From Mac to PC: The Evolution of the Dragon

From MacSpeech to Dragon - A Little Bit of History


Voice recognition software for the Mac OS X operating system has been available for quite a few years now, but the performance of the Mac applications has not been as good as the equivalent PC applications until quite recently. A big advance became possible when Apple adopted the Intel chip, and now Mac users are no longer at a relative disadvantage.

The development of voice recognition software for computers was a popular goal that proved to be a big challenge for software suppliers during the 1980s. It took a long time to evolve into efficient and reliable systems that were sufficiently practical to gain a large following of users.

By the late 1990s there were two primary suppliers in this market for the Apple Mac computers. They were IBM with their product ViaVoice, and a small start-up company called MacSpeech with a product called ListenDo! In 2000 IBM produced a Millennium version of ViaVoice and MacSpeech launched iListen, both of which were significant advances in performance that worked well enough to win over a growing market. The two products shared the Mac market around half each.

Meanwhile Windows PC voice recognition software users were presented with a choice between IBM's ViaVoice and a product produced by Dragon. Dragon Naturally Speaking emerged as a stronger offering and by 2003 IBM announced that it was withdrawing from the voice recognition software market for both the Windows PC and Mac markets.

Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition and dictation software came to dominate its sector of the market for the Windows PC. The quality of this software continued to evolve and is now a very usable and practical solution popular with many users.

With the withdrawal of IBM's ViaVoice software for the Mac, MacSpeech became the primary voice recognition software supplier for the Mac. The quality of the iListen product continued to evolve but could never quite match the speed and accuracy that was being experienced by Dragon users on the PC.

Part of the difficulty that MacSpeech had in matching the performance of the Dragon software was related to the technology differences between the PowerPC chip used on the Mac and the Intel chip used on the PC. When Apple chose to switch to using the Intel chip technology in the Mac, MacSpeech produced, in 2008, a new version of its software called MacSpeech Dictate. This version was able to use similar technology to that employed by Dragon, and closed the gap between the performance of the voice recognition software applications available for the PC and Mac.

Today, Mac users are no longer at a disadvantage compared to PC users when it comes to voice recognition and dictation software. Speech recognition software enables worthwhile productivity gains, and gives access to computers to those who have difficulty using the usual keyboard and mouse devices to input data and commands.

MacSpeech Dictate now comes in versions for 13 different English speaking regions and demographics, and for French, German and Italian languages. There are also specialized technical vocabulary versions in English for the medical and legal professions, which facilitate more accurate dictation using the many very specific technical terms and phrases used in these professions.

And now, discover Dragon Dictate as it evolved and learn how you can dramatically boost your personal productivity by using today's powerful voice recognition software, at this Dragon Dictate review.

And if you're in Australia, call 1300-255-900 or visit our website for your Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software.

Dragon Naturally Speaking 11 Professional

Work Faster and Smarter with Dragon Naturally Speaking

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 Professional is the ideal solution for busy corporate professionals to create documents and emails, fill out forms and streamline workflow tasks, all by speaking.  It's three times faster than most people type with accuracy rates of up to 99 percent right out of the box.

Dictate into a handheld device such as Olympus Digital Voice Recorder when you're away from your PC or use a Bluetooth microphone. Create custom commands to automate repetitive tasks you perform that involve multiple keystrokes or mouse clicks. This edition offers complete enterprise network support including new security features a special management guide for IT professionals and support for Citrix deployments.

Up to 99 Percent Accurate and Three Times Faster than Typing 

Most people speak more than 120 words per minute but type less than 40 words a minute That means you can create documents and emails about three times faster with Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Dragon never makes a spelling mistake and it actually gets smarter the more you use it.

Easy to Use 

Dragon NaturallySpeaking installs quickly and requires no special script reading. New on screen help and tutorials will make you an expert user in no time.

Use with Any Windows Program

Use your voice to dictate edit and control virtually any Windows application including the full Microsoft Office suite, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Corel WordPerfect.

And if you're in Australia, call 1300-255-900 or visit our website for your Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software.

Writing with Dragon Naturally Speaking

ONLY write about something you've earned the right to write about.
Now that you have identified your topic, what is the best way to get your ideas and story down?

Here are some ideas:
1) Write your story   book longhand

2) Write it on a typewriter

3) Use your computer word processor

4) Speak it into a digital voice recorder, or

5) Use the latest voice recognition software

What is the best way .. .

Sitting by the pool in her bathing suit, Kim had brought with him a spiral notebook and pencil. Between dips in the pool she would return to her laptop and continue writing. I asked her: "What are you doing?" " I write my book .. . My life ".

Remember that your own experiences you the expertise and passion for the subject that will make your book a bestseller. "When I asked her why she was not using a computer, she told me she was always more creative when she wrote longhand.   Why wait |?   I asked my friend Dana if she would simply turn recorder on and then turn the tape over every 30 minutes. It works for Kim. Could it work for you?

What is your best way to write?

"Typing" was a class two years for me in high school. I love typing. So why do not I use the computer to write my books today? Too many pauses to think and think and type and type some more.
I've found the best way for me to write a book is to speak. That's right, SPEAK! Almost ten years ago I was conducting an all-day seminar on "How to get the job you really want and get employers to call you." 'Fortunately, I had presence of mind to have a tape recorder with me. When the day was over I had six one-hour tapes. Live with me PLUS material interaction with the audience.
I carried them around the band for almost two years before you ask another friend if she would transcribe them. WOW! Next I knew I had a script (or at least a draft). With a little polishing, and work with a good editor, my book was born.

The newest way to write and Grow Rich, said Dan Poynter, the use of voice recognition to dictate your how-to book (or others). Book is only $ 14.9 95 And will go through the process he uses to write his books. Here's an excerpt: Dictating machines to your computer. Now you can bypass keyboarding and dictate directly into your computer with voice recognition software. Just speak into the microphone and gives punctuation and formatting commands as you go.

Programs to consider:
Dragon Naturally Speaking to PC
MacSpeech Dictate for Mac

These two programs, Dragon Naturally Speaking and MacSpeech Dictate, be taught, or even better, you can train your computer to recognize your voice in only one hour or less.
Seems like I take away all excuses not to write, do not I? You've identified the perfect subject to write about. Now you have chosen the ideal way (for you) to your book. What's left? Oh, yes. SELL IT!

And if you're in Australia, call 1300-255-900 or visit our website for your Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking for Dummies

Dragon Naturally Speaking for Not so Dummies

Have you ever wanted to rig a microphone to your computer, throw away your keyboard, and dictate everything instead of having to type it out?

Dragon Naturally Speaking enables you to do just that, but turning it from a technological miracle into a working tool takes a little practice.


Dragon NaturallySpeaking For Dummies targets new users who are impressed by its capabilities but want to optimize its features. The book is organized thematically and addresses the following topics:

• Installing and launching Dragon Naturally Speaking
• Training yourself (and others!) on basic editing, formatting, and dictation features
• Proofreading and correcting text transcribed from your voice
• Using Dragon Naturally Speaking to interface with other applications (like Web browsers or word processors)
• Dictating e-mails, memos, and calendar appointments remotely
• Customizing Dragon Naturally Speaking to adapt to your way of speaking and to recognize more words in your vocabulary

In his review of the book, Mark L. Pearson concluded that in spite of the book being outdated he still found it useful. He said, "I still consider this book excellent. NaturallySpeaking no matter which version can be challenging. I believe there will be confusion though if this book is used for other than version 4. There are many changes since then."

With all voice recognition software failure will happen unless you do the following:

1. Computer specifications about double of what is recommended.
2. Computers have been prepared using original CD's to load the operating system.
3. Vocabularies are pre-populated with words and phrases from previous documents.
4. The starting pace of the person's voice is determined.

If the above is done, the user can enjoy close to 100% accuracy.

And if you're in Australia, call 1300-255-900 or visit our website for your Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software.

Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking 11 Home

Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking 11 Home is a speech recognition software that enables you to interact with your PC just by talking to it with a microphone. It understands what you say and how you say it. Simply speak words and they appear on the screen up to three times faster than by typing with no typos. Tell your computer what to do and it does it. Use Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking 11 Home on your favorite applications to dictate reports, send email, surf the Web, update Facebook, and more. For everything you do at home or school, there's no easier or more enjoyable way to get more done faster. Once you start using Dragon, you'll wonder how you managed without it.
And if you're in Australia, call 1300-255-900 or visit our website for your Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software.

Dragon Naturally Speaking: Voice to Text for Digital Voice Recorders

What if you could use your digital voice recorder to create notes, reports and documents simply by speaking? Most people speak over 120 words per minute but type less than 40 words per minute. It's time to stop typing and start talking. Dictate into your digital voice recorder when you're away from your computer, and Dragon Voice to Text will instantly convert your voice into text that can be used in notes, reports and other documents. Use Dragon Voice to Text speech recognition software with your digital recorder to turn your voice into text three times faster than most people type. All with up to 99% accuracy. It's so easy, you can use it right out of the box.

Drag and drop files onto the for automatic transcription.

The Transcription Options window enables you to specify the application in which you want the transcribed text to appear.

Automatically Convert Your Recorded Voice Into Text

Works With Most Digital Voice Recorders
Dragon works with most digital voice recorders (not included) regardless of style, size, price and other advanced features. See support details at http://support.nuance.com/compatibility/.
Turn Your Recorded Voice Into Text for Use in Notes, Reports And Other Documents
Dragon Voice to Text speech recognition software makes it easy to convert your voice into text from nearly any digital voice recorder. Dragon instantly transcribes your voice recordings and automatically inserts the transcribed text into any application you choose, whether it's a Microsoft Word document or even a specific field on a custom form or report. Once the text is in place, you can play back your dictation within Dragon and make edits or corrections.
Plug and Play Functionality for Instant Transcription
Dragon Voice to Text installs quickly and includes on-screen help (as well as online videos and tutorials) so that users can become experts in no time. Transfer your audio files from your recorder to your computer, then sit back and watch your words appear on the screen as Dragon converts the recording into text.
Designed to Recognize Your Individual Voice
Dragon Voice to Text for Digital Voice Recorders is powered by Dragon Naturally Speaking, the world's best-selling speech recognition software. Dragon products have won more than 175 awards worldwide for accuracy and ease of use. Dragon is not designed for use with multiple speakers or to transcribe lectures. Dragon adapts to how you speak and which words you use, resulting in more accuracy the more it's used.
Mobility, Productivity, Affordability
Using Dragon NaturallySpeaking with a digital voice recorder is simple and straightforward. Best of all, it can drive new levels of productivity and service at organizations with heavy field reporting demands. Three key Dragon advantages include:

• Mobility--Stay productive on the go. While traveling from appointment to appointment, dictate detailed notes into a portable recorder while they are still fresh in your mind. Use time on the road to get a jumpstart on field reporting and avoid a paperwork pile-up.
  
  
• Productivity--By using Dragon to automatically transcribe digital voice recordings made in the field, you can create reports and other documentation three times faster than typing. This adds up to significant productivity gains over time.
  
  
• Affordability--Dragon implementation costs will vary depending on the size of your enterprise deployment, related hardware and software needs, and the level of customization, training, and support desired. In most cases, this investment will quickly pay for itself by streamlining the field reporting process for enhanced employee productivity and improved client service.

And if you're in Australia, call 1300-255-900 or visit our website for your Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software.

Is Dragon Dictate 2.0 the New Kid in Town?

Dragon Dictate Who?

We all know about Dragon Naturally Speaking and Macspeech Dictate and we also know that Dragon Naturally Speaking is for PC users and MacSpeech Dictate is for Mac users. It's that simple. So, what's this new kid in town named Dragon Dictate 2.0?

Well, for one, Dragon Dictate 2.0 is not a new kid in town. There is a new name for MacSpeech Dictate and the latest addition to Nuance's Dragon family, which includes the Dragon NaturallySpeaking on the PC, Dragon mobile applications and now, Dragon Dictate for Mac. This is the first major desktop product for Mac OS X after acquiring MacSpeech earlier this year. It's just a matter of time that "Macspeech branding give way to Nuance's" Dragon "branding, recently christened" Dragon Dictate "got a version upgrade to 2.0 0 and some slick new packaging.

Dragon Dictate for Mac 2.0, the voice recognition software that allows you to use voice commands in creating your documents and navigating your Mac's interface and makes it easier than ever to create emails, search the web, navigate the Mac desktop, and interact with popular Mac applications – all by voice.

According to Nuance, Dragon Dictate 2.0 is more accurate and much faster than the MacSpeech Dictate 1.5. Dragon Dictate is based on the same voice recognition software engine used by Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11 for the PC. During product demonstration, Kristen Wylie, Product Manager for Nuance said that the engine is not just ported over from the PC but designed from the ground up to work with the Mac.

Dragon Dictate 2.0 upgraded features expanded voice navigation, where you can manipulate the Mac's cursor and mouse movements using your voice. The new MouseGrid is one key feature to move the cursor. Upon activation, MouseGrid divides your screen into eight numbered sections on screen; you then speak the number that corresponds to the section you want the cursor to move to. MouseGrid then divides the section you picked into another eight smaller, numbered sections, and selecting a section brings your cursor even closer to your desired location. You can also navigate the cursor with directional commands by saying "move left two inches" as measurements can be stated in centimeters, or inches, or points.

The new Dragon Voice Shortcuts for Search feature lets you perform a search on the Web or on your Mac from any other applications. For example, if you are writing a letter in Pages, and you need to quickly check the scientific name for the fossa, you can say "Search Google for Olympus Voice Recorder" and then a Google search for "Olympus Voice Recorder" will be performed in your Web browser, while you are still working in Pages. Searches can be performed using Bing, Google, Yahoo, and Spotlight. Shortcuts for Search also works for Mail.app, but they do not work in other mail applications, like Entourage, Postbox, and others.

Dragon Dictate 2.0 has New Features to Make Your Lives Easier

Nuance says Dragon Dictate 2.0 has several new features for creating documents. Dragon Dictate 2.0 new editing commands are smarter and easier to use. A new reviewer command using Mac OS X's text-to-speech read back text that you just dictated. And new punctuation commands make it easier to use surrounding punctuation commands like: "Put quotation marks around [text]."

According to PC World review, gives a new sound source setting for multiple microphone configurations. For example, a configuration for a wired microphone, and another for a Bluetooth microphone, and switching between the two takes a few simple mouse clicks.

Dragon Dictate 2.0 requires Mac OS X 10.6 and an Intel-based Mac.

Boxed versions of Dragon Dictate 2.0 is now available that take a headset. MacSpeech Dictate customers can upgrade to Dragon Dictate 2.0 and PC users who own Dragon NaturallySpeaking can upgrade to Dragon Dictate 2.0 for the Mac. Nuance also has an educational version.

Call us at 1300-255-900 to get your newest gadget in town or just simply upgrade to Dragon Dictate 2.0.