Get Speech Recognition Working in Windows XP

That statement prompted queries from several readers who wanted to know how to get speech input working in XP. After some research, I found out why speech-recognition technology is rarely used: Microsoft built support for the Speech Application Programming Interface (SAPI) into the OS but didn't provide a UI for it. To get speech input working on XP, you have three choices: - Buy Microsoft Office XP, which includes speech support and the necessary UI. - Buy the Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP package ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/plus ), which also includes a speech UI. - Download the Speech SDK 5.1 for Windows package ( http://www.microsoft.com/speech/download/sdk51 ), which runs on both XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) or later and Windows 2000 Professional. This option is the only one that doesn't require you to shell out any extra money. However, it's not a supported product. Microsoft also has a Microsoft .NET Speech SDK in beta that appears to be aimed at voice-enabled .NET service applications. I'm not sure whether it would also provide a simple UI for dictation on the desktop, but it might be worth a look. http://www.microsoft.com/speech

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