About Handsfree Computing

Speech recognition software can be an excellent solution for overcoming many barriers to the computer. My mission is to enable computer users, professionals in any industry, medical, legal and vocational advisors who help clients suffering from hand and arm injuries, and employers reap the many benefits of Dragon NaturallySpeaking® speech recognition software. I will give you the individualized instruction you need to use Dragon NaturallySpeaking speech recognition software proficiently and efficiently in your particular computing environment.

Speech Recognition Expertise

In addition to training people how to use NaturallySpeaking, I used speech recognition software products for a decade to perform my job as a software project manager in a software development company, and at home for personal use. I am proficient in using, customizing and exploiting the capabilities of Dragon NaturallySpeaking, the state-of-the art high-productivity continuous speech recognition product, and integrating it with other software applications. I also used Dragon Systems’ DragonDictate, the previous generation discrete speech recognition product, to its full potential in a mixed MS Windows-Unix computing environment for eight years.

I began using speech recognition software in order to continue gainful employment after being diagnosed with RSIs resulting from long-term computer keyboarding. I soon discovered that speech recognition software not only enabled me to keep my job, but also be more efficient performing many computer tasks than able-bodied users.

To achieve maximum productivity operating the computer, using the Professional edition of Dragon NaturallySpeaking, I developed a proprietary library of thousands of time-saving custom voice commands (“macros”) for today’s popular software applications. (Each custom command automates a multi-step, repetitive, frequently-used or complex computer task when the user merely speaks the name of the command.) These time-saving voice commands packages enabled me to keep up with my fast-paced job in a busy software development company.

Technical Software Support Background

For six years, I worked as a technical support engineer at a growing software development company. There I regularly ranked as the technical support engineer who solved the most customer problems in the support department. There I developed expertise administering, configuring and using many software products, and resolved customers’ problems with complex software applications and operating system products. Soon, I was promoted to increasingly senior positions and then to manager of the technical support department. Most recently, my 15-year stint as software project manager afforded further experience resolving technical software problems. (Be sure to read these testimonials...)

Teaching Experience

In addition, I am also a credentialed instructor who graduated with Phi Beta Kappa distinction from the University of California at Berkeley. For many years, I taught various academic classes to adults from diverse backgrounds ages 16 to 70 in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Adult Education program. I taught English as a Second Language, GED Preparation, high school subjects and basic reading and math skills. More recently, I have taught beginning computer users through advanced software programmers how to use NaturallySpeaking. I develop individualized, detailed lesson plans designed to achieve each client’s training goals while taking into consideration their knowledge of computers, particular learning style and physical limitations, if any. My extensive student handouts facilitate the understanding and practice of the material presented during and after the training session. I take pride in effectively teaching clients from diverse educational, computing and economic backgrounds by explaining often complex software and computer topics using easy-to-understand terminology.

Cost Savings

My fees are significantly lower than my competitors’ fees. I can charge less because (1) I do not need to recover the overhead costs associated with a larger business, (2) I do not need to meet sales quotas and (3) Santa Cruz County residents need not pay for long-distance travel fees charged by out-of-area trainers since I reside in Santa Cruz County. The bottom line is that my clients receive more service for less money. And receiving more service results in greater proficiency and efficiency with NaturallySpeaking.

Service Area

Handsfree Computing serves clients in and around Santa Cruz County.

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