Speech-to-text no problem at NoNotes.com
Posted on September 19, 2008 by Hamish
Filed Under Events, Interactive Tools, Web 2.0 tools, Writing Process
There are headsets and recording programs out there today that can assist with difficult tasks for some, but the note-taking process remains relatively unchanged. My last EDC blog entry surrounded a program called Qipit that borrowed qualities of what we know as ‘optical character recognition’. But you need a camera, and even if you have one you can’t take pictures of what your prof is saying. Instead of an end result that can be modified upon import, Qipit is restricted in some ways, by only allowing you to import as PDF, a format that cannot be modified once distributed.
An ad for a service called NoNotes.com passed across my desk yesterday. A service developed by SilenceIT.ca, NoNotes.com allows you to record your lectures, meetings or personal notes through a digital interface of your own supply (or one of theirs if you choose to fork out a few bucks), and upload the audio file to your free NoNotes.com account online.
The end result is a set of written notes that are automatically generated from your audio file, that can be edited and modified at your leisure. According to the website, grammatical accuracy is heavily dependent upon the quality of the audio uploaded. It’s suggested that the audio input device be as close to the speaker as possible, and also to try and get a hold of an omnidirectional mic to maximize the quality of your results. Meanwhile, the larger the file that’s uploaded, in theory, the longer it will take to upload and process through to your account. But for students with disabilities who have difficulty taking notes, or even for multi-tasking note-takers, this concept is gold.
Unfortunately, this is a pay service. Students who are uncomfortable with an entry point of $7.97 per audio hour should look elsewhere for more viable alternatives. The way it works is not so dissimilar to Skype’s method of payment for their VOIP service, according to NoNotes.com’s Q&A section of their website: “Your account total decreases each time you submit a file and you simply purchase more time as you go”. If you’re a student who has a few two-hour lectures per week, however, we’d suggest looking elsewhere; you’ll probably find your dollars being shot at with each bullet per lecture slide. In theory, though, this is headed in the right direction for keeping up with speedster lecturers, backing up your notes, and recording these experts teaching as they so fervently do.
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