Wisconsin
Lawyer
Vol. 80, No. 10, October
2007
All-In-One Headset Solution
In an effort to get rid of wires and clutter on my desktop, I went in
search of a wireless solution that would allow me to use one
headset for both my phone and my dictation. Although it isn't listed
on the Dragon NaturallySpeaking hardware compatibility list, here is
the equipment I chose, and it is working exceedingly well for me: a
Plantronics CS55 900 MHx wireless headset with HL10 Handset
lifter; a GN Netcom SleCT switch; and a VXI USB translator.
You place the GN Netcom SeleCT switch between the wireless headset
and your phone. The switch itself comes equipped with
a microphone and headphone jack to plug into a computer sound card.
However, to gain the benefit of using a USB microphone
to avoid background noise generated by the computer system, you need
the VXI USB translator. The GN Netcom SeleCT switch
cables plug into the USB translator at one end, and the USB cable on
the other end of the USB translator plugs into your computer's
USB ports.
The Plantronics CS55 can be purchased with the HL10 automatic
handset lifter, which automatically lifts the handset when
you press the Answer button on the wireless headpiece. I initially
thought this would be a problem (since you have to have the
headpiece on to dictate, but when you push the On switch on the
wireless headset it also activates the HL10 and lifts the phone handset
so
you receive a dial tone). However, all you need to do is simply push
the phone handset down, which lowers the HL10 and hangs up
the phone - and the wireless headpiece remains turned on. Then you
simply push the switch on the GN Netcom SeleCT switch from
the telephone icon to the computer icon and dictate into
NaturallySpeaking.
When the phone rings, I push the selector switch back to the
telephone and push the Answer button on the wireless
headset twice: This disconnects the headset and reactivates the
handset while also activating the HL10 lifter so I can answer the phone.
If
you don't want to assemble a system such as I'm using, you can buy a
similar setup with all the parts directly from www.knowbrainer.com.
This has turned out to be a great solution, and although I chose the
CS55 headset, others will probably work. In steady use,
I've found the dictation capability to be as good as my USB wired
headset and I've eliminated all of the wires and now need only
one headset for both phone calls and speech recognition. - Nerino
Petro
Save the date - Nov. 29 & 30,
2007 _ Milwaukee
Conference Caters to Solo and Small Firm Needs,
Including Technology
Meet with your colleagues at the Italian Conference Center in
Milwaukee, Nov. 29-30, for two days of insightful programming
and networking opportunities at the Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm
Conference. Presented by the Milwaukee Bar Association and the
State Bar of Wisconsin, the 2007 Wisconsin Solo & Small
Firm
Conference will be bigger, better, and oriented to every
solo
and small-firm lawyer and legal staffer statewide. Attendees can
choose from four tracks of programming covering substantive law,
practice management, technology, and ethics/quality of life, as well
as plenary sessions from state and national speakers. CLE credits will
be applied for in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois for up to 10.5 CLE
and 4.0 EPR credits.
Come for the CLE and stay for the networking opportunities
with your peers. Visit the sponsors in the exhibit hall for
services, products, and information to assist you with your practice.
Don't miss the only conference in Wisconsin that is
focused on the needs of solo and small-firm lawyers. Register by Nov. 2
and save $35 off the State Bar member price of $260 and nonmember
price of $360. Multiple attendees from the same firm save $25
for each additional attendee from the same firm.
For more information, visit www.wisbar.org.
Wisconsin
Lawyer
