As a user I'd support Judith - cheap headsets are a complete waste of time
as they reduce the accuracy of the output to a point where it is
meaningless. I suggest students are encouraged to invest in a sets and
carry one around with them in a protective case.
ATB
Claire
--On 30 September 2004 12:20 +0100 Judith Stansfield <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
>> expected to provide their own microphone/headphone sets. I'm assuming
>> we'll be able to sell cheap sets from a suitable retail location on
>> campus.
> I think you'll find cheap headsets are a waste of time - they make it even
> more difficult for the SRS to work accurately - most assessors suggest
> higher quality headsets than the one provided with the software!
> Cheers
> Judith
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Judith Stansfield
> SEN ICT Consultant
> NASEN ICT Group
> BDACC Reviews and Literature Editor
> http://web.onyxnet.co.uk/Stass-onyxnet.co.uk
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Hodgson" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 11:14 AM
> Subject: Re: using dictation software in public spaces
>
>
>> Lynnette,
>>
>> I raised this issue on the Tech-Dis forum and received a couple of
>> responses which are copied below. However, I'd like to point out that in
>> my last message I said that we were going to run a pilot of this
>> software on a selection of standalone machines. This has now changed,
>> after an offer to help us install the software on our network from a
>> chap at Sonant Software, we're now going for the plunge and installing
>> it University wide. We have been assured that speech recognition
>> profiles will be able to be saved into users roaming profile network
>> areas. How easy this will be to setup, we're yet to find out!
>>
>> Computers will be installed into separate booths (or reading rooms
>> perhaps) where possible for speech recognition use and users will be
>
>> The majority of our computers are available in the library in an open
>> area. This area will still be subject to the same noise restrictions.
>>
>> Hope this helps
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> >>>>>>>
>>
>> Gwil / Logan,
>>
>> Many thanks for this information. It seems that both of you have
>> experienced similar issues in the same areas. Alarm bells are ringing
>> now and I'm pretty sure we won't be going for a network installation.
>> At
>> least not straight away.
>>
>> I think I'll try out what you've both suggested and setup some
>> standalone machines in separate booths. I'll see how it goes and if it
>> proves popular then I'll see if I can link these to their University
>> accounts rather than installing it on the network as a whole.
>>
>> Cheers again
>>
>> John
>>
>> >>> [log in to unmask] 17/08/04 22:49:59 >>>
>> Hi John,
>>
>> As both a prior student who is blind and now an assistive technology
>> tutor I
>> have found the following issues with Dragon in a network environment
>>
>> a. The user(voice) files have often proved to be difficult to store
>> and
>> retrieve on some networks.
>>
>> b. The issue of user recognition is a huge problem, as in a typical
>> computer suite there is ongoing noise associated with the coming and
>> going
>> of other students creating enough background noise to, in some cases,
>> make
>> use of the software impossible...this might be addressed by the
>> specialised
>> computers with dragon loaded to them being isolated to reduce the
>> background noise. This situation is not perfect as many may realise
>> due to
>> the isolation of the student also, but to ensure their access some
>> flexibility on their part is needed.
>>
>> This solution also addresses another issue which I have encountered,
>> in
>> which non disabled students are not keen on computer users talking too
>> much
>> in a computer suite.
>>
>>
>> Clearly the possible benefits outweigh the possible issues you may
>> encounter
>> but I am aware that Novell has some issues with other assistive
>> technology
>> packages(JFW being one) and I am certain that while this project will
>> be fun
>> it will also provide you with some restless days!!
>>
>> Good luck and remember to smile , it keeps people thinking that you
>> know
>> something they don't!
>>
>> Best Regards,
>>
>>
>> Logan
>>
>> Logan McMullen
>> CME Services
>> +64 6 870 4498
>> +64 27 6439188
>> [log in to unmask]
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>> We tried this but
>>
>> A the version we had did not easily allow us to store users profiles
>> on
>> the network ( you will probably know about the produc tmatrix at the
>> scansoft website)
>>
>> B users don't like other users talking to machines in a typing pool
>> like
>> environment
>>
>> C accuracy was affected with users coming in and out making noise etc
>> etc
>>
>> I thnk that there should be a number of pcs in booths in places like
>> language labs or multimedia rooms that could have this software
>> installed successfully
>>
>> In this way disabled users could access it and it may also be useful
>> to
>> language students as well ( ie other language versions of Dragon / Via
>> Voice etc)
>>
>> Best wishes
>> Gwil
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "John Hodgson" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2004 10:29 PM
>> Subject: Dragon Naturally Speaking
>>
>>
>> > Hi all
>> >
>> > Appals for cross posting
>> >
>> > We were thinking of releasing Dragon Naturally Speaking over our
>> > network here at the University and was wondering if anyone has had
>> any
>> > experience of this and whether or not there are any issues or if
>> there
>> > is anything we should watch out for.
>> >
>> > Our workstations are Windows XP and software is rolled out via
>> Novell
>> > Application Launcher.
>> >
>> > Cheers
>> >
>> > John
>>
>> >>> [log in to unmask] 27/09/04 15:06:05 >>>
>> I wonder if anyone can give me the benefit of their experience with
>> this one?
>> We are looking at installing Dragon Naturally Speaking or similar
>> voice activated software in our public access computers, for the benefit
>> of students who may have RSI related problems, dyslexia, or any other
>> conditions where this facility would be useful.
>> Clearly we are concerned that students will have as much privacy as
>> possible, and be able to keep noise levels to a minimum to avoid
>> inconveniencing others who will be using PCs in the same room.; space,
>> as always, is at a premium, and it would be difficult to find a separate
>> room in which to install this equipment.
>> Has anyone encountered similar diffculties and can recommend any
>> measures we could take? Are there , for example, some acoustic screens
>> or baffles that you know of that we could install?
>> Any helpful suggestions gratefully received!
>>
>> Lynnette Easterbrook
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________________
>> This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
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>> ______________________________________________________________________
>>
>>
----------------------
Claire Wickham,
Director: Centre for Access and Communication Studies
University of Bristol
Union Building
Queen's Road
Clifton
Bristol BS8 1LN
Tel: 0117 954 5710/5705
Textphone: 0117 954 5715
Fax: 0117 954 5714
[log in to unmask]
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