Speech Recognition Software - Is it Worth the Price?

With speech recognition software in hand, picture this scenario: you're leaning back comfortably in your office chair, dictating critical notes from the meeting into a microphone, and watching the text appear on the screen, instead of slaving over the keyboard. In just a few minutes, you're done and ready to email the notes to your associates. Sound too good to be true? Perhaps, but it's all possible with speech recognition software.

Speech Recognition Software: The First Generation

Not only is speech recognition software able to transform spoken words into typed text, it has the ability to carry out command functions over a computer as well. While this technology has been used in mini-computers, mainframes and large corporate systems for decades, it was rarely available to average computer users. Until recently, speech recognition software was one dimensional, using a technique known as discrete voice recognition to interpret sound. In order to make one's voice discreet, a user was forced to pause in between each spoken word. Needless to say, this was very challenging and frustrating. Even worse, the discrete voice recognition method caused some users to lose their voice due to the strain.

Another disadvantage to first-generation speech recognition software was that these programs didn't work well with existing applications. This resulted in users having to dictate with the voice recognition program and then cut and paste the dictated text into a different program. On a good note, earlier voice recognition software did perform well with command applications, as they primarily called for one word orders, such as "File", "Save", and "Exit".

In recent years, a breakthrough in the technology was discovered: continuous speech recognition. Speech recognition software now allows users to speak normally, sparing them of their vocal cords while increasing the speed and efficiency of dictation levels. This vast improvement has made great contributions to the voice recognition industry, as new products are emerging and becoming more affordable every day.

Flaws in Today's Speech Recognition Software

While the technology has come a long way, one should keep in mind that there is often a tremendous gap in between technical implications and how things actually work, leading us into the biggest drawback of speech recognition software. Depending on the program, you may not always get what you speak. You will find that many software vendors advertise the ability to provide near flawless voice dictation, but in actuality, this is only true after a month or so of speech pattern training.

Some users have also complained about the resource-draining nature of speech recognition software, particularly in terms of RAM. On average, the minimum system requirements for these applications are a 166 MHz Pentium computer with 16 MB of RAM made exclusively available to the speech recognition software. Depending on what version of Windows is installed on your machine, you would also need at least 20 to 60 MB of hard disk space, a 16-bit soundcard and a headset or desktop microphone.

Thus, with the cost of precious system resources, additional hardware expense, repetitive training, and the possibility that your speech recognition software may never work exactly how you want, it's only right to pose the question: why bother?

The answer is simple. Even with its imperfections, speech recognition software can help you work more efficiently and save you a lot of time and agony over the long-term. In the end, only you can determine the true cost savings and benefits that can be enjoyed by such a system.