Express Scribe

I have been using it for about 20 years. I also use FTR and FTW. The audio sometimes is not as good as FTW but I would rate it a 7 out of 10. Staff is very helpful for any issues arising.

Audio quality varies. Not as good as FTW.

I've been using Express Scribe for ten years and until this upgrade I thought I'd be using it until I retire.

I could not get the reverse F7 button to reverse, nor could I get the button on my foot pedal to reverse. I had to buy the program again (fourth time in ten years) because I bought a new computer. I had several email exchanges with several different tech support people and followed all their instructions. When I requested a link to an older version 9.11 as opposed to 10.05, they stopped replying to my emails completely. When you purchase a product it should work, no matter what the price. I am now using FTW Transcription.

My most favorite thing about Express Scribe is that it has many features that help you work faster. Some of this features include shortcuts for starting/stopping the audio, rewinding, forwarding, playing fast speed, playing slow speed. I think my favorite feature is the setting that allows you to 'auto backstep on stop.' This allows you to automatically rewind a word or two from where you left off. I have always loved this feature because it allows you to have a smooth continuity as you are transcribing. making you work faster.

Another thing I like about Express Scribe is that it easy to use. The software is less than 1 MB and the process of installing it is very starting forward and first. Once you have it installed, it is just a matter of dragging and dropping an audio file into the, and you can begin transcribing immediately.

Since Express scribe is a desktop application, you do not need an internet connection to use the software. As a transcriber, this can significantly reduce your data costs.

The challenge I have always had with Express Scribe is that some of its shortcuts interfere with the application's shortcuts on your machine. For example, in Microsoft Powerpoint, the key F5 is for switching to slide mode but it doesn't work if Express Scribe is on since the same key is a shortcut to do something else in Express Scribe.

Another challenge with Express Scribe is that the writing interface doesn't have auto correct options like those of word. This forces you to copy paste your work to another application for editing and proofreading.