Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Speech Recognition in Windows 7
In Windows 7, turn on speech recognition. To do so, open the Control Panel and type
speech
in
the search box. Next, click Windows Speech Recognition and work through the wizard to config-
ure the feature. Then start Speech Recognition by saying
Start Listening
.
Next, open Microsoft Word, start a new blank document, and speak the following text into your
microphone:
I am learning to use a microphone as an input device in Windows 7. I am dictating this text
aloud, and Microsoft Word is typing it for me. Speech recognition is part of Windows 7's
Ease of Access features.
When you are finished speaking, correct any errors. Then either save or discard the Word docu-
ment, as your instructor directs you to do.
Think It Over
How Much Does Printing Really Cost?
Suppose your employer needs to print about 3,000 invoices a month. He asks you to recommend
a printer type and to prepare a cost estimate for the purchase of a printer. Weigh the options avail-
able, and do some Internet research to find suitable models and their prices. Research the cost of
the consumables for the printers as well.
Prepare a report that summarizes the initial cost to buy the printer as well as the cost of consum-
ables. Check the printer's documentation online to find out if there are any other parts that periodi-
cally need to be replaced (for example, the drum in a laser printer may need replacing at some point)
and the number of pages the printer can produce before that replacement is necessary. Present the
consumable cost per page, as well as an estimate of the monthly and yearly consumable cost.
Optional: Find a printer that has a lower cost per page than the printer you initially chose, and
prepare the same report as before with the new cost data.
Solid-State Drives
Solid-state hard drives (SSHD) are more expensive than HDDs, as you learned in this chapter.
Nevertheless, some businesses are adopting them as the main storage devices for new personal
computers that the companies buy. What might be the reasoning behind this? Brainstorm a list of
the benefits you get with an SSHD compared to an HDD.
Optional: Use the Internet to research what other consumers who have purchased solid-state hard
drives have said.
Backing Up Your Files
Suppose you want to back up your entire MP3 and home video collection, which currently
occupies 100 GB on your computer's main HDD. Would it be better to buy an external HDD to
do the backup, or to back the files up onto optical discs? Consider not only cost, but also conve-
nience, reliability, and ease of retrieving the files later. If you chose optical discs, which type would
you use, and how many of them would you need? If you chose an external HDD, what size would
you buy—one that the files barely fit on, or one with room for more files you might acquire later?
