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Documentation

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Introduction

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is an assistive technology program that allows users to interact with a Windows-based PC using audio commands. Dragon is available on the Assistive Technology stations in Capen first floor Cybrary (two computers), Lockwood second floor Cybrary, Lockwood Library second floor, Health Sciences Library, first floor in Abbott Hall, 128 Clement Residence Hall, Baldy 206, and Capen 201. Using Dragon, users can dictate text in place of typing, perform simple commands within common text editing applications, and respond to message windows using only audio input. Headphones with attached microphones are available at all Assistive Technology stations.

Before You Begin

Before you begin using Dragon NaturallySpeaking, you will need the following items:

• Your UBITName and Password
• A headset (One is available at Assistive Technology stations, but you may choose to bring your own.)
• Additional UBFS space if you intend to save your speech profile. Write to cit-accounts@buffalo.edu and identify your name and UBITName, then state that you require additional UBFS space for storing Dragon NaturallySpeaking's speech training profile. Requests take one to three business days to complete.

Starting Dragon

1. Double-click on the NaturallySpeaking 8.0 icon on the computer's Desktop.
2. Click Continue.
   
3. The NaturallySpeaking StartupSpeech file browser appears. Click OK.
4. The first time you use Dragon NaturallySpeaking, you will receive notice that there is no nsuser.ini file. Click Yes to continue.
   
5. You will be asked to enter profile information to create a new user. Enter all the requested information, then click Next.
   
6. Please wait while a vocabulary is created for you.
7. Position the microphone and headphones as directed by the on-screen instructions and diagram, then click Next.
   
8. Ensure that all audio cables are plugged into the appropriate ports. If they are not, the following steps will not work and may affect the performance of Dragon NaturallySpeaking. If you need help, speak with a Public Site Consultant.
9. Click Start Volume Check. Begin reading aloud the text in the text box. The bar on the right side of the window should fill up, showing that your microphone is working properly.
   
10. When you hear a ding and see a message telling you that the volume check is finished, click Next. This may happen midway through reading the text.
    
11. Make sure the microphone switch on the volume adjuster connected to the cable of the microphone and headphones is in the on position for Quality Check to operate effectively. Click Start Quality Check. Read aloud the text in the text box.
    
12. When you have finished, you will be told whether your microphone has passed in the black box in the lower right of the window. If you do not successfully pass the quality check on your first attempt, either your hardware or your positioning of the microphone is incorrect and needs to be adjusted. Click Next to continue.
    
13. To begin using Dragon, you must complete the New User Wizard. To do so, click Go.
14. The Select Text window will appear. Select a text, then click Next. You will be asked to read aloud a series of text passages. Use the Pause button at any time to temporarily stop reading, and the Resume button to begin again. Words will change color as they are read aloud and interpreted by Dragon. If the color stops changing at a certain word even though you have read beyond it, go back and begin reading from that point until the color changes.
    
15. Once you have completed all of the audio tests, the a window will appear indicating that the training process has been completed. Click OK to continue. Please wait while the necessary files are adapted.
    
16. You will be asked whether you want to adapt Dragon NaturallySpeaking to your writing style. Select Skip this step, then click Next.
17. Select Begin dictating, then click Finish.
    
18. The Dragon Bar is the menu bar located at the top of your screen. This menu bar can be used to perform common Dragon NaturallySpeaking functions. Click the NaturallySpeaking button.
    
19. Select Turn Microphone On from the NaturallySpeaking pull-down menu. The microphone is now active and can receive voice commands.
    

Saving Your Training Profile

Once you train Dragon NaturallySpeaking to be familiar with your speech patterns, you can save the training profile and let Dragon NaturallySpeaking access it whenever you want to use Dragon to provide voice commands and dictation.

The directions below are for saving your profile to UBFS. It is recommended that you save any files, including Dragon's speech profile, to multiple locations, such as a CD-RW or a USB storage device such as a jump drive.

1. Double-click on the UBFShome client icon. Enter your UBITName and Password.
2. From the NaturallySpeaking menu, select Manage Users.
3. Select your name. Click Advanced, then Export.
   
4. You will receive an error message indicating the folder Desktop cannot be used. Click OK.
   
5. Select My Computer. Browse for your UBFS S drive. Select it, then select the Data folder. Click OK.

   Note

   If you do not first connect to UBFShome, you will receive an error message.

   
   
6. You will see notification that the file was saved successfully. Click OK.
   
7. Click Close.
   

Launching Your Training Profile

1. Double-click on the UBFShome client icon. Enter your UBITName and Password.
2. Double-click on the NaturallySpeaking 8.0 icon on the Desktop.
3. Click Continue.
   
4. Select your training file's location, such as your s drive, in the data folder, in the folder named with the username you created when saving the file. Click OK.
   
5. The UB Dragon Save Files window will appear, asking if you want to save your voice files. Click Yes. The UB Dragon File Copy window will appear while Dragon copies your files to the system.
6. When the files are copied, you will be notified. Click OK.
   

Dictating with Dragon

The primary use of Dragon NaturallySpeaking is to allow a user to dictate text into a text editor such as Notepad or Microsoft Word. Any program that allows a user to type input will work with Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Open a program that you would like to dictate in, place the cursor in the area you would like to insert text into, and begin speaking.

When you need to use certain characters or perform common text editing functions such as tabs or hard returns, there are certain audio commands that must be used. Some of the common ones are listed below.

Deleting Old Profiles

Dragon does not clean up old training profiles. Instead, it saves a new copy when you choose to export the file, and converts the other to a backup. Because these backup files can take up a lot of space, we suggest you only keep the current copy and one previous backup.

1. Double-click the UBFShome icon if you have not already done so, and authenticate with your UBITName and Password.
2. Click start, then select My Computer. If you followed the directions above, select the S drive, then select Data and the folder bearing your name. Keep only one backup file. Select the backup folder you want to delete, right-click and select Delete.

Additional Features

Not only can Dragon NaturallySpeaking interpret audio commands to create text, it can also interpret commonly used functions within certain text editors. This functionality varies from program to program. In Microsoft Word or Notepad, however, any command coming from the menu bar at the top of the program (where File, Open, etc. are located) can be manipulated using Dragon. Say the name of the pull-down menu you would like to open, then say the selection you would like to make.

In addition, you can respond to message boxes or any pop-up message that requires a simple response. Say the exact text found in the button you would like to "press," and Dragon will interpret your command and make that selection. The message box must be the active (i.e., highlighted) window for this method to work.

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