ABC: Anti-ObamaCare Protest ‘Turned Very Ugly’ with ‘Racial and Homophobic Slurs’

Newsbusters ^ | 3/20/10 | Brent Baker

[Incorrigible]

Rep James Clyburn (D-SC) is the guy spreading the rumor. He’s on the CBS morning show with Bob Schiefer claiming he hadn’t heard anything like that since 1960.

[nathanbedford]

That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it

[dennisw]

Until next week

[dennisw]

Seriesly....Does that Dragon work for you? I tried that stuff years ago and it was too much hassle correcting it. Maybe it has improved...I would buy the program.

If you use it can you tell me what microphone you use?

[nathanbedford]

Yes, it works well but you have to train yourself a bit. You're also quite correct, the microphone is very important. I have used a series of microphones from the ones put out by Microsoft and Logitech. Expect to pay something north of $25 and it's a good idea to get a good one for around $50. I had a very good one but the kids broke it. I had bought it when taking the advice I read on a forum which stresses the importance of microphones and microphone positioning.

When I find my dictation going off course, it is usually the result of poor audio basics which means that the microphone is wrongly positioned or the thing has somehow gone out of "tune." (There, the software made its first mistake, it heard "two" for "tune").

If you do choose to take the plunge I would recommend that you buy only the Dragon software and then only the Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred which I think costs about $120 but is probably available much cheaper. You do not need the more expensive versions unless you intend to use it in a law practice or a medical practice in which case the investment is quite substantial. But the preferred version is about as good as any other version in terms of voice recognition. The others are more expensive because they contain arcane vocabulary. The vocabulary on preferred is actually quite good for things like posting on Free Republic because it has very good recognition for names like, for example, "Steny Hoyer."

If you get the software it's actually a lot of fun to get going with it. There's a standard joke here in this house, the kids know they will get no response from me when I am dictating until I say: "paragraph symbol Nathan Bedford avatar"

"

[Bad Jack Bauer]

I am so pissed at this bunch of idiots that you know what? I’ll stand behind a micophone and say it! I’ll call them much worse! I have been called much worse and I did not feel I had to go crying to anyone about it. Either take it or kick ass if you feel so insulted. I am married to a black woman and she once said, “If you don’t want to be called a n*****, don’t act like one.” I agree.

[dennisw]

I thank you very much all that information. I have not considered voice recognition for at least 7 years but I’m going to give it another try due to your input. I am a lousy typist and it’s hard for me to bloviate as much as I want to

[dennisw]

I’m checking out some of the microphones on eBay. $125 for a Senheiser. I better go get some more recommendations off the internet and forums and Dragoon’s website

[dennisw]

All the mics are USB these day...I think

[nathanbedford]

Dennis :

I encourage you to go ahead and purchase the Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred. As you are already aware, a good microphone is important. The microphone that I was referring to was a Sennheiser and that is about the best there is but it is not necessary to spend $120. I find it a $50 Logitech performs about as well and my Sennheiser was only $90 and that included an extra noise suppressor.

Interestingly, I have had more success not with the USB microphones but with the normal connection. The USB might be helpful in cutting out some noise. Background noise can sometimes be a problem and the Sennheiser was really great at limiting its intake to my voice and not to the talk radio station that was playing in the background.

When you dictate you will quickly learn a pacing and pronunciation that produces the best accuracy. The main difficulty is not the pronunciation but learning the tools that are provided such as how to make corrections and how to do italics or change fonts etc. This is where the HTML codes come in.

Here is an online how to manual:http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/sayican/onlinebook.html

I wish you good luck with it and if you have the time and inclination I would like to hear of your experience with it.

[dennisw]

When you see me in full blown bloviation mode you will know that I am using Dragoon. This day will be coming. When you see Nancy Pelosi laughing this will mean I am using Dragoon. I am going to check out ebay.

From what I remember years ago the mic shipped with Dragoon is not that good. That you have to get something better

[nathanbedford]

Are you a-bloviating yet?

[dennisw]

Have not yet got it on ebay...looking for a used one. Got distracted but will be bloviating in style soon.