The Difference between Typing and Talking
From: Speech Technology Magazine - July / August 2006 - page 32
By: Robin Springer

What would it take for you to use desktop dictation? Really use it.  Not just
here and there, not just for the first three months, not because you might be
developing a repetitive stress injury, but really use it. For pretty much
everything - to dictate e-mail, letters, memos - because using speech is
faster and easier than typing.  

When it comes down to it, more of us would use desktop dictation if it was
easier to use. But what really makes a product more usable? If software is
"compliant" does that make it usable?  

Compliant is defined as "willing to comply; submissive," so, when software is
"Section 508 compliant," it means the product conforms to federal
regulations, but may not mean much else.  

For example, if a commercial structure has stairs at the entrance to the
building but also has a wheelchair ramp with multiple switchbacks at the side
of the building, it complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but my
96-year-old grandmother is not going to scale the side of the building with
her walker. She is prevented from entering the building and, as such, even
though it is compliant, she still can't use it.  

For a product to be accessible, it can be approached or entered. It is
possible for the individual to complete the task, although doing so may be
cumbersome. For example, using desktop dictation to magnify a page, one might
say, "View, zoom, tab, tab, 150, okay." 

Compare that to saying, "Zoom to 150 percent." That's usable. The distinction
is important.  

If we are talking about an attorney with cerebral palsy who types very slowly
with one finger, it's possible she will use the software if it is compliant
and she will probably use it if it is accessible. However if we are talking
about an attorney without cerebral palsy who types without difficulty, she is
not going to use the software unless it is usable.  

Usability is defined by the International Standards Organization as the
"effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction with which a specified set of
users can achieve a specified set of tasks in a particular environment."  

The five factors that influence usability are productivity, learnability,
error frequency, memorability, and satisfaction. While the software design
addresses issues related to learnability and error frequency, we can modify
the user environment to improve productivity and satisfaction.  

It could be something as easy as upgrading the microphone, and not for the
purpose of improving recognition rates. Many dictators stop using speech
recognition because it takes too long to put on the headset. Think about it.
Type a two-sentence memo or fumble for the headset, put it on your head (this
requires two hands), adjust the boom, turn on the microphone…you could have
been done by now if you had just used the keyboard.  In many cases this is a
deal breaker but if we swap the headset that comes with the software for a
hand-held microphone, the user just picks it up and talks. It could be the
difference between typing and talking.  

What about the user who is constantly switching between the headset for the
phone and the headset for the computer? After a while it becomes a bother. 
Changing the headset to an integrated unit that will accommodate both devices
removes the disruption and makes the system usable.  

If a computer has a slower processor or is limited in swap space on the hard
drive or lacking in RAM, dictation can be painful. Imagine talking into the
microphone and being able to count the seconds before the text is inserted
into the document. Not only is this unproductive, it is distracting. By the
time the user sees the text on the screen, he has probably forgotten what he
wanted to write next.  

According to sources at Hewlett Packard, using a dual core processor, as
found in computers including the HP dv1000t notebook, instead of a single
core processor resulted in a 30 to 50 percent improvement in non-speech
applications, so, even though a product like Nuance's Dragon
NaturallySpeaking was not made to multi-task, the dual core processor may
improve dictation response time simply because of the enhanced processing
capabilities.  

Desktop dictation can be a long-term solution. We can accelerate the path to
usability by being proactive in improving the user experience.  

Links:
Computer Talk
http://www.computertalk.com/

Robin Springer
contactus@comptalk.com

Assistive Technologies; Awareness and Opportunity
http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/article_detail.asp?article_id=416

Articles by Robin Springer
http://www.comptalk.com/using_speech.htm