Can anyone give me any help? My last job provided all equipment...not this one! Where can I begin to look for a C-Phone, a program to enable my keyboard to emulate a VT-320, and an expander??? Been doing this for years but with other people's equipment lol!! Also, can anyone give me any info good or bad on the company CTU??? Thanks in advance!!

Hi,

I've seen used C-phones for sale in the JAAMT (Journal of the Association of American Transcription). I could get the numbers for you if interested. You could also try e-bay or amazon.com auction, etc. Perhaps there's an office supply company in your area that sells new or used ones.

I'm not familiar with CTU. What is VT-320?? Please enlighten me!

As far as expanders, I can send you all the e-mail and snail-mail addresses of all the companies I know of who sell them. I use FlashForward, but that product was not available for awhile (distributor's number was disconnected) and a new distributor suddenly resurfaced, which makes me somewhat wary. I do love Flashforward and it was only $109. There is also PRD (I've used that too and liked it, but it's $400+ and Flashforward is just as good for the money). I have a friend who uses Smart Type which she loves. There is also Instant Text and some others.

If you need further info about any of this, just let me know!

kkb

Wow! You are exactly who I need to talk to!

VT-320 was what I used at my other job. It was a keyboard with different keys - it had a "DO" key that you hit after the report was done...I thought it was a whole program but I dunno. I guess I can get a program to make my keyboard act like a vt-320 keyboard.

As far as an expander? What exactly does an expander program do? Is that what enables you to make and use those big macros?

I'm going to call today and find out more about all the equipment I need. I do appreciate any help you can give!! Would definitely love any phone numbers or info you can send regarding where to buy any of this equipment!! Thanks *so* much!! : )

Hi,

Glad I could help!

Expanders are better than macros--your hands stay on the keyboard--no ALTing!! (I hate that!) You can make up abbreviations for words, phrases, whole sections of frequently-used paragraphs, etc., just like macros. The program I have tracks your increased productivity--I increase 46% with one doc!! Mostly I average in the 20% range. Saves those fingers, wrists, and arms, and typos, too!

I'm not sure if I can post all of the expander companies on this site, but if you want to e-mail me directly, I'd be happy to give them to you!

Take care!

kkb