bit-tech Shopping: Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking 9 Preferred (Full Product)

• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
• Microsoft Windows XP
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Rating: 2

Time with product: 99 Days

Strengths: I've been using NS since V4 or earlier. Continues to be very best when authoring/dictating large sections of document text. Have tried them all over the years.

Weaknesses: Deteriorating customer service.

Summary: Have been using NS for years and touting its excellence to colleagues. Very disappointed when an NS software update prevented it from running on my notebook when inserted in my home docking station (I did the update plugged into my work docking station). Has worked fine for years this way but not anymore.Help from Nuance? No way. No phone calls returned. Bugs for profit? -- You pay $ up front to send an email to get a solution to their buggy update code.

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Easy install and easy training. It works well for outlines and when reading a text that you want to put into a word file etc...

Weaknesses: It does make a number of mistakes (not spelling). You have to be VERY clear as to what you are saying. Using some of the basic commands such as bolding etc... can slow you down.

Summary: I would not reconmend this software for writing essays unless it is already written out and your reading it into the software. It is great for making outlines, documents etc...

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Days

Strengths: Easy to install and get started quickly.

Weaknesses: Some learning curve to the program, but the training programs help you get up to speed quickly.

Summary: This product took about an hour to learn the commands and about a half of an hour for the program to learn my voice. So far I estimate that it's about 80% to 90% accurate. Great for slow typers.