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| Thread ID: 31095 | 2003-03-11 22:10:00 | Voice Recognition - IBM ViaVoice | honeylaser (814) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 127428 | 2003-03-11 22:10:00 | I know this has been discussed many times, but not much has really been said about how well VR software works. I'm looking for an affordable VR package to install on a laptop for a boy with dyslexia (he has issues typing). I know that Dragon NaturallySpeaking is recommended, but it is also a couple of hundred dollars (or so says softsol.co.nz). This IBM ViaVoice (or Via Voice) software is a whole lot cheaper (under $200), but I've never heard of the program before and wouldn't know the first thing about how good this software is. Obviously this software is going to need specific specifications on the machine it is to be installed on (a laptop), so what do I need to look out for on the machine? How good does the sound card have to be? I can't find much info on the net, so any help is appreciated. :D |
honeylaser (814) | ||
| 127429 | 2003-03-11 23:21:00 | I've used Dragon 5 on a Dell Celeron 600 (was a couple of years ago) with onboard sound and it was pure crap, even after a couple of hours training. Lag between what was said and when the pc interpreted it was phenomenal (could be up to 90 seconds at times, with only Word 97 and Dragon running). After 2 hours training I would estimate that the success rate was only around 60%, which was not suitable for office or dictation use. I never had the opportunity (damn budgets) to upgrade the machine to a decent soundcard. Would probably be a bit better nowadays since a Celeron 600 is basically vintage machinery :), but I would still recommend using the highest spec'd cpu, ram and input-rated soundcard you can get your hands on. |
antmannz (28) | ||
| 127430 | 2003-03-11 23:43:00 | > Would probably be a bit better nowadays since a > Celeron 600 is basically vintage machinery :), but I > would still recommend using the highest spec'd cpu, > ram and input-rated soundcard you can get your hands > on. My problem is that I'm also getting them a sub-$1k notebook, so we're talking a P2 300 - 500MHz CPU, probably under 10GB HDD, 128MB or maybe 256. It's not going to be a high spec machine, so I need something that will run on it reasonably well. I believe the purpose is for him to be able to dictate his homework, rather than typing which will take forever due to his dyslexia. |
honeylaser (814) | ||
| 127431 | 2003-03-12 00:09:00 | I think you may be hard pushed to get something that runs reasonably well. Don't forget that you'll also need a fancy directional extraneous-sound-cancelling microphone for best results. MS recommend Plantronics and I'd agree with that. It might be best just installing . As I recall, it was based on either Dragon or ViaVoice. If they already have a version of Office, an Academic upgrade version may be cheaper than purchasing vr software outright. I see [url=http://www.dse.co.nz/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/3e6e77a50116a1de273fc0a87f990737/Product/View/XS9994]DSE (www.microsoft.com XP - it has VR software built in[/url) have $150 off the normal retail price at the moment. |
antmannz (28) | ||
| 127432 | 2003-03-12 00:10:00 | Arghhh ..... Microsoft link. (www.microsoft.com) DSE link. (www.dse.co.nz) |
antmannz (28) | ||
| 127433 | 2003-03-12 00:19:00 | Voice Recognition is one of the Artificial Intelligence things . The technology has been "nearly there" for quite a few years . :D IBM actually packaged ViaVoice with OS/2 Warp 4 (even included a microphone in the box!) . That didn't demand very high level hardware . It didn't work all that well either . ;-) The problem is that getting 50-60% accuracy is not too hard . Getting an acceptable level of accuracy is hard . Voice recognition does need lots of processor . And a fair ammount of patience to train the software . There's a nice Dilbert strip about this: the obnoxious geek is dictating loudly in his cubicle all day . Wally wanders along and asks him "what happens when I say 'DELETE FILE'?" . Of course, looking at the spelling and grammar of some postings on the WWW committed by people with keyboards you might happily accept voice recognition output . It wouldn't be any worse . :D |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 127434 | 2003-03-12 00:27:00 | I have used Dragon and it is the quality of the sound card that makes the biggest difference. Used it on a P233 with 256MB and while there was a delay it was still a lot quicker than typing and trying to read something at the same time. I have had just as many mistakes scanning and yet I am quite happy to put up with them. | mikebartnz (21) | ||
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