Hands-free with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 9

I'm operating Windows XP Pro SP2 hands-free with Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional 9, running under Parallels, on a Mac Pro. The problem I'm having is that because I'm operating the computer without touching the mouse or keyboard, and because I have Mac OS X energy saver control panel set to sleep my display in 15 minutes after no activity, I keep having the monitor go to sleep on me every 15 minutes while I'm working in Windows. I know I can tell the energy saver control panel to never sleep my monitor, but that is obviously not good because I do want it to sleep when I have stopped using the computer. Any ideas on how around us catch 22?

Thanks...

PS: the last build of Parallels has been, so far, rocksolid on my Mac Pro. Parallels developers you are regaining my confidence in your product. Please keep up the good work.

All text typed with DNS Pro 9...

 

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Firstly, let me congratulate you on that handle, it's a cracker.

If you can setup a task in shceduled tasks that creates the activity you need may be a solution. Perferably something that does not chew to much resources. Disk cleanup could be a good choice, as it runs pretty quickly when it has only been a short time since the last check.

Now, onto the time interval. Fourteen minutes may be a bit too close for comfort. And obviously, using unlucky 13 is out of the question, as you do not wish to impose a very regular bad luch charm on yourself. So twelve minutes would be the logical choice.

Btw, this a how-to forum, for solutions.;-)

Hopefully this can actually do the trick for you. Good luck.
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thank you so much
I wanted to know if DNS worked

I will be buying it in the New Year as soon as i can afford
(sore wrists)

what mobilty do you have ?
could you kick a mouse button hidden behind a wooden treadle?

tongue a microswitch?
blow tube
eye contact?
twitch a muscle under a band?
elbow ?

I used to be a taxi driver and met all sorts
and know not to baby people


good luck

Hugh W

 

I am paralyzed from the neck down. I have no use of my arms or legs. So no I could not kick a mouse button.

I generally use the computer hands-free with NaturallySpeaking. However on occasion, when NaturallySpeaking is ineffective, like when I need to log into my workstation at work, I use a regular keyboard and push the buttons with my mouthstick. When I have to use a mouse, I use a Kensington trackball with my mouthstick. A mouthstick is a device that has a rubber tip on one end, and a bite plate at the other end, that you hold in your mouth. Because voice recognition was not affordable ( $10,000 for DragonDictate ) when I went to college, I used a mouthstick with my Apple IIci and typed my assignments up one character at a time. I'm sure glad those days are over.