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Now it's even easier to start talking the talk with your computer. Both IBM's ViaVoice for Windows Pro Edition and Lernout & Hauspie's Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 5 offer improved, easy-to-follow audio setup wizards.

The required training for each shipping version took only about 5 minutes, and ViaVoice had a nice starting benefit: a helpful 3D image of how to wear the microphone headset. But NaturallySpeaking came out slightly ahead in my tests. Right off the bat, it recognized words more accurately, processed dictation faster, and was generally easier to navigate. Both products improved over time with additional voice training.

ViaVoice's hardware requirements are a tad stiffer than NaturallySpeaking's. ViaVoice ($200) demands that your PC have at least a Pentium II-300 CPU and 510MB of hard disk space, while NaturallySpeaking ($199) requires a Pentium II-266 and 150MB.

Both packages bundle high-quality, noise-canceling headsets, but IBM's Andrea Electronics NC-61 has a sturdy headband, a cushy earpiece, and a handy USB adapter; L&H ships a comparatively flimsy Telex headset.

Correcting flubbed words or enrolling odd pronunciations is easier with NaturallySpeaking. Still, ViaVoice's proactive Recognition Wizard is helpful.

Both packages enhance Web surfing by voice--you're no longer limited to basic functions such as "Forward," or "Back." ViaVoice now lets you hop directly to Internet Explorer Favorites by saying "Jump to" and a link's name as it was set up--for example,"Yahoo."

Buy NaturallySpeaking for its overall accuracy and ease of use, but ditch its bundled headset and invest in a better one.

SUMMARY

Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred 5ViaVoice for Windows Pro Edition PRO: Very accurate from the start. CON: Uncomfortable headset. VALUE: The better speech recognition package by a hair. PRO: Terrific headset with USB adapter, very useful help tools. CON: Improvements take longer. VALUE: Good performance over time; headset USB adapter especially convenient for laptop owners. List price: $200 Lernout & Hauspie IBM 888/537-6688 800/825-5263 www.dragonsys.com www.ibm.com/software/voice