Archive for Computer Supplies
05.27.08
Posted in Software, Computer Supplies at 10:19 pm by webmaster
I finally bit the bullet and bought Dragon Naturally Speaking version 9. It’s speech recognition software that turns talk into text and is faster and more accurate than typing. You can do e-mail, instant messaging and surf the web - all by voice.
Well, I like this product very much so far. It says no training required, get started instantly. But I found that I had to teach it how I speak. The way I pronounce words seems to cause it some trouble. I probably had to train the program about three times, for maybe half an hour each time. Now it’s working and I’m impressed how well it does its job.
I bought the cheaper standard version on sale for $79. The regular price apparently is over $100, at least here in Canada. There is also a preferred version which is more expensive. The main differences: the preferred version also transcribes recordings from handheld digital recorders, has wireless microphone support, and turns text into speech as well. The preferred version also plays back your dictation so that you can correct it, inserts your signature or logo with a simple voice command and allows you to import and export your user files to any PC.
I find that for what I need, the standard version is fine. With it, I am able to create e-mail, instant messages and documents simply by speaking. I can surf the web by voice, although I haven’t tried that yet. It’s possible to get started fairly quickly and there are helpful onscreen tutorials to show how to correct the program by spelling out words and increasing its vocabulary. I’ve only begun to see all the possiblilities and am not doing nearly as much as Naturally Speaking is capable of. The standard version will dictate directly into any Microsoft Windows application, and control Windows menus and dialog boxes by voice.
A fairly good microphone headset is included with the program as well. So far, I am quite amazed with this product. It’s really something to speak and see your words magically appear on the computer screen. Interested in finding out more, click here Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 Standard - Use your voice to dictate and edit in just about any Windows application!
Technorati Tags: Dragon Naturally Speaking, voice recognition software, dictation
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01.25.08
Posted in Computer Supplies at 7:56 pm by webmaster
I have become the proud owner of a cute and cuddly, 9 inch tall, huggable speaker bear. He looks like your regular teddy, except that the soles of his feet are speakers. He has a connection wire on his back to plug an mp3 player into.
He’s light enough to carry from room to room, the sound is pretty good (better than I thought it would be) and if I record my voice and have it play, I can entertain my two-year old granddaughter for at least ten minutes - okay, maybe five.
Here is a picture of my cute little iBear:
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12.29.06
Posted in Computer Crafting, Home Computing Tips, Computer Supplies at 4:02 pm by webmaster
Instead of paying for promotional materials, why not create your own?
These can be easily made using magnet paper from your local office supply store. The paper will need to be cut on a paper cutter after, but makes nice business cards that people can stick up on the frig.
Use printable magnet paper for the type of printer you have. Don’t use inkjet paper in your laser printer - it doesn’t always work ( I tried).
- Open a blank document in Word or similar, click {Tools} and {Envelopes and Labels}.
- Click the {Labels} tab and type the information that will be on your business cards into the blank area marked “address”.
Make sure “print full page of the same label” is selected.
- To change the size of the card, click {Options}, choose the Product Number that matches the size you want - details are shown on the right side. Then click {Okay}.
- Now click {New Document}, not Print, and you should see a page of your business cards all nicely set up.
- Make any changes needed, click {File} and {Save} so you can print more another time.
- Click {File} and {Print Preview}to make sure it looks the way you want it to.
- Click {File} and {Print}. You may be instructed to feed the paper into the printer manually at this point, so follow the instructions. (Test first on a piece of plain paper.)
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11.23.06
Posted in Computer Crafting, Home Computing Tips, Computer Supplies at 10:44 pm by webmaster
Another idea for the magnet paper is to use it to print out some colour photos. In Word or a photo editing program, click {Insert} and {From File}. Then look at the list of files in your computer for the picture you want. Usually, pictures end up in the folder marked My Pictures.
Click on the picture you like and it will be inserted into your program. Check Print Preview to see if the size is right, then print the photo on a piece of magnet paper. (One sheet at a time in the printer). You might want to print a draft on paper first, since the magnet paper is expensive.
Afterwards, if you like you can get some clear laminating paper (the kind that doesn’t need heat) and carefully apply it to your photo to keep it clean . Stick your photo magnet on the frig (yes, it will stick with the plastic over top) and get ready for the compliments.
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Posted in Hardware, Home Computing Tips, Computer Supplies at 10:43 pm by webmaster
No, this is not a wheel for a sports car. It’s an inexpensive little gadget (under $25) that you plug into the USB slot (called a port) which looks like a narrow rectangle at the back of the computer.
This port is where you would normally connect your digital camera, web cam, flash drive, or even some of the newer printers. Reaching to the back of your computer to plug these things in can be difficult, so the cord of the USB hub is attached instead and then extends to the front of your desk for easy access. Mine has 4 USB slots, so I simply plug my flash drive into one of them and never have to climb around my computer again, which is important at my age.
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