I never learned to type properly and, consequently, my keyboard time is not as efficient as it should be. Occasionally I have flirted with typing tutor programmes but willpower and dedication always desert me. I have recently been experimenting with a speech to text program and have been mightily impressed. The software required very little initial training so that I was up and running virtually straight out of the box. By no means do I have RADA-like diction and know that I can, all too easily, descend into mumbling yet the number of times it misinterprets what I say are very few.
The greatest benefit comes when I am writing longer pieces of text for a proposal, report or this blog. Normally I find it difficult to maintain my train of thought through the many corrections of my miss-keying. The software is also very useful when filling in forms and the like. Instead of moving hand to mouse to place the cursor in the box, hand back to keyboard to type and then back to mouse to select the next box I can just leave my hand on the mouse and say the words as I select each box in turn.
The software I bought is Dragon NaturallySpeaking (other programs are available) and my only complaint is that the microphone headset that came with the box was designed for a much smaller head than mine. Luckily I had a suitable, adult-sized one already. Oh yes, and do remember to switch the microphone off when you’re on the telephone.
