This was "spammed" to the Internet, meaning it was broadcast to lots
of places and people who didn't ask for it.  Spamming is the email
equivalent of junk mail or telemarketing.  Very annoying, and
practiced generally by inconsiderate, selfish, and self-serving
jerks.
 
Usually I just delete these things in disgust at the thoughtlessness
of the people who send them, but this one caught my eye as something
that might just possibly be useful to some folks on the Parkinson's
list.  I would hate to do anything to reward this type of behavior
(spamming) but on the other hand, this might be of value to some of
you - if not, email is easy to delete.
 
I don't know the product, company, or the guy who allegedly wrote
this testimonial (may be a complete phoney, for all I know).  But it
does sound like something that could be helpful to people who have
trouble typing into a computer.  Most likely, the price is
prohibitive - dunno.  But I figured I'd send it on to the list.
 
Please forgive me if you think it's rude, and just delete it, but if
you think you might be interested, give it a skim.
 
-- Gary Zimmerman
 
 
==================================================
 
You were identified as someone interested in computer technology,
helping the handicapped, or voice recognition applications.  As such,
I thought you might be interested in the following.
 
I discovered this product and asked to beta test it.  It would
be great for the handicapped, those who don't know how to type,
or those with a large amount of material to transcribe. It could
greatly reduce carpal tunnel syndrome and say society a lot of
money and pain. This description is taken from the company's
literature although an independent review in The Seybold Report
on Desktop Publishing (vol. 9, #9, May 8, 1995) confirms it.
If you want more info, contact the company [and tell them you heard
about it from David Van Fleet].
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
NCC DIGITAL DICTATE -- "Making Computer Voice Dictation Usable"
 
  The combination of Digital DictateTM and VoiceTypeTM Dictation
provides the most advanced and feature rich computer based
dictation available. This version of NCC Digital DictateTM is
an add-on, enhanced interface for use with IBM's VoiceTypeTM
Dictation for Windows and various Windows 3.1 applications
(e.g. MS Word, WordPerfect).  Digital DictateTM adds powerful
enhancements that allow faster corrections, dictation rates and
numerous other features outlined below. This version is not a
stand alone product and requires VoiceTypeTM Dictation, which
provides the speech recognition engine, and the appropriate
Windows application.
 
  There are separate versions of Digital DictateTM for direct
dictation into specific Windows applications, using the
VoiceType Dictation Recognition Engine (Part of IBM's VoiceType
Dictation for Windows, which must be purchased separately).
The system requirements are IBM's VoiceTypeTM Dictation for
Windows; a computer system meeting VoiceTypeTM Dictation for
Windows requirements; VoiceTypeTM Dictation Adapter and the
specific Windows application for the Digital DictateTM version
(e.g. MS Word, WordPerfect, Ami Pro, or other supported
application).
 
FEATURES & BENEFITS:
  * Direct dictation into Windows applications with access to all
      functions while dictating
  * Versions for MS Word, WordPerfect, Ami Pro, and other Windows
      applications
  * Speech enabled editing
  * Powerful features for saving speaker model and deferring
      corrections
  * Increased dictation rates achieved with deferred corrections,
      SwitchItTM and
  * CardSwitchTM options. Allows users to concentrate on dictation,
      not word recognition and corrections
  * Faster correction process through the use of unique accuracy
      thresholds, AccutracTM highlights low accuracy words and
      Correct?ItTM provides automated proof reading and correction
      capabilities
  * Autosave protects long documents with user defined save parameters
  * Microphone "pause and restore" functions controlled with Speech
      commands
  * Additional Hardware and Software enhancement Add-On products
      are available
 
PRODUCT COMPARISONS  [These comparisons are based on internal NCC
tests. Efforts were made to be fair and accurate. NCC strongly
recommends that potential users evaluate each product. The
technology involved in voice recognition is the result of hard
work by hundreds of people throughout the world. NCC feels that
all of these are worthy of your evaluation.]
COLUMN 1 = DIGITAL DICTATE + IBM VoiceType Dictation
COLUMN 2 = IBM VoiceType Dictation along
COLUMN 3 = Dragon Dictate
COLUMN 4 = Kurzweil voice
 
Optional use of portable recorder    Yes     No       No        No
Allows for deferred correction
  of dictation session               Yes     No       No        No
Access to all application
  functions while dictating, with-
  out updating the speaker model     Yes     No       No        No
Saving without updating
  the Speaker Model                  Yes     Yes      No        No
Maximum Words Per Minute
  (Based on in-house tests)        70-100+ 60-80+   30-40     30-40
Wireless Input options               Yes     No       No        No
Automated proof reading              Yes     No       No        No
Correction of selected words based
  on % recognition accuracy          Yes     No       No        No
Option for Telephone Input           Yes     No       No        No
Autosave of dictation with user
  defined parameters                 Yes     No       No        No
Direct Dictation into major Windows  Yesc    No       Yes       Yes
  text applications (word processors)             (limited functions)
Dictation into any Windows           No      No       Yes       Yes
  application                                     (limited functions)
Dictation without correcting
  unrecognized words                 Yes     Yes      No        No
Voice Enabled Editing                Yes     Yes      Yes       Yes
                                            (limited on these three)
Hardware assisted correction options Yes     No       No        No
Voice Command Control                Yes     Yes      Yes       Yes
Uses any MPC sound card for input    No      No       Yes       No
Requires a Special DSP board         Yes     Yes      No        Yes
Version for OS/2 Warp                No      Yes      No        No
Version for UNIX                     No      Yes      No        No
No need for viewing screen
  while dictating                    Yes     Yes      No        No
Requires initial training            Yes     Yes      No        No
Provides for Speech control of Mic
  activation when off or muted       Yes     No       Yes       No
Recognition Engine type:          Tri-Gram Tri-Gram  Bi-Gram  Bi-Gram
  Tri-Gram: Best Recognition accuracy;  Bi-Gram: Fair Recog. accuracy
 
SOFTWARE ACCESSORIES
* Add-On Vocabularies for Legal, Medical, Science and Business
* NCC DIGITAL DICTATETM Versions for all major Windows text related
   software applications (e.g. WordPerfect, MS Word, Ami Pro, ccMail,
   MS Mail, Excel, Lotus 1-2-3)
* Future plans for interfaces to a variety of Legal, Medical, Science
 
   and Business applications
 
CUSTOM DIGITAL DICTATETM HARDWARE
* SWITCH-ITTM Foot pedal control switches between Dictation and
   Proofing/Correction Modes
* CardSwitchTM Infrared wireless control, switches between Dictation
   and Proofing/Correction Modes
* Freedom-ITM Wireless Headset Microphone and Speaker using 900mhz
   technology
* Freedom-IITM Desktop Microphone/Speaker
* PhoneMicTM Conversion unit for standard telephone into Dictation
   Microphone
* IO-ControlTM Microphone and Speaker Level Control with Mic-Line
   and Line-Mic conversions
* DAT-DirectTM hand held portable DAT recorder and player system
   includes TapeEaseTM interface hardware and software for seamless
   transcription within any Digital DictateTM application.
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND/OR THE NAME OF YOUR NEAREST DEALER,
CONTACT:
 
    NCC Incorporated, 5808 E. Turquoise, Scottsdale, AZ 85253
            Phone (602) 922-6236 Fax (602) 596-9050
 
 
 
David D. Van Fleet
School of Management
Arizona State University West
P.O. Box 37100
Phoenix, AZ 85069-7100
602-543-6104