Why do I love Dragon Naturally Speaking? Let me count the ways . . . .

Ok, so the video doesn’t tell you all ways I love Dragon Naturally Speaking. However, it does show you how easy it is to use the software. Literally, all you have to do is plug in a noise canceling headset to your computer and download the software. You place your cursor where you want to type and away you go. Now, you do have to train the software to your voice. I tend to talk fast, so it had to correct for that. Plus, if you find that it is typing same wrong word, you can train it on that specific word. This isn’t rocket science to figure out (which is good because I have a tendency to NOT read the books or pdf files that comes with software).

I was able to create that video while my kids were up and playing at my feet (and you can tell when they grabbed my leg, because the video starts wobbling. You can also hear them a little too.) However, I did want to show that you can still be involved in doing other things and be able to use Dragon NaturallySpeaking. This more than triples my typing speed when I am typing and dealing with my kids (Take the Dragon NaturallySpeaking typing test if you don’t know what your typing speed is). I am actually writing this blog post using the software too. Here is the official video on how this all works:

As I stated in my video, I am finding that I can get a lot more in the little snippets of time I have during the day plus I am able to get way more done at night. I love being able to go to bed before midnight. I love being able to answer emails and do blog posts when I have Will sitting on my lap drinking from his sippy and watching cartoons. I have five blogs, so being able to write more content in less time is a huge plus for me. Plus, anyone who knows me, knows I have no problems talking. I am able to do my freelance work and reports using this also. I will be recommending this to my boss. Beside blogging, I have used it to make my daily lists of what I have to do each day plus some grocery shopping lists too! I am not the only one who thinks it is great, check out this New York Times Review.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is really for anyone who works on a computer. If you talk faster than you type, you need this. If you want to be more efficient in your work, you need this. If you just want a new toy to play with, you DEFINITELY need this. Time is money, and the time you save from using Dragon NaturallySpeaking makes it worth every penny.

NJ Sports Images is a New Jersey based company that employs freelance photojournalists to capture the moments of your children’s sporting events.  Why should you use a company like this versus your own camera?  First, to get professional looking photos, you need professional equipment.  Most of us, me included, do not want to spend the money on that.  Next, how good is your timing?  The problem I personally have with most of my pictures is that my timing is off.  Again, a professional photographer knows what they are doing and has this down to a tee.  Lastly, do you want to miss the most exciting part of their games, because you are either messing with the camera or viewing the entire game that way?  I know I would not want to miss the winning goal or home run.  I want to be able to cheer and see the “whole” game not just my child who I am focussed on.

NJ Sports Images gives you the best of both worlds.  They allow you to watch the game and also get superb photos.  I am jealous that this is only available in the New Jersey area.  This would be big in Chicago, and I would use it when Madison is old enough to be in sports.