Express Scribe users, need feedback please

[Helen Bousquet]

Hello,

I downloaded the free software Express Scribe in order to take in transcription work via e-mail and NOT to have to buy any equipment (such as foot pedal and headset). With this software you can use the F4, F7, F8 and F9 keys as your pedals. My question is: while you are in a word document typing up what you're listening to and you have to use those "hot keys", the Express scribe window pops up and each time you have to minimize it in order to continue typing. Extra step which wastes time. Does anyone have any tricks or does it just work better with the foot pedal? I did not want to have to do that but I'll wait to get you girls' feedback on this.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Helen

[Prime Admin Solutions]

I gave up on using the hot keys and bought a USB foot pedal. It's really the only way to go.

[Helen Bousquet]

Ok, thats what I thought. So I guess there is no way to avoid buying a foot pedal. Ok well, are there any used foot pedal buying options that you are aware of by any chance?

Thanks a lot.

Helen.

[Prime Admin Solutions]

I bought mine on eBay but there is a business equipment store in Toronto that sells them. It's called Ontario Business Machines. I'm sure there are business equipment stores in Montreal or Quebec City that have them as well. If not, Ontario Business Machines can certainly courier one to you and depending on how much you want to pay for the courier, you can have it in a day.

When I bought mine on eBay, I had it within a week and it's worked quite well for me. Good luck.

[Speed-E-Skills]

Can you quickly toggle between the windows using alt+tab? Or will that not work for you?

[Helen Bousquet]

Hello Speed E Skills,

Its just a big pain to have to do that so I will buy a used foot pedal on Ebay probably.

Thanks for your attention

Helen.

[Speed-E-Skills]

Sure. I hope you find what you are looking for... and at a good price! It's been a while since I've done transcription and I remember having one or two clients that didn't use the same equipment we did, so I had to toggle back and forth. You're right. It is a BIG pain!!

[EliteBiz]

I use this software and all I do is hit f6 to minimize it again. It doesn't seem too much of a pain to me I've transcribed about three different audios with it so far and it seems pretty good considering it's a free software.

[Prime Admin Solutions]

I agree, it's a great program; way better than Stop Start which I bought in case transcribing video ever came up (it hasn't yet). I've tried both and prefer Express Scribe.

RE the foot pedal Helen, the one I bought on eBay was brand new and it cost about $100, so that should give you an idea - it came from someone in Winnipeg. It was an Infinity brand and it works well with ES. I just did a search on eBay and there are none available in Canada currently - so you may want to check out business equpment stores. Ontario Business Equipment's telephone number is 416-239-2800. Good luck.

[Helen Bousquet]

Thanks Elite Biz,

I did not know that one F6. I will do a test today sometime to see if it's less of a pain with that.

Thanks again everyone!

Helen.