I just fired up the free speech recongnition module found in all versions of Windows 7, and it is beyond amazing. It's a very serious speech recognition module that was done right. When I went into Photoshop and navigated around the program using the shortcut keys but at breakneck speed, all my mind could think about is getting my hands on the new Flight with perhaps this same whole new world of simplicity, ease of operation, and speed.Among the many things that Microsoft speech recongnition does is allow one to invoke shortcut keys and key combinations by simple stating... PRESS "key of choice or key combination of choice". Since the flight simulator by it's very nature must be a game of shortcut keys, it would be my opinion that it will be as simple as using all the shortcut keys in Photoshop. The total quantity of shortcut keys is similar. In Photoshop simply stating "Press B" followed by "PRESS 4" instantly gives you a paint brush with the opacity set at 40 percent. One can fly around the commands at breakneck speeds from painting, to erasing, to moving... you name it !If this module works in the new Flight, this is whole new world of speed and simplicity of operation for me. Forget all those levers and switches. Just spit out a vocal key combination preceeded by the word PRESS, and it's done. I'm taking the time today to master this marvelous new tool. Taking one day out to learn the commands, for a lifetime of dramatically changed ease and simplicity of use and operation on computers, is a real bargain.This is a serious addition to operating systems, and clearly the wave of the future in all electonic devices. It looks like something made in heaven for Flight enthusiasts especially when used with a headphone mike.Bob - Las Cruces, NM

Windows versions have had speach recognition for quite some time now. That's why Dragon laughable for those that know what options Windows has by default.

Dillon I was aware that it was there. I was just too lazy to try it. But this is a serious addition. I had no idea of the complexity of this standard package. And it has worked flawlessly for me so far !!! I see no need for the Nuance packages. In my opinion, this thing was done right. And for a keyboard shortcut oriented program, it's an absolute God send. If this thing works in Flight, I am going to be a happy camper. I can fly through keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop like there is no tomorrow. And it makes the programmable shortcut features of my $225 Wacom tablet obsolete. I'm not geared up for FSX on my new W7 machine while waiting on Flight. Otherwise I would try it out to see if it works. I really can't see any reason why it wouldn't especially since Microsoft has stated a major goal of making Flight simpler. This will definately do that just like it is doing for new cell phone text messaging.In fact, if Microsoft gets serious about making the game simpler, and puts in a set of commands that it's own VR system will recongnize, it's a whole new era !!!! "Wheels up" is a simple as it gets and "right rudder 2, "left rudder 3" will give some hardware exec's heart attacks.Bob

For those that may not be getting it yet see this link below. Microsoft has created a separate program called WSR Macros. It is a free downloadable MS add-on for the free Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) system. While written for Vista, it is confirmed via YouTube while shown running macros on a W7 machine where the author of that video says it's no problem. The macro files may have to be saved in a Unicode format only in Windows 7, which is apparently no problem. One nifty part of this add-on program is it has a simple module to set up voice recognized word or word combination commands that send out complex key combinations to the active program.http://archive.msdn.microsoft.com/wsrmacros/Wiki/View.aspx?title=Create%20a%20%27Send%20Keystrokes%27%20Speech%20Macro&referringTitle=Using%20the%20WSR%20Macros%20Wizard%20tutorialAlso believe it or not, the Cyber Acoustics AC-201 headset selling at Tigerdirect.com for just $9.99 is highly rated for this purpose. Even one website specializing in the selling of all levels of headsets says to not be fooled by the low cost of this particular unit. While they do sell the famed Sennheiser MF3 ($189)and remaining stock on the discontinued Radio Shack Sennheise Knock Off ($50), a claim is made that the Cyber Acoustics unit will suffice for most people.http://speechrecsolutions.com/microphone_selection_guide.htm Rather than just sitting around dreaming up worthless speculation about Flight, I'm trying to get prepared to improve my use and simplicity in the game while waiting on it.Bob - Las Cruces

Are suggesting that Flight will include speech recognition? Hmmm, I can imagine using my voice to speak to ATC.

Are suggesting that Flight will include speech recognition? Hmmm, I can imagine using my voice to speak to ATC.

HelloFlight does not need to include speech recognition, it is already there in the operating system.Many here have been using speech recognition with FS9 and FSX for many years to control ATC and copilots.But the best way to employ this technology is to use something like Shoot 1.6.4 or VAC, both of which allow the use of a push to talk (PTT)button which makes sure that the Mic is only listening and more importantly Learning whilst the button is pressed.this saves CPU cycles and prevents the speech recognition from picking up and learning any background sounds.It surprises me that more folks do not use this technology which is free with their operating system to control their simulator.FS crew and Multicrew experience also make good use of this.

One nifty part of this add-on program is it has a simple module to set up voice recognized word or word combination commands that send out complex key combinations to the active program.http://archive.msdn....zard%20tutorialhttp://speechrecsolu...ction_guide.htmBob - Las Cruces

Hello BobCheck out Shoot 1.6.4 http://clans.gameclu...tral.com/shoot/ and VAC http://www.dwvac.com/Both of these will let you set up a push to talk button, probably better called push to liisten which is important as if the speech recognition is active at all times it can pick up background sounds and begin to act on them..Many of us have been using this stuff for years with FS9 and FSX, FSCrew is also a good example of how this can enhance the sim.I use Shoot to control Radar Contact and PFE ATC , works really well.

Gentlemen...Thanks for the replys. I expect I am not alone. While I am actually a bit of a computer guru, I just never got interested in speech recognition. Maybe I was set in my ways. And my attitude was that any free Windows version would be just a token. Was I ever wrong. This is a serious operating system enhancement that was well thought out and implemented. Microsoft clearly knows where things are going. I even found a website with about 200 to 300 undocumented WSR commands that actually work besides. Add their free add-on macro module and you have a powerhouse system.Then when I found out what it does for Photoshop in a really big way, another shortcut key dominant program, my mind raced to my real love, flight simulation. It's a natural.I just missed that one in the past, and that is why I posted this here. I imagine there are many others that do not get it yet in this regard. I understand the latest cell phones incorporate this for text messaging.I will be ready for this when the new simulator comes out. There is a program called Tazti who specializes in SR incorporation into games. But the free Windows system is a serious contender in this technology already.The real secret to this going mainstream is that they now use multi-word patterns as opposed to single word interpretation. This chops the error rate to close to zero.Bob - Las Cruces.

The speech recognition aspect of the simulator needs more fleshing out for it to work properly with ATC. First and foremost, reciting a long clearance back to delivery will result in your comms being ignored as there will most likely be an AI aircraft that breaks into your transmission. When you push to talk, the sim needs to know that you are busy on the airways and hold the AI/ATC radio traffic until you release. It also needs to recognize what you say and be able to pick the appropriate action based on what was said and the available options. This is the only thing that some 3rd party voice control software tries to accomplish. To do voice ATC right, you would need to implement the busy airways feature in order to stop transmissions from being "stepped on".

All I'm trying to take this Using only voice recognition . Before you mentioned it, I didn't know voice recognition existed in windows seven. For those who never tried it, it's very neat, but extremely frustrating. I will try and do the next sentence without correcting at all to show you what comes out. I'm looking forward to Microsoft flight, and I'm wondering what sort of new features there will be. I hope that will not be only a Wii. Actually I'm very surprised at how well it's going for this sentence because usually I have to backspace and delete words all over. All these folks are resisting this well all the time. So much for the idea that it was working.

Yeah would be nice if my Win 7 64 bit had speech recognition too... Stupid Microsoft did not put it into finnish language version, I dont understand why English speech recognition couldnt be on non English versions of Windows too.Probably my next Windows will be English version then...

The amazing part is that it recogizes complex key combinations. It does virtually all multiple key commands when preceeded by the word PRESS (Ctrl-Shift-X, Alt-Open Bracket, Ctrl-Up Arrow, you name it). I've not tried quad key combinations yet but triples are a snap. And it understands them very reliably. Also, it understands "B as in boy" or "E as in Egg" if you need clarification.The ability to do key combinations is where it is going to shine in Flight simulators. Then if you download the free Macro module, you can change those key combinations to spoken words like "Flaps Up".So far, this has virtually rendered the command section of my Wacom Intuos4 (at $225) as totally obsolete. Wacom has to be upset ! You might as well just buy a cheap pen for use in graphics programs. I look for similar things as it relates to Flight Simulation. It's just too easy to do complex things with only using a ten dollar headset. Two minutes in Photoshop and you are not going back, especially when you find out that it also finds commands listed in the menus as well !!!! It clicks any matching word or words if they exist in the menu box. Now that is really neat, and talk about fast.This enhancement is a big deal !!! As I stated before, some hardware makers cannot be happy campers. I believe that on an even grander scale, it is the future. These people knew what they were doing when they first put the Vista plan together and then got it working in W7. You may be surprised to find out it also has just the reverse in an included module called Narrator, which reads text back. Yes, it will read you your word processor documents and you can even choose between various voices.Bob - Las Cruces, NM (W7 - 64 - Prof.)

Edited January 2, 201214 yr by Toys_R_Us

Voice recognition technology has come a long way from the earlier attempts. My new Toshiba Thrive tablet's voice recognition is awesome. It kind of cool to use it in conjunction with Google Maps to quickly locate an address, landmark, gas station, etc. :(

I use a program called VAC to interact with my sims. It's great for something like a10 which can have more complex interactions than standard ATC. For example I can say to my wingman - 'wingman, attack armor at my SPI with mavericks' (SPI is where my sensor is looking). This would have saved me many menus and sub menus. All sorts of other AI interaction is so much easier like this.

Edited January 3, 201214 yr by JasonHarris