Voice Recognition Software - Writers Forum

HarryG · 03-17-2007, 04:05 PM

The future has to be voice recognition software for writers, in my humble view. Why bother with pen and paper, typewriters (they’ve gone, haven’t they?), and laptops, if they can all be replaced by our thoughts (voices) being typed as we speak.

I know that the current software isn’t suitable, as yet (I’ve tried Dragon Naturally Speaking), but it’s getting close. The subsequent editing will be extensive, but isn’t it anyway?

My own view is that it won’t make writing easier, because we still need to have ideas and inspiration, but won’t it make it more convenient? Or, will it lead to an electronic nightmare, where the volume of rubbish will be such that we will all switch off?

Umogrim · 03-17-2007, 04:17 PM

I hope it never happens, i want to keep WRITTING. Plus, i havent seriously spoken english(my main writting language) in five years, so my accent is rubbish.

Banzai · 03-17-2007, 04:24 PM

I think it will take a large part of the thrill of writing away for me. I like the tactile experience, either with a pen, or a keyboard. I agree with Umogrim, I hope it doesn't happen.

imrhati · 03-17-2007, 11:26 PM

That may be somehting that happens in the future. I can see voice recognition doing what the keyboard did to the pen. If a writer wants to use a keyboard or pen it is their choice, no oen would force them to use the voice recognition.

Probably gonna be another 5 years at least before we have voice recognition effecient enouh to be used for writing though.

je33ie · 03-18-2007, 03:08 AM

There's no way I'd like it, that's for sure!

My writing is nothing like how I talk. If I had to write stories verbally they'd be terrible and I'd never finish a sentence because I'd want to keep changing it.

And voice recognition can be really frustrating for people with accents. We'd have to all talk like Bill Gates to be understood!

zebedee · 03-18-2007, 03:36 PM

I'd love to be able to use VR software as my writing, either with a pen or keyboard, can't keep up with my thoughts. It would be a godsend, no more frustration!

Banzai · 03-18-2007, 03:37 PM

Haha! Can you imagine trying to get accents in your writing? God, it would be funny to overhear that.

HarryG · 03-19-2007, 11:39 AM

I tried voice recognition software about three years ago when a well-meaning relative presented me with the Dragon Naturally Speaking software. It was an old version and required the programme to read extracts of your writing, before voice training it to recognise your voice (accent).

It was a lengthy and fiddly process, but I eventually got it to work at a 60% success rate, improving as I kept correcting the mistakes. I gave up after a month, the success rate was too low and the constant correcting interfered with any sensible writing.

I believe a newer version now offers a much higher success rate and other improvements and I wondered if anyone had tried it, or any other voice recognition products, hence my post.

Crazy_dude6662 · 03-19-2007, 02:20 PM

i did try dragon naturally speaking for awhile for a few reasons, them being that it would limit the amount of spelling mistakes made, it would save time (meaning i would be able to write more) and sometimes when im writing my typing cant keep up with my thoughts. but i gave up after about a week becuase it was taking so long to train and it was annoying me (as was my voice by that stage)

Roxie_1977 · 03-19-2007, 04:10 PM

I have always wanted to try one because my thoughts sometimes run away from me. My writing just can't keep up. I have used a small recorder in the past to put down some thoughts and then write it out while playing the recorded passage over and over.

Mike C · 03-19-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryG

but won’t it make it more convenient? Or, will it lead to an electronic nightmare, where the volume of rubbish will be such that we will all switch off?[/font]

It'll make it more convenient, which will increase the output of the untalented in much the same way that word-processing has. Except it will become 10 times worse because he particularly lazy will be able to do it with their hands in their pockets.

If you really want the freedom that voice recognition suggests, why not use a dictaphone and transcribe later?

Banzai · 03-19-2007, 04:22 PM

Or just type/write? I don't think it's any more restricting. In fact, the slower pace allows you to think it out more thoroughly, and choose the correct words. I think it gives writing more refinement, which would be lost with voice recognition software.