Talk:MacSpeech Dictate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Lacks Key features found in NatSpeak for Windows

The key learning feature is lacking, and until it is included, the software cannot be trained.

Reviewing MacSpeech Dictate in the New York Times, David Pogue concludes with some warnings.

So Dictate 1.0 is attractive, simple and Mac-like. It is not, however, as good as NaturallySpeaking 9.0 for Windows ($200). It lacks features like audio playback of what you said, a simple “add word” command, legal and medical versions, and non-English language kits.

It also lacks voice correction.

When NatSpeak makes an error, you just say “Correct ‘ax a moron’ ” (or whatever it typed); and choose from a list of alternate transcriptions. The program not only corrects the error in your document, but also learns from its mistake. Over time, the accuracy edges ever closer to 100 percent.

In Dictate 1.0, however, you have to fix transcription errors by hand. The company intends to add voice correction in a 1.1 update; in the meantime, though, your accuracy won’t improve.

The late beta version I tested has some bugs. The company intends to get these fixed by the 1.0 version’s mid-February release.^[1]

[edit] Bugs in beta-quality shipping version 1.0 fully fixed?

Pogue notes "some bugs" in his kind review. Early buyers had less fortunate experiences visited upon them by the incredibly buggy beta software shipped them as "1.0". See their cries of anguish^[2] by searching online, and check whether the problems are fixed in the 1.0.1 release. Try, searching e.g., "macspeech dictate ~crash" on web, in news & blogs, etc. If enough hits, add 1.0.1 to search. Collect results for inclusion in main article.

This on 1.0.1

MacSpeech Dictate 1.0.1 from MacSpeech brings to the new speech recognition system better documentation, easier license key handling, and enhanced AppleScript support, including the capability to create commands. Version 1.0.1 also includes a number of bug fixes. Registered users can get it by using the Check for Updates feature within the program. ($199 new (or more, depending on headset), free upgrade)

http://db.tidbits.com/article/9542

[edit] Pricy cost/benefit ratio

At $199 (more with good headset), delivers far less, but costs more than $190 Windows version. (And does that $190 Windows price already include a good headset?)