Product Review: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 13.0, 0417 COBJ, Vol. 46 No. 4 Pg. 73

AuthorJeffery L. Weeden, J.

46 Colo.Law. 73

Product Review: Dragon Naturally Speaking Premium 13.0

Vol. 46, No. 4 [Page 73]

The Colorado Lawyer

April, 2017

Technology in the Law Practice

Jeffery L. Weeden, J.

This review was written using Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 13.0 speech recognition software. Speech recognition has long been a tantalizing staple of science fiction. From the helpful, responsive computers in “Star Trek” to HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey (ahem, spoiler alert, before it tries to murder Dr. Frank Poole1 ), the idea that speaking with a computer and using your voice to engage and dictate has largely been an unfulfilled dream Voice recognition technology in the past was hindered by being too slow and inaccurate. Although I have been intrigued by the possibility of voice recognition technologies, they have disappointed over the years.

Fortunately, speech recognition technology has recently improved by leaps and bounds, largely because of faster processors and better software. With the advent of the smart phone and applications that use speech-to-text features, almost everyone has at least some experience with speech recognition technologies these days.

Getting Started with Dragon

Dragon Dictation has long been at the forefront of speech-to-text implementation, and their most recent version of their popular Dragon NaturallySpeaking (Dragon) speech-to-text software is a winner. It may be an ideal choice for lawyers who want to try speech recognition software. I find it’s especially helpful with correspondence, blogging, and writing memos and articles.

When I purchased the Dragon software, I also picked up a Koss CS 100 Speech Recognition Computer Headset, which feels more comfortable than the headset that came with the software and performs better. I recommend upgrading the stock headset, because even relatively short dictation sessions can lead to discomfort and fatigue.

The software itself was easy to install and use. Those used to dictating will quickly be productive using Dragon All dictation requires certain dictation “hygiene” and best practices, including enunciation and care when speaking, to minimize errors. Dragon is no different.

Dragon’s speech recognition accuracy is impressive out-of-the-box, but you will be well served to take some time to train the software to recognize certain words and phrases that may be problematic and build up Dragon’s vocabulary. You can do...

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