Willaim B.
This is really two categories -- improving my creativity and improving work! Back in the 1970s, I got what I thought was a dream job; riding in locomotives and cabooses as a brakeman and conductor for the Burlington Northern. I started in North Dakota and worked freight trains in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the Rockies, the North Woods of Minnesota, and Nebraska prairies. After a promotion to trainmaster with the Colorado & Southern Railway, and too many 14 hour days, I gave up railroading. Flash forward to 1994 in Dallas, Texas, and I've just finished an evening law program, while working as an engineering regional manager. I never intended to practice law; my goal was to continue working for the engineering company as a regional counsel. I sat for the bar and passed, but then the company filed for bankruptcy! I started practicing law with a small firm in downtown. In 1996, though, I decided to set up my own firm. The only problem -- I had never learned to type, having eschewed the advice of my HS counselor that computers were the wave of the future and that everyone would need to know how to type, even boys! Along comes Dragon NaturallySpeaking Version 1, and my life has never been the same! Suddenly, I could dictate letters, pleadings, orders -- anything I needed. Even today, though now with Version 9, I dictate everything through Dragon. But that's just about my legal business; the best part about Dragon is how it helps my creativity. As I started my legal career, I told my railroad stories to other lawyers, friends, family, and even to juries who typically only saw cold, stuffy lawyers. People suggested that I write the stories down and try to have them published. I did, using Dragon. I had several stories published in Trains Magazine, and they provided the nucleus for my first book "Burlington Northern Adventures: Railroading in the Days of the Caboose", published by South Platte Press in 2004. The book went to a second printing and continues to sell well. It has sold all over the world, in major bookstores, not so major bookstores, and on Amazon. I do a lot of freelance writing and opinion pieces -- my most recent story, "Fred's Fruit Emporium", will be published in the July 2008 issue of Georgia Magazine. My next book, "Peachtree Hills; Life in Simpler Times", about growing up in small-town Atlanta, should be out by fall, 2008. So thanks Dragon NaturallySpeaking, for producing a product that's allowed me to do so much, even though I refused to learn how to type!

Bob S.
As a preaching pastor, one might imagine I wouldn't have a problem coming up with words, but recently, while working on a doctoral dissertation, that was exactly what happened. My deadline was fast approaching and I had to finish the work. Many nights, I stared at a blank screen, hoping the words would somehow travel through my brain through my fingers to the keypad and onto the computer screen. They didn't come. My parents picked up a Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9 for me and the floodgates were opened. I was able to simply speak my thoughts and the words appeared on the page. I went back to edit with voice commands and the process was substantially streamlined. I don't know if I could have finished my degree without it. Thanks!

Lee. W.
I am an undiscovered writer. I also have mild dyslexia. I use my Dragon to get my stories in a format that can be presented to editors, readers and publishers. Regardless of wining something, I am very happy to let a Dragon help me, as my stories are about the magical world, and that includes dragons. When my book gets published and/or the movie comes out I'll be sure to let you know.

Jay C.
I have muscular dystrophy and am unable to use a keyboard. Although I was able to study college courses through the Internet, finding a profession was impossible, due to my physical limitations. With the help of Dragon, I created my own business. Not only to improve my own life, but others as well. My site is called Disabled Online; it's an online community that provides topics and resources for people with disabilities. The independence and career I have online would not have been possible if it wasn't for Dragon. Thank you.

Sue M. -
“I work at a Veterans Administration blind rehab center. In my job I work with blind veterans who are unable to use a computer keyboard for a variety of reasons. In order for a person who is blind to use a computer he must use a screen reader which reads out the information on the screen with a synthesized voice. When Dragon Naturally Speaking is added to the screen reader the user is able to talk to his computer and have the computer talk back. To make this mix of technologies work it is necessary to run J-Say middle ware so that the user is able to control the screen reader. This integration of technologies creates a very slick computer interface. It’s so slick, in fact, that I’ve been using this integration of technologies in my personal life. I have recently purchased a wireless headset in order to use my computer both hands free and wire free. Using this headset I am able to move anywhere within a 300 foot radius of the computer and still use it effectively. I am able to control my computer to read E-mail, surf the Internet, and do just about anything else I want to, all while engaging in other activities around the house and yard. Since my computer talks to me I do not need to sit in front of it in order to receive its output. At times I use the computer while performing mundane activities around the house such as cooking or doing laundry. As the weather improves I am able to take my computing outside and operate the computer while playing with the dogs or just enjoying the sunshine. Perhaps the most creative activity in which I can participate while using this means of computing is to work in my greenhouse. While working in the greenhouse my hands are always either wet or covered in soil. Playing music or listening to books on my computer couldn’t be easier in this situation.”

Anthony B. -
“I have been recording my dreams since 1975. I have over 8,000 dreams recorded. In the past, I would wake up 3 or 4 times a night just enough to write them down, but it was difficult. Now, I just talk into my tape recorder and then transcribe it to my Dream Diaries. This has made my dream-remembering much more accurate, and has improved my sleep considerably.”

Richard S. -
“The Assistant Commissioner of Training for the NYPD is a post-polio quadriplegic who utilizes a motorized wheelchair for mobility. She required a voice recognition system that could address all her special needs and requirements without being too technical or difficult to use. Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional was the perfect solution due to it's open ended compatability for integration with IR/RF devices needed to fully control her environment by voice. These devices utilize command-line interpreters and interfaces that seamlessly linked to Dragon voice macros. Commissioner Roberson's system is composed of an Alienware desktop with Win XP Pro, 4GB of dual channel memory, two 10,000 rpm Raptor drives running RAID-0, a PCI Hauppague TV-Tuner DVR card, and a USB Array microphone. With it she is now able to voice-control her office door, Time-Warner cable box, lights, air-conditioner and fan. Future enhancements will include an IR interface to Hunter Douglas motorized vertical blinds, and a USB/VOIP phone linked to her Outlook Contact list. Commissioner Roberson carries out her duties and responsibilities for the NYC Police Department from researching topics on the internet with IE7, to writing up reports, proposals and directives utilizing MS Office 2003 Professional by voice commands only. She also works with PD e-Forms generated by Omniform with voice commands as well.”

Elaine M. -
“I am a speech-language pathologist in private practice. I have been using dragon naturally speaking to assist my clients with learning to talk more fluently and at an even pace. There learning is reinforced by seeing their words displayed on the screen. Their confidence is given a much needed boost by having Dragon recognize their speech. Your technology provides great therapeutic benefit.”

Herbert W. –
“I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking in my coursework for obtaining a general Bible degree. This is a correspondence course where I am given a list of questions which must be answered and returned to the Divinity school/seminary in Alabama. I first scan the coursework from paper to a Word document utilizing PaperPort software. I then can easily place my answers into the text using the Dragon NaturallySpeaking software. It is certainly an improvement over my "hunt and peck" typing skills. I am currently maintaining an "A" average with my coursework thanks in a large part to this method.”

Jesus G. –
“I am hundred percent disabled, out of the Vietnam War at the age of 18 years oh. I suffer for numerous disabilities. Just to name a few paralysis of both legs, loss of use of the right arm, and I am blind. I have used numerous programs over the years, but found that with J-Say helps me tremendously to communicate with the outside world I assist veterans and their families in filing claims through the Veterans Administration and Social Security. I use this program in filling out numerous forms through the Veterans Administration. I have increased my work load. My 10 fold. This is strictly on a voluntary basis. Anyone is free to come to me and I will assist them in anyway possible for veterans benefits for the veteran and their families have been very successful use in this program. Please keep up the good work”

Susan C. –
“I have used Dragon NaturallySpeaking to write a nonfiction book called Nuclear Nebraska. I interviewed dozens of people and then transcribed them using DNS and a foot pedal. I used DNS with a StenoMask to take notes in the library and public places, so my voice could not be heard. My publisher raved about the amount of material I was able to gather. In addition, I used DNS to write certain portions of the book, and to test its readability. My book will be featured in major bookstores and is being sold by Wal-Mart.”

Khalid I. –
“I have been using Dragon Naturally Speaking since version 5, and have been upgrading to each new version. It would be virtually impossible for me to do my work (economic consulting) without it. It is also a great boon in handling my correspondence, because I routinely use it for e-mail. Last year I published a new book of about 380 pages on the Egyptian economy which also contained about 40 statistical tables, some very large. I would say that about 90 percent of this book and most of the tables were dictated using your program. I suffer from arthritis in my hands, and would have found it pretty painful to type this amount of text. In fact, the amount of use is rather understated by the final length of the book, because of course the entire manuscript had to go through several drafts, all of which required about the same amount of dictation. Many thanks for this program, and keep up the good work.”

Don T. –
“Our company uses Dragon to help save Native American and Canadian First Nation languages. In the last year we have traveled to more than 50 native communities to record some of the last remaining speakers of these languages, often right at their kitchen table. We need to produce lists of spoken phrases on the spot so we use the software to produce these lists. It's a time-saving tool and native elders get a kick out of the user friendly technology.”

Julia G. –
“…What remains of my life, living with the devastation of severe progressive multiple sclerosis, exists because my voice still functions enough to run my computer hands free using Dragon NaturallySpeaking. It allows me to communicate with people by e-mail and letters and access the Internet. My creativity finds an outlet when I write and code cryptograms. I have a webpage at www.jgpuzzles.com that makes available the topical volumes of puzzles I've had made at the local copy place. Now I am compiling the 150 puzzles that I’ve created in the last two years into a book that I will seek a publisher for. I’ve written this poem about my efforts: Cryptograms flow from my voice to the screen Letter by letter, they keep me serene. Sitting alone in my nursing home room There’s all around me confusion and gloom. In the midst of it though my synapses are keen. (I think)”

David H. –
“I use the dictation capability to compose a form of free verse often called Public Prayer, used in the Lutheran context as Prayer of the Church, but also prayers for people in trouble (sick, etc.) I like to maintain content flow, break point timing, use of words and phrases to keep attention high and so on.”

Mercedes M. –
“I've been with my little Dragon since the first issue. Can't imagine life otherwise. I breathe the fiery breath of my Dragon onto the pages of the plays and scripts that I write - into the characters who come to life through my breath... dancing, shouting, kicking and screaming with laughter on their way to screen and stage. I have a Chinese antique ivory band that I wear. It has a dragon carved into it. It reminds me that the Dragon is an ancient symbol for creativity... and that my voice and Dragon are always with me, waiting to express my unique dreams through the magic of my computer. During meditation, my Dragon and I fly through the clouds in the sky, dive onto the pages I write with ease. Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred...my Dragon...body, mind, and speech freeing my dreams at last.”

James L. –
“I am an attorney engaged in elder law practice. I was recently meeting with an elderly client who was profoundly deaf, and practically unable to communicate with me. This man was extremely bright, articulate and quite frustrated with the difficulties he was experiencing in life. We were having great difficulty communicating the necessary details. I was growing quite frustrated in my attempts at gathering information. It occurred to me to use my Dragon Naturally Speaking program to communicate with him. I enlarged the type face to 24 points, turned my computer screen toward him, and proceeded to dictate my comments, and repeat his remarks. It worked beautifully. He was able to see exactly what we were talking about, correct any miscommunication, and understand everything. We ended the meeting in perfect agreement. Were it not for your product, I would have been unable to meet his needs. Thank you!”

James F. –
“I am an older guy. Not much of a typist. But concurrent with the receipt of the Dragon software I was attempting to find a way for me to capture some letters my mother and dad wrote to each other as he was called up in 1943 for active duty during WWII; went through training, shipped out to Europe and eventually was caught up in the great struggle known as the Battle of the Bulge and was killed. I had arranged the letters chronologically and based on date/time stamp began to dictate them into my computer. It has been a heartrending but beautiful story and I do believe I would never have started it had it not been for your product When finished, I plan to distribute this story within the family as a tribute to both our parents.”

Tom H. –
“As any public speaker can tell you, it is difficult to really 'write' like you speak. When we write or type, our mind forces us into 'correct grammer', 'correct punctuation' and a host of other things that educators have taught us about constructing a written document. When we compose a document for speaking the emphasis is upon clear communication to an audience that will hear it rather than read it! As a pastor, I use Dragon NS to compose my sermons and other material for speaking engagements. It allows me to say it, rather than write it. It is WONDERFUL!”

Steve F. –
“As major exporter of national branded food products ... During October of 2005 when Hurricane Wilma knocked on Florida's door Is when I experienced how "Dragon" kept us "In-Touch" with the world ... actually family, friends and business associates all around the world. My cat Kiwi knocked over hot cup of coffee that was brewed out on our patio's BBQ grill since we lost power. My laptop took the hit and the keyboard locked up numerous keys. My wife said; "Hey, what about that microphone you have hooked up for Skype, can you also use it on that Dragon Speaking program"? Well Dragon, you saved the day as I was able to send emails and sensitive business documents to friends and clients all around the world. Speak and watch it type my words.”

Len C. –
“I am an avid fly fisherman. Over the past 30 years I have kept a journal relating to my experience with lots of details like place, temperature, water levels, types of flies and equipment used... I'll often go back the following year or several years later to review my notes when revisiting a place to fish. I have been using Dragon to enhance my fishing journal. I have been able to create more detailed colorful entries into my log. I've also been able to send copies to my fellow fishing addicts around the country sharing my experiences, solutions and the fun memories. Thanks for a great product…”

Jaclyn K –
“I am the author of ten books, including two best-sellers. But I never wrote the tenth book, Bionic eTeamwork. I did not pick up a pen, nor did I key a single word on my keyboard. I did not hire anyone to take dictation nor ghost-write it for me. I created the book differently than any of my other books. Based on this wonderful experience, I will do it again. Using Dragon NaturallySpeaking, I told my story to my computer, just like I would tell it to a good friend. You see, with Dragon, I am Bionic. I am an ordinary human being, just like you. I am surrounded by a sea of technology, just like you. The factor that makes me Bionic, however, is that I use technology to extend my human touch and to get my work done faster than I can do without it. No matter how fast I talk, it keeps up with me. I write very early in the morning, usually starting at 2 a.m., well before the sun comes up. I light a candle, put on some classical music, and open Microsoft Word and Dragon NaturallySpeaking. I make a cappuccino, don a microphone, and start talking. While I watch the screen, I tell my story, just like I would in a keynote address, an executive briefing, or a conversation with a friend at Starbucks. As Dragon types my words on screen, it almost creates a sensation that the computer is listening. Dragon puts my exact words on the screen (unlike humans that want to change them or put their own words in place). Dragon has even learned to understand some of the new words that I coined like eTeamwork, eCommunity, and eMotion. Dragon types them for me with all of the right capitalization! Now, I haven’t gone off the deep end. I have not given my computer a name. It’s a machine. I do have a vibrant life away from my computer. Surprisingly, though, telling the story with Dragon was an amazingly personal way to write a book—-Bionic style! But here's the bonus: I completed my most recent book in two-thirds less time. And guess what? I'm writing another book right now. Do you think I am typing it? Not on your life! I'm having more fun, being more productive, and producing the most creative work of my life. Even though I type 120 wam, I rarely touch a key on the keyboard any more. With such a great alternative, why would I? Dragon and me--what a great team!”

John A. –
“I am an independent provider of EEG biofeedback as well as conducting clinical research and teaching 36 hour professional development courses in the field of Neurotherapy. I have used Dragon NaturallySpeaking to prepare all of my PowerPoint presentations for my four and five-day courses for the past six years. NaturallySpeaking allows me to create, correct and update my presentations quickly and easily. My field is constantly changing and is on the cutting edge of medical technology. It is essential that I have a fast and simple method for incorporating the latest information into my presentations between courses. NaturallySpeaking's accuracy right out of the box is quite impressive. More importantly, its ability to learn new terminology and to accurately apply that learning in multiple contexts makes it an amazing and powerful tool for everything that I do. I use NaturallySpeaking to prepare all my clinical reports and to dictate research papers to submit to professional journals. NaturallySpeaking's seamless integration with so many applications allows me to use it throughout the day for a multitude of uses. I use it to compose e-mail, instant messages, notes to myself in my to do list and many other everyday tasks. Without NaturallySpeaking I would be unable to keep up with my workload and would not be nearly as creative and effective in my field of practice as I am today…I would be lost without it.”

Mark D. –
“…I have been using Dragon for about two years in which time I have completed two textbooks which are soon to be published by McGraw-Hill. I wrote both of the texts entirely using the program -- Dragon has allowed me to write far quicker than if I was typing, and create Tables much more efficiently. The program's ability to learn new words and to understand me has continued to improve thereby increasing my reliance on the software. Truly remarkable software!”

Ron W. –
“Our office uses NaturallySpeaking to control the dental cameras we use to take intraoral photographs (i.e. turn camera on/off, freeze-frame pictures, transfer to patient's file) without using footswitches or any type of hardware. We also use it to view patient radiographs in the opertory (so the patient can see the digital xrays also), and to dictate patient progress notes with a minimum of typing (macros, both text and navigational).”

Susan E. –
“I use Dragon Naturally Speaking in my genealogy work. I find that taking oral history information is so important. People love to talk about family stories and I like to collect them. Unfortunately many stories prior to my using Dragon are lost due to memory loss and death of these ancestors. I can now collect the information in a much easier way…”