IT Solutions Blog | Trigon Technology

Windows 7 Speech Recognition vs DragonSpeak PART 2.

In the world of software technology, nothing is more popular than speech dictation software. Not even posting what you had for breakfast on the Twitter is this important. You can see for yourself with our intense feature that revolved around Windows 7 Speech Recognition when compared to DragonSpeak Naturally Speaking. We need to give the people what they want. We've spent hours going over emails, comments, billboards, and telegrams where the readers have voiced their opinions on just which piece of software has it made in the shade. Let's review some of the most heated, opinioned comments.

You are most certainly mistaken about windows 7. There is a portion of the setup devoted to reading passages in order to improve recognition of the individuals voice. each time you run the program, it gives new passages to read in order to further improve ease of use. after only an hour of playing with it, i have windows 7 down to only 1 mistake every other paragraph. - Vic

Well, then. It seems our esteemed author may have not been as thorough as our dear readers would have been led to believe. Of course, he did state that this was a very early impression of usage with the software, so let's cut him some slack.

I have had RSI for some time now, and thought Windows 7 speech recognition would be the solution for my tendinitis. However, the Windows 7 speech recognition has some serious limitations, specially if you want to click anywhere on the screen. I settled upon an extension for Win 7 called Voice Finger (http://voicefinger.cozendey.com ), that somehow fill the gaps in Win 7 recognition.  I guess this software is not targeted to people who use speech recognition like an alternative from time to time, but if you want (or needs) to reduce computer contact to zero, this software is great.  - Robert

Thanks for the input, Robert. It seems like it would be the best option to shop around and test every piece of software you can get your hands on. 

Robert Lamb is mistaken. You can click anywhere on the screen in Windows Speech Recognition by calling out the command "Mousegrid". Then you can narrow down the screen to the exact place you want to click with pinpoint percision. - Samuel

Alright then. Well, we're all learning here. Thanks for the tips on Mousegrid, Sammy.

I really want to use the Windows version as I really disliked Dragon 10 and doubt I will ever use it again. - Mike

You can't win them all, Dragon 10. Actually, you're losing pretty heavily, so far.

I have not checked out dragon naturallyspeaking. I plan to do that and compare. However windows seven voice recognition comes bundled together. - Llavan

This seems to be the biggest benefit so far to the Windows 7 Speech Recognition software. Who wants to go out and buy a box from Best Buy these days? It's so far away and you need to get into a car.... The worst.

I am currently using the windows seven version. In fact in posting this blog I'm using the windows seven version. I found it definitely has some issues but Its workable. - GlassKing

Whoa! Is there any more meta than using Speech Recognition software to comment on a blog post ABOUT Speech Recognition software?

I have used both, Dragon is far far far superior in dictation, i am french and i trained Dragon with my English accent, I can speak using my worst lazy talk and it will not make a mistake, but window 7 even with all the training, i get three errors in the first sentence. Yes you can hate it write a paragraph or three if you train it much much much and talking 1/8" from the microphone yelling and talking each syllable very distinctly and talking slow. With dragron you just forget and talk whatever way you talk and it will write exactly what you said. Thanks, Jean Marie

Well said, Jean Marie. 

I would say W7 is easier to learn while Dragon is much harder to learn. Both have trouble with pull down menus on third party apps. The only advantage, if you can call it an advantage, that Dragon has is some customization options and the ability to purchase command sets for specific applications. My final thought, to date, use W7 version. If you feel limited you could invest in Dragon for some advanced features, but there is the cost to consider! - Chewy

If there was one person I thought would have trouble with Speech software, it would have been Chewy.

I've used both systems. I would have to say that the windows system is much better at understanding what I'm saying. Dragon does have a few advanced features that windows doesn't but I don't think it justifies dragons cost. - Bull

Well, the readers have it. Windows 7 has the superior Speech Recognition sofware. It only took us several months to get through all of the comments and reader mail, but we feel this is conclusively the final word on the battle between these two heavyweights.