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Sore shoulders: dictation software / Headaches:read-aloud sw

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 5:16 pm
by SammyJo
SORE SHOULDER SOLUTIONS
My sore shoulders continue (6 weeks post-procedure), although getting better. Seeing my PT once a week, he does the shoulder release (Google link) which he said "resets" the dysfunctional muscle spindles involved in the knotted muscles.

Now I'm using dictation software (speech-to-text), so I don't have to type as much. Dragon Naturally Speaking, Amazon has it (link).

1. Buy Standard Edition version 10.0 costs about $60
2. You will need the serial number on the disc, but don't install from the disc.
3. Instead, download the latest version 10.1 (link). This works for all Windows systems up to 64-bit Vista. System requirements (link).

For anybody with upper motor problems or dexterity issues this is a great tool, and it can spell better than I do. You need to fix about every 10th word, and sometimes I forget to hit the shut off key and start talking to Doug. Do proofread before you submit ;-)

COMPUTER VISION PROBLEMS OR HEADACHES
I am also getting a new kind of minor headache from eye strain on the PC.

So the other way (text-to-speech), the adaptive software and I use is FlameReader.com (link), so you can shut your eyes and listen to stuff you would othersie read on PC or portable devices. Has a human natural voice, Paul or Kate, Roberto or Rosa.

I would appreciate any rehab advice stories you have!

Re: Sore shoulders: dictation software / Headaches:read-alou

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:10 am
by NHE
SammyJo wrote:COMPUTER VISION PROBLEMS OR HEADACHES
I am also getting a new kind of minor headache from eye strain on the PC.

So the other way (text-to-speech), the adaptive software and I use is FlameReader.com (link), so you can shut your eyes and listen to stuff you would othersie read on PC or portable devices. Has a human natural voice, Paul or Kate, Roberto or Rosa.

I would appreciate any rehab advice stories you have!
My old SoundBlaster software that came with my sound card had software that would read the text in a document window. It was a good way to proof read something as you could listen to the sentences to see if they actually had the message you intended them to send. So, anybody who's interested in this, check your audio drivers software. You may actually already have a program which provides this function. Note that simple sound chip drivers may not have it, but more robust collections of audio software like that which typically comes with a SoundBlaster (or similar) card probably will. For example, I still like to use the old SoundBlaster wav file editor even though there are other apps out there like Audacity. In fact, both have their strengths in different situations.

NHE

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 2:17 am
by Algis
Someone at MSRC chatroom gaved me that 'dragonSpeak' advise too. I love the idea; I am just scared that if I use it too much I may get lazy and lose definitely the last few fingers that still can type ... I also earn a living out of computer and what I do can not (yet) be actuated by voice...

But I'll take it and try it :)

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 7:51 am
by Sharon
SammyJo - glad to hear the shoulders are getting better - six weeks is still a short time when repairing the nerves and getting the muscles to relax. Once you get off the blood thinners, you might try acupuncture - talk to your PT about it. This really helped me to move from "almost to 100%" range of motion. Hope you are doing better now.....Good idea about the use of voice activation software.

Take care,
Sharon

Dragon

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:09 am
by Dovechick
Ella uses Dragon at work and swears by it. She developped a serious spasm in her left arm and was no long able to use her left hand to type shortly after she started her job. She says she 'loves' her Dragon. She still types one handed at home though.

Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:22 am
by happy_canuck
I have used Dragon for 5 years. It's amazing. It's the best way to read and grade students' papers (I teach at a university). I also can sit my laptop on the passenger seat and dictate memos when driving long distances. When I arrive, I proofread for mistakes and send out all the emails. It saves me a ton of time!