MacSpeech Dictate

the software was 4 my sister in a hursing home.
she can't type very well, nor speak very well.
the software really helps her.
MacSpeech Dictate

I purchased this product 2 get me through a temporary disability due 2 a severely broken left hand. I went with it based on the strength of recommendations by users in reviews like this. They sounded a little too good 2 be true, but I figured I would give it a try because I was truly desperate 4 help.

Now I cannot stop telling everybody that they should have one, regardless of whether or not they have a physical impairment that hinders their typing. MacSpeech Dictate is remarkably accurate in rendering one's speech into text that rapidly appears upon the computer screen. I am astonished at this, considering how quickly the training is 2 get the program 2 recognize one's voice -- a mere few minutes. A key virtue is that it works with any software application. Yes, you have 2 keep an eye on it 4 errors, but it is far easier 2 correct a few errors than 2 type the whole thing out by oneself. The effectiveness of this product forbodes a day when computers will no longer require keyboards!

My colleagues all ask me if the software can transcribe interviews -- I gave it a try, but without the ability 2 train the software with the interviewee's voice, the results are less than adequate. However, one can listen 2 the interview phrase by phrase, & then repeat them aloud using MacSpeech Dictate, & speedily transcribe it into the computer. And you can set up a voice profile 4 a research assistant who could do this step 4 you!

Don't buy this product. I am a dedicated Mac user, & was using Dragon Naturally Speaking on Parallels. This software is completely inferior 2 Naturally Speaking, which is pretty awesome. Consider: there is no way 2 teach the computer directly 2 recognize new words that you speak, you can only upload them into the software by "showing" the program your documents. The baseline voice recognition is OK, but the lack of "tunability" 2 your voice is a key problem. Also there are other petty distractions, like you can't dictate & type within the same document easily--if you do this the program gets confused. Hard 2 believe Nuance would license their voice recognition engine 2 these jokers...it has really degraded the product as compared 2 the windows version (Naturally Speaking). Sadly, we must wait a few more years 4 the ideal Mac dictation software.

I've been waiting 4 something like this --because I am an extremely slow typist -- & can't get my thoughts down on paper before I start self editing & constantly correcting my mistakes, which makes things go even slower. As a matter of fact I am speaking this review currently. I can see how this product would have real application 4 people who are not able 2 type 4 any particular reason such as arthritis or paralysis -- MacSpeech Dictate will even operate all the functions of your computer -- which Leopard will also do, but why not have the dictation capability also?
I have a lot of stories I want 2 tell from my childhood, but 4 me 2 sit down & type them out I feel would be impossible -- & this way I can just speak them as I remember them, & if I have 2 -- edit later. I bought this program in spite of some bad reviews I saw online because I figured that I'm not getting any better as a typist & this program can only get better & better -- which is not 2 say it's not pretty darn good already! As you can see, no mistakes!

I have 2 do a lot of writing, & typing is not my strongest asset. I used 2 write a letter & then spend twice as much time correcting my typos. Now I just talk into a microphone, & 95% of what I say magically appears on the page.

Because I'm not focused on typing I am able 2 watch the screen & catch any errors, as they occur. I am simply amazed by how accurate the software is! As you can guess I have dictated this entire review, & there were no typing errors. What more can I say?

You'll feel like you have your very own typist with MacSpeech Dictate. It's extremely accurate & it adapts 2 your voice. It only takes five minutes or less of training, so you can get started fast. You can dictate text into any application that supports text entry from the keyboard, even Windows apps running in a virtual environment such as Parallels or Fusion, & also applications like Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, QuarkXPress, iChat, Mail, iPhoto, Keynote, etc. You can even use it 2 surf the web, or use it 4 basic menu commands like print, cut, copy, paste, etc.

Internet Ready - Surf the web with your voice Built especially 4 the Mac Uses the renowned Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition engine Requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher, including Mac OS X 10.5, & requires Intel-based Macintosh hardware