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Publisher's Description
From Nuance Communications:
Avoid typing and use your voice to create documents, control applications and use the PC. Speech is a fast and natural way to create new documents - and with Dragon NaturallySpeaking you can accurately dictate at up to 160 words-per-minute.
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All versions:
2.8 starsout of 34 votes
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Current version:
2.7 starsout of 29 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Best way to enhance your productivity in a glance"
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
I am permitting myself to add to this thread because I think that there is a lot of confusion for this product. First off, it is essential to have a very good microphone on your computer. Myself, I had installed a studio microphone to maximize the quality of the sound recognized by the computer, hence maximize the recognition of the words. Second, compared to the Windows version, it is much easier to be able to export your profile from a laptop to a desktop or vice versa. The Windows version does not permit that feature, and good luck on Windows 8 having that particular feature transferred in your cloud profile! Third, the bilingual version is very efficient in English, but takes a little bit more time to train in French, but it does work well. If you want to start efficiently on this system, use the dictation mode only. By the way, all the text in this review that I am writing has been dictated by the software without any alterations from me.
Cons
Quite honestly, there are three issues that annoy me with Dragon. One, as mentioned by others there is no trial version available online, even though when you have the CD, it seems to offer you an evaluation mode, but it is unclear how to set it up. Seven days, 30 days, why not offer at least a little bit of time to evaluate before. Second off, the upgrade from version 11 to version 12 did not make that much of a difference. When I spoke to the support, they told me it was much more stable. I have tried it at many client places, and have not seen the difference. Third, having eight gigs of RAM, even on the laptop, makes a big difference, and also going in the task manager to prioritize the software in real time helps the responding and the recognition.
Summary
Bilingual version is cool, good microphone is essential, think about the whole sentence before starting to talk to the computer, upgrades are not necessarily essential compared to other software's. Other point: if the iPhone can isolate the sound which is around you when you talk, why can't the Dragon software do the same thing? Every time I have a sound from my computer, it tries to recognize something!
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"buyer beware."
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
bought version 9.5 preferred used it on my old pc and it worked great. you have to train the software to get it to work and once that is done it really does work great.
Cons
if you upgrade your pc in 2 years you can't transfer the software over to your new pc. I followed Nuance's policy and deactivated the software on my old pc and Nuance never told me BEFORE letting me deactivate the software that my license had expired and I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACTIVATE THE SOFTWARE on my new pc. When I called tech support they said my only option was to pay another $100 dollars to get the newest version of the software.
Summary
I really liked their product but money doesn't grow on trees and $100 is not pocket change. So until Nuance decides they actually want repeat business from customers like me then maybe they'll think about providing better product support and allow me to use software I already purchased once on my new pc. And just as an FYI to all potential Nuance customers all their license agreements have an expiration date and if you upgrade your pc/laptop after that expiration date you'll be stuck in the same boat I'm in. (including PDF Converter another $50 and my only option is to upgrade). So I gave Nuance $150 for 2 pieces of software and now because they didn't tell me license was expired before I deactivated them on my old PC they want another $160 for the new version of the software.
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"no free trial"
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
need something like it
Cons
don't want to spend so much money without trying it first
Summary
not worth the money without the free trial
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"iNSTALLED ON VISTA"
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
I am at well over 90% accurate on mine and I installed it a week ago. It took me a half hour to get it to understand and set up. When you have a error train it and eventually you too will hit 99% accuracy. I am a slow and terrible typist. This is the answer for me.
Cons
Proceess takes a bit of time to set up.
Summary
I barly type now and that alone makes it worth the price for me.
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"Best version yet still falls short."
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
This software is a viable option for those trying to avoid typing.
Cons
Even with a lot of training it still makes a lot of mistakes.
Summary
This software is far from perfect. But there is no better speech to text software available. It has improved greatly from previous versions but still leaves much to be desired.
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"TERRIBLE PRODUCT FRON USE TO THE 30 charge for support"
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
there are none
Cons
easy voice recongination wow it could even tell the diffrence in recogination when you speak it types other words
Summary
Hyped as the best i can type it faster than speaking to it they tell u it recongizes 98 per of words its more like 98 per cent of not understanding yr voice this progran is not worth the effort its a complet waste of yr hard earned money STAY AWAY FROM IT
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"Dragon Voice Recognition Software is the Best!"
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
Accurate and easy to use for consumers and professionals!
Cons
Lacks the vocabulary that can be found in the medical, legal, and professional versions.
Summary
www.totalvoicetech.com
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"YOUR PC HAS VOICE RECOG ALREADY-NEARLY THE SAME THING"
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
Ok so I am typing this in all the wrong spots - BUT I did not know til AFTER I bought Dragon that my PC has speech recgnition built right in (I DID have to buy a $10 mike and headset from Logitech although there are a million u can buy). Dragon's is a little more user savvy and has fewer....annoyances (for lack of a better word). But Dragon didn't come free and already installed on my PC (which, I might add is nearly FIVE years old, which in computer years is like a hundred!)
Cons
Um.....read Pros.
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"Cool program"
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
I know there isn't a free trail but I did get a chance to play with it some and it work fairly well.
Cons
it doesn't seem to have great support for things other than something such as word.
for example it types well but its harder to maneuver with.Summary
I think the bulit-in speech recognition in windows 7 is great plus its free with windows (which I don't think many people even knows its even there).
both are very comparable but seems to be a little flawed in both as such.
the windows version integrates well with things inside windows, but seems like it would need a good amount if training before typing with voice would work ok.
on the dragon side.. it learns words very quick and easy.
I've only took to training sessions with it and it will get most of the words correct.
so both are good programs but I like how in windows you can say "show numbers" and say a number and you can chose from almost any buttons, not only that but it has a "show grid" which will go through a grid of 1 - 9 on different places on the screen
which will allow you to click a speific place on the screen. -
"Worth it? I don't know. It works though."
Version: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 10.1
Pros
*Extremely smart and responsive voice recognition. Smart learning features > Windows 7.
*Fully customizable vocabulary database, every word is trainable.
*Can create custom commands. Windows 7 offers basic package but this one you can customize.Cons
*When every use of new word for the first time that is commonly used you have to train at word using the correct feature which can be accessed vocally. Once trained Dragon will remember it.
*No free trial sucks, lucked out a friend had it to try.Summary
I spoke this review out Dragon it was easy that is E - Z.
If you want a product that works fully and instantly right out-of-the-box this is not the one for you. The learning program must be trained for at least an hour to get the full use out of the product.
That said once you have Dragon installed, set up, trained, and customized it by far beats all other voice recognition software is on the market that I've seen. And in my personal opinion beats the base voice recognition software that comes with Windows 7 to a bloody pulp.
This software literally allows me to work on my desktop computer and speak to my laptop, allowing me to do double the work in the same time.
