Voice Recognition for Writers

Voice recognition can be an invaluable tool for many individuals, especially writers. This amazing technology can increase productivity to a level that will even impress some of the fastest typists. Research from the National Center for Voice and Speech shows that English speakers speak at an average rate of 150 words each minute. For a writer, this translates into the ability to produce articles and novels at unbelievable speeds.

Writers looking to benefit from voice recognition have several options as there are numerous programs available.

Windows Speech Recognition

Writers using Windows Vista are in luck, as the operating system comes with voice recognition software built into it. Microsoft has advertised that Windows Speech Recognition offers the accuracy of Dragon NaturallySpeaking, a product that has become industry standard. Those who are still running older Windows versions can upgrade to Vista or have the option of purchasing the product separately. Keep in mind that voice recognition is a resource demanding technology so hardware upgrades may be required.

IBM ViaVoice

A writer that has an older computer can benefit tremendously with IBM's voice recognition program, ViaVoice. As the technology tends to require more power than an older system can process, ViaVoice makes the perfect solution for someone who isn't able to make costly upgrades. Even though this program is less demanding, ViaVoice lacks in accuracy when compared to other applications.

iListen

Writers who prefer the Mac OS X can experience voice recognition with MacSpeech iListen. This software is a great alternative to programs like Dragon NaturallySpeaking, as it is one of a few voice recognition programs available for Mac computers.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Developed and distributed by Nuance, Dragon NaturallySpeaking is the most popular voice recognition software on the market. This product has set the standard for which other software developers attempt to achieve or surpass. The company has been around since the 80s, and its product has come a long way. Newer editions of Dragon NaturallySpeaking show tremendous improvement over older editions, which were known for flaws and inevitable frustration. This program currently runs only on Windows PCs as no versions are available for Mac and Linux systems.

Do Your Homework

You should always do your homework before purchasing any voice recognition software. As Nuance continues to set the bar high, the newer versions tend to surpass the older ones by far. If the program isn't compatible with your system, it might function improperly or not at all. This is why you should always do a little research to make sure you get a voice recognition solution that meets your needs.

While the voice recognition products listed above vary in capability, all are sufficient and can make your job as a writer much easier. Once the software is installed, configured and properly trained, you will be able to increase your speed at writing articles, letters, emails, books or whatever your career as a writer entails. Able to save time and boost productivity, you will find that this one investment is well worth it.