Vista Dictation - How to Setup and Use

First off, how do you find it?  Most people don't even know that Vista has dictation.  In windows speak, dictation is known as Windows Speech Recognition.  To find it: Click on Start and in the search area type in the word "speech".  At the top you will see Windows Speech Recognition.  Click on it. 

Windows will now want to setup your listening device. 

It is very import to have a good USB headset.  I highly recommend the Plantronics 400 DSP.  It costs 79.95.

Microphone Setup

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speech Recognition Options

 

Take the Speech Tutorial and Train your computer to better understand you.  It will take less then an hour of your time and is well worth it.

 

 

Steps for dictating a document

1. In the Start Menu, choose All Programs, Accessories, Accessibility. Select the Speech Recognition option

2. Proceed through the initial set up screens to configure your microphone. The Speech tutorial will then be launched

3. Complete the Speech tutorial

Create, dictate, and save a document

1. Say "Start Listening."

2. Say "Open WordPad."

3. Say "This is a test of speech recognition period."

4. To correct mistakes, say "correct" and the word that the computer typed by mistake, and then pick the correct word from the list offered by Speech Recognition, repeat the correct word again. For example, if the computer mis-recognized "speech" as "peach," say "correct peach," and then choose the right word from the list, or say the word "speech" again.

5. To save the document, say "File", then say "Save As."

6. Say "Test document."

7. Say "Save."

Compatible and Incompatible Programs

• Speech Recognition dictation will work in a limited set of applications that support a technology called the Text Services Framework. This set of applications includes:

• Microsoft Word and Outlook

• Virtually all applications that are part of Windows Vista

• Dictation will not work in many applications. These include, but are not limited to:

• Microsoft PowerPoint

• Excel

• WordPerfect

• Eudora

• Lotus Notes

Comments

[sfberglund]

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