ScanSoft DRAGON NATURALLYSPEAKING 6 User Manual

USER’S GUIDE

By Dan Newman

For details on ScanSoft Application Solutions Partners near you, please visit: www.ScanSoft.com/NaturallySpeaking/locator/

Learn more about speech recognition at:

Training and Customization

Professional training and customization services from a ScanSoft-certified Applications Solutions Partner can help you achieve the maximum return on your investment. If you would like to unleash the full potential of Dragon NaturallySpeaking® software, please contact one of our Partners for training, customization, and more.

ScanSoft Application Solution Partners are the best in the industry; distinguished by their expertise, experience, and commitment to providing top-level services

for Dragon NaturallySpeaking

For details on ScanSoft Application Solutions Partners near you, please visit: www.ScanSoft.com/NaturallySpeaking/locator/ or call 800-443-7077

speech recognition products.

About the Author

Dan Newman is president of Say I Can, Inc., a leading reseller of speech-recognition products and training services. A computer expert and skilled teacher, Dan is the author of several books about speech recogni-

tion, including Ta lk to You r Co mp ut er and The Dragon NaturallySpeaking Guide. Dan has written for many publications, including PC Magazine and Speech Technology, and has appeared on the PBS television show Computer Chronicles. He recently created his first instructional video presentation,

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

NaturallySpeaking

speech-recognition software most effectively.

6 Video Guide, which helps people use Dragon

Dan’s Video Guide is a CD-ROM-based video presentation that runs on your computer and is designed for both new and experienced users of Dragon

NaturallySpeaking through key Dragon NaturallySpeaking

software. In the Video Guide, Dan guides you visually

version 6 topics and skills, demon-

strating expert techniques and insider secrets. He shows you how to fix mistakes quickly, automate tedious tasks, browse the Web hands-free, boost accuracy, and more. You can see the complete list of topics covered and download free sample video lessons at www.sayican.com.

In addition to the Video Guide, Say I Can offers many other speech- recognition products and services. Their innovative “Web Training” service provides live one-on-one training over the Internet, allowing you to

conveniently learn how to use Dragon NaturallySpeaking software from an expert. Other items available include digital recorders, spe-

cialty microphones, and volume licenses of Dragon NaturallySpeaking

software. For more information, please call 1-877-Say-I-Can or visit www.sayican.com.

This is a screen shot of the Dragon NaturallySpeaking® 6 Video Guide. For more information,

please visit the Say I Can Web site at www.sayican.com.

May 2002. Version 6.1 Preferred, Standard, and Essentials editions.

This publication may not include some last-minute technical changes and/or revisions to the software. Changes are periodically made to the information described here. Future versions of this manual will incorporate these changes.

ScanSoft, Inc., may have patents or pending patent applications covering subject matter in this document. The furnishing of this document does not give you any license to such patents. The software is subject to one or more of the following U.S. patents, among others: 5,027,406; 5,202,952; 5,526,463; 5,680,511; 5,715,367; 5,754,972; 5,765,132; 5,794,189; 5,799,279; 5,818,423; 5,822,730; 5,850,627; 5,909,666; 5,915,236; 5,920,836; 5,949,886; 5,960,394; 6,064,959; 6,088,671; 6,092,043; 6,092,044; 6,101,468; 6,151,575; 6,163,768; 6,167,377; 6,212,498.

No part of this manual or software may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including, without limitation, electronic or mechanical, such as photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written consent of ScanSoft, Inc. Specifications are subject to change without notice.

ScanSoft, the ScanSoft logo, L&H, the L&H logo, the Dragon logo, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, NaturallySpeaking, NaturallyMobile, RealSpeak, Nothing But Speech “NBS,” Natural Language Technology, Select-and-Say, BestMatch, MouseGrid, and Vocabulary Editor are registered trademarks or trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc. All other names and trademarks referenced herein are trademarks of ScanSoft or their respective owners. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book, and where ScanSoft is aware of the trademark, the designation is printed with a trademark (™) or registered trademark (®) symbol.

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Adobe and Acrobat are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Corel and WordPerfect are registered trademarks of Corel Corporation. Lotus and Lotus Notes are registered trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation. Microsoft, Outlook, Windows, Windows NT, Visual Basic, and PowerPoint are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft

Corporation. Netscape and Netscape Navigator are registered trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation. Say I Can and the Say I Can logo are trademarks of Say I Can, Inc. Voice It, the Voice It logo, and Voice It Link are trademarks or registered trademarks of VXI Corporation. AMD is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Sound Blaster is a registered trademark of Creative Technology Ltd. America Online is a registered trademark of America Online, Inc., a division of AOL Time Warner. QUALCOMM and Eudora Pro are registered trademarks of QUALCOMM, Incorporated. Yahoo! is a registered trademark of Yahoo! Inc.

Dave Barry in Cyberspace, © Copyright 1996 by Dave Barry, published by Crown Publishers. 3001: The Final Odyssey, © Copyright 1997 by Arthur C. Clarke, published by HarperCollins Publishers. Dogbert’s Top Secret Management Handbook, © Copyright 1996 by United Feature Syndicate, Inc., published by

Books.

120-D150-61

Contents

CHAPTER 1 Introduction 1

About this guide 1 What’s new in version 6? 3 What should I expect from Dragon NaturallySpeaking? 6

CHAPTER 2 Installing and Training 7

System requirements 7 Plug in the microphone 8 Plug in the speakers 9 Install the software 9 Create a new user 13 Audio Setup 16 New user training 19 Training problems and solutions 22

CHAPTER 3 Starting to Dictate 25

Turning the microphone on and off 28 Sleeping and waking up 28 Online Help 29 The DragonBar 30

CHAPTER 4 Correcting and Editing 35

The Correction menu 36 Selecting text by voice 40 Moving around in a document 43 Copying, cutting, and pasting text 46 Copying text to other programs 46 Deleting text 47 Keyboard editing shortcuts 49 Spelling as you dictate 50

CHAPTER 5 Formatting 53

Capitalizing text 54 Formatting text 56

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Contents

CHAPTER 6 Numbers and Punctuation 61

Dictating numbers 61 Punctuation 69 Dictating hyphenated words 70 Dictating compound words 71 Dictating names 72 Dictating abbreviations and acronyms 73 Dictating e-mail and Web addresses 74 Dictating special characters 75 Modes 80

CHAPTER 7 Using E-Mail and Microsoft Internet Explorer 83

Working with e-mail 83 Working with Microsoft Internet Explorer 87

CHAPTER 8 Using Natural Language Commands 95

Available Natural Language Commands 95 The Sample Commands window 96 The Command Browser 96 Sample Commands 98

CHAPTER 9 Hands-Free Computing 101

Starting programs 102 Opening documents and folders 103 Switching between open windows 103 Copying text to other programs 104 Opening and closing menus 105 Selecting buttons, tabs, and options 106 Selecting icons on the desktop 107 Resizing and closing windows 108 Scrolling in windows and list boxes 109 Pressing keyboard keys 109 Activating commands by saying key names 113 Moving the mouse pointer and clicking the mouse 115 Hands-free tips 121

CHAPTER 10 Automate Your Work 123

Viewing or editing commands 123 Searching commands 124 Creating new commands (Preferred edition only) 125 Deleting custom commands (Preferred edition only) 129 Renaming Text and Graphics commands 130

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CHAPTER 11 Workflow 133

Dictate first, correct later (Preferred edition only) 133 Ways to correct your dictation 136

CHAPTER 12 Speaking and Dictating 143

Composing 146

CHAPTER 13 Improving Accuracy 151

The Accuracy Center 152 Tools to improve your vocabulary 156 The ideal system for best accuracy 168 Some practical ways to improve accuracy 169

CHAPTER 14 Healthy Computing 175

Ergonomics and posture 175 Maintaining good vocal health 176

CHAPTER 15 Using a Handheld Recorder (Preferred edition only) 179

Installing recorder software 180 Creating a user adapted to your recorded speech 181 Dictating into your recorder 185 Transcribing recorded dictation 187 Correcting mistakes 193 Using the Dragon NaturallyMobile recorder as a microphone 194 Better accuracy with a recorder 194

CHAPTER 16 Customizing Dragon NaturallySpeaking 197

The Options dialog box 197

CHAPTER 17 Troubleshooting 211

Testing your sound system 211 Other problems and solutions 213

APPENDIX Commands List 217

INDEX 251

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vii

CHAPTER

Introduction

elcome to Dragon NaturallySpeaking®—the software that lets you talk to your computer instead of typing. As you speak, your words

appear swiftly on-screen just as if you had typed them.

You can talk (“dictate”) into many programs, including Microsoft

Corel and more. For example, you can use Dragon NaturallySpeaking

■ Compose letters, memos, and e-mail messages. Just think about

■ Enter data into forms or spreadsheets. Most people can dictate

WordPerfect®, e-mail programs, personal information organizers,

what you want to say and then say it into the microphone.

numbers faster than they can type.

Word,

to:

■ Work on the Web. You can search the Web, access information, and

navigate Web pages by speaking URLs and links.

You can also move text around within your document (“cut and paste”), revise and format text, and control your computer by voice. You can start programs, open menus, and send e-mails by voice.

After you become comfortable talking to your computer, you may want to take the convenience of dictating a step further by using a handheld recorder with Dragon NaturallySpeaking edition only.) With a handheld recorder, you can dictate while away from your computer. When you return to your computer, Dragon NaturallySpeaking

About this guide

This guide provides detailed information that will help you get the most out of using Dragon NaturallySpeaking running with the software, show you how to dictate, edit, and format

. (Available in Preferred

will type out (“transcribe”) what you said.

. It will help you get up and

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Introduction

your text, and discuss the best ways to work for maximum efficiency and accuracy.

While this guide presents all the important features of Dragon

NaturallySpeaking

, it is not intended to be a complete reference to

each feature and function. More extensive information about using

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

is available in the program’s online Help.

This guide covers the Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Preferred, Essentials,

and Standard editions.

Most of the information presented in this guide is applicable to all these editions. When information applies to certain editions only, this is noted.

Conventions used in this guide

1 This guide contains many examples of words and phrases you can say

when using Dragon NaturallySpeaking

. These examples appear in

italics with quotation marks, for example: “Format That Bold.”

2 Some procedures also include sample text for you to dictate. Sample text

appears in a different typeface, with punctuation in square brackets. For example:

US/Canada: When talking to a computer [comma] try to say every word clearly without trailing off at the end of a sentence [period]

Other Dialects: When talking to a computer [comma] try to say every word clearly without trailing off at the end of a sentence [full stop]

3 This guide applies to the five English dialects that ship with Dragon

NaturallySpeaking

■ US English

■ UK English

■ Australian English

■ Indian English

■ Southeast Asian English

US English uses US spelling, punctuation, and time and currency formats. We recommend US English for Canadian users since this dialect formats numbers (including times, telephone numbers, and currency) in North American formats.

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Introduction

All other dialects use UK spelling, punctuation, and time and currency formats (some number settings depend on your Windows Regional Settings). Where multiple dialects are used in dictation examples, those dialects appear in a different font style. For example:

■ You can also correct a longer phrase by saying “Correct [text] Through

[text]” (

US/Canada) or “Correct [text] To [text]” (Other Dialects).

This guide uses US spelling and punctuation for consistency.

4 This guide also includes tips and notes to help you use the software

more effectively. Tips and notes appear like this:

TIP

If you pause correctly, but Dragon NaturallySpeaking® still types a command as dictation, you can force it to recognize what you say as a command by holding down the CTRL key.

NOTE

everything you say as a number. If you dictate words, the results will be unpredictable. However, you can still navigate menus and switch between programs by voice when Numbers Mode is on.

With Numbers Mode on, Dragon NaturallySpeaking

What’s new in version 6?

Dragon NaturallySpeaking® version 6 brings together the best

ScanSoft text-to-speech technology to create more accurate, powerful, and userfriendly speech-recognition software. (Text-to-speech is available only in the Preferred edition.) In addition to assisting users to operate a computer hands-free, the software contains many new features and general improvements.

Tools for greater accuracy

Accuracy Center

The Accuracy Center offers one-stop shopping for all the tools available to improve recognition accuracy: audio settings, additional training, adding words to the vocabulary, and the new Acoustic Optimizer can all be found in this central location. (Some features of the Accuracy Center are available only in Standard and higher editions.) See page 152.

and Dragon NaturallySpeaking® speech-recognition and

tries to interpret

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Introduction

The Accuracy Assistant, which is part of the Accuracy Center, guides the user in selecting the right tool for improving accuracy. See page 152.

Acoustic Optimizer

After you have used Dragon NaturallySpeaking® for a while and some recognition errors may have occurred, the Acoustic Optimizer is a tool

that lets Dragon NaturallySpeaking

process all the recorded data it has collected during training and while corrections have been made. It learns from this data in one sweep, which is much more powerful than gradual adaptation from each correction. Start the optimizer before you leave for a meeting and come back to improved recognition. See page 153.

Add contact names and vocabulary

Add the contact names from your address book to your vocabulary file (Available only in Standard and higher editions.) You can also scan your

sent e-mail to teach Dragon NaturallySpeaking

the words you use. See

page 160.

Easier to use

Nothing But Speech (“NBS”)™

The Nothing But Speech technology filters out some of the fillers between dictation, such as “uhms” and “ahs,” to help avoid insertion of unwanted words.

Faster, easier correction

A new, streamlined correction interface makes it easier than ever to proofread and correct your work. The improved Correction menu is now available wherever you can select text by voice. See page 36.

Correct whichever way you want—by voice, by mouse and keyboard, or

using any combination of these. Dragon NaturallySpeaking

will still learn from your corrections, even if you just type them over the words you’ve selected.

The new correction workflow lets you dictate your entire document and then quickly move along and correct phrase by phrase as needed. See “Ways to correct your dictation” on page 136.

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Find commands easily with Sample Commands and Command Browser

Can’t remember a command? A Sample Commands window displays voice commands for the most popular applications alongside your work. See “Sample Commands” on page 98.

The new Command Browser lets you search for commands by application, making it easy to find what you need. It also allows you to train or modify your commands. See “The Command Browser” on page

96.

Create your own commands

Text and Graphics commands

Create a letter closing and include your signature as a bitmap. You can add this to any document with one simple voice command. This is just one example of how Text and Graphics commands let you automate common tasks. (Available in Preferred edition only.) See “Automate Your Work” on page 123.

More powerful and versatile

Easily edit by voice in more applications

Select-and-Say® functionality, which enables you to make text changes easily by voice, is now available in the Open and Save dialogs in many applications, in the Windows

Award-winning ScanSoft™ RealSpeak™ text-to-speech engine

Let the computer read text to you, such as an incoming e-mail, in the most human-sounding voice available. (Available in Preferred edition only.) See page 141.

More extensive mouse control commands

You can now control the mouse by voice in a variety of ways, for example, by simply saying “Move Mouse Upper Left.” See page 119.

Natural Language Commands

In addition to the commands that worked in version 5, you can now also use Natural Language Commands in your favorite programs. There is no need to learn a specific command—Natural Language Commands let you say what you want in many different ways and still get the software to do just the right thing. See “Using Natural Language Commands” on page 95.

Find dialog box, and in many other places.

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Introduction

Improved hands-free capabilities

Improvements in the user interface of version 6 make it possible to complete almost every task by voice, for users who prefer to work handsfree. See “Hands-Free Computing” on page 101.

What should I expect from Dragon NaturallySpeaking?

One reason to use Dragon NaturallySpeaking® is to create letters, reports, and other documents by voice. Another is to speed up routine tasks, such as entering data, launching applications, sending e-mail, filling in forms, and working on the Web. Or maybe you need or prefer to work on the computer with little or no use of your hands.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking work well requires some effort from you. Dragon NaturallySpeaking learns about your voice and pronunciation as you use it. When you use words the program doesn’t know, it will misrecognize them. To get the best results, you’ll need to correct the mistakes so that the program can learn from its mistakes and improve its ability to recognize your way of speaking.

Do I still need my keyboard and mouse?

Although you can use Dragon NaturallySpeaking® to do almost everything on your computer by voice, some things are still easier to do by mouse or keyboard. Feel free to use a combination of voice, mouse, and keyboard to get your work done—experiment to find methods that work best for you. If using a mouse and keyboard is not an option, pay special attention to “Hands-Free Computing.” on page 101.

is good for all these reasons, but making it

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Installing and Training

f you haven’t yet set up Dragon NaturallySpeaking®, this chapter will

guide you through each step of the process, from plugging in the microphone to training the computer to recognize your voice. It also covers dictating your first sentence and explains the Dragon

NaturallySpeaking as you work.

System requirements

The recommended system requirements to run Dragon NaturallySpeaking

■ Intel

Pentium® II 400 MHz processor (or equivalent AMDTM

processor)*

controls, buttons, and menus that appear on-screen

are:

■ 128 MB RAM

■ 300 MB free hard disk space

■ Microsoft

■ Creative

supporting 16-bit recording

■ Microsoft

at www.microsoft.com

■ CD-ROM drive (required for installation)

■ ScanSoft-approved noise-canceling headset microphone (included)

■ Speakers (required for playback of recorded speech and text-to-

speech features available in Preferred edition only).

Dragon NaturallySpeaking popular processors, including the Intel

Windows® XP, Millennium, 2000, 98, 95C, or Windows®

4.0 (with SP-6 or greater)

Labs Sound Blaster® 16 or equivalent sound card

Internet Explorer® 5 or higher (free download available

6 has been optimized for a variety of

Pentium® 4, Pentium® III,

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Installing and Training

Pentium® II, Pentium® with MMX™, Intel Celeron®, AMD™ K6®-2, AMD™ K6-III with 3DNow!™, AMD™ Athlon™, and more.

*For optimal performance, in combination with other applications running on your system, a 500 MHz processor or faster and 256 MB RAM are recommended.

Plug in the microphone

Here’s how to set up your regular (non-USB) microphone. (If you have a USB microphone, follow the instructions that came with it instead of this description.) Find the microphone plug at the end of the wire attached to the microphone. If the wire ends in just one plug, that is the microphone plug. If the wire ends in two plugs, one is the microphone plug and the other is for the speaker in the microphone’s earpiece. Check the instructions included with your microphone to figure out which is which. The microphone plug sometimes has a small picture of a microphone imprinted in the plastic base of the plug. If the two plugs are different colors, the brightly colored one is usually the microphone plug.

Next, find the microphone jack in the sound card of your computer. On desktop computers, this small, round opening is almost always on the back of your computer. There will be one, two, or three similar-sized jacks next to it (all are part of your computer’s sound hardware). Each jack should be labeled with words ( Choose the jack with the word labels can be difficult to spot. They may be engraved into the metal plate the jacks are set into or imprinted on the plastic case of the computer. (On many computers the microphone jack has a red circle around it.)

On laptops, the microphone jack may be on the side or front instead of the back of the computer.

MIC, LINE IN, SPKR) or pictures.

MIC or the picture of a microphone. The

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Installing and Training

Plug in the speakers

If you hear chimes or other sounds when Microsoft® Windows® starts up, your speakers are already plugged in correctly. If Windows the sound card jack labeled speaker), and plug in the speakers. This step is not necessary for laptops, which have internal speakers.

If your microphone has a speaker plug, you can listen to the computer’s sound through the earphone on your headset microphone. If you’d rather hear the computer’s sounds through your speakers than the earphone, simply leave the speaker plug unplugged.

Install the software

is silent, find

SPKR (or imprinted with a picture of a

Before installing Dragon NaturallySpeaking®, close all open applications. Also, turn off or disable any antivirus software that is running. Sometimes installation can trigger a false virus report.

NOTE

Windows however, Administrator rights are not required to use the software after installation. This also applies for an upgrade installation.

To install or uninstall Dragon NaturallySpeaking® on Windows

2000, you must have Administrator rights. After a user has been created,

and

Installing Dragon NaturallySpeaking® is similar to installing other

Windows

applications. Insert the Dragon NaturallySpeaking® CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. In most cases, the installation program will start automatically.

NOTE

steps: From the Windows

If the installation does not start automatically on your computer, follow these

Start menu, choose Run. The Run dialog box will open. Type

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CHAPTER 2

Installing and Training

E:\setup.exe and click OK. (If your CD-ROM drive is not drive E, use the correct CD-ROM drive letter.)

Upgrading from version 5:

■ Upgrading from English version 5 editions:

If you are upgrading from any edition of Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 5 to version 6, your user files and vocabularies will migrate automatically to version 6. After the upgrade, version 5 will no longer be available.

■ NOTE: For non-English or multilingual users of version 5:

Installing Dragon NaturallySpeaking® version 6 will delete all user files in non-English languages. Multilingual editions of version 5 will no longer be available after you upgrade to this English

version 6 of Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Setup Type

The setup program gives you the option of choosing a Typical Installation, Complete Installation, or Custom Installation of Dragon

NaturallySpeaking

▲ US users: choose “Typical Installation.” Non-US users: choose “Custom Installation.”

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Most users in the US should choose “Typical Installation” (as shown)

and click Next. This installs Dragon NaturallySpeaking

with the US (American) English user files. To install non-US English user files, choose “Custom Installation” and follow the instructions below, “Installing non-US user files.”

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Installing and Training

Installing non-US user files

To install user files for UK (British) English, Australian English, Indian English, or Southeast Asian English, choose “Custom Installation” from the setup screen shown above, then click Next. A dialog box appears to let you choose which components to install.

Select the user file for the dialect you want and click Next to continue installation.

The user files for each region contain both spellings and pronunciations specific to that region. The vocabulary installed with the Indian user file, for example, is designed for people speaking English in India and includes spellings and punctuation for that region. It is not possible to install, for example, US English spellings with Indian or Indian-accented pronunciations. All users who wish to dictate US English spellings—including users with accents— should install the US (American) English user files.

If you speak with an accent different from the user files you install, your accuracy will be improved by performing additional training as soon as possible after creating a trained user. See “Perform additional training,” on page 154 for more information.

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NOTE

selecting a Custom installation, you can install them later by running the Setup program again and choosing Modify.

If you decide not to install some Dragon NaturallySpeaking® components by

Continue following the on-screen instructions. The setup program will copy the files for Dragon NaturallySpeaking recommended that you register when prompted during the installation process, so that we can notify you of product upgrades and other offers.

The program may ask you to reboot your computer once installation is complete. After rebooting, click on the Dragon NaturallySpeaking on your desktop to start Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Create a new user

After installation is complete and you launch the software for the first time, the New User Wizard will ask you to choose a user name. Type your name. The software automatically picks the best speech model and vocabulary settings for your system.

to your computer. It is

icon

If you are using a USB microphone, choose the USB Microphone from the “Dictation source” drop-down list. If you are using an array microphone or handheld recorder (with Preferred edition only), you will also need to change the “Dictation source” setting to match your microphone or recorder.

NOTE

commands. To do this, choose “Commands Only” from the Vocabulary list in the New User dialog box.

For special purposes, you can create a vocabulary that contains only

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CHAPTER 2

If this user file will be used with a USB microphone, array microphone, or handheld recorder*, choose the appropriate option from the Dictation source list.

(*Works in Preferred edition only.)

Installing and Training

About vocabularies

▲ Type your name. Change the “Dictation source” and “Vocabulary” settings if you need

to. Then click Next.

A vocabulary in Dragon NaturallySpeaking® is a body of information that includes a word list and a language model. The word list includes information about all the words that the program can recognize. The language model contains usage information about those words. Dragon

NaturallySpeaking

uses a vocabulary to recognize words correctly based not only on the sound of the words, but on their context. When you create a new user, you select the vocabulary on which to base the user. When you create a new user or new vocabulary for an existing user, you select the vocabulary on which to base the vocabulary you create.

Vocabular y

You can select from among the following vocabularies:

■ General: A large vocabulary providing excellent recognition accuracy

for general, business, and professional dictation.

■ Commands Only: A limited vocabulary containing only command

words and phrases. Choose this vocabulary if you want to use

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

only for command and control of

programs and not for dictation.

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■ Teens (US English only): A large vocabulary containing words

selected for a student population and providing excellent recognition accuracy for higher-pitched voices, for example ages 11 through 18.

Vocabular y size

When you create a set of user files, Dragon NaturallySpeaking® recommends the vocabulary that best fits your computer’s speed and memory. For most users, this recommendation should be followed. Experienced users may want to click the Advanced button to specify a different vocabulary size from among the following choices:

■ Extra Small: designed for computers with less than 64 MB of RAM.

■ Small: designed for computers with between 64 and 96 MB of RAM.

■ Medium: designed for computers with between 96 and 128 MB of

RAM.

■ Large: designed for computers with at least 150 MB of RAM.

■ Empty Dictation: a vocabulary with a language model but without

any words. This vocabulary is designed for experienced users or value-added resellers who want to create highly specialized vocabularies.

Multiple users on one computer

Dragon NaturallySpeaking® is licensed on a “per individual” basis. Individuals are permitted to install the software on more than one computer (for example, on a desktop and a laptop computer, or a work computer and a home computer) and permitted to create multiple user files, so long as the software is only being used by that individual.

NOTE: There is an exception for educational settings, including primary schools, secondary schools, or colleges. Dragon

NaturallySpeaking multiple users in a classroom, school library, or other shared computing facility in an educational setting.

may be installed on a single computer for use by

If you wish to allow more than one person to use one copy of Dragon NaturallySpeaking license agreements are available. For information on Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Dragon NaturallySpeaking User’s Guide 15

, you need a license for each user. Volume

sales, see page 259.

CHAPTER 2

Installing and Training

Audio Setup

Now that you’ve chosen your user name, click Next to have the New User Wizard lead you through setting up your microphone.

Positioning your microphone

First, the New User Wizard explains how to position your microphone.

Click Next to continue. The following sections provide detailed information on positioning the microphone. Once you have correctly positioned the microphone, click Next to continue.

Position the microphone

Put the microphone on your head so that the headband goes across the top of your head. Adjust the headband so that it is comfortable and feels like it will stay in place. For additional comfort, most microphones can be adjusted so that the boom extends down from either the left ear or the right ear, as you prefer.

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Next, bend or adjust the boom so that the foam windscreen, which shields the microphone element from excess noise, is near your mouth. Correct positioning is crucial for recognition accuracy. Start with the microphone at the corner of your mouth, about a thumb’s width away.

At the corner of your mouth

If the microphone is too close to the center of your mouth, it may pick

up breathing sounds, which Dragon NaturallySpeaking

may mistake for “the,” “a,” or other small words. In this case, move it closer to the corner of your mouth.

The right distance away

The windscreen should not touch your face, hair, or beard. The proper distance from your mouth to the microphone is roughly between onehalf and one inch—about the width of the thick part of your thumb.

Place your thumb between the microphone and your mouth. One side of your thumb should be touching your mouth, the other should be just brushing the windscreen. Checking this distance with your thumb is a good way to get a feel for proper microphone positioning. While you work, the microphone may shift, degrading recognition accuracy. Doing a quick “thumb check” ensures that the microphone is where it should be.

Pointing toward your mouth

To pick up the best sound, the microphone element should be pointed toward your mouth. The microphone element, covered by the foam windscreen, is the electronic part that actually hears your voice. On most microphones a small dot just outside the windscreen indicates the direction in which the microphone hears best. Be sure that dot is pointed toward your mouth. (On some microphones you may need to partially

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CHAPTER 2

remove the windscreen to find the dot. Other microphones have a flat edge near the microphone element rather than a dot—point the flat edge toward your mouth.)

Positioned consistently

Consistent microphone placement is vital for accurate speech recognition. Position the microphone exactly the same way each time you use the software. If the microphone drifts, your voice will sound different to the computer and your dictation might come out garbled.

Adjust Your Volume

From the screen “Adjust Your Volume” (shown below), click the Start Volume Check button and read the text that appears.

Installing and Training

After Dragon NaturallySpeaking Next to continue.

adjusts your volume setting, click

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Sound quality check

Click the Start Quality Check button and read aloud the text shown on the screen.

Installing and Training

As you read, the computer is evaluating your sound setup. After about half a minute, Dragon NaturallySpeaking Noise ratio,” which indicates the clarity of your sound system. If Dragon NaturallySpeaking to go on—click the Next button to continue. If not, see “Testing your sound system” on page 211.

New user training

Follow the on-screen prompts to begin the process of training Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Training takes place in two parts. For most microphone users, the first part consists of reading two sentences aloud (see illustration). Click Go to turn on the microphone and then read the sentences shown in the

will display a “Speech-to-

labels this measurement “PASSED,” you’re ready

to recognize your voice.

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Installing and Training

successive screens. The Demo button gives you an example of how to read aloud during training.

Next, the software will ask you to choose a training text to read. Select the text you prefer and click OK.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking User’s Guide

CHAPTER 2

Installing and Training

For the next few minutes you’ll read passages that appear on-screen. You can take a break at any time by pressing the Pause button. Press Go to resume. You’ll be reading for about five minutes.

As you speak, the words you say turn from blue to black, showing that Dragon NaturallySpeaking

hears them. If you stop speaking, a yellow arrow will show you where to begin speaking again. Occasionally, you’ll read a sentence or paragraph but the yellow arrow will point you back again to the start of what you already read. This indicates that something in the passage you read did not match what Dragon NaturallySpeaking

expected to hear. Read the passage again, pausing after each sentence. If you cannot get past a particular word after saying it three times, click the Skip button to continue.

NOTE

misspeak or mispronounce a word during training, don’t worry about it—just continue reading.

During training, dictating punctuation is not necessary. Also, if you happen to

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Installing and Training

When you’ve read enough, this message will appear:

Click OK to adapt your user files. Depending on your computer, this will take from one to five minutes or more. When adaptation is complete, follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your user files. The DragonBar will appear at the top of your computer screen, waiting for you to start talking. Congratulations—you’re ready to dictate!

TIP

For best accuracy, be sure to complete a second session of general training as soon as possible. Do this by clicking on the Tools menu on the DragonBar, then clicking Accuracy Center.After the Accuracy Center window opens, click “Perform additional training.” This second training session will take a bit longer than the first, but the improvement in accuracy will be well worth the additional time spent.

Training problems and solutions

Symptom: Nothing changes on the screen as you speak and the yellow volume bar never turns green.

Cause: Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Solution: Check that the microphone is plugged in correctly. If the

volume bar still does not move as you speak, test your microphone by recording a wave file using your Windows it back.

Symptom: The yellow volume bar changes to red as you talk.

is not hearing your voice.

Sound Recorder and playing

Cause: The sound signal is too loud.

Solution: Make sure you are speaking at the same volume as you were

during the Audio Setup Wizard and that your microphone is still positioned correctly.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking User’s Guide

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ScanSoft DRAGON NATURALLYSPEAKING 6 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual