Science Update: Voice your thoughts

PEOPLE often feel like shouting at their computers, and new British-developed software could make this the most effective way to operate. The VoiceServer system, developed by Applied Voice Technologies of Islington, north London, allows you to speak data into your computer, rather than typing it in.

The system works with Windows software, and is aimed primarily at people who have to feed information into standard computer files - perhaps dealers who want to key in the latest stock values for clients. The system takes a few minutes' training to recognise new operators, and has only a limited vocabulary of about 200 words. This is reflected in the cost - around pounds 250 for the half-size expansion card, software and microphone.