Voice Recognition Software

There's no doubt about it "Yesterday's dreamers are today's architects and the builders of tomorrow." Can you remember the actor Lorne Green portraying Adama' in Battlestar Galactica? In your minds eye can you see him dictating his personal entries to a computer screen via a microphone, and then seeing his words miraculously appear on the terminal?

For that matter, can you recall Scott Bakula portraying Captain Jonathan Archer' in Star Trek Enterprise? Again, in your mind's eye, can you see him parading around his cabin, in his shorts, stating out loud: "Computer begin recording, or computer pause?"

Well, it seems, what once was science fiction is now becoming a reality, as science fact. Yes, those pesky little Starfleet dropouts who now reside with Microsoft Command have come up with it in a novel program that is relatively new. It is called "The Speech Recognition" Program, and it's available in Windows Vista.

This program really isn't that far away from the days of remembered science fiction, and one can only wonder when we shall enter our homes at night and simply state: "Computer, Lights."

The SRP or Speech Recognition Program has all the features of a new adventure just waiting to be procured further, and it is hoped that it will. All that is needed is a headset with microphone (preferred), or a desktop microphone and speakers.

If you're using Windows Vista and have not tried, or noticed this little gem, it is suggested you do. It can be found in the control panel, and with its old-fashioned style microphone as an icon, it's easily identifiable. Do yourself a favour first though, and go through the introduction, without this little bit of knowledge you will soon become adhered to the quagmire of terminology and find yourself well and truly stuck!

In essence, the SRP is very much a learning program it will learn from you and you from it. If a writer becomes bogged-down and can't get the program to display what is required, it can easily be overcome by stating: "Show me how." And, if that doesn't solve the problem, there is still another way just have your fingers at the ready, the rest is a breeze!

Not only does this program type words for you at the sound of your voice, it is also capable of writing and sending emails, as well as opening and closing programs all your mainstream programs - yup, it won't be long now before computers will have no use for a keyboard!

Just don't take my words for it, go see for yourself, it brings the fun back into home computing! "Microsoft... one to beam up!"