Here's a delightfully weird little thing:
On my new Windows computer, I played around with Dragon NaturallySpeaking (dictation software), and with Win7's built-in dictation feature.
At some point, the computer started making a sound-feedback, and an infernally loud screech developed within seconds. In desperation I plugged in a headset to stop it.
And now I can't unplug the headset without the feedback screech developing again! This is despite the speech recognition now being turned off, and the machine having been rebooted...
Any tips?
Update: Robb said:
You have an open microphone somewhere that's feeding back into the Dragon software. Kill (mute) the microphone and the feedback will disappear.
eolake said...
But Dragon is off. And the only mike is the one built into the iMac.
(I used a USB mic when testing Dragon, but that's unplugged.)
But you could be right though I don't understand it: I just now went and made a search for 'microphone' and found an "audio device" control panel. There were two active microphones in the panel, which I guess must be software items, not real things. I "deactivated" the one which seemed related to Dragon, and the problem is now gone. Thanks.
You have an open microphone somewhere that's feeding back into the Dragon software. Kill (mute) the microphone and the feedback will disappear.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just hate technology and physics?
On another note:
ReplyDeleteI've suddenly become very busy and have little time to read about how great Apple products are and all the meaningless discussion about teapots and iPhone capabilities and useless and uninformed opinions about photography and cameras.
In the event someone here wishes to communicate with me, feel free to send email slandermaster [at] att [dot] net
Like the proverbial roast, I'm done. Stick a fork in me.
I won't be back.
Best Regards.
But Dragon is off.
ReplyDeleteAnd the only mike is the one built into the iMac.
(I used a USB mic when testing Dragon, but that's unplugged.)
But you could be right though I don't understand it: I just now went and made a search for 'microphone' and found an "audio device" control panel. There were two active microphones in the panel, which I guess must be software items, not real things. I turned off the one which seemed related to Dragon, and the problem is now gone. Thanks.
"useless and uninformed opinions about photography and cameras." ... ??
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, sometimes your cool and helpful, other times you seem rather harsh.
Well, no matter, godspeed to you, have fun on your way.
We will miss you, slandermaster.
ReplyDeleteEo, did you NaturallySpeaking to work? Or have you gotten any dictation software to work yet?
Not well. Always many errors. I've paid for Dragon twice, and tried to set it (and the Mac equivalent) on several machines, and it never works well. And before I get it to work at all, it usually complains that my microphone is sub-standard, and this is regardless of what kind, or what quality of microphone or machine I'm using. I've bought four different headsets and a big "Snowball" USB mic. All junk, including, I think, the one which came originally in the box with Dragon (though I can't remember now which one that was).
ReplyDelete("All junk" according to the app, of course. They can't all be that bad.
ReplyDeleteI doubt that it's a microphone issue. Speech occurs in a very narrow band in the audio spectrum, which pretty much any microphone should be able to handle well enough for this application.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, background noise (TV, radio, etc.) might well disturb the process, but I doubt that is an issue, either, in your case.
That's pretty lame that it doesn't work. I ask because I could use this kind of tool myself. But I can't afford to buy stuff just for experimentation.
I guess we still have to wait for this technology to mature, then.
Yeah, seems lame to me. But guys like David Pogue have been using it for many, many years, and David *loves* it, apparently it's dead-accurate for him.
ReplyDelete(Could be my accent, dunno.)
David was forced into it by a very bad case of synovitis. (Inflamation in the wrists.)
(Could be my accent, dunno.)
ReplyDeleteIsn't accents specifically why these things first have to be trained? Otherwise, how could someone with, say, a Scottish accent even dream of using it?
Maybe you haven't trained it thoroughly enough?
David Pogue does have a very clear articulation, come to think of it.
Maybe you need to impersonate Pogue when you use the thing ... hairstyle and all. ;-)
Ah yes. And he and I *were* born on the same day after all, it might succeed.
ReplyDeleteTraining *might* be it, although once I did go through what seemed like quite a bit of it without much change.
I guess it would require some study, how many people it works well for, including non-English natives.