MacSpeech's Dictate Software

MacSpeech Dictate is a speech recognition program for the Mac. A review from MacWorld suggests that this software offers recognition as good as similar Windows software, such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking. (Version 1.5 of MacSpeech Dictate is powered by Dragon from Nuance.) The package includes software and a noise-canceling microphone headset. There is an option to upgrade to a professional-level microphone if you purchase from MacSpeech directly. The Mac internal microphone cannot be used with this software.

The software requires about a 10-minute training to configure for the speaker. MacSpeech provides a number of video tutorials to install the software, create a profile, train, edit, and create voice commands for macros as links on their home page.

Reviews are mixed with most reviewers concerned about the software's editing capabilities. Many of the reviews from 2008 are mixed with pros/cons listed by users. Hopefully the upgrade to version 1.5 has improved the software's performance.

As of November 1, 2009, the price on the MacSpeech site is $249.00. The Amazon price is $159.49 with free shipping. Medical and Legal versions of the software are also available.

Google Wave

Google Wave is a new and exciting feature from Google. A wave can be both a conversation and a document where people discuss and work together using text, photos, videos, maps and more.

Google Wave can be used to organize events, work collaboratively on group projects, share photos, share meeting notes, brainstorm and play interactive games with your friends.

Explore this new Google tool!

Pages 09

Pages 09 is the fourth version of the word processing and page layout application produced by Apple as part of the iWork 09 suite of programs. For Microsoft Word users, the move to Pages 09 may be stressful until users obtain a few basics about the program.

1. Pages can import/open documents with in the following formats:

plain text (.txt), Rich Text Format (.rtf and .rtfd), AppleWorks 6 word processing (.cwk) and Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx).

Pages preserves the original document's text, colors, layout and other formatting as much as possible.

2. Pages can export files to the following formats:

Microsoft Word (.doc), PDF, Rich Text Format (.rtf and .rtfd)

Use Share, Export or File, Export and choose the preferred format to export a Pages document.

3. The Inspector is your friend.

Choose Show, Inspector or click the Inspector in the toolbar.

Hold the mouse over any of the buttons to display the button name.

Use the following resources to learn more about Pages 09:

Atomic Learning - use Pages 08 - the basics remain the same

Atomic Learning - use What's New in Pages 09 - for updated information

Pages 09 User Guide at Apple's website

Pages 09 Tutorials at Apple's website

blip.tv Pages 09 Tutorial Series - Introduction to Pages

With a little bit of practice you will find new features available and templates that enhance the documents you create.