Dragon NaturallySpeaking for Dummies [Paperback]

David C. Kay (Author), Doug Muder (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 21, 1999 | Series: For Dummies (Computers)

Free at last! Finally, someone has come along to free you from your keyboard. With Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the miraculous voice-recognition software in your computer, you can browse the Web, control your applications, control your desktop, write documents, and more without ever once laying finger to plastic. But don’t run out and get yourself fitted for that Star Fleet uniform just yet, cadet. Dragon NaturallySpeaking is the most accurate voice recognition software on the market, and while it really does deliver on all its claims, it can be very finicky, and getting top results can be tricky.

The complete guide to the care of feeding or your Dragon, Dragon NaturallySpeaking For Dummies is a must-have companion for voice-recognition trailblazers who are ready to:

• Kiss that keyboard goodbye and say hello to hands-free computing
• Verbally control your Windows desktop and most applications
• Dictate, edit, format and proofread documents in Word and WordPerfect
• Browse the Web and compose and send email by voice
• Use a pocket digital recorder on the run

Here’s all you need to fire up your Dragon and get it dancing to your tune. Your total guide to installing, configuring, fine-tuning and getting the most out of that amazing voice recognition software, Dragon NaturallySpeaking For Dummies covers all the bases, including:

• Installing, configuring, and launching your Dragon
• Dictating, editing, proofreading, and formatting documents in NaturallySpeaking
• Recording speech onto the NaturallySpeaking recorder and transcribing recorded speech
• Dictating into other applications
• Controlling your desktop and windows by voice
• Using NaturalWord for Word and WordPerfect
• Browsing the Web, emailing and faxing by voice
• Managing databases hands-free
• Maximizing voice recognition accuracy
• Having multiple users and vocabularies
• Adding specialized items and verbal shortcuts to Dragon’s vocabulary

With the introduction of Dragon NaturallySpeaking the old dream of hands-free computing has finally become reality. Now let Dragon NaturallySpeaking For Dummies show you how to give your Dragon wings and make it soar.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Dictate to Word, WordPerfect, Outlook, and other popular applications

Packed with tips for all NaturallySpeaking editions

Write and edit anything on your computer just by speaking! Dragon NaturallySpeaking is the most accurate voice recognition software available, but getting top results can be tricky. Here's everything you need to kiss that keyboard goodbye — including advice on dictating, editing, Web browsing, and running your computer with voice commands. It's your friendly guide to hands-free computing — whether you're always on the run or you just can't type!

Discover how to:

• Verbally control your Windows desktop and all applications
• Dictate and edit documents and e-mails
• Maximize voice recognition accuracy
• Use a pocket recorder on the run
• Add specialized terms and verbal shortcuts to Dragon's vocabulary

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About the Author

David Kay wrote Microsoft Works For Dummies and WordPerfect Web Publishing For Dummies.

Doug Muder is a math Ph.D. who's written about Windows 98, the Internet, and 3D graphics technologies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 386 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (October 21, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764506382
• ISBN-13: 978-0764506383
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,328 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

154 of 155 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It's old!, May 12, 2005

By 

H. A. Kennedy (Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragon NaturallySpeaking for Dummies (Paperback)

This book was written to help the average user with techniques, hints, etc, for learning to use the Dragon.

However, it was written, in 1999, for Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 4!

The current version is Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8.0, which is quite advanced.

There have been so many improvements in Dragon Naturally Speaking, since the book was written, that much of the information has become quite dated, and much-needed newer information is, of course, not included.

I bought this book unknowingly, when I was using version 7.0, and it did not address my needs.

Until they update this book, or write a new one, I would suggest buying a different book. Spend your $20 on something that will be useful!

88 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly Useless, August 3, 2006

By 

Gregory Paul Adkins "Stickler" (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dragon NaturallySpeaking for Dummies (Paperback)

This book is seven years old. It was written for version 4.0. We are now up to 9.0.

Avoid it.

96 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Update to my previous review, November 11, 2002

By 

Mark L. Pearson (Sublimity, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dragon NaturallySpeaking for Dummies (Paperback)

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 then version 4. There are many changes since then.

With all speech recognition 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.