To work for SpeakWrite, you will need to have the following versions of the listed hardware, software and other items installed in your computer, and be thoroughly familiar with the operation of them.

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE NOT REQUIRING YOU TO PURCHASE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING EQUIPMENT OR SOFTWARE. However, in order to be able to use our software, your computer will need to already be equipped as described. If you are given a typist contract, AFTER the testing period, you will need the specific foot pedal listed below, which does NOT come from SpeakWrite, in order to do the transcription. (Please note that we have no contract with or financial arrangement with the manufacturer of the specified foot pedal.)

• PC personal computer with a Pentium III (or better) processor. We suggest at least 256MB RAM.

• Sound Blaster or compatible sound card, and some type of earphones to listen to the dictation.

• The highest speed Internet hookup in your area - minimum of 56k baud. DSL is available in most areas now and you should acquire and use this if at all possible - it will greatly enhance your speed and your ability to earn more. AOL Internet service frequently causes problems with or is incompatible with our software. If you have AOL you may use it for the test jobs IF IT CAUSES NO PROBLEMS. After you are under contract with us or if AOL causes problems during the test jobs, you will need to change ISP's if you wish to proceed.

• Windows 2000, or XP operating system (or newer). Note - we have found that Windows 98 and Millennium Edition (ME), are occasionally not compatible with our software. If you are using Windows 98 or ME, you must be willing to upgrade to a newer version, if required.

• Microsoft Word 2000 or newer
  [PLEASE NOTE: Microsoft Works is NOT the same as Microsoft Word. The ability to save a file as Microsoft Word is NOT the same as having Microsoft Word. Microsoft Windows is NOT the same as Microsoft Word. You must have the above-noted version of Windows AND the above-noted version of Word. Windows and Word are two different things.]

• Microsoft Internet Explorer (NOT Netscape)

• An inkjet or laser printer, properly set and cabled to work with your computer.

• A thorough working knowledge of the Internet, including the use of e-mail, web browsing, etc.

• Older Intel CPU based laptop computers have been found NOT to work with the HTH Engineering, Inc. footpedal, mentioned below. You may complete the testing on such a laptop, but you will have to do actual work from another computer if you are offered a position as a typist.

• If you have an older computer and it does not have a USB port, you will have to purchase a USB card for your computer so that you can plug your foot pedal into a USB port. DO NOT PURCHASE A USB CARD UNLESS YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD TO ORDER THE FOOT PEDAL AT THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING PROCESS and your computer does not have a USB port.

• AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED TRAINING SUCCESSFULLY, you will need to order the required foot pedal to operate the playback of dictated material. (In order to start and stop the dictation for transcription, you will need to purchase a foot pedal from HTH Engineering , Inc. Be CERTAIN to specify that you are buying this for use with SpeakWrite so that the item you receive is properly configured to work with our system). DO NOT ORDER THE FOOT PEDAL UNTIL AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD TO DO SO AT THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING PROCESS.

• Incompatibilities

  A recent change to our system (beginning the week of August 8th, 2005) has caused a conflict with these devices:
  - Netgear routers (no specific types identified).
  - DirectWay DW6000 satellite modems.
  If you have a Netgear router, you'll need to disable it's built in 'SPI firewall' (please see www.netgear.com for more information on how to do this) to access our system properly. We have not found a solution for DW6000 owners at this time, but will post that information here if/when we do.