Training Computer Requirements

 

 

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All the info on this page is important, but be sure you closely read the Requirements Checklist section of this page!!!  Make sure that the training computer has every required item or the trainee won't be able to get through the training! 

The trainee must have a laptop computer for the training.  It's best to use the same computer that will be used later for transcribing, to develop machine-specific experience.  If someone is sponsoring the training, he or she may be able to loan the trainee a computer. 

When Do I Need It?

The trainee will need the computer as soon as the training package arrives, shortly before the training start date.  However, if you are ordering a new computer for this training, try to get it several weeks before the start date.  A lot can go wrong with a new computer delivery, so by getting it ahead of time you'll have time to correct problems before the start date. 

The training software will remain active for a week or two after the training, to allow optional practice by the trainee. 

In summary, the trainee will need the training computer from about 1 week before the start date until about 2 weeks after finishing training. 

Requirements Checklist

The training computer must have these software products installed:

• Windows XP (recommended), or Windows 98, NT 4.0 or greater, ME, 2000, or Vista (or Apple Macs with special software);
   
• Internet Explorer or another web browser
  • It'll be in Start/All Programs if you have it.
  • Note Windows Explorer is not a browser and won't work for this; it's different than Internet Explorer.
  • You need this program even though you don't need an Internet connection on the same machine.  See the Internet requirements page for details.
     
• Windows Media Player version 7, or higher
  • It'll be in Start/All Programs/Accessories/Entertainment if you have it.
  • Check the version by using Windows Media Player's Help menu, the About option.
  • If the menus are hidden, right-click on the title bar in the Media Player program while the program is running.
  • You can download Media Player for free at this link.
     

The training computer must have these hardware features:

1. Must be a laptop (portable) computer, not a desktop!  The training software won't work on a desktop; besides, the trainee needs the practice with the same kind of computer that will later be using for transcribing.
    
2. A working sound system for playing sound, with an earphone/headphone socket.
    
3. Earphones/headphones that work with the computer;
    
4. A writeable media device: either a USB memory device (recommended), a floppy disk drive, or a CD burner;
    
5. A comfortable keyboard (some sub-3-lbs computers have uncomfortable keyboards);
   • May not be an external keyboard.  That's too inconvenient in transcribing situations, so the trainee must learn with the kind of keyboard he or she will use after training.
      
6. A touchpad pointing device (recommended), or another built-in pointer device.
   • May not be an external pointing device like a plug-in mouse.  That's too inconvenient in transcribing situations, so the trainee must learn to use the laptop mouse.
      
7. A CD-ROM reader (needed for initial software installation; may be external);
    
8. At least 600 megabytes of free disk space on the C: drive;
    
9. At least 32 meg of RAM (256MB recommended);
    

In addition, these requirements will be necessary if the trainee uses this same computer later for transcribing:

• Wi-Fi or a serial port or both, for linking to a Reader computer.
   
• Light weight (under 5 pounds recommended);
   
• Long battery life (greater than 3 hours desirable);
   

Need to Buy?

Make sure whoever is purchasing the computer sees the information in this section! 

See the When Do I Need It section above to see why you should have the new computer delivered several weeks before the trainee's start date. 

You'll be fighting the natural tendency to get "more bang for the buck."  This tendency will lead to buying a relatively heavy 7 lbs. computer with a 14-15" screen and a lot of doodads, at a bargain price. 

But for transcribing, that's almost the worst machine.  The primary factor of interest to you should be size and weight -- the smaller, the better.  You don't need nor want a big screen or a fast processor. 

Anything in the 3-to-5 pound range is suitable.  Any machine weighing more than 6 pounds is out of the question.  That's just too heavy for a transcriber machine.  With TypeWell, one doesn't need much RAM or disk space or any of those 'techie dream machine' items.  See the TypeWell requirements above. 

Don't worry about getting too small a computer unless you're looking at 3-lbs and under.  Some users find the keyboard of sub-3-lbs ultralights to be undesirable for extended typing.  On the other hand, typists with small hands may like these smaller keyboards better.  The bottom line is that you should try before you buy in the 3-lbs-and-under range. 

But two options to consider getting are the integrated Wi-Fi wireless and the 3-year warranty.  Integrated Wi-Fi is a great choice for linking to the Reader computer. 

3-year warranties are cost-effective for computers, unlike for many other types of electronics.  That's because computers have dozens of separate modules.  Odds are that one or two of them will fail after 2 years. 

If you need a recommendation for a computer to buy, a reasonable choice is one from the Dell Latitude series.  Go to the Dell website (dell.com), choose Small Business, choose Notebooks, and then choose Latitude, to see their product line.  Just remember, keep it under 5 lbs! 

Installation Requirements

To install the training software the trainee will need one thing thing that won't be needed later in the training: a CD-ROM drive.  It can be internal or external.