While driving I would like to speak to my laptop and convert voice to
text and retrieve and edit my work in a word processing program. Is
this possible?

What programs are recommended?

Greetings!
Speech recognition software has come a long way in the couple of years
since it debuted.  So far in fact that what you are seeking to do is
definitely possible.

The program which will allow you to dictate and edit as you drive is
called ViaVoice Pro 10.  Created by IBM the program boasts 97%
accuracy and a powerful array of features.

"Like most consumer-level voice-recognition applications, ViaVoice 10
offers the usual complement of tools and functions, including voice
dictation, a text-to-speech engine and voice-enabled application
control."

"Within Word, you can use plain-English phrases, such as ?select this
paragraph? or ?make this 12-point Arial bold? to manoeuvre through
documents, make editing selections, format and edit. ViaVoice remains
the best speech-recognition program for Word users, and version 10
also dictates into virtually any other Windows application."

"As before, ViaVoice includes text-to-speech skills that can read
documents aloud in a robotic voice -- handy when you want to hear a
playback of what you've written or dictated. Version 10 adds some new
tricks, too: it now supports digital recorders from Olympus and Sanyo,
letting you talk into these recorders, then upload the audio file to
your PC, where ViaVoice turns it into typed text."

http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/software/productivity/0,39024190,10002689,00.htm

Unlike older Speech to text software, the training needed on the new
ViaVoice is only 15 minutes so you'll be up and running in no time.

In order to get started dictating and editing in your car, first
install the software and go through the required training.  Then mount
the laptop on something similar to this:

http://www.jottodesk.net/jotto_desk_laptop_car_mount_jottodesk.htm

After that you should be up and running.  The software comes with a
headset which includes a microphone and ear piece so you can talk to
and hear the computer.


If you have any question, please request a clarification before rating
my answer and I will be more then happy to help.

Best,
djbaker-ga

Search Strategy:

Laptop Car Mount
://www.google.com/search?q=laptop+car+mount&hl=en

Viavoice pro reviews
://www.google.com/search?q=viavoice+pro+reviews&hl=en

Best text to speech programs
://www.google.com/search?q=best+text+to+speech+programs&hl=en&safe=off

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Request for Answer Clarification by porthole-ga on 05 Jun 2005 22:43 PDT

Thank you for your time and research.

Have you tried the product that you recomend?

The product recomended has a 33% thumbs up and a 67% thumbs down rating.

Why would I need a Jotto desk if the product makes for hands free operation?

tony@pacops.com

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Clarification of Answer by djbaker-ga on 05 Jun 2005 23:49 PDT

Hello again!
I personally do own a copy of ViaVoice 10.  I use it to dictate papers
when I am too tired to type.

I noticed the low reviews by a number of the users but from what I can
tell those seem to be as a result of technical problems rather then
performance issues.  Speech to Text software requires some computing
horsepower.  The faster of a system you have the better.  Another
point of contention seems to be with the quality of support offered by
the manufacturer.  They do not seem to be the best when it comes to
helping customers through problems.

That aside it did receive an 8.5/10 from ZDNet, 4/5 on PC Magazine and
an 8/10 on CNet.

Another popular Speech to text package is Dragon NaturallySpeaking by
Scansoft.  This comes in two major flavors, "preferred" and
"professional".  The preferred is the consumer software while the
professional is what is sounds like, the high end version.  The
professional also carries a professional price tag, running over 500
dollars.  However, if you can afford it then it is generally
considered to be the best on the market.

"Speech recognition has never been this good. Dragon Naturally
Speaking 8 Professional, the latest incarnation of the popular
speech-recognition engine from ScanSoft, is better at turning speech
into text than any other commercial product on the market we've seen."

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1818513,00.asp

The preferred version is also very good.  Both sport all the features
I mentioned in my answer above (easy editing, text to speech, etc).

The Dragon NaturallySpeaking software seems to be slightly less
accurate then the ViaVoice software however it does appear to avoid a
lot of the stability issues that ViaVoice users complain about.

As for the Jotto desk, I just figured some kind of devise would be
good to prevent your laptop from sliding all over the car while your
driving.  If you have another idea in mind then by all means use that.
 The Jotto desk was just a suggestion to show you what kind of options
are available.

I hope this answers your questions.  If you have any others or need
something clarified, don't hesitate to request another clarification
before rating my answer and I will be happy to help.

Best,
djbaker-ga

Thank you for your expertise
tony@pacops.com