(Lack of) Extensions for Nuance Dragon

[Mick]

I have a profoundly deaf client with a number of other disabilities who uses Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking for almost all his computer based work. Dragon produced a browser extension which allowed users to dictate into web pages - e.g. when filling in on-line forms etc. I upgraded his machine to W10 which, of course, replaced I.E. with Edge in the process. At which point, the ability to use Dragon on sites disappeared. From what I can tell from Google etc this is a problem without a solution.

For some reason, although both MS and Nuance are aware of the issue, neither seems minded to do anything about it. Dragon's extension doesn't work with Edge and MS don't care. However, before suggesting he moves to FF or Chrome (which is a pain because every feature update sets Edge back as the default browser), just thought I'd ask here if anyone knows a way round this. Have tried using the Windows dictation box but this is clumsy with a heap of cut-n-paste required, so it's not really a solution. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[nlinecomputers]

The Edge you refer to is dead. It is now a Chromium-based browser. I'm not familiar with the product but if they do have a chrome-based extension then that is your only option. Update to the Chrome-based edge and install its extension. You can use the Chrome App store in the new Edge.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Yeah, if his machine doesn't have the new Edge, just install it manually, it's going out via Windows Update as I type this... so it'll be "normal" soon enough.

 

[nlinecomputers]

And the new Chromium Based Edge is a pretty good browser. If you are married to the Microsoft cloud having its tools integrated into it instead of Google's is a benefit.

 

[Markverhyden]

I upgraded his machine to W10 which, of course, replaced I.E. with Edge in the process.

Based on the last W10 Pro machine I looked at, 7 days ago, IE is still there and functions fine. I think it's always been there. Just have to drill into the folder to put up a shortcut. C:\Program Files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe. Also have to change the default browser.

 

[Mick]

Thanks all. We seem to get these updates a little later here in the UK than you guys do. @Markverhyden This is an upgrade from Win 7, not a new install, so there's every possibility that I.E. is still there. Because of lock-down, I can't visit this customer - he's too ill - and he is too dim/scared to type 'quick assist' into his search box, so basically I'm telling him what to try by email with assorted pictorial attachments. I have to say, this is not proving 100% effective. I myself can get the new Edge from the Insider site, but it's in Beta (or so it says), so I'm not prepared to install it on a customer's machine. I think we'll have to wait awhile.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Internet Explorer is built in to the core of Windows. It's never going away as that will break things.

Edge is general release. It's being updated from Windows Update. It's not beta if you don't have it a link shows up on windows search. Sounds like you are not running a recent Windows 10 build. I've not seen any evidence that they delay rollout to the UK.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Based on the last W10 Pro machine I looked at, 7 days ago, IE is still there and functions fine. I think it's always been there. Just have to drill into the folder to put up a shortcut. C:\Program Files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe. Also have to change the default browser.

Yes it's there, but to say it "functions fine" is a massive problem. It does NOT function fine, it exists as an existential security threat to the operation of the machine in question, and most websites won't render on it correctly anymore because absolutely no one supports it.

The program is there for government agencies that haven't bothered to update their junk in decades, and because it's still inextricably tied to explorer.exe, the shell that Windows uses.

Users should NEVER use it directly, under any circumstances. Yet, I've got clients using it because certain financial systems are married to that old Java junk, and IE is the only browser left that affords the plugin access required.

 

[Mick]

I've not seen any evidence that they delay rollout to the UK.

Thanks. I've never seen any evidence of that either, but the fact remains that (US) people on here are talking about new updates etc way before I ever see any in the wild over here. I've got a Win 10 Home in front of me now. It's used daily, although not by me. Updates says it's up to date - last checked today at 17.04. And it's on 1909.

 

[Sky-Knight]

That's normal, the new Edge is rolling out automatically to Windows 10, 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, and 2004.

Though if your on anything older than 1909 you need some updates first.

Interesting note, it is NOT actually baked into 2004... the one I have here still needs New Edge via Windows update and it is not eligible for it automatically yet.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...soft-edge-for-windows-10-version-1803-to-2004