008, DNS Pro 10

& the Senneheiser BW 900 bluetooth microphone









From: Marc Orcutt [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:49 PM
To: 'Lunis Orcutt'
Subject: FW: Joining the knowbrainer forums



FYI



Regards,

Marc Orcutt



From: andy t
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 4:47 PM
To: (e-mail address removed)
Subject: Joining the knowbrainer forums



























--
andy t

Certainly would be nice if it behaved that way, but it
does not, at the present stage of computer development.


Beware, geeky technical tirade coming up,
drop down to the next line of asterisks to avoid.
*************************************************

In fact, the only reason that we can use other programs
like Microsoft Word with Dragon at all, is because Dragon
was designed to work with MS Word and a few other apps.

Your VSR is probably not designed to work with the website
that you were trying to get it to work with.

I doubt that Dragon would work with that website either,
although I have never tried it.


It all has to do with present day personal computers
not having the capability of running two entirely
different applications at the same time.

Why? Because personal computers are still "serial"
devices, they can do one thing _or_ the other,
but never two things at the same time.

If, and only if, the apps involved are _designed_
to run with each other, they can "simulate" doing
two things simultaneously.

....but they are not really doing so.

They run one app for a tiny fraction of a second,
then they automatically switch to running a different
app for a tiny fraction of a second.

In other words, if you are saying the word "picnic" and
Dragon suddenly switches to Microsoft Word for a brief
instant, your speech program has specific code in it to
keep the output of your microphone running into a
hardware "buffer", even though the majority of Dragon is
temporarily disconnected entirely from the computers CPU.

The computer can't keep Dragon "disconnected" for
too long, otherwise that buffer will fill up and overflow.

Dragon will not tolerate being disconnected for too long,
because the data from your microphone fills up the
buffer very quickly.

The switching is so fast that it gives you the
_illusion_ that the apps are running simultaneously.

Again, only if the individual apps are designed to
run with specific other apps, will this switching
be possible.

********************************************
End of geeky technical tirade


In the distant future, personal computers will be able
to truly "multitask", most likely by having many
_independent_ CPUs in the same chassis.

....something like putting two laptops in the same
chassis, and having both laptops use the same screen.





Be thankful that you do not fry under that sun.

Here in Northern California, the weather recently
was 112 F. (44 C)

....and me with no air conditioning.

Add to that the constant eye-stinging smoke from those
extensive wildfires which have been burning here for
a month, and you get the picture.

The entire 600 mile long stretch of California was
affected, fires caused by lightning storms this year.

Thankfully, the thousands of firefighters who came
here from other states finally got the fires out.

....and the temperature finally dropped down to a
comfortable 95 F (35 C) which is normal for this
time of year.


Andy, the following to Grant also applies a little
to you, so keep your eyes open.

Grant, if you are watching this post -
--------------------------------------

I made a mistake when I implied that there were just
a few "training lessons" in Dragon. (medical)

There seem to be scores of the blasted lessons, so I
would not live long enough to read them into Dragon.

I think the Preferred version has fewer "lessons".

Actually, all Andy has to read in is the one mandatory
ten minute one to get Dragon to work.

Then NONE of the other lessons have to be read in.

Just have to warn Andy that the initial accuracy
will not be all that great, until he does his
day to day corrections.

....or read in at least one of the easy lessons,
which will improve Dragon a very noticeable amount.

I find that everyday correction of text serves the
same purpose as reading in those lessons, except
it just takes a heck of a lot longer to achieve the
rated 99% accuracy if Andy decides NOT to read in
those infernal "lessons".

Heck, even after me spending TWO HOURS reading in
lessons to my ingrate personal Dragon, the darn critter
bit me in the seat of my pants.

I "tested" my two hours of work, which essentially gave
me laryngitis, with this sentence:

"I drove down to Pismo Beach in Southern California."


Dragon came up with something like this; I forget
the exact words it came up with:

"I drove down to piss mow beach in Southern California."



Stupid, stupid, stupid, 2 mistakes in 9 words,
only 78% accuracy from Dragon, which claims 99% accuracy!

Slapped my recalcitrant Dragon around a bit to let it
know who is the boss.

I corrected "piss mow beach" to the correct "Pismo Beach".

(by voice only, of course, took about 30 seconds)

Saved my user files, (by voice) then immediately spoke
the same sentence again.

This time, and every time thereafter, it came out as:

"I drove down to Pismo Beach in Southern California".

100% correct, as it should be.


Grant, I plan to contact Nuance today to see if they
plan to sell printed tutorial manuals for Dragon 10.0

Also heard somewhere that they will include a wireless
BlueTooth microphone with the boxed version 10.0

That is hard to believe, but I will check it out.

 

[andy t]

Hi Mark,

First time I have had the chance of using the PC for a few days. Family and
in laws been coming over and the wife and I were playing host's.

That song, the one I couldn't remember, "California Dreaming" by the
"Mama's and Papa's". Great song!

Arnold Schwarzenegger (Hey, my SR knows him, & how to spell his name!!), yes
he is big over here too. I am a great fan of the "Terminator Films" and
"Total Recall" and I did know that he was Governor of California.

I haven't actually gone into the knowbrainer forums yet, but I plan to try
after I have finished writing this post.

The other thing that I am going to do, is to select all of yours and Grants
Posts and paste them into a new folder in my word program. What do you
think? Should work shouldn't it?

I have also managed to get hold of a copy of DNS Professional from a friend
of mine. I know that I will probably have to succumb to buying a decent Mic,
but this is the only way that I will be able to afford it. I am allowed to
write off to different charities and plead my case and ask them if they would
give me an allowance for any of the "Dragon" Programmes, but this will take
more time.

I would like to keep in touch with you Mark if I may, because of your
knowledge on the DNS Professional and your help. That also goes for Grant, if
you are reading this. Thanks once again four all your help.

 

[andy t]

Hi again Mark,

I still haven't gone into the knowbrainer forums yet, I have been quite busy
sorting out and transferring the posts that you and Grant wrote into my
personal folder in "Microsoft Word". It is so surprising how much space all
those posts take up. So far the posts have taken up 59 kb and I am only
halfway through them!!

So do I need an activation number? Is that to prevent others owning it? Is
it to make sure that everybody has to buy its authenticity, even poor people
like me? This is where the charities come in, as to buying something that is
useful and cost being about $1,400.00 which is roughly... £ 700.00, that will
be their decision. In answer to your other question, as of yet, I do not
know what version Professional it is, but will let you know as soon as I get
it. Just to get this straight, if I use the DNS Professional CD from a
friend, I then have to contact Nuance to get a new activation key number?
And how much do they charge for this activation key?

As for being sponsored in the knowbrainer forums, I am sure that if he knows
that it's you and me, Grant, who I believe is already a member, will fill
that slot. Any way, I haven't tried to get in yet, might sail right through
with my new password.

Changing the subject, they are making big hype of the U.S. Open (Tennis)
Final over here in UK. There is a 2 1/2 hour build up on the TV until the
actual Event starts, all because there is a Brit (Andy Murray) in the final.
Actually he is a Scot and I fully expect Federer to cream his a*s. Anyway
the action kicks off at about 10.30pm UK time which is about 5.30pm New York
time, so what time will it be there in California? I am actually watching
the build up on TV right now as we speak (with the TV muted, so as not to
interfere with the VSR). I watched Murray beat Nadal so this is the closest
that the UK has come to having a Brit win a Grand Slam final in Tennis since
the dinosaurs became extinct.

I will leave you now and just find time to see if I can gain entry to the
knowbrainer forums. Will let you know how I got on. Grant, if you read this,
if I gain entry, will expect you to be my sponsor. ((-:

 

[andy t]

Hi Guys,

Grant, I finally had a look in the knowbrainer forums. I went into the
"Window's Vista Speech Recognition" forum, as you said, it was run by Mr. Rob
Chambers.

There are a few questions I would like answers to, and because of your
knowledge regarding the knowbrainer forums, I believe you are the man to ask.
Before I ask those questions, I realised that Rob Chambers has posted lots
of new macros that can be added to Vistas SR Program to make the Program run
smoother. He tells you via the commands he puts in. Unfortunately I am not
expert in understanding how to apply these commands. Perhaps You and Mark
could take a look at these macros and how to apply them and let me know in
layman terms how I apply the commands that he has printed in each of his
posts with each macro in each case?

If these new macros enhance the using of "Window's Vista Speech
Recognition", then I may not need DNS at all.

My first question relates to the signing into the knowbrainer forums. In an
earlier post that I had written, the first time I had tried to gain entry
into the knowbrainer forums, they had rejected me thinking that I was a
spambot. I had given them my real e-mail address and this still wasn't
enough. So the next stage was for me to send them an e-mail describing my
situation and a brief history about myself. The next time I logged into my
PC, I received an e-mail from Lunis Orcutt which I show below :-

You don't need to ask to join our forum. If you don't see where to join on
the forum page, just try to respond to a member in you'll be prompted to join
at that time.


If you are physically disabled, it's going to be fairly hard to work with
the Vista speech engine. I would strongly recommend checking out Preferred 10
and we will give you a copy of our KnowBrainer command software (see What is
KnowBrainer PDF file) which will give you total voice control over your
computer. There's no comparison between the 2 products and KnowBrainer
normally cost $200 for those with disabilities.


We do not work hands-free because we have to.

We do so because it is the most efficient way to work!

----------------------------------------------------

This message was dictated with...

KnowBrainer 2008, DNS Pro 10

& the Senneheiser BW 900 bluetooth microphone

From: Marc Orcutt [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 3:49 PM
To: 'Lunis Orcutt'
Subject: FW: Joining the knowbrainer forums

Regards,

Marc Orcutt

So Grant, to Sign-in, I believe that they are asking me for my real e-mail
address and password that I originally gave them. I suppose it has to be the
"real e-mail address", so they can reply back to me, is this so? The other
thing is, by giving them my real e-mail address, will this be safe? I just
wanted to check this stuff first with you, before I actually try to sign-in.
If it is normal, then I will enter the forum to see if I have been accepted.

The other thing is, they mention that while you are in the forum, you may be
sponsored by a member in that forum, to become a member yourself. I just
wondered if you could sponsor me to confirm me? I am assuming that you are a
member?

Any way thanks again guys, await your replies.

 

[andy t]

Hi Guys ,

I am beginning to think that Grant is an agent for DNS! lol.

You were beginning to convince me with the $99 "Preferred" version with the
free knowbrainer macros, but now you have put a spanner in the works telling
me that the version 10 is now only $150. I suppose that I do not need the
extra macros If I buy the later model? Tell me if I am wrong, but the 9.5
"Preferred" version with the free knowbrainer software, sounded less
complicated than the new, less tried out, version 10. Grant, could you tell
me what exactly is the difference between the two except for price?

Coming back to the "Professional" version, and this also refers back to you
too Mark, what is the difference between the "Professional" and "10"
versions? Should I just stick to the non professional versions, as all I
really need right now is a better and more versatile version than my current
"WSR"?

Coming back to Mark, I am sorry to hear about your situation, but you did
make me laugh when you said "heck I even outlived the doctors who were trying
to keep me alive". You must be high on life Mark, that is why you're
outliving everybody. I take it you used to be a Doctor, General Practitioner,
Male Nurse, give me a clue?

Thanks for putting my mind at rest Grant, regarding using my e-mail to enter
the knowbrainer forums, I will try to sign-in and see how far I get this time.

I have another one of those niggling little questions regarding my WSR. You
probably don't get this with your DNS programmes.

When I go into "Spell Mode", whether it be straight on to the screen or to
spell a word Into a window that comes up when you say "Spell it", either way,
no matter how many different ways I say the letter "e", I have difficulty in
getting that letter to print out on the screen, (bearing in mind, I do not
have this difficulty with any other letter when in "Spell Mode").

Can any of you two tell me if there is a way to correct this problem? Can
I, for instance, go back and retrain just so this letter can be better
recognized by the speech engine? Or is it just the fact that WSR is inferior
to DNS, and I will not be able to rectify this problem because of this
program I am using? Did you not encounter any problems like this at the
beginning? It is only that blasted letter in "Spell Mode". Am I missing
something here? Or is there a simple way to correct this? I would
appreciate an answer to this puzzle guys?