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this point was, how well would Dragon perform? Would it understand my Southern accent? And how good was its accuracy?
A TRIAL RUN
I was actually traveling in my family’s car while first testing the
program. Using the average-quality headset included with the
software, I dictated my first document. I was surprised that, even
with the highway noise in the background, the program was
responsive and remarkably accurate. Without knowing the actual
commands, I was able to use voice directives to open Microsoft
Word and start a new document. I dictated at a natural pace,
and there was very little lag as the words appeared on the screen.
However, I ran into a bit of a slowdown when I needed to make
corrections or changes. Some commands are relatively intuitive,
others less so. Once I returned to my office, I downloaded and
printed copies of the product’s user workbook and command
cheat sheet for reference. Using them I was able to expand my use
of the product beyond dictation into my day-to-day activities.
With an inbox full of email, I tested the product’s efficiency in
handling mundane tasks such as reading, deleting, moving and
answering email messages. After looking up a few commands, I successfully plowed through a day’s email. I found the need to repeatedly say such phrases as “open message,” “close message,” “reply
to message” and the like a bit tiring. So if I were going to spend
a significant amount of time working in Outlook, I’d likely return
to my keyboard or use it alongside the voice software. I found the
program particularly helpful when I needed to write while referring to various sources of information. Using the software to write
this column, I was able to dictate while using my hands to navigate
through the user workbook. I believe my creative spark may have
also benefited from sitting back and dictating versus leaning over
my keyboard. Because I never took a typing class, I often find that
my thoughts flow faster than my ability to type them.
As a young certified public accountant, I had to master numer-
ical data entry using a 10-key keypad. Fifteen years later, my dex-
terity and accuracy have faded. I no longer trust myself to enter
large amounts of data with pinpoint accuracy. During my test of
the software, I decided to see if it worked as well in Excel with
numbers as it did with words in Word and Outlook. Again, using
voice commands, I opened Excel and started
verbally entering data. I found this extremely helpful while using
my laptop away from my desk and wireless keyboard equipped
with a 10 key. For nonaccountants working with large amounts
of data, such as tax attorneys, the mastering of this feature could
prove very beneficial.
MY HAIR
In my favorite movie, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, George
Clooney’s character is constantly worried about his pomade-slicked hair. If having to wear a headset to use Dragon is a concern,
no worries—the software maker has opened the door to other
options. Android and iPhone users can now use Remote Mic, a
free app to wirelessly connect to the desktop software. The only
requirements are an additional user profile for the device, and that
the handheld device and the desktop/laptop are connected to the
same wireless network. Users can also use their Bluetooth headsets
with the software. In my test, in addition to the provided headset, I
also used my iPhone and Apple earbuds with mic and my Jawbone
Icon Hero Bluetooth headset. For responsiveness and accuracy I
would rank the provided headset the best, with my iPhone a close
second. Accuracy using the Bluetooth headset was a distant third.
For example, both the provided headset and iPhone correctly recognized the word “Bluetooth.” The Bluetooth headset recognized
the word as “blue to.” One issue noted while using the iPhone was
that voice recognition seemed to stop when the device timed out. I
plan to continue using Dragon well after this review and will likely
opt to use a wireless headset such as the Logitech H800.
THE FINAL WORD
With broad application support, including Microsoft Word,
Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and popular browsers and
webmail programs such as Internet Explorer 9, Google Chrome
16 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 12 or higher, Gmail and Hotmail,
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 can boost your productivity by
giving you voice control of your digital world. Out of the box, the
software’s ability to recognize and transcribe the spoken word is
incredibly accurate. After using the program for just a few days,
I’m no longer a skeptic. This time around, I’m confident that I’ll
continue to use the program on a daily basis. Siri, I hope you’re
not the jealous type. LP
BY GEORGE E. LELOUDIS
gleloudis@woodsrogers.com
George E. Leloudis is the executive director of Woods Rogers PLC in Roanoke, Va. As a certified
public accountant and certified legal manager, he has more than 10 years of leadership and
management experience within the professional services arena.
