4 stars (students should think first before buying it) - This product works very good, as advertised. However, I bought it in hope to use it for my classes. I was using it with Sony ICD-P210 Voice Recorder. Unfortunately, it doesn't work if you record from your desk, even if you sit very close to the teacher (I've tried both Standard and High Quality recording). So if you want to use this program to recognize your teacher's speech, you will have to ask him to wear a microphone, and to hold your recorder in his pocket, and not to move a lot. For most of my teachers, it is not acceptable. Good luck! 4 stars (Memory Hog) - This is a great product. I bought because I am working full-time and going to grad school at night. I have significantly reduced the time required to produce cousework. Comments: 1) I have 1.12 GB of RAM, about 6 paragraphs of dictation kills the memory. I tried using it with 256 MB of RAM and immediately upgraded. 2) Be patient. The software gets better at recognizing your voice. I have found after about 6 paragraphs of dictation it does not recognize my voice as well. Other then that, it's truely amazing. If you were wondering, I am currently typing this out. I was writing a paper and killed the memory with Dragon. I'll restart and keep working... enjoy. 4 stars (Glad to be speaking...) - i just wanted to take a moment and tell you all that I love this program, It does what it says and is about 90-95% acurate right out of the box. I would positivly buy it again..... Thank you.... ... Nuance Communications Inc :: scansoft :: dragon :: naturallyspeaking :: 8 :: preferred :: nuance :: communications :: inc :: internet :: communications :: scansoftdragonnaturallyspeaking8preferred 04 november :: :: ScanSoft Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 Preferred
5 stars (Great program perfect for the disabled - enjoy handsfree) - If you're reading this. You are interested in buying Dragon NaturallySpeaking version eight if you are. I highly recommend it! I had versions of Dragon software, dating back to 1995. Let me tell you the software was clunky back then, being a quadriplegic, I used it to type and move the mouse. But as soon as I got a touchpad mouse. I dropped Dragon altogether. Step forward almost 10 years, I decided that I needed to send longer e-mails than two sentences (because that's all I could type, it gets tiring using only one hand and one knuckle on that hand). So I took the plunge drop the cash on Dragon, and after three days am totally satisfied. I added up and running and dictating in less than 20 minutes. The accuracy is amazing I'm actually typing this by voice. Since I can use a touchpad, I do not use the Dragon NaturallySpeaking for mouse commands. But for dictating it is perfect and quick!!! I'm using it with a 2 GHz processor, and it is fine. Getting it set up was a little quirky with my Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS. I'm actually using it with a tabletop condenser microphone, not the heads that they came with it (which I found to be quite uncomfortable). Since I'm unable to get the headset on my head, but a tabletop mike is working perfect. So I recommend this product anyone who has a disability that makes typing difficult. Anybody who doesn't want to learn to type (though I think he would be lazy, just suck it up and learn). The software is leaps and bounds above previous versions go for it! Enjoy! ... Scansoft :: Voice Command (Recognition) :: Utilities :: Computer software (programs) :: :: Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 Professional Upgrade from Preferred Versions 6-8
5 stars (STUDENT PRODUCT ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!) - I bought this product as a student who needed to EXCEL in school! This product helped me like no other! It is amazing! I have a small problem with the recorder being slightly below what I wanted but the product proved it's worth OVER AND OVER AGAIN! I was able to record lectures and have my computer do all the translation! What an amazing product! It helped me in ways that I cannot explain! I looked on Scansoft's website WWW.SCANSOFT.COM and upgrade to a compatible recorder that was much higher quality. This product is defintely worth the $200 I spent on it. The recorder is great for the first couple classes! It got me thru some serious lectures that I was able to download to my Mp3 and listen to while I worked out! Saves me more time than any other software program out there! Yeah, there is gliches in the verbage, but if you listen to you class AT ALL - you will be impressed with the mobility, the ease and the free use of this product! Highly recommend for STUDENTS in need of some extra time! 5 stars (Perfect for the disabled my review of version 8 preferred) - This is my review of version 8 preferred edition and its accuracy and dictation. I don't have the mobile recorder so I can review that at this time. If you're reading this, You are interested in buying Dragon NaturallySpeaking version eight. I highly recommend it! I had versions of Dragon software, dating back to 1995. Let me tell you the software was clunky back then, being a quadriplegic, I used it to type and move the mouse. But as soon as I got a touchpad mouse. I dropped Dragon altogether. Step forward almost 10 years, I decided that I needed to send longer e-mails than two sentences (because that's all I could type, it gets tiring using only one hand and one knuckle on that hand). So I took the plunge drop the cash on Dragon, and after three days am totally satisfied. I added up and running and dictating in less than 20 minutes. The accuracy i... Nuance Communications Inc :: dragon :: naturallyspeaking :: preferred :: 8 :: mobile :: [includes :: recorder] :: nuance :: communications :: inc :: internet :: communications :: dragonnaturallyspeakingpreferred8mob :: Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 8 Mobile [Includes Recorder]
5 stars (The Dragon listens) - Voice recognition software has come a long way. I began by trying the voice recognition engine in XP Professional, but was not pleased with the accuracy. Dragon has it together. It works. This version has definitely improved upon previous ones. They obviously have the engineering staff to do the job. The most important aspect of accuracy is careful pronunciation. You do not realize how imprecise your words are in the everyday conversation until you use voice recognition software. Dragons can be fearsome, but not this one. 5 stars (Great program perfect for the disabled - enjoy handsfree) - If you're reading this. You are interested in buying Dragon NaturallySpeaking version eight if you are. I highly recommend it! I had versions of Dragon software, dating back to 1995. Let me tell you the software was clunky back then, being a quadriplegic, I used it to type and move the mouse. But as soon as I got a touchpad mouse. I dropped Dragon altogether. Step forward almost 10 years, I decided that I needed to send longer e-mails than two sentences (because that's all I could type, it gets tiring using only one hand and one knuckle on that hand). So I took the plunge drop the cash on Dragon, and after three days am totally satisfied. I added up and running and dictating in less than 20 minutes. The accuracy is amazing I'm actually typing this by voice. Since I can use a touchpad, I do not use the Dragon NaturallySpeaking for mouse commands. But for dictating it is perfect and quick!!! I'm using it with a 2 GHz processor, and it is fine. Getting it set up was a little quirky with my Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS. I'm actually using it with a tabletop condenser microphone, not the heads that they came with it (which I found to be quite uncomfortable). Since I'm unable to get the headset on my head, but a tabletop mike is working perfect. So I recommend this product anyone who has a disability that makes typing difficult. Anybody who doesn't w... Nuance Communications Inc :: scansoft :: dragon :: naturallyspeaking :: 8 :: preferred :: upgrade :: from :: versions :: 6-7 :: nuance :: communications :: inc :: internet :: communications :: scansoftdragonnaturallyspeak :: ScanSoft Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 Preferred Upgrade from Versions 6-7