Action Alert... Nimble-fingered Freepers needed

Free Republic Network / Radio FR | 02/12/2003 | Interesting Times

[Interesting Times]

Radio Free Republic is seeking volunteers to transcribe the excellent interviews done at CPAC by The Shrew and The Glaswegian. These interviews provide insights into the current thinking of the leaders of the conservative movement, and we'd like to make them available in written form after they're broadcast. There are 46 interviews, ranging in length from 5 to 42 minutes (1.7MB to 14.7MB files). I was able to transcribe The Shrew's 23-minute talk with David Horowitz in about 4 hours, to give you an idea of the effort involved. If you haven't done this before, the procedure is straightforward -- you listen to a few words, hit pause, type, and repeat. If you have broadband, I can send you the files directly, otherwise you can download them from a secret location after swearing a standard oath of non-disclosure.

[Interesting Times]

Yes, but can you say "nimble-fingered Freepers" five times in a row fast?

[Petronski]

I am a very good typist and would volunteer to help by beginning with a small file. Oh, I am also a perfectionist, and I have DSL. Please let me dip my toe in the water with a small file, and if we are all happy with the result, I will try to do more.

[goodnesswins]

I'm up for doing one or more....I'm nimble fingered, so I've been told (80-100 wpm). And I started my career in business doing transcription....eons ago....if that helps. And I'm hooked up via cable modem.

[jigsaw]

Someone with ViaVoice could probably do this easily.

[Interesting Times]

Thank you very much. We'll start you out with a small, friendly sort of interview.

[Interesting Times]

You're golden.

Just freepmail me your email address, and I'll toss you a file. Many thanks...

[Interesting Times]

Someone with ViaVoice could probably do this easily.

My very thought.

I went out and bought a copy. Turns out it was for Windows XP/ME, and won't run on Windows. Better yet, MicroCenter wouldn't take it back...

So I bought a copy of Dragon Naturally Speaking instead.

Now the key with this type of software is that you have to train it to recognize your voice -- it can't just pick up a random voice from an interview. So I read JFK's Inaugural Address to it for a while, until it seemed to be picking up most of the words. Then I put on earphones, played an interview, and repeated what was said into the Dragon mike. It got about half the words right. I'm guessing that the pace of the interview was just too fast for the software, which advertises a transcription rate of about 160 words per minute. So that's why I didn't recommend that approach to my fellow volunteers.

Of course, if you have any further suggestions I'm all ears...

[Interesting Times]

Ping...

[Interesting Times]

Ping...

[abner]

In a weaker moment, I did volunteer to try one of these didn't I?

I have broadband here at work, and satellite at home. ;-)

[abner]

I've got XP if you want to let me borrow the software you can't take back.

[FreeTheHostages]

I type so fast I should definitely sign up for one.

My problem is scheduling in the near-term. These next ten days look kinda tight. Got anything for me to do that I don't have to do before late February or early March?

People say I post too long! LOL -- it's not true. I just type fast. My posts don't take any longer than anyone else's. Hee hee.

[FreeTheHostages]

"I'm up for doing one or more....I'm nimble fingered, so I've been told (80-100 wpm). And I started my career in business doing transcription....eons ago....if that helps. And I'm hooked up via cable modem."

Wow! Ok, when I said I typed fast, I didn't mean that. Plus, I don't have broadband at home, where I'd do that. (My boyfriend and I are in a stand-off: one of us is going to get DSL, and then the other (we live right near each other) is going to do a wireless network link up. Hee hee, we're each waiting for the other to buy the broadband first!)

My goodness, my Goodnesswins, you were *made* or this job.

[Interesting Times]

Radio FR plans to air the interviews over several weeks, so there should still be transcription work to do when your schedule frees up. I'll pester you again then...

[Interesting Times]

I've got XP if you want to let me borrow the software you can't take back.

I offered it to Agitator, but if he isn't interested it's yours.

The first audio file will sail across the ether to your home this very night.

[Interesting Times]

Pingarooski.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

You will have freepmail in a sec. Congrats to FRN on a successful CPAC and a great booth!

[Interesting Times]

Thank you.

The booth seems quite content in my attic, and asks about you often.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

lol, would I sound any weirder than normal if I say I believe you? lol.

[Interesting Times]

By the way, thanks again for giving back my keys. :)>