I ordered both VoicePower and Knowbrainer a couple weeks ago and am still in the process of "taking the challenge." I thought I would post first impressions as I see the VoicePower special pricing will be ending.

Both programs were ordered online and downloaded. One of the vendors had a problem with my one-use-only virtual online credit card but that was resolved with a phone call. Both vendors provided quick and personal service.

Both programs installed easily. I tried running them at the same time but experienced two freezes. I suspect simultaneous use was somehow the cause as I just haven't had a problem with freezes on my work computer (DNS 9.5 Professional on a IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad T60 Core Duo 3GB memory)

It's clear from the outset that these are differently purposed programs. Both provide a buffet of added commands. VoicePower also provides support for new users and could funtion as a virtual tutor for SR in a business. Knowbrainer provides scripting shortcuts. I've done almost no scripting up until now. Knowbrainer allows you to construct scripts with voice and can save many keystrokes, but it doesn't build scripts for you.

So far, the biggest challenge is learning the new commands. VoicePower has speech-enabled help screens that will put up a context-sensitive list of commands. Knowbrainer provides the list in document form, so you'll need to keep its PDF open while you work. VoicePower's thousands of commands mostly seem to comprise ways of getting at menu/navigation keystrokes with speech. Knowbrainer adds macros that do things fingers couldn't do easily. Examples include macros to create numbered outlines in different formats, date insertions, step-saving correction box shortcuts.

VoicePower has a unique voice-enabled files/folder navigation utility that shortcuts Windows Explorer easily. I really like that.

More to follow. Here is the dilemma: I bought these programs to save time. Right now, my time is so limited that I can't spend enough time to save time, if you will. It's challenging to learn two similar programs at the same time. The other problem is that if both are running and you say a command you figure should work, you may not be sure which program executed it.

As Charles said in his post, I will probably wind up keeping both as I won't be able to decide which adds the most to efficiency before the 30 days is up.

Disclaimer: I have surely misstated something here or failed to grasp some of the features of each program. But I am learning to use them the way many professionals do, in my spare time, so this is a real-life experience.

Stay tuned. All suggestions appreciated

Stan Schwartz