January 7, 2007 Journal Entry
Technology
I have enjoyed showing off my various hands-free systems to visitors, and thought this technology would be a good journal topic.
At this point I have very limited use of my left hand and no use at all of my right. However, with today's hardware and software that is not an insurmountable problem.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition software types as I speak into a microphone. I also use an on-screen keyboard to type when Dragon NaturallySpeaking and I are not working well together! (I am writing this journal entry hands-free.)
I also have software that is the reverse of voice recognition software, speaking what I type.
Natural Point is a head mouse. A reflector on my baseball hat is read by a camera positioned on top of my computer screen. The cursor is controlled by head movement. This product includes the dwell clicking software. I right click, left click, drag, or double click with this software.
Skype is basically a telephone that uses my computer and the Internet. Skype has voicemail, and I have my cell phone forwarded to Skype. The same microphone that I use with Dragon NaturallySpeaking also works with Skype. I use the mouse to initiate and end phone calls.
The State of Oregon will supply telephones that are totally hands-free to disabled residents. If my landline phone rings the first noise I make answers the phone, and the speaker phone does the rest!
Finally, I have a remote control for my iPod!
Brian
