MacSpeech Dictate is a great program but learning so many commands at once can be intimidating. I’ve put together two documents to help you learn and remember all the global commands found in Dictate version 1.2.1.
Dictate has two types of commands – global commands and application specific commands. The global commands work in all programs and the application-specific commands work only in a single application, for example Mail or iChat. These documents are only concerned with the global commands, which you’ll need to know best and are likely to do most often. If there’s a demand for similar lists for application specific commands I’ll create these in the future.
These documents aren’t in any way meant to replace the Dictate User’s Manual – every Dictate user really should read the manual, even if you’re not the “manual reading type”. Trust me, you’ll get far better use of Dictate if you have read the manual! But nobody’s memory is perfect, especially for a program with so many commands, so I’ve made these
First there’s a “Global Commands List” which has all of the global commands, arranged according to their functions rather than alphabetically. It also has short explanatory text for the commands whose purpose isn’t obvious, to remind you of their function. The list is 3 pages long – it’s a complicated program! Here are versions in both Pages and PDF format, sized for US and A4 paper:
- MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1 Globals Command List (A4, PDF)
- MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1 Globals Command List (A4, Pages)
- MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1 Globals Command List (US, PDF)
- MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1 Globals Command List (US, Pages)
Second we have a “Globals Cheat Sheet”. This has most of the global commands but not all of them, again grouped by function but with no explanatory text. It’s formatted to fit on a single sheet of paper so you can print it out and use it as a memory aid when you can’t remember the specific words for a command. Here are versions in both Pages and PDF format, sized for US and A4 paper:
- MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1 Globals Cheat Sheet (A4, PDF)
- MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1 Globals Cheat Sheet (A4, Pages)
- MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1 Globals Cheat Sheet (US, PDF)
- MacSpeech Dictate 1.2.1 Globals Cheat Sheet (US, Pages)
I hope people find these useful. I have mine printed out and stuck up beside my computer screen and it’s been a great help. Would you use a version with commands for the separate applications too? Let me know in the comments.
- Ricky Buchanan
If you are going to buy or upgrade any version of MacSpeech Dictate from the USA or UK.
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diane bechtler December 20, 2008 at 3:24 am
Thank you beyond words. I like feel l like I’ve been handed an secret code. I hope you plan to poat these to the Dictate site. Many people will be grateful
Ricky Buchanan December 21, 2008 at 10:48 am
@Diane: Thanks for the compliment, I hope it helps with your dictating!
Phil Danks January 17, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Thanks very much for making these memory aids available, Ricky.
I just ordered MacSpeech Dictate this morning and I’m looking forward to getting started. I’m sure your cheat-sheets will be a real help. And yes, for once I’ll make an exception and read the manual (even though I was under the misapprehension that I could give manuals the flick for ever once I converted to Mac…)
One of the things that’s persuaded me to buy the programme now is the comments about release 1.2 I read right here on your blog. Appreciated!
For me the two previously missing functions that 1.2 seems to address – Spelling Mode and Phrase Training – are essential components for voice recognition software.
I’d be interested to learn about users’ experiences with various microphones. From what I’ve read, having the right one is really important.
Cheers
MHB February 16, 2009 at 5:20 am
Hello Ricky,
Thanks so much for all the help you are providing at your website! I finally got the mouseclick process to work. Yay! I’ve also printed your cheat sheet. I, for one, would welcome a commands sheet for the Mail application, and maybe Pages and Numbers. Of those, I suspect mail is used by the most people.
Anyway, thanks again, MHB
Ricky Buchanan February 17, 2009 at 10:18 am
@MHB: I’m glad things are working for you. Mail is the cheat sheet I’m working on next so keep an eye out for it!
Trapper Graves September 22, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Hi! The cheat sheets are incredibly helpful! Thank you! Do you know if there are commands to jump to websites? I’ve been setting up a computer for a blind friend of mine, and we’re trying to figure out how she can tell the computer to go to a particular website once she’s opened Safari.
Thanks again,
Trapper
Kevin Briggs November 26, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I just found out about your website through a posting on one of MacSpeech’s user forums. Really great site!
Just wondering if you have an updated version of MacSpeech Dictate Global Commands List (Cheat Sheet)? (The last one that I’m seeing on your site was the Cheat Sheet four 1.2.1 — anything more recent…?)
Thanks!