Customer Reviews

Dragon Naturallyspeaking Professional 10 [Old Version]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I wish that I had taken the time to read users' review before giving Nuance my hard-earned money.

All I got from their email support was canned replies. It's obvious that they didn't read what I wrote. I wasn't able to log in to their website, and they kept
sending me the same reply over and over (8 times).

When I finally tracked down a phone number and actually talked to someone (for another fee), he promised to look into and get back to me, but then I never heard back.

Many others had the same bad experience.

On the internet (not from tech support) I found that if you are running 64-bit, you must download their version 10.1. But if you didn't pay extra for download, you can't get it.

Once you pay an arm and a leg for this software, you will find it arrives with a required Internet connection to "Activiate" which complexity borders on harrassment. It doesn't work with 64-bit systems, and Nuance will be glad to charge you a bundle for the priviledge of learning that fact. Nuance has a 30-day return policy, and that ONLY if you bought the software direct from them. After that, tough nuggies on you! I would *NEVER* buy anything from Nuance ever again. BE WARNED!

Not a great product and horrible support. You are better off with Windows 7 voice control, and it's soo much cheaper!

Just go to Nuance website to download FREE upgrade v10.1 to make your v10 software compatable with any Windows 64-bit system including Windows 7.

Also, this product comes in either the red/green box or the pure green box (see Amazon's photos above. Both boxes contain the same product but the pure green box is more eco-friendly.

I have been using this for a few weeks and have had no problems with either installation, activation or using this product. I now find it essential for all of my computer work! I am a lousy typist and appreciate the quick, easy and highly accurate voice activated automatic typing it does for me. A whole other world has opened up for me as I can use my computer to do so many things that I unconsciously avoided before, like writing this product review!

I don't know why so many negative reviews are being written for this version of the software.

I have been a user since version 9.0 and never ran into any of the difficulities stated in these reviews. The upgrade to 10.1 which enabled 64 bit funcitonally was clearly communicated to me by e-mail & when I went to the web site. I received a response within 24 hours from Nuance's general manager when asking about the ability to transfer my license when selling old copies on e-Bay (FYI Nuance does not allow you to transfer your license to another user & I canceled the auctions). In fact, I've had quite the opposite experience where the Nuance's registration site forgets that I registered my prodcut. While baffeling, this fact does not diminish my experence with the software. I have reinstalled (2-3 times) on computers for most of the reasons listed in other reviews and never "ran out" of installations.

I still don't like the fit of the headset shipped with the product (why I rated 4 out of 5 stars). I do need to stress that better "quality" microphones exist from other vendors (e.g. Andrea Electronics) that do positively impact the performance of the software. My specific example is the "bluetooth" headset. I was using a BlueAnt Z9 & purchased an Andrea Electronics BT-200 (highest rated at the time for the bluetooth interface). This decision made a world of difference regarding performance. To clarify, the sound input going into the program with the Z9 was not great, so I could not expcet a quality output. I've since purchased & used the Andrea SuperBeam Array microphone & Plantroics "plug-in" USB headset. All of which made a difference because the sound quality going into the program was improve resulting in a better, faster recongition output.

The major reasons I purchased the version 10 Professional were for the ability to save .dra files (to edit the dicataion at a later time) & the ability to use/program macros. I consistently use a Sony ICD-MX20 voice recorder (highest rated on Nuance's site when purchased 1-2 years ago) to capture thoughts, take advanage of 10-15 minute delays in the day (e.g between meetings) & to dictate meeting minutes or next actions while there still fresh in my mind, so I can easily retrieve later in the day/week. I've set up basic macros (in my opinion) and have been pleased with the increase in effeciency.

The recognition accuraccy has improved over time (a bit more than a year now with version 10), especially compared over all the different input sources I use. The output dicataion is rarely 100% perfect. However, I can effectively multitask & achieve more in my opinion.

In summary, effort and persistence is required to understand & use this product as well as skill effectively. In my experience, the energy has been worth it.