Can the computer convert audio text to digital text? In other words, can you buy software or technological equipment that will allow you to speak into the computer and have it automatically convert your speech into written text on the screen?

• The short answer is, Yes.
• The longer answer is as follows:
  • The technology has not yet proved itself.
    • Programs must be constantly retrained for words and names
    • The final result is usually far from perfect - under the best of conditions
    • You still have to speak clearly and slowly
    • You cannot slur your speech (a good transcriber can often understand just about any speech with reasonable accuracy)
    • It requires a quiet room with quiet surroundings
    • It cannot deal with multiple people speaking
    • It cannot deal with secretarial issues
    • It cannot deal with grammar or formatting