End-User Workbook for Dragon Naturallyspeaking Version 12
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End-User Workbook for Dragon NaturallySpeaking Version 12 Note: Closing all programs before installing is recommended. This also applies to software updates: after downloading an update, close all programs including Dragon itself before launching the update’s installation. (You may wish to start the Windows Task Manager and verify that natspeak.exe is not running; see the KnowledgeBase for details.) For the latest documentation, please see www.nuance.com. The Quick Card includes important notes about installing Dragon and connecting your microphone, as well as reference tables for punctuation and other special characters, numeric data, and commands. Another important resource is the User Guide, which covers installation. End-User Workbook (March 2013) for Dragon NaturallySpeaking Version 12.0 and 12.5 Unless indicated otherwise, the material in this workbook applies to all editions of Dragon NaturallySpeaking, and the screenshots are from the Professional edition. This workbook assumes that Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 is now installed on your PC. The card that comes in the Dragon NaturallySpeaking box includes important notes about installing and getting started with Dragon as well as reference tables for punctuation, numeric data and commands. (The latest electronic version of this “Quick Start Guide” is available on the Nuance website.) We welcome comments or questions about this workbook and all aspects of the Help system (including User Guide, DragonBar’s Help menu, Tutorial and Interactive Tutorial, Tip of the Day, Sidebar, Accuracy Center and Performance Assistant). Please use the feedback form for Dragon NaturallySpeaking on the Nuance website. This workbook reflects the information available at the time of publishing. Nuance’s online Knowledge Base contains the latest information written by Technical Support. Also online are the latest printable documentation and listings of microphones, recorders, and other hardware tested for use with Dragon. The Nuance website (www.nuance.com/dragon as well as australia.nuance.com/dragon, newzealand.nuance.com/dragon, and www.nuance.co.uk/dragon) offers many other resources including tips, videos, Customer Service information, and a feature matrix of Dragon’s editions. The website also lists Value-Added Resellers who provide support, training and customization services in person or remotely. These Nuance partners can address your environment, equipment, goals and needs. This is particularly efficient for very busy people, for people new to computers, for children, and in case of issues with hearing, vision, mobility and dyslexia. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written consent of Nuance Communications, Inc. Nuance, the Nuance logos, the Dragon logos, Dragon NaturallySpeaking, NaturallySpeaking, DragonBar and Select-and-Say are trademarks or registered trademarks of Nuance Communications, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. All other company names and product names referenced herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. Part number: 50-K61A-23010 Goals and Prerequisites Dragon NaturallySpeaking lets you speak naturally to perform actions such as creating or editing documents, using e-mail, finding online maps, news, images, and more. By reducing keyboard and mouse usage, you can gain productivity AND avoid physical strain (on wrists, shoulders, neck, eyes…) “Speaking to” your computer may feel strange at first. Be patient with yourself! This workbook aims to efficiently present what an end-user should know (the resources in Dragon’s Help menu and on www.nuance.com contain many details). This includes how to: “Type by voice” efficiently, which includes: Dictating anything: punctuation marks, prices, dates, URLs, phone license plate numbers, abbreviations, acronyms, Roman numerals, etc. Personalizing the Vocabulary with custom words and phrases, pronunciations, capitalization properties and more, so that Dragon can transcribe exactly what you want even if what you said could be written in different ways. Correcting Dragon’s errors so that it can learn from them. Formatting, editing, and revising text (whether or not the text was created by voice). And, in editions Premium and higher: creating custom commands to insert boilerplate text and/or graphics. “Command and control” your computer by voice, which includes: Saying commands to use the Internet and e-mail, search your computer, open programs, click menus and buttons, close or minimize windows, switch between windows, etc. “Voice-pressing” a key (or key combination) on your keyboard. Efficiency and Hands-Free Usage We strongly recommend going through this workbook in order. (But if you used Dragon in the past, you may wish to read the What’s New section first.) When a lesson directs you to click an item (button, menu…), feel free to instead use your voice, or keyboard shortcuts (underlined letters, Tab, spacebar…). If hands-free usage is important to you, start by reading the lesson Controlling the Operating System and Applications and see the Help about Dragon’s MouseGrid and commands for moving, clicking, and dragging the mouse. IMPORTANT: Starting the Microphone Check wizard or the Interactive Tutorial automatically turns off Dragon’s microphone, which means a manual action is then needed to resume using Dragon. If this is a concern for you, we recommend having someone present when you create or upgrade a profile, or use the Interactive Tutorial or the Microphone Check. To perform the exercises in this workbook, you should have basic familiarity with: Using Microsoft® Windows® to start or exit applications, open or save files, maximize windows, close dialog boxes, copy or move items, browse to folders, cut and paste, etc. Simple word-processing concepts such as bullets, font size and font style, bolding and italicizing, right- aligning and centering. Copyright 2013 Nuance Communications, Inc. All rights reserved iii Table of Contents Goals and Prerequisites ......................................................................................................................................................... iii Efficiency and Hands-Free Usage........................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................................................................iv Getting Started and Creating a User Profile ........................................................................................................................1 Positioning and connecting your microphone ........................................................................................................1 Upgrading one or more profiles ...............................................................................................................................2 Creating your profile (or adding an audio source)................................................................................................3 About the Dragon Remote Microphone app as source ..........................................................................................7 About spoken recordings as source..........................................................................................................................7 Adding and managing sources...................................................................................................................................8 A first opportunity to adapt your profile’s vocabulary ......................................................................................11 Scheduling Dragon's periodic tasks ........................................................................................................................12 Before your profile opens — caution with desktop icons...................................................................................12 Important options: Natural Language Commands and Speed vs. Accuracy ....................................................13 Learning More and Getting Help...........................................................................................................................................17 The Accuracy Center and Accuracy Assistant ......................................................................................................17 The Help and the Performance Assistant .............................................................................................................17 The Dragon Sidebar: “What Can I Say”.................................................................................................................19 The Interactive Tutorial ..........................................................................................................................................21 The Tutorial...............................................................................................................................................................22 The User's Guides......................................................................................................................................................23 Why Personalizing the Vocabulary is Essential ..................................................................................................................25