[mwra]

FWIW, following my earlier post, I subsequently got the missing data CD within a day and after that the whole install worked fine. The missing code and disk snafu look to have been a combination of high initial demand and problems in the packaging chain.

So how was it once I got it? Easy to install and use. However, two factors mean I'm not using it (yet!). The lack of a user-directed correction/vocab addition feature makes it difficult for Dictate to learn from mistakes. For instance it interprets 'ASP' and 'ASB' and there's no way to correct it to the app continues instead to re-inforce its error with each citing of that word (or rather, acronym). That's where the second problem hits. I find that if you then try to go back and edit the dictation Dictate then loses it's place and accuracy falls apart. This forces you to dictate a whole passage and then manually correct - which I find doesn't suit me. On my PC, in Dragon v9.5, I tend to pause after a few paragraphs and check as when dictation does go wrong the fact its output is spelled correctly means things like spell checkers can't help you track down errors and in the worst cases the words output can be so far from the original that - if a ways back in the doc - its hard to figure out what you actually said.

My take on this is that Dictate is easy to install/use and once the nature of (supply) problems were diagnosed MacSpeech's support were helpful and prompt with the necessary fixes. Once running, if your style/diction results in low amounts of incorrect detection (Q.v. above) then I reckon you'll do fine. If you need to do a fair degree of correction a pause might be in order.

So, for now Dictate is sitting on my Leopard MBP waiting for v1.2, that I read is in private beta at present, hoping that some of these features will come. If my impairment, and need for dictation was more severe, I think I'd be going the Parallels/VMWare+Dragon route. However, as dictation for me is more about helping control incipient RSI and I work cross-platform, I'm just doing dictation on my PC I'd otherwise do on the Mac. Clearly those aren't choices not everyone have but I figured I should explain a bit why I'm not trying harder with Dictate as it is.

I hope that helps.....

Mark

[arnierosner]

Want action?

Federal Trade Commission

https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

[arnierosner]

If you feel that you have not been treated fairly by MacSpeech here is the place to record your concerns. I have already filed my complaint. The more that do add to the chance that action will be taken.
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/


Arnie

[Windows2Apples]

I suspect you should not hold out hope a US agency will do anything to assist. Even I had assumed MacSpeech had the resources to have released a version minus the nasty known bugs and a correction option by now. Sadly, I was wrong. The weakening of our economy and loss of seed investors in general may not bode well for those of us stuck with a crippled Speech to Text product targeting the 5 - 8 % market share held by Apple.

I tried the Nuance Windows upgrade from 9.5 to 10 and the install failed miserably. After reading the many unnecessary hoops their tech note suggested to bypass their flawed install, I returned the product and continue to use Vista Speech when dictating. I had hoped the Naturally Speaking upgrade would be enough of an improvement to shift me back to using Dragon. Perhaps this gives a glimpse into the reason Nuance allowed MacSpeech to "implement" their technology on the Apple platform.

I suspect Nuance is spread thin as well and is now having problems supporting the Windows base that is its bread and butter.

Sam
Windws2Apples

[Chris Breen]

Horse not dead enough for you, Sam?

[Windows2Apples]

Actually, I was hoping the horse is not dead just too weak to get up now. Hate to be stuck with over $300 invested in software that does not work as touted. Could use that $300 to buy a tank or two of gas.

Have a good one.

Sam
Windows2Apples

P.S> Thankfully Mr Gates shipped a free working solution with my Vista OS. And I suspect Mr Jobs will do the same in the not too distant future.

[Windows2Apples]

Sorry make that "weak".

Cheers

[graemecodrington]

I have spent a few frustrating hours trying to get my new MacSpeech
Dictate to stop crashing when the first user profile is created. Their
tech support helped me out - it required that I use their USB based
headset.

So, if you’re having the hassles listed on this forum, try using a
USB headset (the one they provide in the box has a USB adaptor!!).

It would be nice of them to tell you all of this, seeing as how big a problem it is. Just a note in the box, boys!