Voice Recognition in Home Inspections
Voice recognition is getting better and being used successfully in many industries, like medical record transcription. We are going to explain how we see voice recognition software fitting into the home inspection process and how it does not.
There are several different ways that voice can be used during the inspection.
- Voice recording – useful for simply taking short notes about findings to be listened to later. This is supported by HomeGauge on the desktop version and the Pocket PC version.
- Voice dictation – turning your speech into text. This is supported by HomeGauge on the desktop version. Inspectors can use the voice recognition software built into Windows XP for the Tablet PC or Microsoft Windows Vista. Many HomeGauge customers also report success with Dragon Naturally Speaking.
- Voice command – using your voice to give your computer commands and move around the application. With voice command and some additional speech feedback from the computer, the inspector can be hands free. Sounds cool and sexy, but it just is not practical. Below is why we think you should focus on realistic technology advancement.
Voice Recognition and HomeGauge
Is it possible to use voice recognition in the version of HomeGauge that you already have or were thinking of downloading?
Absolutely!
Here are the primary ways to use HomeGauge, whether you want to use your spoken word as commands and text, or if you want to turn pre-recorded speech into written comments. The first method is with the popular voice recognition software by Nuance called Dragon Naturally Speaking, using their latest version. The second is using the software that comes pre-packaged with most tablet PCs running Windows XP/Vista Tablet PC Edition. Inspectors using Pocket HG can also record their findings on site, and have those later turned into text using either of those.
Click below to choose the guide that best applies to you:
Not sold on using voice recognition, or confused in why we would not include the functionality directly into the software? It's simple really, we can't improve what already exists. If you need to use voice recognition for our program, why limit you to just us, and not the entire PC? The best way to allow voice recognition to those who want it is to recommend software focused on just that functionality, which to us is Dragon Naturally Speaking. Or, better yet, use what you already have if you've got a Tablet PC or a Pocket PC*!
Click here for the minimum system requirements for using voice recognition on your current desktop or laptop.
If you have any other questions, email us at support@homegauge.com or give us a call, toll free, at 877-274-4299.
(*When you record using a Pocket PC, you can play back your recording later when you have transferred the report. There is software available that can turn a .wav file (the recording you've made) into text for you.)
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