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From:Nuance Communications, Inc.
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![Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Preferred [OLD VERSION]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51PrcsbemaL._SL160_.jpg)
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User Rating: Amazon Sales Rank:#115 |
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1 of 1 customers found the following review helpful:
 Dragon is just fine, 2008-05-27
Works well, take time to go through the tutorial if first time user. Wish it had better instructions on translating digitized voice from tape recorders. Has most of the features needed without going to the very pricey Professional version
5 of 5 customers found the following review helpful:
Surprisingly good. Upgrade your microphone, 2008-05-26
when I purchased Dragon NaturallySpeaking, I did so with very low expectations. 10 years ago, I had tried speech recognition software and it was abysmal. The world has moved on.
Training of Dragon NaturallySpeaking took no more than 10 to 15 minutes. The voice recognition accuracy started off good and has gotten increasingly better, as I've corrected and trained to the software when it made mistakes.
You can see from this review, which was dictated using the Dragon NaturallySpeaking, that the accuracy still isn't 100%. However, I find that I can dictate and correct much faster than I can type -- even though I'm a 70 words per minute typist. And using the software definitely saves wear and tear on my arms and wrists.
The software seems to work in most applications, including browsers, AOL Instant Messenger, Word. You also can use it for navigating around your computer, among your desktop icons, and even among the browser tabs in Firefox.
Two suggestions: First, be sure to fully train the software. Don't skip this step where Dragon NaturallySpeaking examines some of your Word files. This will allow the software to correctly interpret obscure names and acronyms that you might use.
Second, invest in it better microphone. Dragon NaturallySpeaking includes a flimsy, uncomfortable headset. Luckily for me, it broke after a week or so. I replaced it with a $20, five year old Logitech headset, which greatly improved both my comfort and the software is accuracy.
11 of 11 customers found the following review helpful:
 You never stop paying for this product, 2008-05-08
When it works well, it's great, but when it doesn't, you're in for it. You can call Nuance for help, but they charge you $10 for the call, even if there's a bug in the program. If there is, you'll call many times at $10 a pop. Invariable the program freezes my computer & I have to restart. They blame it on Service Pack 2 & give you directions on how to disable it - if you can figure out the instructions. This is my 4th attempt at Dragon & I give up. Good luck.
3 of 3 customers found the following review helpful:
 Vista users beware!, 2008-05-07
Dragon NaturallySpeaking is the best voice recognition software available -- I don't think there's any real argument with that statement.
HOWEVER...
If you're already running DNS and are planning on upgrading your computer's operating system to Vista (or just planning on buying a new machine,) you need to be aware that DNS will not run on a 64-bit operating system. The manufacturer of the software, Nuance, has not announced any plans to release a 64-bit version, and are not committing to doing so with their next version. So you'll want to make sure you're staying with a 32-bit version of Windows Vista, otherwise you're SOL.
6 of 6 customers found the following review helpful:
 The Bottom Line, 2008-05-04
I've decided to post an "interim" review even though I've only had the product for a few days. I read many of the conflicting reviews here so I know how difficult it is to determine if this software really works or if it's junk.
The PROS:
1.) Dragon actually does a very good job of recognizing dictation. Yes you need to spend 15 minutes training it, and yes I can see it will take some time to become a power user fluent with all of the commands and customize your personal vocabulary.
2.) Very good beginner tutorials to get you going as soon as it's installed.
The CONS:
1.) Arrogant company, difficult to deal with.
2.) They even charge for email support - can you believe it?!
3.) Hard to figure out next steps to learn more than beginner material. Yes there is a help section, but you're sort of lost with complicated technology (and you don't dare call tech. support). So you're unsure how/if you will get better over time, or should you just make a quick decision to return the product.
4.) It messes with your computer memory and does some shady things (I notice several "End now..." messages when I shutdown the computer now.
SUMMARY SO FAR:
If there was any competition to speak of Dragon would be in big trouble. But there isn't any, so if you want speech recognition you take it or you leave it.
It DOES actually do a very good job of speech recognition. Period. I can speak as fast as possible and it does a great job (note that I upgraded my memory to 2 Gb for XP Pro, and added a sound card to make sure that my system was up to snuff). Yes, you have to practise saying every word clearly, but my Mom told me that 30 years ago anyway.
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