Training Equipment Requirements

 

The trainee will need a notebook computer, access to a printer, access to the internet, an email account.  A steno table and roller bag are also recommended.  Make sure it's clear between you and the candidate which of you is providing the equipment!  Often the sponsor provides the equipment for training. 

Notebook computer

The trainee must use a notebook computer, not a desktop computer, for the training course.  The computer used by a transcriber during training should have: 

• Ability to run PC-compatible programs;
• At least 32 meg of RAM (256MB recommended);
• A working sound system for playing sound to a headset;
• Earphones/headphones;
• At least 500 meg of free disk space on the C: drive;
• A comfortable built-in keyboard (use of an external keyboard is not permitted, contact us for details);
• A built-in pointing device (use of an external mouse is not permitted, contact us for details);
• A Web browser (just the program, no connection to the web needed);
• Windows Media Player version 7, or higher;
• Windows XP or higher recommended (or Apple Macs with special software);
• Note: Internet access directly from the laptop computer is not required during training, but see Internet access section, below..

Here are more details about notebook computer and software requirements. Also, if you want the training computer to be used later to provide transcribing services, click the Tech link above, then look for the Equipment section for after-training computer requirements. 

Printer

Several of the lessons will require the trainee to print multiple pages.  The training computer does not have to connect directly to a printer to do this.  The file can be saved to a writeable output device (e.g., floppy, USB key drive, etc.) and printed using a different computer.  Directions for doing this will be sent with the training software. 

Email

Throughout the training the trainee will need regular access to email. The trainee:

• does not need email access on the training laptop.
• does need email access on some computer.
• should use only one email account for communicating with the TypeWell teaching team, to avoid misdirected messages.
• should check email every day for possible messages from our teaching team that will affect work in the lessons.

Internet access

The trainee will also need regular access to the internet to visit his or her personal training account.  The trainee:

• does not need Internet access directly from the laptop computer.
• does need Internet access from some computer.
• must sign into the training account after every lesson to turn in the latest assignment and to get a password for the next lesson.
• should use an internet computer that can accept files from a PC writeable device (e.g., USB keydrive).  Some lessons will require the trainee to copy a special file from the training program, and upload it to the internet account page.  Directions will be included with the training software. 

Phone

The trainee will need to have a phone to receive calls, for those times when email isn't appropriate and our teaching team needs to talk with the trainee.

Work area

A work area that is ergonomically correct is important.  Use of a steno table and roller bag during training is strongly recommended.  Often the sponsor provides this equipment. 

 

Next read about reports we send during training.