Anyone have any experience with iListen!?

I purchased the iListen voice recognition software and
am now installing it on my PowerBook. There are scripts
available supporting Tiger/iLife applications and
widgets. It would be great if it would allow control of
the Mac with voice commands (as advertised). IListen
even says it supports dictation and trascription with a
330,000 word vocabulary. They even seem to suggest that
you can record with your iPod and transcribe recorded
dictation.

When I installed the software I found that it did not
respect the Universal Access Preferences I need to
accomodate my vision impairment. Specifically, the
training text appeared as black text on white
background. This does not work for me. I had to set up
my girlfriend with a wireless microphone to read to me
the text -- that I would then dictate into the voice
recognition headset. A curious work-around but, I had
the same problem with Dragon's Naturally Speaking on my
Windows platform.

Is it me or, is it strange that voice recognition
software developers don't bother to check its'
functionality (or lack thereof), with vision impaired
user requirements?

As of today I've written an 'Urgent' support message to
the MacSpeech, Inc. support people inquiring into the
possibility of publishing their text samples as used in
training -- in an alternate form. I'll post their reply
when I get it.

In the meantime, I would be interested in hearing from
anyone who has tried to use this program.

Thanks
G!


Reply via email to