DynaWares' Dictationv1.1
Version 1.1
For Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000
30 Day Free Trial, $20.00 Lifetime Registration
A word about the program: This is far from the best on the market. For simplicity, it uses the Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine version 4.0 which is not near as accurate as version 5.1. For a far superior program we recommend DynaWares' NitroMouse which will not only take dictation, but will give you complete "hands-off" control of your computer. This is a fun program to play with and a good intro to dictation. It's only advantages are that it's cheap and that it's a good way to see if you like dictating. If you choose to register, the fee is a mere $20.
This program will allow you to dictate your text directly into nearly any program without going near the keyboard. In fact, I am using it to create this web page.
Text will be send to the location of the cursor in the "Target" program. The dictation program's window (shown above) must be the active window for it to be able to listen for text.
First, you'll need to download and install the Speech Recognition Engine mscsrl.exe. This is a 20 Meg file that can be obtained from Microsoft by clicking here.
Second, you'll need to download and install the Speech Recognition Engine actcnc.exe. This is a 6 Meg file that can be obtained from Microsoft by clicking here.
Lastly, you'll need to download and install the self-extracting program file DictSetup.exe. This is only a 2 Meg file and can be obtained by clicking here.
This is a trial version, but after 30 days, the program will still function with only these 2 limitations:
You will get a nag window when the program starts. Just click "Exit".
You will not be able to transmit text directly into programs. Just cut and paste. Note: the DCC to mIRC will still work. All I ask is that you return this favor by not giving out your password if you are registered.
DynaWares' Dictation Download
You Will Need: The Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine mscsrl.exe 20 MEG Download Now. The Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine actcnc.exe 6 MEG Download Now. The self-extracting program file DictSetup.exe 2 MEG Download Now.
System Requirements
A close-talk or headset microphone
Available only in english.
Recommended: 200 MHz Pentium® Processor, IBM® compatible PC Windows 95/98/NT
50 meg of disk space (wow)
A certified 16-bit sound card or built-in audio system with input quality equal to or greater than the Creative Labs® Sound Blaster® 16 A speech recognition engine such as: mscsrl.exe
Features and Operation
To obtain a lager working area, just maximize the window or drag it to a different size.
The toolbar is located at the top of the window. If you rest your cursor over a button a tool tip will appear giving you a brief description of what that button does. The following is a more detailed description.
"Listen for Dictation" -- This button will toggle the listening feature on and off.
"Cut" -- This button will cut the selected text. "Clear all text" -- This button will erase all text in the dictation window. "Paste" -- This button will insert the text in the clipboard into the current for cursor position. "Edit Last Word" -- This button will back up one word and open a correction window. "Add a Word to the Dictionary" -- This button will open a dialogue that will allow you to add, modify, or delete words in the speech recognition dictionary. "Select the Speaker" -- this button will open a dialogue box allowing you to enter or select the name of the person speaking. "Adjust the Recognition Engine" -- this button will open a dialogue box allowing you to fine-tune the sensitivity of the speech recognition engine. "Help" -- This button launches the help file. "Select target program" -- This button will launch a dialog box listing all currently running programs that may be capable of accepting text. By clicking on a program title you can choose the program that will receive be dictated text. "Transmit text" -- this button will send text that you have dictated, as shown in the dictation window, to the target program.
The popup menu is activated by clicking the VU meter or by right-clicking in the dictation text window TWICE
"Always select entire word" -- With this feature activated when you click on a word, the entire word is selected.
"Always on top" -- When this feature is checked the dictation window will remain on top of all other Windows.
"Show Correction Window" -- When activated, this will bring up a small window listing alternative words that may be selected.
"Form Mode" -- When operating in Form Mode a "tab" key is sent to the target program. This will allow you to fill out forms, such as forms on a web page, without having to manually advanced from one field to the next.
"DCC to mIRC" -- When this feature is checked in the dictated text will be sent directly into the mIRC chat program.
"Microphone set up" -- Clicking this will launch a dialog box that will take you through a process to test and set the volume of your microphone.
"Auto Gain" -- Theoretically, this will adjust the level of your microphone using the last spoken text has a reference.
Selecting the "Target" Program
Click the "To select the target program click on the "Select Target Program" button on the toolbar. This will bring up a menu listing all currently running programs that may be able to accept text.
Just click on the line that matches the title of the window of the program that you would like to receive the text.
Training the Speech Recognition Engine
Click the "Select the Speaker" button on the task bar to bring up the following window.
In the green box, the name of the current speaker, if any is shown. The list box on the left contains the names of the speakers that this speech recognition engine currently recognizes. Clicking a name will select it.
Using the buttons on the right you can and delete speakers.
The training button is very important. This will launch a dialogue that will train the speech recognition engine to recognize your speech patterns. This will greatly increase the accuracy of the dictation program. You can use the training session as often as you like. With each usage accuracy will increase.
Key Words and Phrases
There are several keywords built into the Speech Recognition Engine. These are words like "period", "new line", "quote"... I don't know them all, but they always seem to be there when I want them. I have added the following phrases:
These spoken words will have this effect
"delete": Delete the selected text "space": Insert a space
"transmit": Send the entire text to the target program
"clear": Clear the dictation window
"advance": Transmit text and go to next field (tab key)
"select": Select the word the cursor is on
"continue": Move to the end of the text
"undo": Erase the last phrase heard
Download
You Will Need: The Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine mscsrl.exe
20 MEG Download Now.
The Microsoft Speech Recognition Engine actcnc.exe
6 MEG Download Now.
The self-extracting program file DictSetup.exe 2 MEG Download Now.
