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