Kyle,

Dragon Dictate is very reasonable for what it allows you to do.

I have the Standatd edition, version, 5.0 I think, - anyway, the latest
version.

If you want to use it to fill out forms I would get the professional version
which you can likely get for less than $300. Also Dragon needs lots of memory
to run and a quality sound card makes a difference. If you are thinking about
upgrading your system at any time in the near future, it is good to do it when
you get Dragon. Not saying you have to, just that it might make sense.

The quality of the microphone also makes a difference. I think the one that
comes with the software is better than it used to be. It is a headset
microphone as you probably know.  If that make you crazy- sometimes it slips
around- you can get a table top model, downside: less portable or wear a
baseball cap. This works well if you have a private office

In general, Dragon works best in private space, not that it needs to be dead
quiet, but your dictacting may distube others.

They say you can be using this in about an hour... that is not untrue... you
can be using it, but using it skillfully takes somewhat longer.

To fill out forms you will likely have to dictate what needs to be filled in,
the cut and paste - are your forms Word documents? Can they be converted to
Word Templates? If so it might be easier. (Fewer steps)

It is probably worth talking to a Dragon Rep. and seeing if you can really do
what you need to do before you buy.

As I said, I have the low-end version, the Professional version has some
things that I like and probably does do some things that I don't know about.

Check out the Dragon Sysytems Website.

Best Regards,
You and Laura are in my thoughts.
Bonnie


>===== Original Message From "St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List"
<[log in to unmask]> =====
>Kat, you have a "ballpark" $$$ on Dragon Dictate?  I'll send it on down to
>our Purchasing guy if it's <$1K.
>
>Thanks much!
>
>-Kyle
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Kathy Salkin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent: Monday, June 24, 2002 11:31 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Therma-wrap or similar product
>
>
>The therma-wrap seems to work well for me, and if it's too hot at first, you
>can let it cool off a bit before using it.
>
>As for the voice-recognition software, I've used "Dragon Dictate," which
>works
>fairly well.
>
>Kat