Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 11 Student Edition [Old Version]

Horrible and a huge waste of time. Bought it for my son and even after training the software for several hours to recognize his voice it was at best 50% accurate. Years ago I worked on a car navigation system that used speech recognition. I worked on the map database but used the system often doing testing. It, like Dragon, works best on a adult male voice. But even that system nearly 20 years ago recognized womens and childrens voices much better than Dragon. Oh and the included headset is junk too. When you complain they tell you to buy a better headset for another $100 or more. Save your time and money this thing is junk. Oh and even on my voice it was only about 70% accurate. junk junk junk

Im working on both a Masters degree in Management Information Systems and an MBA. Needless to say, I do a lot of reading, writing, taking notes about what Im reading, and writing about what Ive read. Ive always found the process of switching back and forth between reading and typing notes on the computer to be awkward. So, I tended to be rather old-school and just scribbled notes in the margins of what I was reading and in notebooks. That, of course, was inefficient because then I would have to type my notes into the computer in order to organize them and use them in a 21st-century way. I knew my archaic methods wouldnt pass the benchmark a thesis, so I bought Dragon NaturallySpeaking with the hope that it would help me streamline my note taking process. I was hesitant about purchasing the software because I had tried speech recognition software about a decade ago, and because of my tendency to speak quickly and mumble and my mild speech impediment, lets just say that the software was less than successful at understanding me. I shouldnt have worried: Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 11 premium edition is amazing. Its accurate, fast, and fully featured. Now, I can dictate my notes while I read, read my scribbled class notes into the computer, or speak my outlines, rough drafts, and brainstorming sessions directly into Microsoft Word, OneNote, and other software. Registration: Registration was quick and easy. I followed the instructions included in the box and had my serial number sitting in my e-mail inbox within minutes. The only thing that threw me for a minute was that the product code on the instruction sheet wasnt labeled as such and didnt look a thing like the one shown on the website. I have a .edu e-mail address from an accredited university, which is what I assumed streamlined the registration process. So, your mileage may vary if you need to upload a scan of your ID card or other information in order to register. Installation/Setup/Training: The software comes with a quick reference card that includes installation instructions. I didnt time it, but it took quite a few minutes to install the software. Then, I had to set up a profile, configure the microphone, and do the initial training. The software prompts and quick reference card make this process easy, but it does take some time. Perhaps because I have had problems in the past with speech recognition software, I was overly worried about Dragon NaturallySpeaking recognizing and understanding my voice. So, I went through several of the training scenarios, which took me about an hour. I also let it scan my My Documents folder so that it could get an idea of my writing style and standard vocabulary. Im not sure which of these had the greatest influence or if it was a combination of both of these activities, but the software has done an amazing job of understanding me from the first time I used it for dictation. It also recognized a lot of the terms that are specific to technology and business and even many of the acronyms that are used in technical and business writing the first time that I used them. The words and acronyms that it doesnt recognize, I simply add to the softwares vocabulary (verbal dictionary) via the in-line correction feature or by explicitly adding them to my profile. The Headphone/Microphone: Having read numerous reviews that indicated that the included headset had a less than ideal microphone for speech recognition, I purchased the

I am a happy customer of Dragon 10. I bought the student edition of 11 for a student friend. I was shocked and embarassed by the process of trying to register the product. You know how much you hate those refund processes which seem like a scam designed to cause you to fail? Well, that is what this feels like. You need to provide a complete description of yourself, your school, scanned copies of your student ID, scanned copy of paperwork from the college showing your studentship to be current. And the icing on the cake? You are going to send all this stuff to a third party who appear to be outside the USA and tell you it may take up to 30 days. The instructions are tedious and strict, and the follow up emails if they do not like what you send are abrupt and unfriendly. Yeah, really nice. I like Dragon 10. I am totally shocked that Dragon have such a nasty process for the Student Edition. Especially as this was a gift for another person, it has been an embarrassing and unpleasant experience. And, the product still is not usable, you do not get a code to activate the product until this third party is finished grilling you. Nuance should be ashamed to go to a third party and allow their customers to be introduced to Nuance in such a way. A Student Edition only exists because Nuance wants to make a good relationship with a new customer. What were they thinking? Such a shame that their technical nous is not matched by a friendly approach to customers.

The insane procedure you must go through to activate this software is maddening. They tell you to go to a website that is frequently down and upload proof of employment at an academic institution and then they say you have to wait 24 hours before they email you a serial number. After trying for two days to get to the website which was always down I called tech support and they said theyd email me the serial number. I waited three more days and finally got an email from them telling me to go to the website again. I found a solution to activate on my own at [...]

I did not obtain a product code number that would allow me to use the product. It was to come with my student copy and I have been unable to use it as I do n ot know how to send my student picture Id. I am thiking i must return this product as I am unable to send this info. If I could fax this I would be happy to.

I never write reveiws. After reading the strong negatives regarding the registration process, I had to write to about my experience. VERY FAST AND EASY WITH AN EDU EMAIL ACCOUNT. The serial number was IMMEDIATELY emailed. It took me less than 5 mins. to register and recieve my serial number. It took another 5 mins. to download it and I am off an running. I plan on using it for my dissertation. Will post an update.

The Dragon software is great. The process for verifying that you are purchasing the software for a student is terrible. I bought Dragon NaturallySpeaking Premium 11 Student Edition on January 9, it was delivered on January 11, and I installed it that evening. They have a process for verifying that the product is for a student which is inconvenient, but understandable. They want a copy of the students report card, which I gave them. For weeks, I received no response, and so was forced to pay for an alternative solution. Today, I got an email from identit-e Customer Service [[email protected]], that says Your request for eligibility has been placed on hold pending receipt of proof of eligibility. The program rules indicate that we must receive the required eligibility information within 15 days or this request will be rejected. I found the eligibility verification process onerous, poorly designed, non responsive, inconvenient, and in the end, non-functional. I found myself wishing that the product description warned about this process so I could have spend a few extra dollars and avoided the hassle. Thats why Im writing this so try to save someone else from this trap. Im sending the software back today.

Good program

I bought the student version of Drangon Naturally Speaking for my grandson who lives with me. I called Nuance on Friday about getting the serial number and she said to follow the instructions on the product. I sent in the required information yesterday (9/11/10) and am still waiting for the serial number. I called them today and got no help. It seems like Im going to go through some of the hoops that another writer talked about. Why they have to make this such a big deal is beyond me.

When you buy this product you have to send in different kinds of information in order to obtain a serial number which will enable you to install. If they dont, I guess, like your info they will not send the serial number, which means you bought this without being able to use it & out of the money you paid. No phone number on the box or info sheet inside. Online there is a number but they dont deal with the company that wants the info for the serial number. No help at all so far. Very upset at the company, before you purchase this product you should be told ahead of time that this info will be needed & may result in a serial number or it may not. Which means you are on your own.