Well, Dragon's not new. It's been around for many, many years. The latest version works pretty well, provided you put in the time to train it. Depending on your particular voice pattern, it can take more or less time to train the software. After it's trained, though, it can work very well.
I read all the posts on this thread, and felt motivated to toss in my comments -- even if this thread is a little old now.
I've used DNS since v1, a real dog of a program that tested one's persistence. I now use v10.1, and see no reason for getting v11 because v10 does everything that
I need it to do.
I recently tested the VR program provided with the latest versions of Windows. It is good, but I'm happier and more productive with DNS -- probably because of my extensive experience with it.
I continue to use DNS because it lets me relax as I work on a novel. I tilt my chair back, compose my story, and drink coffee or tea, and dictate. (See my last comment on
Microphones.) Believe it or not, I actually play music from my computer to a speaker that sits aout 60cm from my microphone.
Comments that might help/interest others:
1. I started with the supplied headset. OK. I next bought a top-end set -- cost almost $300. Worked OK, but eventually died. Next I tried various sets, each progressively less expensive from general suppliers such as RadioShack/Tandy. I currently use a microphone-only unit that clips onto my shirt. It cost me $9.95 in Singapore and works better than any other microphone I have used.
This is essential: Microphone placement in relation to your lips is critical. Keep varying this until you get consistently good results.
Note the best position. If you have already trained DNS in a different microphone position you should set up a new user, and train DNS again.
2.
Speech patterns and accents. I use DNS Preferred which caters to different accents, etc. I have a reasonably broad Australian accent. My wife speaks English with a Singapore accent. We have set up users for both. DNS works great with both. If you have the basic version of DNS, you might have issues with this.
3.
Try to speak clearly in full sentences, or in shorter meaningful clauses, phrases, etc. DNS seems to be more accurate because there appears to be an element of context that makes it more accurate.
4.
Punctuation and capitalisation. Yes, you have to speak the punctuation. There can be punctuation variations that are acceptable to DNS. Check the manual and learn the common punctuation for your regional choice of DNS. Stick to this.
DNS loves speech consistency.
Some words, DNS will capitalise automatically. My practice is to let DNS capitalise common proper nouns, but for all others I simply say CAP before the word.
5. If you want DNS to become more accurate, this is what you do. (a)
Try some supplementary training. It's a bit of a pain, takes 30 minutes or so, but pays dividends in the end. (b)
Make all corrections within DNS. By using CORRECT, followed by the TRAIN button, you cause DNS to better learn your particular speach sounds and pronunciation patterns.
I hope some of you find this useful.