lugnut
10-06-2006, 12:39 PM
I just happened to bump into this forum while searching for some information. So excuse me if I'm getting into a subject previously covered. I happened to begin reading the feedback on NaturallySpeaking 9. I noticed several postings regarding difficulty navigating the Internet and for that matter doing many functions other than dictating. I currently use version 7.03 in conjunction with a hands-free mouse pointing device called Smart-Nav. (http://www.naturalpoint.com/). I'm a quadriplegic.
Like many posters, I use Mozilla for both the Internet and e-mail. NaturallySpeaking doesn't work very well with either. Actually, in my opinion it didn't work particularly well with Explorer. A few years ago, I ran into a product called Smart-Nav made by an outfit called Naturalpoint. It is a totally hands-free mouse system that uses a small camera like sensing device mounted on top of your monitor. It senses the movement of a reflected dot that can be attached literally anywhere. I use mine stuck to the center of my glasses. But you could stick it anywhere that suits you including your nose or forehead. It moves the mouse with your head movements and has a "dwell feature" that automatically clicks the mouse when you pause the pointer over your mouse target. You can drag items, double-click, or even type using an onscreen keyboard if you prefer. I use the onscreen keyboard for making short entries of just several syllables rather than go through the command process necessary with NaturallySpeaking. I've been using this system for about three years and would be totally lost without it. Please understand I had no vested interest in this company but it is an excellent product and relatively cheap ($200-$400). They now have three different devices, when I bought mine they only had one. Anyone who doesn't have the use of their hands might want to take a look at this.
My comments on NaturallySpeaking. I used the original (DragonDictate) for some time. It worked extremely well except that when advanced versions of Windows came along it was never upgraded. In command mode it was relatively fast compared to the newer version NaturallySpeaking. That's really the problem I have with it. It takes several seconds to recognize commands and in Mozilla, those commands have to sort of be improvised. For example, you can use the "click" command to open a menu item but you must then count down to the correct action item. In some cases, it recognizes normal dictation as different commands and does things like change the margin settings or spacings. Frankly, I think these problems are just inherent with this particular product. It also is almost impossible to use for filling in blanks (as in Google searches) or for that matter registering for this forum. For that, I usually end up using my mouse pointing device.
Interestingly enough, for basic dictation, using DragonPad as the wordprocessing device, I find it to be extremely inaccurate and easy to use even though after you finish dictating, it is then necessary to cut and paste your work into the final document. I can frequently dictate 8 to 10 complete lines with no errors or mistakes.
But like almost everything, I do have an opinion regarding microphones that can be used with NaturallySpeaking or its predecessor. Over the years, I think I've tried every microphone or headset made for use with computers. The wireless headsets didn't work and neither did the desk models. What I have found that works extremely well is a simple run-of-the-mill, cheapo computer headset microphone. Any namebrand will do as long as you follow the instructions. The most important of the instructions is that the microphone be located in the proper position relative to your mouth. And while the instructions don't normally say this, it is equally important that the microphone position he properly maintained during subsequent sessions.
In my case, I couldn't stand being semi-permanently tethered to my computer by the headset or microphone wire so I improvised and made a microphone stand. I had a cheap headset microphone around the house and had my son strip everything but the microphone and its wire. He cut a square from a scrap of 2 x 6 and drilled a 1/8" hole in the center. He took about 2 feet of coat hanger wire and bent it into an L shape. He inserted one end into the block and taped the microphone to the other. I can drive my wheelchair right up to the computer table so I'm correctly positioned at the microphone. If an adjustment is necessary, my wife just slides the block of wood around so the microphone is properly positioned. Again, it seems to me that the microphone position is much more important than either the quality or brand of microphone. I've used to set up with three different computers using the onboard soundcard with good success.
Lastly, I use Skype for communication with the outside world. The quality is usually excellent (sometimes an echo can be heard on either end of the call) and the price is certainly right (free for the time being). The Smart-Nav mouse pointer works very well with Skype.
I hope all this may help someone become more independent.
Like many posters, I use Mozilla for both the Internet and e-mail. NaturallySpeaking doesn't work very well with either. Actually, in my opinion it didn't work particularly well with Explorer. A few years ago, I ran into a product called Smart-Nav made by an outfit called Naturalpoint. It is a totally hands-free mouse system that uses a small camera like sensing device mounted on top of your monitor. It senses the movement of a reflected dot that can be attached literally anywhere. I use mine stuck to the center of my glasses. But you could stick it anywhere that suits you including your nose or forehead. It moves the mouse with your head movements and has a "dwell feature" that automatically clicks the mouse when you pause the pointer over your mouse target. You can drag items, double-click, or even type using an onscreen keyboard if you prefer. I use the onscreen keyboard for making short entries of just several syllables rather than go through the command process necessary with NaturallySpeaking. I've been using this system for about three years and would be totally lost without it. Please understand I had no vested interest in this company but it is an excellent product and relatively cheap ($200-$400). They now have three different devices, when I bought mine they only had one. Anyone who doesn't have the use of their hands might want to take a look at this.
My comments on NaturallySpeaking. I used the original (DragonDictate) for some time. It worked extremely well except that when advanced versions of Windows came along it was never upgraded. In command mode it was relatively fast compared to the newer version NaturallySpeaking. That's really the problem I have with it. It takes several seconds to recognize commands and in Mozilla, those commands have to sort of be improvised. For example, you can use the "click" command to open a menu item but you must then count down to the correct action item. In some cases, it recognizes normal dictation as different commands and does things like change the margin settings or spacings. Frankly, I think these problems are just inherent with this particular product. It also is almost impossible to use for filling in blanks (as in Google searches) or for that matter registering for this forum. For that, I usually end up using my mouse pointing device.
Interestingly enough, for basic dictation, using DragonPad as the wordprocessing device, I find it to be extremely inaccurate and easy to use even though after you finish dictating, it is then necessary to cut and paste your work into the final document. I can frequently dictate 8 to 10 complete lines with no errors or mistakes.
But like almost everything, I do have an opinion regarding microphones that can be used with NaturallySpeaking or its predecessor. Over the years, I think I've tried every microphone or headset made for use with computers. The wireless headsets didn't work and neither did the desk models. What I have found that works extremely well is a simple run-of-the-mill, cheapo computer headset microphone. Any namebrand will do as long as you follow the instructions. The most important of the instructions is that the microphone be located in the proper position relative to your mouth. And while the instructions don't normally say this, it is equally important that the microphone position he properly maintained during subsequent sessions.
In my case, I couldn't stand being semi-permanently tethered to my computer by the headset or microphone wire so I improvised and made a microphone stand. I had a cheap headset microphone around the house and had my son strip everything but the microphone and its wire. He cut a square from a scrap of 2 x 6 and drilled a 1/8" hole in the center. He took about 2 feet of coat hanger wire and bent it into an L shape. He inserted one end into the block and taped the microphone to the other. I can drive my wheelchair right up to the computer table so I'm correctly positioned at the microphone. If an adjustment is necessary, my wife just slides the block of wood around so the microphone is properly positioned. Again, it seems to me that the microphone position is much more important than either the quality or brand of microphone. I've used to set up with three different computers using the onboard soundcard with good success.
Lastly, I use Skype for communication with the outside world. The quality is usually excellent (sometimes an echo can be heard on either end of the call) and the price is certainly right (free for the time being). The Smart-Nav mouse pointer works very well with Skype.
I hope all this may help someone become more independent.