Hi everyone )
I was hoping some of you out there might be able to help me in regards to using Express Scribe in a Linux environment so I’m going to throw this out there to see what happens.
I am a dictation hardware reseller/consultant for a several clients in central Canada. One of my clients is currently seeking to transition (from tapes) to a digital dictation and transcription environment using Red Hat Linux servers and clients and they have 85 dictation/transcription users we will be installing; 12 of which are MTs.
I have a fairly extensive background in digital dictation hardware and software products and support but have no experience with Linux (or UNIX) itself (other than some old Lanier Xenix transcription networks I’ve installed – Once upon a time)
Anyway, the client would like to use the Express Scribe application for transcription (and would happily pay the support fees once the product is proven) but I have only been able to find very limited information regarding Express Scribe running under Linux so I was hoping some real users out there could help us with a few basic questions.
1) The NCH website page regarding Express Scribe running under Linux offers a download for native Linux version of Express Scribe but states, “This is a compiled binary program made for Linux. The advantage is it does not require Wine. The disadvantage is some esoteric proprietary formats cannot be supported.”
Regarding proprietary formats, the question is, does the Linux version support (non Olympus) .dss voice files?
2) Regarding transcription foot controls, they recommend the USB VEC Infinity foot control (which is cool cause we use these extensively at other sites) so the question is, do they provide a Linux specific driver separately or is this installed with the Express Scribe application automatically under Linux? We’ve purchased a lot of these controls but have yet to find a driver disk in the foot control packaging from the manufacturer - who ever they are.
3) Are there any specific (and important) features within the Windows version of Express Scribe that are not available in the Linux version. You know, the little things like not being able to load files, set encryption keys, browse for folders in the Load screen?
4) I noticed (from the only screenshot of the Linux version I’ve been able to find – (http://www.brothersoft.com/express-scribe-for-linux-68777.html) that the Dock toolbar button is not available in the Linux version so I would assume that docking from mobile recorders is also not available, can anyone clarify or provide suggestions for getting files from a mobile recorder – Philips DPM3s?
5) The Express Dictate application under Linux (Wine) sounds like an inexpensive option to the application I’ll be recommending but when you dig into it seems pretty much pointless since Wine doesn’t support USB devices. Does anyone out there actually create dictations using USB microphones or mobile recorders with Express Dictate in a Linux environment? Please let me know, I’m really curious.
Anyone, anyone, please feel free to answer any or all of these questions if you can, I’d be eternally grateful for the help!
Regards;
Lance