Content area
Full Text
What if you could talk to your computer?
In Brief
A Promising Technology Not Ready for Prime Time
Voice recognition software (VRS) allows computer users to control applications with voice commands instead of the traditional keyboard and mouse. The technology is being heralded as the next generation of human-computer interface, promising to make computer applications more efficient and user-friendly.
The authors introduce the three major off-the-shelf VRS packages, discuss possible uses for CPAs, and chronicle their difficulties in using the technology and adapting to its requirements and shortcomings. Those hoping for immediate increased efficiency in all aspects of usage will likely be disappointed; VRS delivered on certain promises but fell far short of the authors' expectations in others. Prospective users are warned that off-the-shelf packages are not necessarily ready to fulfill all the needs of the demanding CPA.
How that Y2K has come and gone, CPAs can consider investing in new computer technologies, searching for software that offers innovative new capabilities. Voice recognition software (VRS) is a relatively new technology with a great deal of promise. VRS allows professionals to control computer applications with voice commands in lieu of the traditional keyboard and mouse. The ultimate promise of the technology is to allow humans to interact with computers more naturally and efficiently; however, the future is a long way off. Current VRS offerings provide significant benefits, but not without accompanying limitations and drawbacks, especially for technical professionals.
Capabilities
VRS provides for the two broad functions of voice-activated dictation and macro-level control over applications. Dictation is the most commonly used function. With a headset attached to the computer or a digital voice data-collector similar to the hand-held tape recorder, users can directly record unlimited dictation into popular word-processing programs such as Microsoft Word and Corel WordPerfect.
In the second most commonly used VRS function, voice commands-rather than a mouse or keyboard-are used to operate applications. The user can also voice-activate applications to save, print, and move files and perform mathematical functions in spreadsheet and database applications.
Vendors. The majority of the VRS market share is controlled by three vendors: IBM (ViaVoice), Lernout & Hauspie (Voice Xpress), and Dragon Systems (Dragon Naturally Speaking). [At the time of writing, Lernout & Hauspie had acquired Dragon...