The latest version of Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS), version 7, is the first to come via Scansoft. This is DNS' third owner in recent years, which seems strange considering it is the most successful piece of voice recognition software. Scansoft claims this release has an improved engine, and has thrown in some new features to make it easier to dictate to your PC. It's now designed not just for dictating letters and other text documents, but also for controlling your PC.

Once the software is installed the first thing you have to do is configure it to your voice. The setup wizard makes you read a passage of text, using the supplied microphone if you wish, so your PC learns your voice.

The 14 training exercises take about half an hour to complete, and centre around performing simple tasks such as dictating into a text box and using commands from throughout the software. First it shows you the task, and then it gives you an example to try. It can be quite patronising at times, but those unfamiliar with the software may find this kind of handholding welcome, particularly when compared to reading a heavy manual.

In general, the output is very accurate, but voice recognition is and never will be perfect (words such as 'to' and 'two' are nearly impossible to distinguish), and there are times when it makes rather odd mistakes on very simple words. On the plus side, DNS7 allows you to make textual corrections both through voice commands and by manual intervention. However, when you've finished it's worth re-reading it to check for missed and incorrect words.

Another handy feature is that you can select text and then play it back in order to check for errors. And, unlike some speech software, this reads back to you in your own voice which, although fun, is a little disconcerting.

You can also transfer audio files from your PDA or digital voice recorder and it will transcribe them for you.

Sadly, DNS7 cannot adopt the vocabularies that have been set up in office applications, but it can learn new words through your manual corrections or if you input them directly using the Accuracy Centre. A vocabulary optimiser analyses your documents and learns the words you use most often, adding them to your vocabulary profile.

As well as dictating text, you can use the software for more general commands. It supports applications such as the complete Microsoft Office suite, along with Internet Explorer. Support isn't just for Microsoft applications though: apps such as Lotus Notes and Corel Wordperfect are also catered for.

In addition to opening applications and dictation, the software can be used to control the cursor. This is done by launching a grid feature on the display, which splits the screen into nine numbered sections. You then select the grid square that you want and that in turn is split into a further nine smaller squares, and so on until you get what you want.

It's rather painstaking and it's unlikely you'll be using this feature much, but it is good for those with physical disabilities who can't make the most of a mouse.

On the whole DNS7 is easy to use, but that's not to say it doesn't make mistakes, as certain words continually cause it problems. However, to get the most out of it you really need to spend some time training both the software and your own voice.

The biggest problem with using this software is not its recognition of words - as it manages this well - but the fact that you are talking to a PC. This can feel a little unnerving and, if you are using it in a crowded office, you may feel a little strange. If you would rather talk than type it's good fun and reasonably accurate, though £150 is quite a high price to pay.

Contact:Scansoft 0118 963 7464
www.scansoft.co.uk

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