# Tired of Typing **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 13, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543 "2018-08-13T19:38:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/1 "2018-08-13T19:38:03Z")
Many years ago, I asked my IT Department for a program to dictate to. I was never very good at typing, so felt it would be easier for memos and powerpoints. At the time, they told me that the programs were not reliable and would require significant training. Now that Google and iPhone seem to do such a great job at recognizing every word I say, I assume that there are programs or websites that do as well. Any suggestions? It would be great to be able to dictate and then cut/paste the words into MS Word or Powerpoint. ---
**Author:** ![DavidwithanR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3bc359/32.png) [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/2 "2018-08-13T20:11:18Z")
Back then, they were right. You would have spent more time typing to do the edits required because of all the mistakes it made, than you would have spent to just type it properly in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/3 "2018-08-13T21:07:30Z")
Take a look at Dragon NaturallySpeaking for speech-to-text. It’s been the go-to software for this for a while. They have special versions for doctors, lawyers and other specialties. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/4 "2018-08-13T21:37:40Z")
If you use Windows-10, you should [already have that capability through Cortana](https://www.pcworld.com/article/3226752/windows/how-windows-10-dictation-works.html). ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2018, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/5 "2018-08-13T22:55:05Z")
About 12 years ago one of my managers developed a disability that made it difficult for him to type on the PC. I obtained Dragon Naturally Speaking for his PC and it made his life a lot easier. He could dictate several paragraphs and only have to correct a few items. He was quite pleased. It’s likely even better now. ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/6 "2018-08-14T00:13:32Z")
You also need a fairly quiet environment, as well as a good microphone. If you sit next to a bunch of yappers at work, or someone playing a talk show at work, it can interfere with the dictation. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/7 "2018-08-14T01:13:19Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Many years ago, I asked my IT Department for a program to dictate to. I was never very good at typing, so felt it would be easier for memos and powerpoints. At the time, they told me that the programs were not reliable and would require significant training. Now that Google and iPhone seem to do such a great job at recognizing every word I say, I assume that there are programs or websites that do as well. > > Any suggestions? It would be great to be able to dictate and then cut/paste the words into MS Word or Powerpoint. 18 years ago, Dragon Dictate was working perfectly well for one of my managers who didn’t want to type. He had to train it when he first started: (an hour or so); it continued to learn over the first few hours of use: he had his own quiet office: his subject matter and vocabulary were no bigger than normal. The process of giving dictation is different than the process of typing: the good typists I’ve know would never choose to give dictation. I can only assume that your IT people fell into that category. ---
**Author:** ![Panther\_Modern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@Panther\_Modern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panther_Modern)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/8 "2018-08-14T01:22:36Z")
You’re better off typing, to be honest. Our technology is not quite there. This is especially not helpful if you work in a loud area. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/9 "2018-08-14T01:57:20Z")
> [@Panther\_Modern](#): > > You’re better off typing, to be honest. Our technology is not quite there. This is especially not helpful if you work in a loud area. While I no longer have an office, I’m lucky that I have a conference room that I can bring my laptop to. ---
**Author:** ![Panther\_Modern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac8455/32.png) [@Panther\_Modern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panther_Modern)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/10 "2018-08-14T02:23:02Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > While I no longer have an office, I’m lucky that I have a conference room that I can bring my laptop to. Wouldn’t getting up and going to the conference room get tedious? All so you can avoid typing? ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/11 "2018-08-14T02:53:20Z")
> [@Panther\_Modern](#): > > Wouldn’t getting up and going to the conference room get tedious? All so you can avoid typing? I’m not a very efficient typist and my hands get tired when crafting management or board level memos. Wordsmithing typically takes 3 times as long as the original memo. And then come the edit requests. My conference room is only 30 or so feet away from my desk and I can unplug my laptop and get there in 30 seconds. ETA: I don’t think the software is something I would use every day. Just for longer memos requiring several paragraphs. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/12 "2018-08-14T15:02:01Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > While I no longer have an office, I’m lucky that I have a conference room that I can bring my laptop to. I know you are looking for means of dictation, but if you are using a laptop keyboard, no wonder your hands get tired. Get a full-sized external keyboard. There are many varieties of ergonomic keyboards to choose from. I’ve been a huge fan of the Microsoft version they’ve been making for ever: > **[Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/natural-ergonomic-keyboard-4000/8xlw43x19hnt)** > > Get the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 at Microsoft Store and compare products with the latest customer reviews and ratings. Download or order for delivery for free. Free returns. I type a lot for work and if I had to do it on a laptop keyboard, I’d die of carpal tunnel after one week. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tired-of-typing/819543/13 "2018-08-14T15:49:37Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I know you are looking for means of dictation, but if you are using a laptop keyboard, no wonder your hands get tired. Get a full-sized external keyboard. There are many varieties of ergonomic keyboards to choose from. I’ve been a huge fan of the Microsoft version they’ve been making for ever: > > [https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/keyboards/natural-ergonomic-keyboard-4000/b2m-00012](https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/keyboards/natural-ergonomic-keyboard-4000/b2m-00012) > > I type a lot for work and if I had to do it on a laptop keyboard, I’d die of carpal tunnel after one week. I do have a full size keyboard, mouse and 2 monitors at my desk, along with a docking panel. I only detach the laptop to bring to meetings or when traveling.