Dragon NaturallySpeaking For Dummies

This new edition of Dragon NaturallySpeaking For Dummies has been updated to cover all the newest updates to Dragon NaturallySpeaking Version 13, giving readers plain-English access to the technology that ignites new levels of productivity. It enables people to interact with and command their laptop or PC, cruise through email, update Facebook, surf the web, and create reports just by speaking! Inside, you'll find everything you need to get started with this advanced voice recognition software right away.

Touted as being three times faster than typing, Dragon NaturallySpeaking software boasts 99% speech accuracy out of the box. Plus, although it is primarily used as voice recognition software, programmers and developers have begun using it as a programming language for app development because the voice recognition makes use of custom tools that can be used to automate programming tasks. It's making waves in the tech world—and you can get in on the action with this hands-on, friendly guide.

• Includes the most up-to-date information on the latest version of the software
• Shows you how to launch your Dragon software
• Includes time-and-sanity-saving tips to make your experience with Dragon NaturallySpeaking headache-free
• Outlines common mistakes to avoid and unprecedented Dragon tricks

If you're a new or inexperienced user who wants to get up to date quickly on all that Dragon NaturallySpeaking can do, this approachable, step-by-step guide has you covered.

Part I: Getting Started with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 5

Chapter 1: Knowing What to Expect 7

Chapter 2: Installing Dragon and Starting Basic Training 19

Chapter 3: Launching and Controlling Dragon 33

Part II: Creating Documents and Spreadsheets 49

Chapter 4: Simply Dictating 51

Chapter 5: Selecting, Editing, and Correcting in DragonPad 71

Chapter 6: Basic Formatting in Text-Editing Applications 85

Chapter 7: Proofreading and Listening to Your Text 97

Chapter 8: Dictating into Other Applications 105

Chapter 9: Dipping into Word Processing 117

Chapter 10: Working with Excel 135

Chapter 11: Using Recorded Speech 143

Part III: Communicating Online 157

Chapter 12: Sending and Receiving E-Mail 159

Chapter 13: Working the Web 171

Chapter 14: Dictating the Mobile Way 181

Part IV: Working Smarter 199

Chapter 15: Controlling Your Desktop and Windows by Voice 201

Chapter 16: Speaking More Clearly 221

Chapter 17: Additional Training for Accuracy 227

Chapter 18: Improving Audio Input 247

Chapter 19: Having Multiple Computers or Users 255

Chapter 20: Creating Your Own Commands 263

Chapter 21: Getting Help from Your Desktop and Online 273

Part V: The Part of Tens 291

Chapter 22: Ten Common Problems 293

Chapter 23: Ten Time-and-Sanity-Saving Tips 301

Chapter 24: Ten Mistakes to Avoid 305

Chapter 25: Ten Stupid Dragon Tricks 309

Index 317

Stephanie Diamond is a thought leader, author, and management marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience working with companies from small businesses to multibillion-dollar corporations. Her online marketing company, Digital Media Works, Inc., helps businesses uncover their hidden profits.

Learn to:

• Save time and increase productivity with speech recognition software
• Use Dragon to send an email or to browse the web
• Update your Facebook page using only your voice
• Create reports, take notes, and control your PC verbally

Command your computer, surf the web, create reports, and more — with your voice!

Clicking and typing is so mundane! This handy, fully updated guide shows you how to use Dragon to tell your computer what to do! Learn to be even more productive with daily tasks like managing email, updating Facebook, and creating documents. Use this book to discover tips that save time and your sanity, and even explore app development with Dragon.

• Meet your Dragon — find out what version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking you need and what it can and can’t do
• Basic training — install and launch the software, create a user profile, and teach Dragon to recognize your voice
• Talking is faster than typing — learn to get things done more efficiently by directing and interacting with your PC through voice recognition software
• Cruise the desktop — manage your desktop, files, folders, windows, and even your mouse
• Dictating to devices — see how to use Dragon on your iPad^®, iPhone^®, or Android^™ device
• Talk to your applications — discover how to dictate, format, and edit documents and Excel spreadsheets
• Dragon’s developmental capabilities — explore how Dragon is being used to automate programming tasks for app development

Open the book and find:

• Timesaving tips to avoid Dragon hassles
• Shortcuts to more efficient e-mailing
• All about editing documents with DragonPad
• Tips for talking your way around the web
• How different people can use the same Dragon
• Ways to be sure Dragon understands you
• Workarounds for common problems
• Ten mistakes to avoid