[senit] RSI and macs

Hi Catherine

Just to add a little to the discussion 

We do a lot of work with employers in this area. I think it might be a
mistake to think about this as what is the "best" software for voice
recognition.

One of the key issues is what do you want to do with the VR software you
are given. If you want total voice control of the machine then Dragon is
probably the most chosen solution. But if you are looking to reduce
mouse and keyboard use, rather than eliminate it than VR from IBM or
build into MacOS X or Vista might be a very cost effective solution to
meeting needs.

Other important considerations will be the machines that the VR will run
on, the transferability of voice models and personal preference. With
voice as with so many other areas - one solution will not work for
everyone.

For teachers looking to avoid the problems that are described in the
discussion you might like to have a look at our free course on "Seating,
Posture and the Workstation" You will find it at
www.abilitynettraining.org

Hope it is helpful

David Banes
Acting Chief Executive
________________________________

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-----Original Message-----
From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Benjamin Franks
Sent: 20 May 2007 18:53
To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: Re: [senit] RSI and macs

Hi Catherine

I posted something on this subject some months ago here is a copy:

As someone who has used speech recognition from the very early days I
was
very interested in the options for the Mac as I recently made the
switch.

I have found that in many ways OSX is more assessable intuitive than
windows. From experience working with students with a wide range of
ability
we have found as a school that students have responded very well to the
use
of MAC.

However Speech recognition is one area where the software for the Mac
has
not reached the level of functionality of programs such as dragon
naturally
speaking.  I have used iListen with very limited success and am now as
Ian
has suggested using a new Mac (intel based) with a dual boot option (OSX
and
Windows)

*Using Boot Camp will allow you to run windows on a Mac and has not
caused
me any problems. Windows runs exactly as it would on a PC and is
certainly
fast enough to cope with Speech recognition.

*Using Parallels may cause more issues when working with speech
recognition
as I have found that audio I/O support has been a bit flaky (although
there
are regular updates and it is improving.)

In some ways the new intel Mac are idea for those who advise on the use
of
ICT to support people with disability as you can explore assess options
in
OSX and Windows from one computer.

I had done a joint assessment with Mick Donegan of the Ace centre about
3
years ago at that time Dragon was the best software, I believe this is
still
true but perhaps other on the forum can confirm this.

Benjamin Franks

Charlton School
www.charltonschool.com

On 20/5/07 16:31, "David Banes" <david.banes at abilitynet.org.uk> wrote:

> Hi Catherine 
> 
> A few things may be useful and whilst a bracelet may have been helpful
> in other cases it isn't something that is usually seen as a
recommended
> solution to RSI 
> 
> Mac OS X does have some voice recognition support built in as does
> Windows Vista I would suggest trying both
> 
> A few other things to consider carefully are you a touch typist and if
> so do you use the full range of keyboard shortcuts to reduce mouse use
> 
> Have a look at a website we designed for the BBC -
> www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility there is a self help guide here to
adjusting
> both PC's and Macs to meet your needs.
> 
> Also make sure you are taking breaks in using your computer stretch
and
> flex about every 45 minutes to be on the safe side
> 
> As far as a mac running windows its probably not a natural solution -
if
> you want to run the PC version of Dragon I would suggest doing so on a
> PC - the applications are resource hungry and it would be slightly odd
> to upgrade to a powerful mac only to degrade it by running windows etc
> in emulation. PC dual core processors with 2gb ram will offer you a
> powerful machine to run your apps and dragon if that's the solution
that
> meets your needs
> 
> I suppose the final issue is have you been assessed to find a suitable
> solution to the painful condition - if you have to use a computer to
do
> your job I would strongly recommend asking your employer to fund an
> assessment to find a system solution to your needs.
> 
> Hope this helps - as its slightly off topic for an broadly educational
> list please feel free to contact me off list if that helps
> 
> 
> David Banes
> Acting Chief Executive
> ________________________________
> 
> Tel: +44 (0)1908 314 736
> Mob: +44 (0)7989 409287
> Web: http://www.abilitynet.org.uk
> Fax:  +44 (0)870 160 6824
> Email David.banes at abilitynet.org.uk
>  
> AbilityNet
> P.O. Box 94, Birmingham Road, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 5WS
> ________________________________
> 
> Registered Charity No. 1067673 Company Limited by guarantee registered
> in England and Wales No. 3469653
> Registered office: Acre House, 11/15 William Road, London NW1 3ER.
VAT
> No. 380597914
>  
> WARNING:  AbilityNet has taken reasonable precautions to ensure no
> viruses are present in this email, but cannot, however, accept
> responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of this
email
> or attachments.  You are strongly recommended to carry out your own
> virus checks.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
> [mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Vanessa Lees
> Sent: 20 May 2007 16:22
> To: senit at lists.becta.org.uk
> Subject: RE: [senit] RSI and macs
> 
> Catherine,
> 
> I had a very similar problem and I attributed it to years of using the
> mouse on my PC. It was, I believe RSI, although I didn't actually have
> it diagnosed by my doctor. I started wearing a Bioflow magnetic
bracelet
> and after a month or so, I found that the problem had gone and I was
> able to use the mouse and keyboard without pain. I have a friend who
> also had RSI which he attributed to typing text messages on his phone.
> He started wearing a Bioflow and he too found that the pain stopped.
> 
> Best wishes,
> 
> Vanessa
> ---
> Magnotherapy for people & animals - natural pain relief
> http://www.magnets4life.com
> 
> http://www.lecomputer.co.uk
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
> [mailto:senit-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk] On Behalf Of Catherine Hunt
> Sent: 20 May 2007 15:47
> To: Senit
> Subject: [senit] RSI and macs
> 
> Hello - This is a query for myself, rather than for a pupil.
> 
> I have very bad repetitive strain injury, mainly in my right hand. I
use
> a tracker ball mouse (with my left hand), and up to now this has been
> fine - I've had no pain in the left hand, as long as I take breaks,
and
> work at an ergonomically set-up desk.
> 
> Over the last couple of weeks, I have had very bad RSI in my left
hand,
> as well as my right, and I am  worried that I may have to start using
> PCs, rather than Macs. In the past I have used Via Voice for Mac, as
> voice recognition software. I found it very difficult to use, and
> abandoned it. I'm now thinking that I need to find something else. As
> far as I know, the only best voice recognition software is Dragon
> Naturally Speaking, but there is no Mac version.
> 
> I think a solution to my problem may be to buy a new Mac, which will
run
> Windows, and then install Dragon on it. As this is a very expensive
> option, I would welcome feedback.
> 
> Is Dragon as good as they say it is? Will it work on a Mac with
Windows?
> Does anyone have any other suggestions?
> 
> Best wishes
> Catherine
> 
> 
> Catherine Hunt
> Manor Green Primary School
> Crawley
> West Sussex
> 
> 
> 
> 
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