Dragon Social

Dragon Naturally Speaking Blesses Lives

All2009Stories — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:33:51 GMT

How does Dragon Naturally Speaking provide comfort and guidance?

I am a lay minister with the calling of giving blessings to members of several congregations near my home. My title is Patriarch. My duties are patterned after the biblical patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They received blessing from God and in turned blessed their posterity.

That is what I do. Any church member has the opportunity of receiving a blessing just as the twelve sons of Jacob received a patriarchal blessing from their father Israel. If someone wants a blessing they go to their church leader and he puts them in touch with me. I invite people into my home and give them a blessing as directed by the Spirit of God. This blessing is transcribed and edited. Then two copies are produced on quality bond paper. One copy goes to the individual and the second copy goes to the Church archives. Most people treasure their patriarchal blessing. They preserve them and read them often for comfort and spiritual and temporal guidance.

The most important part of the job is to prepare myself to receive the promptings from the Spirit. However, the final result depends on the quality and timeliness of the transcribed document. Here is where Dragon Naturally Speaking creates a document that blesses a life. I record the blessing with a digital recorder. Then I connect the recorder to my computer and Dragon Naturally Speaking does the rest. It immediately produces a rough draft. I edit the draft and produce the document under the influence of the Spirit. The blessing is on its way to the recipient.

I have used Dragon Naturally Speaking for over 50 blessings. I can appreciate the edifying experience of giving these blessings without dreading the hassle of making the transcription or having a secretary do the transcription. It is a wonderful application that has and will bless many lives.

Novel Knitting and Dragon Software...

All2009Stories — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:33:11 GMT

Life is an adventure which finds you doing and saying things altogether unexpected. “Speaking Dragon” into my laptop as I creatively compose my first novel has presented itself an altogether unexpected and remarkably prolific adventure, by its own definition.

Traveling through New Zealand for an incredible 6 month journey, I conjured up all sorts of stories to share. During this action packed adventure I was often swept away with the activities at hand. Using the Dragon software with the laptop I toted along, I was able to accurately and expediently capture the renderings of these discoveries and adventures in short order, soon after they unfolded. The series of story sketches I created with the Dragon Software, while traveling, are as precious as they are priceless. I returned to the states with reams of transcribed notes filled with crucial information that now provides valuable reference and assistance to me as I complete the creative writing of this novel. Need I mention my excitement and delight with this miraculous software?!

By “talk writing” Dragon Software allows me to create what promises to be an incredibly entertaining novel, in the form of a series of linked short stories, all about travel adventures through New Zealand. I find its accuracy amazing, and am surprisingly awed at what it is teaching me about the nuances of my own language.

An incessant knitter, I rarely find myself without knitting in hand. The long dreamed of travel to New Zealand, land of 40 million sheep and the finest wool in the world (unless of course you happen across an unfortunate occasion to debate this fact with an otherwise opinionated Aussie) found me in wool heaven! I distinctly recall using this software at various sheep farms where a chorus of thousands of sheep were baahing in the background. I spin wool into yarn, and weave as well, but feel most at home with a pair of knitting needles in hand, and a new project to explore.

Long ago I discovered knitting as a sort of meditative means to clearer thought. I have knit my way through college, through countless movies, a few boyfriends, while traveling, waiting in line, etc. I even knit in church. In using Dragon Software not only are my hands free to center myself with my knitting and clear my thoughts, I am able to efficiently “talk write” as I “knit up” my first novel if you would. This incredible Dragon Software is an all around win, win, win adventure for me. It allows me to sit quietly, knit blissfully, and write prolifically letting my imagination soar. I suppose it helps that I am, by nature, a quite natural and well practiced talker, a true story teller!

Thanks for a creating a terrific, time saving, industrious way to flourish creatively.

As they say in New Zealand – “Good on you!”

Cynthia Poppe

Lummi Island, Washington, USA

483 word count

Savings Memories

All2009Stories — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:32:10 GMT

I use Dragonspeak regularly to help Hospice patients protect their memories for their families and generations to come. I volunteer with two hospices to conduct oral history interviews with their patients. I later transfer their interviews to CD, and a written transcription. Dragonspeak saves me hours in the transcription process. I could not accomplish as much as I do without this valuable tool.

In the Field with a Landscape Architect

All2009Stories — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:52:04 GMT

I work for a landscaping company and we were recently involved in doing a presentation for a city park redesign bid. We needed to put it together as quickly as possible. I walked through the park with the architect as he recorded all his notes on the existing site conditions, ideas for redesign, and any other interesting points into a digital recorder. I was then able to observe, listen, and contribute some of my own thoughts, instead of spending all my time furiously taking notes. I then downloaded the recording, and while listening to it I also dictated into the software. After organizing and editing his notes I was able to put together the presentation. This method saved both of us 1-2 days it would have had to spend going over written notes and working out how to put them together.

Making use of drive time: feeding the muse

All2009Stories — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:30:57 GMT

I am a consultant to nonprofits with clients many clients that are at that distance where it is hard to know whether to fly or drive (250-400 miles). I have found that I do my best writing while on the road - thanks to Dragon NS. My laptop sits on the passenger seat and with headset on I just let the muse lead me.

What is really nice is that I don't had any awkwardness during times of protracted silence. whereas not speaking a word for several minutes while sitting at my desk with itself become a distraction, on the road it feels right. some things just take time to sift through, and time is in a abundance when you're in between here and there.

On my way to the client I will focus on making an inventory of loose ends and rehearsing new presentation material. The way home gets split into two: in the first half I will make notes of the visit and summarize next steps; but in the second half. I engage in some "free wheeling" ideation, giving myself permission to explore notions that are not ready for prime time.

While ongoing technical training is an occupational necessity, there is a deeper need (perhaps not limited to someone who is a consultant) to be heard. Yes, we need to stay current, but so too do we need to express ourselves, and expressing what the client needs does not scratch that itch. I have found that this driving time gives me a chance to "feed the muse", Without Dragon NS, mine use would be near starvation.

Doug Yeager
http://www.dougyeager.com/joomla/index.php

My New Eyes

All2009Stories — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:40:37 GMT

As a regularly published author, I try each year to go on a retreat where I can spend three weeks doing nothing but writing on a particular project. However, after a lifetime of abusing my poor eyes by constant reading and writing, they have decided to rebel. Now, after about thirty minutes of staring hard at the computer screen, the strain is more than they can bear and they simply stop focusing. Therefore, any creativity goes out the window (this applies to handwriting also).

Earlier this year, with my regularly scheduled retreat rapidly approaching, I was becoming frantic. Suddenly I thought of Dragon Naturally Speaking. I had heard of the program but I'm sometimes slow to learn all the fol-de-rol and fiddle-de-de of computer technology so I was somewhat apprehensive. However, I was, shall we say, up the creek without a paddle, so I made my way to the local computer retail store and shelled out my money. Unfortunately, when I got home (with only days to spare) I found I'd purchased the wrong program! So off I went again, only to discover they were out of the one I needed. High-tailing my way home again, I turned to the trusty internet and at the last moment, received the proper program, installed it and took off to my retreat, knowing absolutely nothing about Dragon Naturally Speaking but frantic to learn all about it . . .in a hurry!

Certainly, I didn't master it all, but I did conquer the necessary parts and over the three weeks I found that I could sit in a chair, laptop on my lap (naturally), dictate several pages of first draft at a time, disconnect the microphone, make revisions and corrections by keying them in while my eyes were working properly, and then return to the dictation process.

It all worked wonderfully and by the end of the three week period I'm pleased to say I finished the latest manuscript, a juvenile novel about a boy with ADD who is trying to learn to be responsible enough to be allowed to own a dog. The title is For the Love of Pete and it will be heading for an agent in the near future.

Were it not for Dragon Naturally Speaking, my new eyes, I could not have met my deadline and produced this year's book and I have nothing but praise for the program. Thanks a million, Dragon. Keep up the good work.

Betty Craker Henderson

The Free Lance

all2009stories — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:19:40 GMT

Armed with my digital recorders, I'm out in the field taking statements and recording notes. This is the life of an independent claims adjuster; a lot of facts and a lot of data. During the long drives back and forth in North and South Carolina, the recorders come in handy once again organizing and capturing thoughts. I keep two of them going. Dragon can transcribe most of it; enough to put together a final report and get the job done fast. When you're self-employed, time is money so you got to be fast and productive. Typing has pretty much become a thing of the past since I got my bluetooth headset and Dragon 10. I don't miss the typing. Life has become less stressful. Thanks, Dragon.

quadriplegic uses Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 for tennis blog.

All2009Stories — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:23:41 GMT

My name is Brad Hobbs and I am a faithful Dragon naturally speaking user. I write a daily blog about a passion of mine. I am a tennis junkie and since my accident in high school playing baseball when I dove headfirst into home plate and broke my neck leaving me a high level complete quadriplegic and ventilator dependent to breathe, I gave up on writing again. After my accident, was forced to dictate my thoughts to a nurse in order to do my high school homework. t was very difficult to have to share my private work to another person. I was really upset and as self-conscious as I was, I just couldn't be creative while someone was there to hear my every thought. Dragon NaturallySpeaking came along and changed everything.

I have become a huge professional tennis fan. I write a tennis blog and post a column practically every day after I watch tournaments from all over the world. I love it and can't imagine life without the ability to write so effortlessly and hands-free. The Australian open, the French open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open are my favorite tournaments and times of the year. I could be writing about a tournament in Buenos Aires, Argentina and then one from Tokyo, Japan. Tournaments are all over the world and I live vicariously through these great athletes who get a chance to see the world. It was always my goal as I was a teenager to get a scholarship for football, baseball or tennis and go to a great college and hopefully play pro sports. My backup plan was to be a sports writer. I attended Green River community college near my home after graduating high school on time, despite missing a year and a half because of my spinal cord injury. I then transferred to a four-year university, Pacific Lutheran University also near my home. I have been writing since I was a kid, and I'm so thrilled that I don't have to stop writing because of my disability. Thank you so much Dragon NaturallySpeaking and Nuance. You literally saved my life. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't express myself through the written word again. I don't have any use of my body below my neck. I feel like Nuance has giving me my hands back and my ability to communicate again. My blog has received wonderful reviews and my subscription list keeps growing beyond my dreams. I've reconnected with hundreds of friends through Facebook and with Dragon NaturallySpeaking and its ability to seamlessly communicate online through the Internet, is marvelous. Friends are popping up all over the place on Facebook and they are all amazed that I'm able to write so fast not be able to use my hands or fingers to type.

I just have to thank you one more time Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking. You saved who I am and saved me from obscurity. Communicating is one of the most basic human needs, and now I feel alive and invigorated to write, write, write...

Brad Hobbs

29627 60th Court South
Auburn, WA 98001-3000
253-946-1200
206-949-9292 [cell]
bradhobbs12@comcast.net

Lazy client

All2009Stories — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:43:11 GMT

The only way I've used DNS socially is in interactions on a text-based mud where sometimes you just don't feel like typing. I will admit, I'm more proned to stuff more into a sentence when I'm not stuck needing to type in all the words myself!

Dragon Naturally Speaking Works for the Mobile Psychologist

dragonstories2010 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:49:53 GMT

I am a licensed psychologist in private practice, specializing in mobile forensic psychological assessments. I administer psychological batteries in the field (juvenile justice facilities, foster homes) on a weekly basis. I began using Dragon Naturally Speaking approximately three years ago. I needed a quicker, more efficient method to complete my evaluations in a timely manner especially with upcoming court dates looming. My reports are needed to help determine therapeutic treatment services for these children. It is critical that I have timely submission of the evaluations so that the children do not languish in the court system longer than needed.

I administer the assessment via laptop computer which holds all of the client’s data. The results are then computer scored. I use a digital voice recorder to dictate a report immediately, sometimes while driving back to my office. The digital voice recorder is then linked to the laptop outfitted with Dragon Naturally Speaking software and the dictation is uploaded to the laptop. A report can be completed and emailed to the court within minutes. Without Dragon Naturally Speaking a report used to take 10+ hours to type. Your wonderful technology has enabled me to expedite reports and help to facilitate the treatment services the children desperately need to improve their lives. Without Dragon Naturally Speaking, practicing as a "Mobile Psych" would be much more difficult.

My Entire Social Life Depends on Dragon System

All2009Stories — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:12:45 GMT

As a person whose first language is not English, but is required to speak English fluently while here in America, Dragon system has helped me tremendously in developing my speaking skills. Since my daily routine involves a regular 9 to 5 work schedule, during which there is no opportunity to make friends, I have had to find another way to network in order to have a social life.

That is where Dragon system has come in handy. While out and about, talking lightly with people that I have come in contact with during the other hours of my week, I have had chances to gather email addresses, and actually have made a weekly “Hello to All” email publication. In most issues, I invite a group to gather different places for different interests. For instance, just a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I would be at a large park in a specific location to enjoy the early morning sun while munching on some healthy nut and fruit mix, and there is an open invitation to come and join me if so desire. Although only one other person showed up at that place, probably because it is a park that is so close to his home, the two of us met some other people who were also there to start their morning, by doing some Japanese exercise! That day, I added seven more to the list of recipients of my publication.

With the number of people receiving my news publication growing, now, more than ever, I feel forced to present the journal in a way that is attractive, by the use of my English words. If there is any method to which I can credit the enhancement of my speaking ability, it is Dragon system. In fact, I wonder how far I would have gotten had I needed to type things out! I can focus solely on my spoken word. I have improved not only on articulation and pronunciation, but have improved on clarification, because of Dragon system. Thanks to Dragon system, I have my social life.

Dragon in the industrial world

All2009Stories — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:46:49 GMT

This may be a little different application then you would expect but I have used Dragon Naturally Speaking to control a large finish line here at Wood Mode.

The operator gives the command and assigns the proper finish to each pallet. They also give the color of finish and that is viewed by the paint mixers. Dragon Naturally Speaking is interfaced with a SCADA

( system control and Data acquisition) which controls the machine that operate the finish system. We were able to save the cost of one man's labor which is large saving for the small investment we had in Dragon Naturally Speaking.

Field Inspector

All2009Stories — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:58:11 GMT

As a Dragon naturally speaking user or at least 10 years ,I believe this new product will help me with my field inspections. I am part of a team that verifies the loss of the applicant's personal property after a disaster. We have to describe the damage in the field and observe and record the personal property loss after the disaster. It's very difficult to carry paper and write under these extreme circumstances. All this information must be downloaded onto a program in which contains a set of criteria. I believe this would speed up my process of delivering the information which could ultimately help the applicant receives their loan sooner.

Farmer uses Dragonspeak to talk to Hispanic Workers

All2009Stories — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:54:59 GMT

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZLA9dKckIU:500:402]

My Masterpiece

All2009Stories — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:35:06 GMT

I am in the process of writing a book, which I have found to be more difficult than I thought it would be. When I started I used a word processor on my computer, typing and typing and typing. I soon discovered that I was just putting words down as they came into my head, and I found myself wandering with little concern for continuity. It was obvious that when I fired up the word processor I simply started adding these words to my masterpiece. When I took the time to read what I had written, I realized I needed to spend more time thinking about what I was going to write than actually writing it. A suggestion by a friend pointed me to the possibility of using a voice recognition program and using dictation instead of simply typing. I did a lot of reading about voice recognition programs and settled on Dragon Naturally Speaking as my choice. I now consider this to be one of the greatest decisions I have ever made, and I will be ever grateful for it. Dragon has proven to be a true Godsend. I am forced to give a lot of thought to what I am dictating and the quality of my work has improved substantially. In addition, I have found that because I do it right the first time, and due to the high percentage of accuracy (over 90% and improving) which Dragon provides, my progress is beyond my expectations. In addition to the outstanding accuracy level, the program has adapted to virtually every speed that I have used for dictation. It is impossible to place a value on these attributes or to describe all of the benefits I have received from using Dragon. Should I succeed in my quest for a published manuscript, I will owe it all to Dragon and the geniuses behind the development of it. I have recommended this program to many others and will continue to praise Dragon Naturally Speaking, the greatest voice recognition program in existance.

using dragon for screenplays and novels

All2009Stories — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:10:41 GMT

Dragon Contest

    As a film-maker, I found that I wrote my screenplays, mostly dialogue, much better by TALKING them into a tape recorder. I did so before the advent of ViaVoice, and had to transcribe the tapes myself.

    Once ViaVoice came into being, later bought by DNS, I continued the practice. When I gave up film-making in 1990 and began writing novels, I continued this practice of talking into my Olympus (in my view the best of the tiny recorders.) After a lot of anguish (before DNS got techies that knew how their program worked with tape recorders) DNS did a superb job of transcribing for me. I found that this practise worked much better than sitting with a metaphorical blank page. I urge other writers to try it.

    Now I stride the coastal country lanes, declaiming my prose to the gulls wheeling overhead, the crows squawking insults at my grammar, and the groundhogs scurrying off at my loudly frightening prose.

Keeping the peace in a virtual world

All2009Stories — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:41:19 GMT

I am a Peacekeeper in an online virtual reality universe. We Peacekeepers are a voluntary group of online citizens, who help as we can in the Activeworlds virtual reality community. We help new and regular users who come to Activeworlds. We assist Activeworlds.com personnel, by providing an online presence, for citizens and users to find help and advice. We assist users in disputes and try to prevent harassment of any user by others regardless of the form, be it verbal abuse or harassment, racism or vandalism that are clearly in violation of the published guidelines.

I use Dragon to allow me to handle fast paced chat while keeping my hands free on the keyboard to manipulate software tools and databases that I use to provide information and enforce the peace. I do not type very well and I am famous for reversing the "o" and the "r" in the word "from". Using Dragon eliminated the vast majority of my misspelled words while significantly increasing my capability to respond. it also allows me to provide more detail when explaining a process for offering a suggestion to a new user.

in one incident, I was using conflict resolution skills to resolve a dispute over a segment of virtual land. The claims on both sides were somewhat complex. However, using Dragon, I was able to dictate my thoughts and post them to chat without having to worry about not having enough time to complete the same text typing it manually. As a result I appear to the users to be a competent authority, able to effectively communicate and worthy of respect. Consequently, the land dispute was concluded to the satisfaction of both parties. I credit Dragon for allowing me to organize my thoughts and get them into the chat log and a fast clear and coherent stream.

Additionally, if it is necessary for me to eject a user from the virtual world for violating the guidelines I find that I am able to dictate my report quickly and efficiently often immediately after the event. It has been a big timesaver, added more detail in my report and and significantly increased my capability to serve my user community.

I have been a Dragon user for many years. I use it not only for my work in virtual worlds but also to write reports, letters and to write science fiction.

My Story as a Nurse and Caregiver

All2009Stories — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:08:00 GMT

I am a psychiatric nurse for 38+ years. I had the opportunity to take care of my mother with Alzheimer’s and work for a Psychiatrist out of my home. Since there are many phoning calls during the day. I have to document what the conversation was about, the Dr. orders, and the response of the patient. I use an old Dragon program and after dictating I find many mistakes that have to be corrected. The time it should take to do my job does take longer due to this continuous checking of my documentation. This takes away the time I should be spending time talking with my patients. My mother has since passed away and I am trying to catch up on my documentation but I continue to train my voice but I still have problems with the correction issues. I am told with the new dragon I would not have to spend time retraining my voice. Your product has many improvements, however; my son had cancer and is now cancer free but did not have insurance. The expenses involved in paying for his treatment has left me short of money. It seems that I never get caught up. I had the opportunity to purchase the needed upgrade for Dragon but I have no money to purchase the upgrade. It would be wonderful to wake up in the am and not have to worry about all the documentation that I need to complete. I still continue to train my voice but it is becoming to time consuming to train, check and recheck my work. My goal is less time typing and more productive time spent with my patients. I also have arthritis so typing is very difficult. This makes me fall even further behind when my hands are aching.

I could use the help with your offer and upgrade. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to enter this story.

Carol Thomas

Re: Without Dragon many would not recieve support

Dave Lane — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:47:13 GMT

Dear MS Friend:
       My name is Dave Lane and I am a co-facilitator of the Fort Myers Florida MS Evening Support Group [NMSSF EG].
        I am a 62-year-old male who has been dealing
with the effects of a MS since 1986. As I used to live in Ohio I was able to be involved with The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and I was one of the 176
clients that were involved in the original Avonex
study group and since then I was on Copaxone
for six years and now I have been on Tysabri.
Since 2001 I have been wheelchair bound and I
have a Barrier Free Lift that helps my caregiver
to move me from the hospital bed to the bathroom
or shower and back to the bedroom to get dressed
and then moved into the power wheelchair. I am
blessed living in Lee County Florida because of
the ADA legislation every city bus is accessible and Lee County has a separate division called Passport that has 50 smaller buses that operate
to supply service to the disabled community
that live within 3/4 of a mile of the fixed bus route system. And with our cost of the trip is $2.50 each leg of the trip week I receive a wonderful value.
         I have been trying to use DNS when it was first introduced and then I purchased version 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 I skipped version 6 then I purchased version 7 and was pleasantly surprised when I learned to use it well and then when version 8 and 9 continued to be developed and now to use DNS version 10 system people with hand disabilities could benefit this tool to help them communicate with the world.
          Thank you for your continued support to the community.
Dave Lane

Dragon, dogs, and distance

All2009Stories — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:29:47 GMT

NEVER LET AN IMPORTANT IDEA SLIP:

I have been using Dragon software for the better part of ten years now. For the most part, I use it currently when I am on the road and when I am working with our dogs. On the road, as a volunteer driver, I sometimes clock 6000 km a month. A lot of that time, I am alone, returning after dropping a client or heading out to pick someone up. I use my voice-activated Sony digital recorder to dictate field notes, story ideas, and general information that is then transcribed when I return home or stop long enough to download the notes to my lap-top. I also use my recorder when I am out working in our kennel. We raise Newfoundland dogs and currently have 16 mature adults in the breeding rotation. Keeping track of breeding dates, medications, grooming, and training notes and ideas is quickly, easily, and efficinetly handled through my digital voice recorder and my Dragon software. Just the other day, my wife asked me when a particular *** was due to whelp and it took me less than a minute to access her records and actually play back to my wife the recording I made as I observed the mating.

With my digital voice recorder and my Dragon software, I never let an important idea slip: thank goodness for Dragon!