I gather this is LD (sm)...

If you have a Win 2000 or XP computer around, you can convert it to a dial-in dictation system much less expensively than a Bytescribe system.

A 4-line Orator Pro "kit" (software and phone board) will run you $1700, which isn't too bad.  Unfortunately, when you want more lines the price goes up far more precipitously than can be justified by the cost of a phone board that handles more phone lines.  Their 8-line "kit" will run you $3400, or double the price of their 4-line "kit". Since this can't be justified by the difference in price between a 4-line board and an 8-line board, it's puzzling.  Then the price doubles again to move up to 16 lines, again with no justification based on phone board pricing, so it gets twice as puzzling.

Fortunately, there's an alternative.  For $700 you can get Dial Dictate software that permits unlimited users and handles up to 32 callers simultaneously.  Install the software, and then decide how many lines you want to handle.  You can pick up a 4-line USB phone interface unit from Alto Edge for $260, and voila!  You've got a 4-line system that's $600 less than Bytescribe's 4-line system. 

In fact, by purchasing an 8-line board or a 16-line board ($500 or $880) instead of the 4-line USB unit, you would have $1200 to $1600 total investment in software and phone interface, versus $3400 and $6800, respectively, for the 8- and 16-line Bytescribe "kits".

And, of course, the Express Scribe application for transcription is free.

Check out the link below for more information on Dial Dictate software, and then click the link on the right in the box "Recommended Hardware" for information about the USB phone interface (easy as pie to use) and phone boards (almost as easy, but you have to crack the computer case open and install the board).

And if you want to move to 8 or 16 lines, you'll REALLY save money because all you need to do is pick up an 8- or 16-line phone board from the same company for about $500 or $880, respectively, for a total cost of $ - not $3400 and $6800 you'd pay to Bytescribe.

However, for about $1000, you can convert a Windows 2000 or XP system for dictation using NCH Dial Dictate software ($700) and a 4-line phone interface card (or a 4-line USB device, even easier) for $260.  Even better, you can move up to 16 lines for about $600 more.  Dial Dictate can handle 32 simultaneous dictators.  Check it out.

Use Dial Dictate from NCH ($700) and purchase a USB 4-line phone interface from Alto Edge ($260), or one of their phone cards that goes in the computer's PCI slot - up to 16 lines for $860).  The software and phone interface will cost you probably around much less than a system from Bytescribe.

• Dial in dictation - An
  • I gather this is LD (sm)... - TechSupport
  • I would go with Bytescribe's Orator Pro. - Been a customer since 2001
    • I agree. nm - AllieCat

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i know this isn't much, but i have never ever come across an american MT site that did not have a link somewhere for employment, and this one does not anywhere, and in fact clearly states they will only basically return inquiries from potential clients. Uh, where are they getting their MTs?  I have never heard of this company or seen a single job ad for them anywhere.  They can probably write the contract up, but my guess is that they may not hire offshore MTs, but they offshore to a company that does.  I am still looking....

about the computer.  Ethically, you should not use it to do another job.  Legally, if your company specifically stated not to use it for personal use (i.e. surfing the net, working another job, paying bills, etc), you should not use it.  Some companies have Spyware on the computers they supply you with and can track your usage of it.  Although I doubt most companies would go after you for using it to do your banking, working another job on it may be an issue.  It would be best to check with your human resources dept to see what the policy is on personal use of the computer before downloading another company's platform.  You may also need to take into consideration whether your present company will need to dial into your computer for any reason and see the new platform on it. 

Although I wasn't working a second job on a company-provided computer, I did store my personal photos and had a couple of games on it for my kids.  When I had a problem and tech support dialed in to my computer, they saw it and told me I needed to remove those items.  They told me they wouldn't report me or anything, but that they are supposed to report such things and to please remove them.  I did immediately and haven't added a thing to that computer since.  When I started a second job (to eventually phase out the first), I bought a used computer for a while until I could afford a new one.  I'm too much of a worrywart or scaredycat and didn't need something else to stress over. 

As any professional deserves to be paid for their time, so do lawyers.  They spent years in college while you probably were doing MT work typing someone else's words and ideas.  Lawyers go to school to develop knowledge of the law and ideas of their own.  Now on the other hand, you seem to have no problems with the CEO(s) of MQ jeopordizing your job by illegal billing of clients all the while bonusing himself and his cronies at your expense. 

With all due respect you are full of it.