ABC: Digital Dictation

According to Dictaphone®, in 1952 recorded dictation itself was established as "a time saver over handwriting and stenography among attorneys, physicians and other professionals". In fact, it was in 1973 that the first mini-cassette recorder was marketed, making analog dictation the technological equivalent of listening to music on an 8 track tape!

There are several options to capture dictation files, once you have decided to upgrade. They include:

50 Ft. Usb Cables

I. TELEPHONIC OR DIAL IN DICTATION

A toll free number is dialed, a pass code punched in and work is dictated into the receiver or speaker of a standard telephone, using the key pad to control the recording functions (play, rewind, insert, etc.). Upon completion of the call, the digital file created is routed through the internet to a secretary, virtual assistant or transcription company.

Dial in dictation has many benefits, including:

no capital expenditure for equipment or software;

no learning curve for portable recorder or dictation software;

24 hour service availability;

ability to dictate from anywhere there is a phone, including while traveling;

works as well for single professionals as it does for large corporations.

II. PORTABLE RECORDERS

Portable digital recorders can be located in any electronics or office supply store, catalog or website. They range in price from as little as $50.00 to 0.00 and up. Along with the recorder, software is provided for the transfer of the digital file created by the unit to a computer, generally through a USB cable or a cradle. A user guide and software included with the recorder usually contain instructions and a tutorial.

Dictating is fairly straight forward and quite similar to an analog (tape) recorder. When purchasing a unit, note button size, shape and location. Be certain that the unit is not so small, or button placement so awkward that it is uncomfortable to use. Also be certain that the recorder has all the functions needed. Some less expensive models, for instance, do not have the ability to insert - that quick rewind to go over what you just said to say it better. Research all the model's functions before you purchase!

Once a digital file is created and uploaded to a PC, it is ready to be sent through a company's network, direct upload to a transcription service provider or over the internet to a virtual assistant. Many portable software units require the purchase of separate transcription software and equipment such as a foot pedal.

III. DIGITAL DICTATION SOFTWARE

As with many types of software, development of digital dictation applications range from basic to the extremely comprehensive and industry specific. Most dictation software has a free trial period (usually thirty days) and can be downloaded directly from a developer's website. In a nutshell, digital dictation software turns a computer's microphone, speakers, mouse and monitor into a dictation machine. Just as with a portable unit, when the file is complete, it is ready for transfer through your company's network or over the internet to your transcription provider.

Should you invest in a portable recorder, PC-based software, or use a transcription service and toll free number? Each situation is unique and requires consideration of many factors, including your company's needs, size, volume of work and technology comfort level.

ABC: Digital Dictation

Wireless Router Antenna Booster Bedbug Detection Insecticide Sprayer

Read More

Connect a TV to Your Laptop to Watch Netflix Movies Online

Many laptops, and some desktop Windows PC's include a special socket that connects to most TV sets.

If you have S-Video sockets on both devices, buy a cable. A 12-foot long cable sells for under on eBay or Amazon.com. The cable will cost considerably more if you buy it at a local store ( to $50+).

50 Ft. Usb Cables

The S-Video socket is round, has two pins on the left side, two pins on the right side, and keyways at the top and bottom. If you'd like to see a photo, go to images.google.com and search for s-video.

If you have a desktop PC, inspect the cards and sockets on the PC (front and back). If your desktop PC has a powerful video card, it's more likely to have what you need.

Plug the cable into both devices. Turn on the TV and switch it to the Video Input that matches the socket (a label near the socket tells you which Input).

You must reboot the PC. Windows "finds" the TV during Windows launch. The TV may flicker a few times. You cannot usually add a TV or second monitor while Windows is running.

Next, we'll configure the monitors so Windows has a Desktop that's double the width of your current Desktop.

Right-click on a blank area of your Windows Desktop and you'll get a menu. Click on Properties (or Personalize), then click the (Display) Settings tab.

Click on the icon of Monitor No. 2 and you should get a message asking if you wish to Enable it. Click Yes.

Change the resolution on both monitors to 800 x 600. You can try higher resolutions, but they may not work.

Enable the check box named "Extend my Windows Desktop to This Monitor." Click Apply or OK.

If everything is in place, you should see your ordinary Desktop and icons on your laptop monitor, and a copy of your Desktop background without any icons on the TV set. Your Windows Desktop now extends across both monitors. Test by moving your mouse pointer to the TV set.

Simpler video cards don't have the resources to carry colors, so the second monitor may be Black & White. Try another PC, or settle for B&W, or you can try choosing fewer Colors.

If the TV set is to the left of your laptop, click and drag the #2 monitor icon so it's to the left of the #1 icon, just to avoid confusion.

Launch your internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome) and go to the Netflix (or other) website. Choose the movie you'll Play online. Make sure your browser is not "full-screen" -- click the little box/double-box at the top right corner to make your browser slightly smaller than full-screen. Now you can click and drag the top of the browser to one side and drop it on the TV set. Click the box/double-box and it will expand to full-screen on the TV.

Click "Full Screen" in the bottom right corner of the Netflix player to get rid of the menus and backgrounds. Click the center of the screen to begin Play. Move the mouse to the laptop Desktop to make the controls disappear. If you have nice speakers, connect them through the headphone jack of your laptop to obtain richer audio. You may also listen through headphones, or a double-headphone jack (Radio Shack, ).

Enjoy your movie.

If the Screen Saver pops up, right-click on a blank area of the laptop desktop, click Properties, and set the screen saver to 200 minutes. Remember to change it back when you're done.

To Pause your movie, point the mouse to the TV set. You'll get a Play/Pause button on the bottom left corner, and a scroll bar that shows the film's progress.

To drag the browser back to the laptop monitor, you'll have to click the box/double-box to make it less than full screen. You can also launch another instance of your browser so you'll have one on each Desktop/monitor.

Connect a TV to Your Laptop to Watch Netflix Movies Online

Wireless Internet Booster Antenna Bed Bug Guide Canon Remote 7d

Read More

Accessories and Apps For the iPad

There is strong speculation that Apple will launch its iPad in late March this year. A lot of people who are loyal customers of Apple are looking forward to the release of the new iPad. Its launch is still few weeks away, however, it is a hot topic amongst the gadget lovers. People are discussing the possibilities of applications and accessories for this new gizmo. Apple is so popular with the current generation that youngsters across the globe are eagerly waiting for this new Apple product called iPad.

Earlier also, with its products, Apple has given a new meaning to applications and accessories market. With the launch of this product this market will only flourish more. This will be the biggest launch for Apple in last three years. This new product is said to have a 10 inch display screen and is talked about as a hybrid between a smart phone and a laptop. Due to a service sharing device between iPod and this new launch of Apple, almost all of the 1, 40,000 applications of iPod will be found in this one. These applications will include social networking applications, games and many more. People who will use this new product will be able to create presentations, word processing documents, spreadsheets etc on it. Apart from numerous applications, one can also look forward to amazing accessories which can be used with this new product to be launched by Apple.

50 Ft. Usb Cables

The first accessory which will add more value to the iPad is its keyboard dock. It is said to be combined with a dock to charge your device with full size keyboard. This dock can be connected to an electrical outlet using a USB Power Adapter to further use accessories like camera connection kit. This is made possible due to the unique 30-pin connector in the dock. An audio jack can also facilitate stereo and speakers facility. This one accessory in itself will open many doors of entertainment for iPad users. Apart from this, there is a requirement of a case to ensure that this amazing device is safe. For this purpose there is a separate case made for it. This case comes in such a shape and design that it serves the purpose of a case in addition to the fact that it can be used in different positions as well. These possibilities of positions will help the iPad users to watch movies, pictures etc in a comfortable angle.

Other accessories available with this product are iPad dock which is a stand charger to charge it. Then we also have camera connecting kit which will enable the users to import and export pictures and videos. With so many accessories to start with, this product will definitely win the hearts of its users. To add to the delight of its prospective users, there is a 10W USB Power adapter. This adapter will enable users to charge their iPad from any electrical outlet. The cable for this adapter is 6 foot long, hence giving an opportunity to use electrical outlets at distance as well.

Accessories and Apps For the iPad

Canon Remote Flash Metro Wireless Cell Phone USB Cable Extension

Read More

Buying a Transcription Machine

There are many instances where a transcription machine is much needed. If you work in a profession where you are required to have accurate accounts of what a person says, then you may be required to record a conversation and then supply a typed transcript. The process of transcribing audio is simplified with the help of machines that are made specifically for transcription. There are different transcription machines available for purchase. Depending on the method of transcription preferred there are machines made for the type of transcription that one is looking for.

When buying a machine for transcription you should know which format you will be using for transcribing your audio. There is the traditional cassette audio and the digital audio. The transcription process is the same, but different materials will need to be purchased depending on the type of audio that will be transcribed. For both cassette and digital audio will need to be transcribed with the use of a pair of headphones and a foot pedal. Both of these will be needed regardless of the format of the audio in order to hear the audio and to control the ability to navigate through the audio.

50 Ft. Usb Cables

If you are transcribing an audio on a cassette there are a number of machines that you can purchase. When looking for a machine you should make sure that that you have everything needed to transcribe. Some of the machines come with the headphones included. The machine itself should have certain features such as the volume adjustment, controls that allow you to stop, play, fast forward and rewind the cassette and if possible a counter so that you can note the amount of time that has passed while transcribing. The foot pedal is usually not included with the transcriber so this is an additional expense that is well worth it. The foot pedal you use should be sturdy and easy to use. Most foot pedals have three buttons or pads that allow the user control the machine. Some foot pedals are even waterproof.

For those that are transcribing audio in digital format there are certain products that will need to be purchased. Many times the audio file will need to be uploaded from a digital recorder. The digital recorder will have a memory chip that holds all the information that is recorded. Along with the digital recorder, you will need USB cables, headphones, a foot pedal and special software. There are some companies that offer digital transcription kits that include all the necessary materials to begin transcribing digital audio. If you have never used a digital transcription device before you may want to purchase the kit so that you transcription process will be seamless from the recording to the typing of the audio.

You can purchase machines for transcription for many office supply stores and electronics dealers. There are also many online retailers that offer many discounts on transcription devices and supplies. If you are unsure about the type of devices that are needed for your transcription purposes, than you should consult with a local dealer that can assist with selecting the products that are best for you.

Buying a Transcription Machine

Bed Bug Fumigation

Read More