Sony ICD-BP150VTP - Manual (Page 184)

C H A P T E R 1 4 Healthy Computing
Dragon NaturallySpeaking User’s Guide 176
If the keyboard is at the ideal height, the angle of your elbows while
typing should be slightly more open than 90 degrees. The mouse or
other pointing device should be at the same height as the keyboard.
Place the monitor so that the top of the screen is an inch or two above
eye level. With this positioning, you can look straight ahead to see the
first line of text in your document and read the rest of the screen by
moving your eyes down—moving the whole head is not necessary.
Also make sure that no light sources are reflected in the monitor. If there
are windows in the same room as the computer, it’s usually best to place
the monitor at a right angle to the windows.
Maintaining good vocal health
Some people experience vocal strain when using speech-recognition
software. Like an athlete stretching before a run, you can take
preventive measures to maintain good vocal health.
Speak normally, with these guidelines
■ Speak in a relaxed manner, approximating your normal flow of
speech.
■ Use pitch and inflection. There’s no need to speak in a monotone.
You’ll put much more energy into your voice this way, which is
healthier for you and makes Dragon NaturallySpeaking
® more
accurate.
■ Breathe with your diaphragm—rather than more shallowly, in the
chest—to better support your voice.
Notice your breathing
Put your hand on your abdomen. If you’re breathing through your
diaphragm, your hand will rise (your abdomen will expand) as you
inhale. As you exhale, your hand will fall. Breathing this way may
take some practice, but it’s well worth getting into the habit.
If you’re breathing from the chest, only your chest will rise and fall
instead of both your chest and abdomen.