Prev: Why writing to this group is a fabulous experience
Next: ANUSHKA HOT PICTURES
From: Mark Conrad on 31 Jul 2010 13:12

This post is only for medical users of Macs,
all others will be instantly vaporized if they
continue reading this.

It is nice for medical users to be able to get
two computers for the price of one, Mac and PC.

Speech Recognition (SR) is used to speed up
required medical documentation, but so far by
only about 5% of medical users in the USA.

Unfortunately, SR uses are so CPU intensive
that only a Boot Camp approach will suffice,
virtualization software is just too slow.

A new Dragon NaturallySpeaking upgrade to major
version 11.0 will be available about August 6.

As with all major upgrades from Nuance, they will
soak us quite heavily for that upgrade, but they
are the only game in town, so we have to pay.

Worse yet, these lower upgrade costs will only last
a short time according to the reports I see, then
the full price might have to be paid for version 11.0

September is the cutoff time, supposedly.

I have to tread very lightly, because a whole fleet of
Nuance lawyers is just waiting to haul guys like me
into court, if I accidentally violate their very
restrictive "intellectual property" guidelines.

Dragon Preferred 10.1 has been renamed
"Dragon Premium" 11.0 ($200)

The _temporary_ upgrade cost for an existing user
is reported to be about $100, a 50% discount.

The Pro edition normally runs $900, the temporary
discounted price for existing users is at a 65% discount,
according to the reports I have read.

The medical edition upgrade like I have will not be ready
for the upgrade yet because of the greater amount of code,
some reports put the medical edition upgrade a year away.

Medical edition regular cost is $1,600 - - - no reports yet
what the upgrade might cost, or whether it can be
pre-ordered, to "lock in" any discount.


I will post a cleaned and sanitized Nuance-approved review
of features of the new upgrade, copied from a thread in
the knowbrainer.com forum for Dragon.

This review will only make sense to an existing Dragon user.

Mark-
From: Mark Conrad on 31 Jul 2010 14:48
In article <310720101012557333%aeiou(a)mostly.invalid>, Mark Conrad
<aeiou(a)mostly.invalid> wrote:

This review of the newest Dragon upgrade 11.0 was copied
by me from a post in the knowbrainer.com forum.

Knowbrain is a moderated forum devoted to users of
Dragon speech recognition software, sold by a huge
international firm "Nuance", based in Belgium.



DETAILS:

Improved Accuracy

Reduced Word Recognition Errors: Dragon 11 significantly improved
recognition accuracy and can reduce recognition errors up to 15%
compared with Dragon 10. This means Dragon 11 recognises speech more
accurately right out of the box so users will spend less time
correcting recognition errors.
"Up to 15%" does not mean that YOU will achieve better accuracy. We
think this number will vary significantly based on both user and
microphones (see below for microphone comments), just as it has for
other releases. Some of you will reduce errors 25%, others only 10%. .

Smart Configuration: Dragon 11 runs on a variety of hardware, from
small netbooks to high-powered servers. Dragon automatically detects
hardware resources and sets up the recommended configuration. Dragon�s
state-of-the-art technology takes advantage of advances in hardware and
runs in multiple-threads automatically when multi-core hardware is
detected to achieve better recognition performance.
I've got limited experience with this. But there was evidence of
multiple threads in use while monitoring resource usage. We'll update
this point after getting feedback from people with a variety of
systems.

Easy Scheduling of Accuracy Tuning: This automatic process plays a
large role in improving a user�s accuracy from his or her own usage,
since it adapts the profile based on what dictations and corrections
have already been done. It must run at a time when the computer is on,
but the user is not dictating. In version 11, scheduling Accuracy
Tuning no longer requires a Windows password, so the user can easily
choose a time and frequency that fit his or her schedule. Similarly, no
password is required to schedule the Data Collection process (which
periodically sends to Nuance anonymous usage data to improve the
accuracy of future updates of Dragon).

Nice improvement... like many other undocumented little improvements
scattered throughout Dragon NaturallySpeaking 11.

Recognition Analytics: Because a significant percentage of
misrecognitions can be caused by simple audio quality issues such as
incorrect microphone connection or placement, background noise and
Bluetooth microphone out of range or low on battery, Dragon now
automatically detects poor audio input; it then alerts the user (in
various ways depending on the issue), offering advice to remedy the
situation. This lets Dragon use the best audio possible -- an important
factor for accuracy.


Dragon 11 seems to use 22kHz audio signals instead of 11kHz. Most of
you won't notice the difference. For some, this will make accuracy
much better.
Faster Recognition Response for Commands and Dictation
Faster Response Times: Dragon 11 improved recognition response time
significantly. It is also faster than previous editions when selecting
application menu items by voice or executing voice commands that
perform actions within applications (e.g., "insert page break," "make
that red," etc.)

I'll be interested in feedback from others to see their experiences.
New User Interface
Dictate faster and more efficiently: Dragon quickly processes the
recognition of speech in the background, and instead of the Results box
of previous versions, displays only a discreet indicator that
recognition is in progress; this encourages continuous speech, an
important factor for accuracy. Novice users are no longer distracted by
watching the preliminary recognition results pooling and changing
within the Results box before text is inserted into the document. (The
traditional Results box is still available as an option.)
As one who has used Dragon for 13+ years, I'm a poor judge of how a
novice will view the product. Nuance clearly spent time and effort to
get people off to a better start!

New Dragon Sidebar: A major enhancement over Version 10�s Sample
Commands window, this new desktop assistant allows users to discover
and remember many commands and tips; at any time, it lets you glance at
or explore global commands (including mouse commands),
application-specific commands and custom-created commands, as well as
tips. The Dragon Sidebar is a thin, resizable and dockable window that
can be placed anywhere on the Windows desktop. Its contents change
depending on what window is currently active. In addition, the Sidebar
lets users print its content.
This will help with learning Dragon, particularly when using supported
applications such as Word, Outlook, etc. Persons using proprietary
software may not get as much benefit except for quicker learning of
basic commands. This can be turned off if you don't want it.

Richer Help system: The redesigned Accuracy Center (accessible from the
Help menu) now gathers all important tools and options, with brief
descriptions of key items to help discovery. The Help system also
incorporates new tips and illustrations, a redesigned Tutorial, short
videos and easy access to related details such as a glossary of key
terms. Finding relevant information is faster and easier thanks also to
icon links on the Dragon Sidebar and contextual links on dialog boxes �
as well as new voice shortcuts you can speak at any time (�Search
Dragon Help for�&rdquo&.
The voice access to help is nice. The basic information is similar to
what we've had on the last two releases, essentially on-line help. I'd
bet on a downloadable PDF user guide too.

More usable toolbar (the DragonBar): The naming and organisation of
items on the DragonBar now allow users to discover and quickly access
important but often-overlooked Dragon features, such as the Vocabulary
Editor, the analysis of specific documents, scheduled tasks, and
recognition modes (Dictation Mode, Numbers Mode, etc.). Now docked to
the top of the screen by default, the DragonBar gathers in one area all
its indicators: icons and written messages.


For new users, no big deal. For long-time users, you'll make a few
mistakes hunting menu items. Watch out for old documentation, some of
it becomes incorrect with the new menu organization. But the changes
put more options where you would expect them instead of where they have
been for several years.
A few users with keystroke shortcuts in macros need to make
changes so the macros reflect the new shortcut keystrokes.

Text Control Indicator on the DragonBar: This checkmark icon on the
DragonBar indicates whether Dragon currently has "Full Text Control"
for the active text field. Formerly called �Select-and-Say�, �Full Text
Control� enables capabilities such as the use of commands that quote
words from the text (�Select��, �Correct��, �Delete��, �Insert
Before�". When the insertion point is in a field for which Dragon does
not have �Full Text Control�, Dragon dims this checkmark icon and
writes a message in the DragonBar; this informs the user that he or she
may wish to dictate via Dragon�s Dictation Box which gives access to
Dragon�s full capabilities to edit and correct text (as in previous
versions).

Better communication with the user always helps!

Improved Correcting and Editing
Handling multiple matches in text: Now when users issue voice commands
to select, correct, edit or format a word or phrase and there are
multiple matches for what they said in their document, Dragon displays
a number next to each match. Users can then choose whether to apply the
command to one or all of the numbered items, so they save time by
directly addressing a specific spot or addressing multiple spots all at
once. This also applies to the commands �delete��, �copy��, �insert
before��, and more.
A significant time-saver for those making corrections of lots of text
by voice.. Several times I thought I'd go right to a spot using my
"correct" commands but found I had more than one instance of the same
word(s).

Dragon Learns from all Corrections: In the past, corrections entered
using the keyboard were not incorporated into the user profile. Now
when a user dictates something and retypes it to correct a
misrecognition, Dragon identifies this as a correction and uses it to
adapt the user�s profile, improving its accuracy over time.
This works! Yes, I still make some corrections by keyboard
as I've not lost all my keyboard skills.

Enhanced Correction Menu: The Correction Menu now suggests more
alternate recognitions by default and enables users to quickly add
phrases to the vocabulary, or to prevent an undesired word from being
recognised. (Words that have been deleted from the Vocabulary can be
restored if desired, and can now be seen from the Vocabulary Editor�s
Display list.)

More usable Spelling Window: Formerly named �Spell Dialog�, this window
(allowing users to type or spell out something Dragon was not able to
transcribe) is now more intuitive. If one of the alternatives in its
list is almost correct, the user can now say �modify n� -- the number
of the desired alternative. (As before, users can also double-click a
desired alternative, or say �choose n�.)

Good to have this a built-in feature now. The concept has been proven
over the years with roughly-equivalent features in several
macro/command packages.

Time-Saving Voice Commands

More Dragon Voice Shortcuts: Dragon 11 includes more commands than ever
to consolidate multiple mouse clicks and keystrokes into a direct voice
command that can be spoken anytime -- no matter what is active on the
screen. Users can now use the "search [website] for [XYZ]" commands to
make precise searches in Facebook.com, Twitter and Bing. Dragon 11 also
lets users voice keyword searches in its Help topics (�Search Dragon
Help for [XYZ]&rdquo&, and includes new voice shortcuts that make it
faster and easier to manage email, tasks and meetings.

This in my opinion makes this type of search useful by voice.

Navigating the Computer Desktop: Dragon now supports more voice
commands to show common Windows elements including the desktop and
Control Panel, or folders such as My Documents and My Pictures. New
commands enable users to effortlessly switch to a specific window
(Dragon displays a numbered list so the user can just say the number of
the desired window.) In addition, Dragon 11 allows shorter names for
starting popular applications (e.g., "start Microsoft Word" instead of
�start Microsoft Office Word 2007&rdquo&.
little, incremental improvements that add up.

Navigating Documents: Dragon 11 allows users to scroll up or down pages
within programs including Word, Outlook, Excel, and more, with the same
command wordings such as �Start scrolling down,� �Speed up� and �Stop
scrolling.�
nice change for less use of mouse.

More Precise Keyword Searching: For its search shortcut commands,
Dragon 11 now applies its autoformatting rules to the dictated search
keywords (the XYZ in �Search � for XYZ". In addition, it gives the user
the option to edit or augment the search string before launching the
search (without this option, the user must say the entire search
command in one utterance: Dragon will launch the search as soon as it
hears a pause). These enhancements can save a lot of time, since the
more precise your search string, the faster you find exactly what you
need.

Getting Started with Dragon is Faster and Easier
Faster and Easier to Create a User Profile: User profile creation has
been redesigned to be simple and conversational. The process now offers
information about why each step is needed and helps users make optimal
choices. Setting up a microphone or new audio source is more clear and
straightforward.
Basically you go through the same steps with the same choices. But
there is better guidance, particularly beneficial for the
do-it-yourself learner.

Local Settings: During user profile creation, users can now select
their region of the world so that Dragon can automatically use regional
formatting for dates, currency, etc.
Good idea, but it can be tricky. Some people live one place but work
in a different environment. A few users (including translators) may
choose to create multiple users with different options to take
advantage of this feature.

New Text Options to �Train� Dragon: Dragon 11 provides simplified
training texts designed to make the reading experience easier and more
informative.

If you are reading this, your reading level is good enough that
simplified training texts don't help you much. But for poor readers,
easier is better.

Easier than Ever to Use Dragon with a Digital Voice Recorder(not
available for Dragon Home)

Initial Training Time Reduced for Recorders: Creating a new user
profile for a digital recorder, or adding a digital recorder as a new
audio source for an existing user profile, is now much faster: the
minimum reading time required to train Dragon with a recorder has been
reduced from 15 to 4 minutes.

This eliminates a major headache!

Ability to Use .DSS and .DS2 Files: Dragon 11 can now accept .dss and
..ds2 formats directly. Files recorded using these digital speech
recording formats (found on recorders from Olympus, Grundig and
Philips) previously required conversion prior to transcription.
In theory, this should improve recorder recognition. I've not measured
results yet.

Improved Playback (not available for Dragon Home)
Smoother fast-forward and rewind behaviours are now available and users
now have options to control speed and volume.
Enhanced Hardware and Software Support
Netbook Computers: Users can now comfortably view the Dragon user
interface and tutorials on netbook (mini notebook) computers.

Office 2010: Dragon 11 is compatible with Microsoft Office 2010
applications. Full Text Control, Menu Tracking and Natural Language
Commands are supported for Word 2010, Outlook 2010 and Excel 2010
allowing users to take full advantage of Dragon dictation and commands
in these new applications.

This is particularly welcome for 64-bit Office 2010 users. There is a
new command to learn to get to the Office-2010 file menu.

OpenOffice Writer: Support includes dictation, correction, selection
and playback.

Very helpful to some. My customers that use Word and the macro
capabilities of Word won't be able to switch to OpenOffice easily, but
some with simpler requirements might choose to do so.

Additional Usability Enhancements
Require �Click� to Select Hyperlinks: This option is now enabled by
default so that, while in a Web page, users don�t experience unexpected
actions upon saying a short phrase which is also the name of a
hyperlink on the page.
Good change, it is what is says and that is a change in a default. A
few will have to reverse the change, or learn to say "click" more
often.

Enhanced Open User Dialog for Large Sites (Pro and Legal): Displays
profiles in a tree structure for faster access to multiple profiles"
Nice change for sites with over 10 profiles visible on a system



UNDER THE HOOD

Not advertised is a change in microphone usage. Dragon now samples
using 22kHz instead of 11kHz. This may help a few high-pitched users,
and will change which microphones work best. Some microphone/speaker
combinations that previously worked poorly may now work well. A few
persons may find that their microphone should change.


More RAM is used, and I think the CPU usage is about the same as in
Release 10.
MINOR WARNING

Macros that use accelerator keys (keystrokes) to access functions on
the DragonBar need to be reviewed and in many cases changed. This is
due to the changes in menus for the DragonBar, so some of the letters
used in such macros have changed. The changes shouldn't be difficult
for most, but may be a temporary inconvenience.

WHO SHOULD DEFINITELY UPGRADE NOW:

- Persons who use or plan to use Office-2010 or OpenOffice

- Persons with Professional 9 or Legal 9 -- Nuance only lets you
upgrade 2 releases, so no use waiting for Release 12 so that you can
pay full price. Buy the promotional upgrade and save $100, even if it
sits on the shelf a few weeks until you actually do the upgrade.



WHO MIGHT NOT UPGRADE:

- Persons using Windows-2000, which doesn't appear to be supported. (Or
perhaps that support was dropped in Release 10?

- Doctors planning to move to an EMR within the next 2-3 years where an
upgrade to Dragon Medical would be a better path than upgrading Dragon
Professional or Dragon Preferred.
This is an early review, intended to be updated as we experience
Release 11 over a wider range of applications, users, and systems.
Expect updates about every two weeks through September 2010.
 | 
Pages: 1
Prev: Why writing to this group is a fabulous experience
Next: ANUSHKA HOT PICTURES