This is probably in the wrong place, but what the hell! I suffer dreadfully from RSI these days, after years of abuse as a one-finger typist, and have to finish a book in the next 2 - 3 months which involves typing about 60,000 more words.

Any ideas about whether I should buy one of these handwriting recognition software packages, maybe with a separate 'slate' or screen that's wireless or connects via a USB?

I use a Mac, by the way, so it has to be compatible with Macs or universal compatibility. Oh, and not too expensive, as I'm eternally broke!

I saw one on sale recently for less than £25 but wasn't sure if it would go with any machine as there were no details about that on the box.

Any ideas/recommendations/warnings?

:D

Steer away from them, Jane. They never work well enough to spare you the hassle of slowly correcting every error. The key is probably to learn to touch type, Mavis Beacon is neat and cheap for Mac users.

How about speech recognition programmes? I think they've been around longer so are getting better.

Indeed - my old boss spent a bit of time training his software and could get very good accuracy at normal dictation speeds. Think he used "Dragon Speaking" or something like that. No idea if they do a MAC version.

[edit] It was "Dragon Naturally Speaking" but there are no plans for a MAC version. IBM Via Voice seems to be the recommended option but the shipping cost is $150 (unless of course you are willing to use *ahem* alternative outlets :rolleyes:

Hmm... are your offspring of typing age yet? That would have a suitably Miltonic feel to it.

Several of my offspring are in their late teens but I can imagine their eyes rolling at the thought of typing for poor old mother. Far too busy listening to iPods or watching telly in their bedrooms. <_<

Steve (husband!) says the handwriting package on his work laptop is perfectly workable, even though errors do consistently occur; he just goes back and corrects the 'usual mistakes' as a matter of course. It would still be easier on my wrists and fingers, I think, over a long haul.

All academic at the moment, however, as I'm in my usual state of brokeness. But in October I get an endowment policy through - yippee! - and although it's only quite a modest amount, I may be able to stretch to some new software then.

Thanks for the helpful suggestions, guys. Back to bed for me now - I've caught a bad cold from my eldest daughter, who's visiting for the holidays, and I feel really grotty!

:(

Learn to touch-type, Chris??!!! Doncha know the one about old dogs & new tricks?

:D

Hi Jane

I'm more a new dogs and old tricks kinda animal. Good luck with the speech rec apps. Cyborg heaven here we come.