Day 19: Mic Check

This is my first entry written using speech recognition, and as such, it’s probably going to be a lot more free association than actual content. It occurred to me that using speech recognition is less a terrible interface and more one akin to learning to drive a manual transmission: painful even after one masters the basics, but ultimately a useful tool once one is comfortable with it. What I’m learning is that it’s less straight speech and more a combination of the two interfaces, using the keyboard for punctuation and the like. (Having to explain an opening parenthesis to the computer takes more trouble than simply typing it, but on the other hand, long swaths of text are easier to dictate than to type, on such occasions, at least, as the program understands them correctly.) I’m told that adapts to the user’s voice over time, so hopefully with discipline it will become less painful. I’m also stuck using Microsoft software until I can afford the RAM upgrade to run Dragon. As frustrating as it is, however, my various doctors were correct in that it does take much of the strain of my hands. I’ve only had to type about ten words in this paragraph so far and about half of the punctuation.

I should add that I’m doing this in the coffee shop and I’m sure I look and sound absolutely insane to the other patrons.

Today I hope to finish proofreading and revising my manuscript, which you know I’ve been saying every day since I started it and probably for several months prior. After that a single take advantage of the great weather and continue my stickering campaign. A friend of mine spot and one of the stickers about town today in texted of me a picture of it. I’m glad to see the magic is spreading already; hopefully once the stickers everywhere, they’ll generate traffic to the site and find a host of delightful new readers for Mutt.

More reviews should be coming very soon to some wonderful book blocks near you.

8 June, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: advertising, book review, books, dictation, dictation software, dragon, dragon dictate, dystopian, e-book, ebook, indie author, marketing tips, mic check, mutt, philadelphia, post-apocalyptic, promotion, promotion tips, rittenhouse, science fiction, self publication, self publishing, speech recognition, You're Just A Mutt | 2 Comments »