It looks like I’m in a position that might require me to, god forbid, get a real job.
I was browsing craigslist to see if anything stuck out me at me, and I came across an ad for a “digital transcriber”.
It would appear that the job is listening to sound files, with the aid of special software (which uses a pedal to stop/start the audio, I’m guessing) and transcribing them.
I think I’d easily match any requirements they have - I can type at 130wpm consistently, I have good grammar, spelling, and writing skills… and I’m not deaf. I’m guessing that’s the entirety of the requirements.
It seems to pay pretty reasonably well for a job of its type. Has anyone ever done anything like this? I’ll reply to the ad I saw, but the ad requests “experienced” transcribers, unfortunately, so I may not get in. But should this not work out, does anyone have tips perhaps of how I could go about finding a job like this without experience? And can you tell me what it’s like?
Also, the ad says “requires your own digital transcription software and pedal” - I assume the pedal part is for controlling the audio feed. Where do they sell these things? And what software is used for this sort of thing?
My wife is a medical transcriptionist. She used to do this at the hospital, but now does it at home, “digitally” thru a cable modem. The commands from the foot pedal are transmitted to the dctation software system at the other end, just like it was a cassette recorder on her desk. Not hard to set up or use, really. But some type of high speed connection is a requirement.
Since her field is a highly specialized one, I can’t comment on digital transcription in general, as per your OP.
The equipment is not very expensive and you can probably find it locally, but if not, it’s easy to order.
If you’re inetrested, I’ll ask her where she got the pedal/how much it was, and the earphones as well. The other stuff we either got from Radio Shack (router), the cable company (cable modem), Circuit City (computer, MS Word, etc.) or her company (the necessary software).
One piece of advice I can definitely offer and can not stress enough: Do NOT allow your friends or family to get into the mode of thinking, “Oh, SenorBeef works at home, he can work when he wants, so feel free to ask him to do crap for you during the day–not like he had a real job or something!” :mad: :mad: :mad:
Sorry, should have mentioned that the router was so I could also connect to the cable modem when I’m home. It wasn’t an absolute necessity for just her job.
Check the ad links at the bottom of this thread.
They seem applicable.
Or they did.
::hits back button::
Here are the relevant links that were at the bottom of the thread:
Dictation & Transcription
Lanier Dictation Machines
Affordable Transcription
USB Transcription Pedal
I have done some medical transcription off and on the past year and a half. Didn’t need a pedal. I used Winamp for some of them.