Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (Frank Whitney) (01/05/90)
Index Number: 6082 The DragonDictate 30K speech recognition machine developed by the technical staff of Dragon Systems, Inc. allows people to enter text into a computer by speech. Since speech is the only means by which some of us can communicate, this software is a major advance in improving productivity for everybody. I'm using the DragonDictate 30K speech recognition system at work. I've seen their product evolve from the Voice Scribe 1000 to their current system. I am a beta tester of their systems and they have welcomed suggestions that I have made. The version they are about to release to the public has a six word buffer which allows the user to correct mistakes before they are added to the vocabulary. Also, since you can correct errors, you can enter voice commands much faster. The more you use the system the better recognition you get and a faster throughput. The first day I used their newest release, I configured the system for completely hands free operation. In a little over 4 hours, I was able at times to achieve 30 words per minute. Our people put extensive research into deciding which voice recognition package would be superior and DragonDictate came out best hands down! They have consistently improved their software product, sending upgrades to us at no cost, a rare occurrence today where the almighty dollar rules supreme. Dragon has strived and succeeded in constantly and consistently improving their product through software refinements. THIS COMPANY IS VERY RESPONSIVE TO IT'S USERS' REQUESTS AND USER SUPPORT IS SUPERB! They welcome user input as far as improvements for their product go. The system has a voice print for 25 thousand words and the more you use the system the better match you can get. In addition, the user can train another 5 thousand models. I say models because it doesn't have to be a word per say but can be any distinct utterance. For example, say the utterance "dragon inc" and you can produce up to 500 characters such as the address below: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Janet Baker Dragon Systems, Inc. Chapel Bridge Park 90 Bridge Street Newton, Massachusetts 02158 Phone Number (617) 965-5200 ------------------------------------------------------------------ In the above address there were carriage returns etc. You can now easily edit your keystroke's sequence. If you have to change part of an address or other keystroke sequence you simply add or delete characters or other keystrokes as needed. Speech recognition lowers physical barriers for disabled persons. I now enter text into the computer faster, more correctly (no spelling errors since if you train the word correctly it has no typo errors) and with much less fatigue, enhancing my productivity. DragonDictate can be used by people with varying and multiple disabilities. The person unable to speak clearly enough for other people to understand benefits from automatic speech recognition, providing they create repeatable utterances that the computer can be trained to understand. Even the blind can benefit by using the DragonDictate with certain interpreters. The current price is $9,000. It requires an IBM AT clone 80386 processor with approximately 6 megabytes of RAM. It uses an 8-bit full sized card that fits into your computer, cutting down on space requirements, unlike some of their competitors. DragonDictate uses less memory than most of the competition. There are many features that I haven't even touched on, but believe me this is one great product! If you would like more information call or write to the above address. If you want information from a C-4 level quadriplegic call Frank Whitney at (301)-688-5025. By the way, I don't by any means think this product is just for the disabled. fhw -- Via Opus Msg Kit v1.00 -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!Frank.Whitney Internet: Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org
griesel@umn-cs.CS.UMN.EDU (Curtis W. Griesel) (01/10/90)
Index Number: 6164 In article <9408@bunker.UUCP> Frank.Whitney@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org writes: > The current price is $9,000. It requires an IBM AT clone 80386 >processor with approximately 6 megabytes of RAM. Are you saying it's $9,000 PLUS the cost of a 386 with 6meg, making the whole system cost > $14,000? Or are you saying the whole system costs $9,000? -- Curtis W. Griesel, griesel@umn-cs.cs.umn.edu Coordinator of Computer Access Microcomputer, Workstation and Network Center; U of Minnesota, Minneapolis "Disability is not the problem, peoples' attitude toward the disabled is".