One of the most unique tools available for computers today is speech recognition software. Thanks to advancements in software development, the products, though still not without their bugs, are opening up an entirely new world of computing.
Speech, or voice recognition software allows the user to dictate to their computer. The spoken words are translated by the software into an electronic word processor document. This allows the user to create a document at the same speed they speak – typically about 100 words per minute – which is much faster than most people can type. Being able to say your thoughts as you have them, instead of having to wait on your fingers to catch up, allows your thought processes to happen more smoothly. The software even makes sure the words are spelled correctly – most of the time. A prudent user will still choose to proofread the final document, just in case.
There are some downsides to this technology. The file sizes are large, so you need to have a computer with a lot of memory to be able to efficiently use the software. The software also must learn to recognize your voice, which can take time; and you must speak very clearly for the software to be able to understand you. Some punctuation will also need to be dictated, which can disrupt the flow of your thought process. While these may seem like big downsides to some, development advancements have truly created speech recognition software that is much more user-friendly than the earliest versions.
Perhaps the biggest benefit to speech recognition software, however, is the opportunities it brings to disabled people who do not have the use of their hands for keyboarding. If they are able to speak clearly, these individuals can now easily dictate entire documents into their computers, opening up the same opportunities others may take for granted.