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Speech recognition in Windows Vista

Have you experimented with Vista's speech recognition feature? Did it work well enough to be a useful tool or did you find it too awkward to be practical?

because those are the only sounds and words that will be coming out the mouthes of people who try to get Vista to work properly.

because it is a very helpful tool to people so dumb that can't even get Vista to work properly, like you.

I've had it on my desktop PC, my laptop, my wife's laptop, my personal TabletPC and my office TabletPC. It's part of the Speech tools. As far as I can tell it's part of the OS (pre-installed on all of the machines I've listed above), so surely that means Vista ISN'T the first Microsoft OS with speech recognition?

It is true that the speech recognition is in Windows XP but it's really only useful within the Microsoft office programs and other programs where you're simply using it to type text with your voice. This means that speech recognition works all over in the OS from the desktop to the browser to every single program you can use your voice to navigate around the OS select commands that dictate text. In fact I have dictated my reply using speech recognition. It works pretty well!

I went through the tutorial last week and have started using the speech recognition, which I think is wonderful. It's fun and my daugters like the idea of being able to dictate their school essays and papers without typing. I've been using Windows Vista for about three weeks now and I'm very satisfie. There are a few quirks, but all in all, it's one of Microsofts best.

I've worked with speech recognition for several years and am partial to Dragon naturally speaking. I have begun using Vista's built in however. My high level recommendation is the same for both - without som einitial training, you proably won't get the best benefit of speech, and may in fact be turned off by it.

Have you experimented with Vista's speech recognition feature? Yes.
Did it work well enough to be a useful tool or did you find it too awkward to be practical? It definitely worked well enough to be a useful tool.

Speech is flaky sometimes, and it's not just a Microsoft thing. Speech recognation and dictation has been around for some time; and it still lacks a lot of maturity.

Sometimes I found it to be pretty good, sometimes it would just go crazy on me and I'd be tearing my hair out. There's a pretty funny video on YouTube showing a Microsoft demo that completely went crazy even though the Microsoft guy was wearing a headset. I can testify that I've had similar crazy experiences.

Thanks for mentioning the security issue. One workaround that I forgot to mention is that you can use a headset and just leave voice command on permanently and safely. It's only a problem if you're running speaker and mic mode and you leave the speaker and mic running.

I have started to use speech for dictation sometimes not because I can't type fast, but because I want to practice talking clearly and smoothly.

I've created "getting started" video lessons for Vista Speech Recognition. You can see them at www.talktowindows.com.

Dan Newman

I have no experience with Vista. Here are some questions to experienced persons.

Whose speech engine did MS buy or license? How does the MS edition compare to the original? How does it compare to other products of vendors such as ScanSoft?

I wonder whether the various dictionaries be integrated with Office instances. Ideally, there should be one set of dictionaries / language that all (proofing) products use (O/S AND Office).

Is the language of speech to be recognized distinct from the ?speech dictionary?? I prejudge that this be a futile question. It is not frivolous. I would choose 'en-US' speech recognition but require English (non-American) proofing dictionaries ? to work in a one-pass process ? without presumption and imposition of a USA particular default.

I've used Dragoin naturally speaking for several years now, with the latest 9.5 pro and found it to be great - with proper user training and experience.

Dragon won't run on my 64 bit vista unfortunately (nuance says should support 64 bit in next mjor release) so I've had to try vista's. I must sya htat's it's 'ok', but in my experience dragon still works better - accuracy rate, ease of correction, and other factors. But in as pinch, Vista will do

I work as a caregiver with a guy who uses Dragon Dictate. He had Vista briefly on a laptop that didn't work out, and really preferred their VR software. Is it available for download (I haven't found it yet!) AND will it work (at lest well enough for basic functions) on XP Home? I'd be most obliged if anyone has an answer! Many thanks, Tatiana

I have vista ultimate. How do I add French dictation?

I have had RSI for some time now, and thought Windows Vista speech recognition would be the solution for my tendinitis.

However, the Windows Vista speech recognition has some serious limitations, specially if you want to click anywhere on the screen.

I settled upon an extension for Win Vista called Voice Finger ( http://voicefinger.cozendey.com ), that somehow fill the gaps in Win Vista recognition.

I guess this software is not targeted to people who use speech recognition like an alternative from time to time, but if you want (or needs) to reduce computer contact to zero, this software is great.

Windows Vista Speech Recognition focuses not only on providing world class accuracy, but on providing the most usable end-to-end speech recognition experience.. It addresses key issues that currently frustrate or confuse users of existing products.. Windows Vista Speech Recognition provides an efficient, enjoyable way to get your tasks done with speech.. MIcrosoft Help