Gadgets You Never Knew You Needed: Voice Recognition Software

Do you remember what a thrill it was when typewriters came with "eraser tape?" Then more brilliance in technology evolved with the invention of word processing machines, super cool gadgets in their day. Oh Glory! Now we can backspace our mistakes, no more eraser tape for us.

The dawning of the personal computer then pressed upon us. One step closer to owning our own personal robots--yes, some still have that dream. With personal computers we had and still have a choice of which word processing software program to use to fit our budget and needs.

Today we type with ease on our fancy-snazzy ergonomic keyboards or on the keys of our uber-cool laptops. I have one question for you, "Why are you typing at all?"

Wake up people, it's the 21st century and now we can talk-to-text. No more typing. That's right. It's like talking to the computer on "Star Trek" but the computer isn't artificial intelligent, yet.

Voice Recognition Software allows you the freedom to type "hands-free." Do you realize how much time you can save or how you can double your work load, maybe that's something you don't want to read. To be fair, let's review the pros and cons of these awesome software programs.

Pros:

• Talk-to-text type over 100 words per minute
• Freedom to multitask
• Less likely to develop carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cut your work time by a third or half
• Works on all Windows programs

Cons:

• You must enunciate clearly
• Difficult to use if you have a speech impediment
• Hard to program the software to learn your syntax if you have a foreign accent
• Easy to overlook grammar errors
• Quiet environment absolutely necessary

A program which allows you to type without using your hands, what are you waiting for? Download a demo. Go buy this cool gadget. Check out the reviews and pick one that best suits you and your budget. The pros outweigh the cons.

Talk-to-text programs work on emails or social network forums like Facebook. It's great for blogging. You can even talk-to-text in every instant messenger program. So I ask you again, "Why are you still typing?"

If you can type 100 words per minute, awesome--but most of us can not type that fast or with accuracy. Think of how many emails you write or reply to in a day. How many reports you must type within a week for school or work? Do your wrists hurt just thinking about it?

Voice Recognition Software is by far the coolest evolution since the typewriter. Once you learn your way around the program's quick guides you'll find there's no need to use the tab key, enter key or space bar. Everything is talk-to-text! Lean back in your chair, place your hands behind your head, close your eyes and talk-type. Ahhh, sounds cool, doesn't it?

Some top-rated voice recognition software options include Dragon Naturally Speaking, Mac Speech Dictate and Windows Speech Recognition (free accessibility program in Vista and Windows 7 for use with other Microsoft programs).

Once you've used the program you'll ask yourself, "How did I ever live without this?"

I'm just saying.

Charli "Chuck" Gulley is a screenwriter, filmmaker and freelance writer who lives in Southern California. Quite the tomboy as she enjoys Rugby, Fencing and touch football. She's an alumnus of the prestigious screenwriter's workshop, "Writers Bootcamp." Her passion is Hollywood, anything and everything to do with filmmaking. If you don't find her on set you can find her at the arcade playing air hockey and eating pizza.