# Do they still have typing services? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 23, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255 "2009-09-23T16:46:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/1 "2009-09-23T16:46:29Z")
I have several papers that I need typed/written into Word/whatever, and I am a really slow typist. Years ago, they used to have typing services which would take dictation for a fee. Do these still exist? If so, how do I find one and how much do they charge. ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/2 "2009-09-23T16:49:19Z")
Yes, they do exist, especially in the medical and legal professions. As a better alternative, might I suggest a computer program such as IBM’s ViaVoice? I find new in box but older copies online for less than $25 shipped. It is much cheaper than a service, but it does require a headset or microphone. It does take some time to learn how to format what you are saying, but the software adapts to your voice and gets better over time. I used this to write several term papers back when I was in college and it was the greatest thing since sliced bread. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/3 "2009-09-23T16:52:37Z")
You could try the yellow pages. I looked on [yellowpages.com](http://yellowpages.com) for “dictation services” and found a few results for medical transcription companies. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/4 "2009-09-23T16:56:10Z")
Post on Craig’s List under Gigs. In this economy, you’ll have four dozen responses before you go to bed. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/5 "2009-09-23T17:03:30Z")
From the OP it’s not clear, but if you have an existing hard copy of these papers you could scan them and run them through OCR (optical character recognition) software. You’d need to proofread the resulting file, but typing speed won’t really enter into it. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/6 "2009-09-23T17:23:54Z")
If you have Windows Vista, speech recognition is already built in. In fact, I used it to navigate to this web site, and type this post… All without touching the keyboard or mouse. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/7 "2009-09-23T19:37:42Z")
Speech is also built into Word 2003 (though you have to go through some monkey business to activate it). Dunno about other versions. ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/8 "2009-09-23T19:44:07Z")
Thanks all. Regarding speech recognition software, I’ve tried Dragon Naturally Speaking before. I’ve never thought that I mumbled, but the software had a hard time following me. Any suggestions, or should I hire someone to listen to me mumble? ---
**Author:** ![fubbleskag](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fubbleskag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fubbleskag)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/9 "2009-09-23T20:14:47Z")
transcription services still exist - they’re very popular in the medical field. hell, if you promise to speak clearly, I’d be willing to do it myself for a small fee - last time I tested, I was typing over 70wpm ---
**Author:** ![cornflakes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@cornflakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornflakes)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-they-still-have-typing-services/511255/10 "2009-09-24T11:12:17Z")
Thanks, I just might. Thanks to everyone.