Review Windows Vista Speech Recognition

Windows Vista now comes with a Speech Recognition program that is much more accurate than most of the previous speech recognition programs. Users can not only dictate, but also open programs, browse the net and do most functions that presently require keyboard or mouse actions, in Windows. A compatible microphone and a sound card are needed to run the Speech Recognition in Vista.

Speech Recognition can be accessed through any of these paths:   

• Start Menu>Accessories>Ease of Access>Speech Recognition
• Control Panel>Ease of Access>Speech Recognition  

Prior to running the assistive technology program Speech Recognition, the microphone has to be set up which involves a few steps. This is followed by an interactive tutorial to help use features and navigate through windows using voice commands. A training module involves reading text to the computer to help it understand an individual’s voice better.

Speech Recognition when started will generate a small UI containing a microphone button, audio meter and a text feedback area. Right-click options offer further features which can be availed by saying ‘Show Speech Options’.

First of all the computer should be told to start listening simply by saying ‘Start listening’, whilst the UI is open. When one has finished saying what he wants to, the computer is asked to ‘Stop listening’. The text feedback area will show if the computer understands what the person says. If it does not, it will ask the question ‘What was that?’ and the microphone button will turn orange meaning that the words have to be repeated or a different command should be tried. On the other hand if it does understand, the results will show.

Errors in what the computer recognizes can be corrected, thereby helping it to better recognize one’s speech pattern. The computer can be corrected by saying ‘Correct’ followed by the incorrect words. It makes the program smarter.

Two major commands that can be used in Speech Recognition are ‘Say what you see’ and ‘Click what you see’. The command ‘Show numbers’ can be used at times when for example one cannot recall the name of a toolbar button. This way, numbers appear over everything on the screen and the person can say the number to click the object under it. The Windows Vista build 5308 has a good help system that covers most of its features and also has a good listing of its features.

Speech Recognition enables a person to perform common Windows functions like closing, maximizing, restoring or minimizing any active window. Programs can be opened by saying ‘Open’ followed by the program name. They can also be opened by using commands to navigate through the Start menu.   

Speech Recognition in Windows Vista will be of great help to those who look towards ease of access.