Maria, Do I ever wish there was such technology! Although there certainly are ways to record voice digitally (I'll leave the details to those of you who are far more tech savvy then me), there is no reliable way to have, say, voice recognition software transcribe the digitally recorded voice into text. Voice recognition software requires training, and each unique voice requires another round of training for the software to recognize that voice. Even then, there are still errors. Whenever there's background interference (rustling papers, a closing door), it messes up the "recognition." I have heard of programs that will, for example, transcribe into text what is being broadcast on television. So, if one wanted to have quick transcripts of what ABC was broadcasting in New York city, software could provide that transcript. However, it works terribly. My alma mater investigated such a program, and decided against it because it was too unreliable (and if memory serves, supremely expensive). I'm sorry I don't have better news. It really would be nice to side-step the transcription process (she says as she looks over at her transcription machine, which has a tape in it in need of transcribing . . . .). ~Jenny

Hello Everyone, I was wondering if you know of a software/technology available for interviweing. I will have to conduct over 50 interviews for my PhD, and was thinking that there must be a way to record directly in digital format, AND have a program that transcribes sound into text. Do any of you know anything about this? Thanks! E.

Maria Elisa Peirano de Peluffo

-- Assistant Professor Department of Communication, SS 340 University at Albany, SUNY 1400 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12222 518-442-4873 jstromer@albany.edu http://www.albany.edu/~jstromer