Chapter 2
Installing Dragon and Starting Basic Training
In This Chapter
Installing Dragon NaturallySpeaking on your computer
Creating a user profile
Assisting Dragon in recognizing your voice
By now, you have chosen the version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking that is best for you, you’ve concluded that your hardware configuration is appropriate, and you’re sitting in front of your computer ready to get started. It’s exciting to anticipate using a tool that can make you more productive every day!
But, before you can start saving all that time, you need to install the program and create a user profile. Installing NaturallySpeaking is easy. In most cases, you just put the DVD into your DVD-ROM drive and follow the directions on the screen. Setting up your profile is really quick, too. You will be asked some questions about your speaking style, but the good news is that they’re all questions you know the answers to.
There is no training process to complete to get started. You can go back and read aloud some well-known material chosen for you to improve performance. The program will work on its own to improve accuracy, and you can help it along. I cover that in later chapters. In the late 1990s, training NaturallySpeaking was a long, boring process. But fear not! Those days are over. By the end of this chapter, you will be ready to start dictating your project plan for that next great startup!
Installing Dragon NaturallySpeaking on Your Computer
Whether you’re installing NaturallySpeaking for the first time or installing over a previous version, the process is easy. If you have user profiles from NaturallySpeaking version 11 or 12, the Upgrade Wizard finds those user profiles and sets them up in version 13. Otherwise, you’re guided through the creation of a new user profile. Follow these steps:
- Find the envelope that contains the installation DVD.
The DVD in the white envelope has a label with a serial number on it. The serial number enables you to activate the program, so keep it handy. You’ll see duplicates of the number in a peel-off label format for your convenience.
- Paste the duplicate serial numbers in places that you can easily access.
For safekeeping, peel two of them off (leaving one on the envelope) and put them on your software receipt, in the front of this book, or in a file folder where you’ll be able to find them again.
- Plug in the microphone.
Microphones other than those with a USB (including the headset microphones that come with NaturallySpeaking editions) plug into your computer’s sound card. If you have a desktop computer, turn the computer so that you can see the back where all the cables are. If you’re like me, this is a place you don’t enjoy visiting.
Because many people feel this way, Nuance has thoughtfully provided a user guide in the box for the headset included with the software. Look at the side of the sheet that has the operating guide. Your computer likely has color-coded jacks for the microphone and the headset along with small icons showing a mic and a headset. The headset has two color-coded plugs that correspond to the ones on the headset. Insert the plugs into the jacks as shown in the photo they supply.
Even though you get a headset and QuickStart guide in the software box, you also have the option to use the internal microphone. - Put the installation DVD into your DVD drive.
The Windows AutoRun feature starts running the installation program automatically. See Figure 2-1.
If you wait 30 seconds or so and nothing happens, don’t worry. Nothing is wrong. Do this instead: Double-click the Computer icon on the Windows desktop. When the Computer window opens, find the icon corresponding to your DVD-ROM drive, and double-click it. Find the setup.exe file in the DVD-ROM window and double-click it. Now you are exactly where you would be if it had started automatically. It will take a minute to prepare the files.
Figure 2-1: Beginning the installation process.
- Click Install (refer to Figure 2-1).
The InstallShield Wizard starts.
- A welcome screen appears, as shown in Figure 2-2.
You are asked to wait as the setup process begins.
Figure 2-2: InstallShield Wizard welcome screen.
- After the InstallShield Wizard prepares the setup process, click the Next button.
You are presented with an End User License Agreement, as shown in Figure 2-3.
- If you agree to the terms of the license agreement, select the I Accept radio button and then click Next.
Figure 2-3: Nuance’s End User License Agreement.
A screen appears asking you to choose which components of Dragon NaturallySpeaking to install, as shown in Figure 2-4. Your choices are Typical/Complete or Custom.
Figure 2-4: Choice of components to install.
- Unless you are an advanced user, select Typical/Complete.
The Customer Information window appears, as shown in Figure 2-5.
- Type your username and serial number where prompted and then click Next.
The serial number will never have any letter Os in it. If you see something that looks like an O, it’s always a zero.
Files begin to install, as shown in Figure 2-6. Installation may take a few minutes, but while you wait, tips and hints about positioning your microphone, dictating, and using the Learning Center display.
After the files install, the InstallShield Wizard is finished. See Figure 2-7.
Figure 2-5: Customer Information window.
Figure 2-6: Tips and hints appear during the installation.
Figure 2-7: InstallShield Wizard has completed its magic.
- (Optional) Deselect the Check for Updates check box if want to look for program updates later.
I recommend that you leave the check box selected so that you start your training with the most up-to-date files.
- Click Finish.
A screen appears, and you’re asked to choose a way to register the software, as shown in Figure 2-8.
Figure 2-8: Choices for product registration.
- Select one of the two radio buttons to register.
You can choose Register Online or Remind Me in 7 Days. Make your choice based on your needs.
- Click OK.
You might be asked to reboot your computer to make the necessary changes, as shown in Figure 2-9.
Figure 2-9: Go ahead and reboot your computer if Dragon asks.
- If you’re asked to restart your system, click Yes.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
Creating a User Profile
If you wonder how NaturallySpeaking 13 maintains a 99 percent accuracy rate, the secret is in the user profile. The profile learns your unique speech patterns and word choices. But, as with any good assistant, you need to provide NaturallySpeaking with clear, accurate instructions for it to follow.
When Dragon is installed, you will see the Naturally Speaking icon on the desktop.
- Double-click the icon on the desktop (or on the Start screen in Windows 8) or choose Start⇒All Programs⇒Dragon NaturallySpeaking 13.0 from the Windows Start menu.
The first time after you install the program, you will be asked to activate your software, as shown in Figure 2-10. You can activate it immediately (Activate Product) or within five more uses (Trial Mode). Activation is required to use the program after the fifth use. If you click Activate Product, you must be connected to the web in order to verify that you are using a valid serial number. No personal information is sent.
If you choose to activate later, you will be prompted each of the next five times you use the software, so I recommend activating the product and avoiding the persistent reminders.
Figure 2-10: Choose when to activate the software.
- Select the Activate Product option.
Your serial number will be displayed.
- Click Launch.
Another welcome screen is displayed.
- Click Next.
You’re another step closer to greater productivity and hands-free dictation!
If you’re a new user who doesn’t have a user profile from a previous version of NaturallySpeaking you will be prompted to create a profile name. This name will appear on future lists and menus so that you can tell NaturallySpeaking which user you are.
Pick a name you will recognize as your own. Be aware that your username is case sensitive when you make a choice. If you type your name as Tom with a capital T, you won’t be able to use tom later.
After you create a profile name, you’ll need to step through the user profile options. The User Profile asks you to:
- Choose your speech options, as shown in Figure 2-11.
Figure 2-11: Speech options help Dragon better understand what you are saying.
- Select your region: It’s important for NaturallySpeaking to prepare files that are specific to your region of the world. Choose your region from the pull-down list.
Nuance has improved the Canadian vocabulary. If you choose Canada as the region, the software uses the Canadian spelling of certain words rather than the U.S. English spelling, such as centre instead of center.
- Select your accent: I’m sure we all agree that it’s the other person who has an accent, but there really are identifiable accents depending on where in the world you first learned to speak. Choose an accent from the pull-down list.
- Select your region: It’s important for NaturallySpeaking to prepare files that are specific to your region of the world. Choose your region from the pull-down list.
- Click Next.
If the program can locate your microphone, it will show up in the first audio device box, as shown in Figure 2-12. If you want to choose a different audio device, double-click it in the second box.
Figure 2-12: Choose an audio device.
- Click Next.
You will be shown how to position your microphone correctly. (See Figure 2-13.) This instructional screen requires no information from you. It gives you advice on how to position your microphone and shows two graphics illustrating the approved techniques.
Figure 2-13: Position your microphone according to the provided advice.
The main idea is that the microphone needs to be near your mouth, but not in front of it. (In front seems natural, but you get interference from your breathing on the microphone.) It should be far enough to the side that you don’t bump it with your mouth when you talk. You may need to twist the arm a bit to get the microphone positioned just right.
Put the microphone a distance of two fingers from your mouth; that’s the perfect amount of space. Also, make sure the word talk under the boom cushion is pointing toward your mouth; otherwise, you will not be heard.
You only have to set up your user profile one time. However, there are other user profile options, including adding a dictation source to an existing profile. I tackle those options in Chapter 19. - Click Next.
Now you need to read a bit of text to make sure your microphone is configured correctly. See Figure 2-14.
- When you are ready, click Start.
Begin reading until you get an audio signal that the recording process is complete. A Complete button will also appear indicating you are finished if you have the speakers muted on your system.
Figure 2-14: Helping Dragon adapt to your voice and ensure your mic works.
- Click Next.
You see a screen that lets you know that the program is customizing itself for you.
When the customization finishes, a screen comes up asking you to choose whether you want to help Nuance improve the software, as shown in Figure 2-15. Make your choice.
- Click Next.
Dragon is ready, as shown in Figure 2-16.
Figure 2-15: Choices for improving current and future software versions.
Figure 2-16: The software is ready to use.
- Click Finish.
You see the bright shiny new DragonBar, and an Interactive Tutorial, as shown in Figure 2-17. If you have the time, I recommend you step through the tutorial.
- Click the Next button to start the tutorial.
If you don’t have the time to go through the tutorial now, you can always access it later from the Help menu in the upper-right corner of the DragonBar. When you’re learning, it’s great to use as many different modes as possible: watching, hearing, and, in the case of this book, doing it step by step.
The Interactive Tutorial is also available in the Learning Center, which was previously known as the Dragon Sidebar. If you select the Interactive Tutorial, you’re provided interactive instructions on how to do things like control your microphone, dictate text, make corrections, and more.
Figure 2-17: Interactive Tutorial teaches you efficient dictation skills.
- If you choose not to go through the Interactive Tutorial at this time, click the ‘X’ in the upper-right corner.
You are then presented with the Learning Center, as shown in Figure 2-18. You will see the Learning Center each time you open NaturallySpeaking.
The Learning Center groups voice commands into four categories:
- Dictating: The commands you speak to the software to achieve the desired result.
- Navigating: The commands you speak to move around in Windows or a specific application.
- Editing: The commands you speak to fix the mistakes you made while dictating.
- Controlling: The commands you use to navigate the features and functionality of the microphone and the mouse.
You’ll find all the commands for each category by clicking that menu item.
The Learning Center’s focus will change when you switch between different applications. For example, you’ll notice when you’re in Microsoft Word that you see commands relevant to that application. The same goes for other common applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, and several others.
Figure 2-18: The Learning Center offers you help and dictation commands.
There’s also a Dragon on the Web link at the bottom of the Learning Center. This takes you to the information and support site for NaturallySpeaking.
You’ve completed your set up. I’m sure you’re already starting to feel confident that you and your new NaturallySpeaking assistant will be great friends. If you’re ready, head to Chapter 3 and start mastering the controls.