TalkScribe Overview
A Windows software package for transcribing
the spoken word into computer text files.
Next time you have a long or
tedious writing task, consider using the microphone on your
computer to dictate the first draft, then save it to a .wav file
on your hard disk. Later, you or your secretary can use
TalkScribe to type it up, saving you valuable time (and money).
Or, take a microcassette tape recorder with you on your way to
and from work, or when traveling elsewhere, to dictate letters,
reports, and personal notes. When you get to your office or desk,
dub the tape into your computer as a .wav file to be transcribed
later using TalkScribe.
TalkScribe is also useful to transcribe
tape-recorded interviews, research notes, or minutes from tape
recorded meetings. (Scroll down this page for more information.)
Table of
Contents
Links to other TalkScribe pages
What is TalkScribe?
TalkScribe Main Window screen image
List of TalkScribe Features
Hardware and Software Requirements for
running TalkScribe
TalkScribe Download and installation
information
About Metabien Software
This page was last modified 11/12/97.
Links to
other TalkScribe pages
What is
TalkScribe?
TalkScribe contains two components:
- A sound file player that lets you play sound (.wav) files
containing spoken words, and
- A text editor where you can type text into your computer
as you listen to the sound file.
TalkScribe has special keystrokes that allow you to start,
stop, and backspace sound playback as you type - your hands need
not leave the keyboard. With TalkScribe, you control sound
playback with special keystrokes in much the same way that you
would use foot pedals on a dictation transcribing machine. For
example, pressing <control>-<space> (pressing the
space bar while depressing the <control> key) while a sound
file is playing will stop playback. Pressing
<control>-<space> again will restart playback.
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The
main window of TalkScribe looks like this:
The TalkScribe main window shown above has the following
elements:
- The Title Bar at the top of the window shows the names of
the currently open text and sound files.
- Below the Title Bar is the Menu Bar.
- Below the Menu Bar is the Text Box.
- The Status Bar at the bottom of the main window below the
text box contains the following elements.
- The "Stop" and "Play" buttons
are
near the top center of the Status Bar. These
buttons control playback of the currently open
sound file.
- The Text Cursor Position is to the left of the
"Stop" and "Play" buttons.
- The sound file Playback Position is to the right
of the "Stop" and "Play"
buttons.
- The Playback Slider is at the bottom of the
Status Bar. The position of the slider
graphically shows the current playback position
of the currently open sound file. You can
instantly change the playback position by
dragging this slider with the mouse.
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TalkScribe
provides the following features:
- Windows style text entry and editing.
- Sound file playback controlled by special keystrokes
and/or mouse actions.
- Windows style text file open, save, save as...
operations.
- Text file printing with user settable font and page
margins.
- Most recently used text and sound files are displayed in
the File menus. You can instantly open any of these by
clicking on the file name.
- Text search.
- Special text markers can be inserted into the text from
the menu bar. The following marker types are provided:
- Date/Time - the current date and time.
- Version - the version of TalkScribe that is
running.
- Text File Path - the full path name of the
currently open text file.
- Text File Verbose - the path name, file size,
date and time of the currently open text file as
most recently saved.
- Sound File Path - the full path name of the
currently open sound file.
- Sound File Verbose - the path name, file size,
date and time of the currently open text file as
most recently saved, and the current play
position of the file.
- Sound Cue - the current play position of the
currently open sound file.
- Instant Opening of sound files: You can automatically
open a sound file (to replace the currently open sound
file) by <control>-clicking markers of the
following types:
- Sound File Path - the sound file named in the
marker will be opened and positioned at the
beginning of the file.
- Sound File Verbose - the sound file named in the
marker will be opened and positioned at the
playback position indicated in the marker.
- Instant re-positioning of the currently open sound file.
If you <control>-click on a "Sound Cue"
marker, the currently open sound file will be
repositioned to the playback position contained in the
marker.
- User changeable special keystroke assignments for sound
playback control.
- Extensive on-line help.
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TalkScribe
Hardware and Software requirements:
- A Personal computer running Microsoft Windows 3.x or
Windows 95 with:
- 4 megabytes memory,
- 5 megabytes of free hard disk space (20 megabytes
recommended to hold sound files - this will
accommodate a total of about 30 minutes sound
play time.)
- A multimedia compatible sound card.
- Headphones or loudspeakers for sound card audio output.
- Sound recording software is highly recommended to allow
you to record your own sound files (see note below).
Suitable sound recording software is provided with most
multimedia sound cards. The Windows "Sound
Recorder" can be used, but has limited capability.
- An audio input device for recording sound files is highly
recommended. Suitable audio input devices include:
- Microphone for direct recording of .wav files
(using your Sound Recorder software.)
- A microcassette tape recorder that can be
connected to the audio "line input" of
the sound card.
If you have Windows 95, you may wish to try a software product
named GoldWave
for recording and editing sound files.
Note: TalkScribe plays back, but does not record sound files.
You can record your own .wav files using the sound recording
software supplied with your sound card if you have a suitable
audio input device, such as those listed above. The providers of
TalkScribe cannot provide support if you have sound file
recording problems. Such support should be sought from the
providers of your sound recording software.
To test the capabilities of your sound recording hardware and
software:
- Record a sound file using the sound recorder software and
hardware you wish to test. The following settings are
recommended:
- Sample Rate: 11025 Hz.
- Channels: mono.
- Resolution: 8 bits.
- Save the recording as a .wav file.
- In Windows, start the Control Panel. (In Windows 3.x it
is usually found in the Main program group in Program
Manager. In Windows 95, click the "Start"
button, then click on "Settings", then click on
"Control Panel".).
- Double Click the "Sound" icon in the Control
Panel.
- In the "Sound" window, find and select the
saved sound file in the "Files" box.
- Click the "Test" button on the right hand side
of the "Sound" window. If you hear the sound
file playing back, it should be compatible with
TalkScribe.
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Download
TalkScribe
Version 1.01 of TalkScribe is available for downloading. This
demo version is fully functional except that the length of sound
files it will handle is limited to about 3 minutes. This
limitation may be removed by registering TalkScribe according to
the instructions available within the demo version. Upon payment
of a registration fee of $29, you will be sent a registration
code which will unlock the full features of the program.
Visit the TalkScribe Download page.
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TalkScribe
is a product of Metabien Software.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions
about this web site, please send email to webmaster@metabien.com
or postal mail to:
Metabien Software
3370 N. Hayden Rd. - Suite 123-118
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
USA
This page was last modified on 11/12/97.
TalkScribe is a trademark of Metabien
Software. All other products mentioned are registered trademarks
or trademarks of their respective companies.
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