Only one post in the CastingWords section?

Discussion in 'CastingWords' started by Mayhem, May 23, 2012.

  1. Mayhem

    Mayhem User

    Joined:
    May 21, 2012
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Let's talk about CastingWords. What do you like and dislike? What are you confused about? Are there CW HITs that you prefer?

    I like Expedited HITs! :D

    I'm confused as to why editors correct things that don't need to be corrected on transcripts or change things to something erroneous.

    I, of course, prefer expediteds. I've found that I actually do better with Indian and African accents than American accents, even though I have no experience living in those countries.
     
  2. PhobicTurk

    PhobicTurk User

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2012
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yay! Someone talking about CastingWords!

    I'm still very new there so I don't qualify for Expedited HITs yet, but I like working for them so far. I'm still sorting by lowest pay to get the easier ones. Also, I tend to wait until the finalized transcript is up on my profile dashboard before accepting another HIT so that I can see a full compare and review of what I typed versus what was the approved copy. I'm getting mostly 8's with an occasional 9 now, so I'm pretty happy.

    Of course I'd be happier if I got nothing but 9's, but I'm hoping that will come soon.

    One thing I don't like is there are still so many "what if's" that aren't covered in the Style Guide that I don't know how to do. As I mentioned on another thread, I'm still not sure how to handle a transcript of a young adult or teen who is using a constant string of "I was like, yeah and then she was like go away and I was like who are you talking to and she was like " etc. etc.

    Like that. I don't know if I should change the like's to said, or leave them as is.

    Also I've noticed a lot of discrepancies when it comes to run on sentences. I have noticed that when I've broken up a run on, the editor will take out the period and insert a comma. And vice versa.

    It's so funny that you mentioned accents. I was just talking about that in email with someone the other day. I had done a few over at Scribie where the woman had an African accent, and she was a joy to transcribe. I do prefer transcribing people who don't have English as a first language, simply because many times they speak slower. A lot of Americans (self included) talk so fast.

    How long have you been doing CW?
     
  3. Mayhem

    Mayhem User

    Joined:
    May 21, 2012
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Oh, I meant to answer about the "like" thing but forgot. Let me go copy what you gave as an example...

    Example:
    So I was like, so how do you do transcription anyway, and she was like well you could start with Claritrans. And I was like really impressed with how generous she was giving me that lead. And then she was like, go to CastingWords but be careful on which ones you choose. And I was like yeah I do that.

    This is most likely what I would have typed:
    I was like, "So how do you do transcription anyway?" And she was like, "Well, you could start with Claritrans." I was really impressed with how generous she was giving me that lead. Then she was like, "Go to CastingWords, but be careful on which ones you choose." And I was like, "Yeah, I'll do that."

    It takes a LONG time to get to where you're mostly confident as to what to do in weird situations.

    I've been doing CastingWords HITs since April 8, 2008. I just checked to figure that out. : )
     
  4. PhobicTurk

    PhobicTurk User

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2012
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thank you so much! If I run across another "liker", I'll remember that.

    I'm going to install ExpressScribe later on today when I'm done working. Right now I'm just using VLC and slowing it down to 50% or 35%, but I had read in the other thread that ExpressScribe sometimes can clear up audio a little bit better.

    I go back and forth on buying a foot pedal. I think maybe in the future, but right now we're so broke and all of my earnings go to buy groceries and pet food, so a foot pedal seems like a huge investment for such a small part of my earnings.
     
  5. Mayhem

    Mayhem User

    Joined:
    May 21, 2012
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    I haven't ever used a foot pedal. Express Scribe can be used with the hot keys on your keyboard. You can also change which key does what. Something that I did after a couple of years of transcribing is set auto backstep on stop to 1000ms, which takes me back a little from where I stopped so I know I'm in the right place (that's on ES - Express Scribe).
     
  6. kayk111

    kayk111 User

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2012
    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    0
    Now that there is some information on CW I may have to give them a try. I only do Claritrans because I am just learning, but we'll see.
     
  7. Mayhem

    Mayhem User

    Joined:
    May 21, 2012
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think I've done Claritrans before, but I'm so used to following CW's style guide that I shy away from other requesters.
     
  8. nobody

    nobody User

    Joined:
    May 23, 2012
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    0
    I've been waiting for someone else to post about them!

    There's so little information about them. At least now I know I'm not the only one who has these questions. Is anyone else having trouble with their HITs/site today, or is my computer just wonky today?
     
  9. Mayhem

    Mayhem User

    Joined:
    May 21, 2012
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    I heard from someone else that's something wrong right now. They've had some issues with their servers being overloaded and crashing. I'm not sure what's happening because I haven't been online for a little bit.
     
  10. nobody

    nobody User

    Joined:
    May 23, 2012
    Messages:
    317
    Likes Received:
    0
    Ah, OK. Thanks for that. I'll check back later then.
     
  11. yourfavoritewife

    yourfavoritewife Active Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2012
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    0
    I really like Casting Words. I used to be a medical transcriptionist, so I use a foot pedal and Express Scribe. I'm not presently using a word expander, but you can practically double your speed using one and with a little practice.

    I do ClariTrans too, but I can only work on one company a day or my brain goes wonky keeping them straight.
     
  12. mearek

    mearek Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2012
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    I also was a medical transcriptionist! I HAVE to use a foot pedal, and I also use E-scribe. Using a foot pedal makes transcribing soooo much easier and faster for me. I could not transcribe without one. I have only done about 10 or so HITs, and have gotten mostly 8's and a few 9's. How long does it take to move up in the ranks? I am at 82 now. I might take transcribing with them more seriously if I knew it was really worth it.

    And you are right about the word expander, yourfavoritewife. I even used one for the word "without". I practically had my own language when typing!
     
  13. yourfavoritewife

    yourfavoritewife Active Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2012
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    0
    Awesome, mearek!

    I really don't know how long it takes to move up the ranks as I haven't been putting in much effort with CW lately, mostly just busy with other gigs. It sounds like you're doing great though. Good for you!

    I'm looking to purchase a new word expander. I've had a few recommendations. Do you have a favorite?
     
    #13 yourfavoritewife, May 27, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: May 27, 2012
  14. Whimsy

    Whimsy User

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2012
    Messages:
    805
    Likes Received:
    0
    On the topic of word expanders...

    How is purchasing something to do this different than adding to an auto-correct dictionary in your already installed word processing programs?
     
  15. Mayhem

    Mayhem User

    Joined:
    May 21, 2012
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    The main difference is that it will work everywhere on your computer, all the time. You can use it in Word and on your browser. Autocorrect will only work in the programs you have it set for. I use autocorrect though, because my computer doesn't have enough memory to use a bunch of extra software.
     
  16. Whimsy

    Whimsy User

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2012
    Messages:
    805
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thank you for clarifying. Sounds kinda fun to have it go "with me" wherever on my computer but mine is like yours...no extras.
     
  17. mearek

    mearek Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2012
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    I always used the auto correct in Word when transcribing. I never needed to use an expander program for that. I do have Fast Fox downloaded, but only used it for when I was an expeditor for ChaCha.
     
  18. riddeck

    riddeck User

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    0
    Anyone else notice that there are no CastingWords hits lately other than the express and difficult level ones?
     
  19. melissa71642

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    0
    They don't have any up right now for beginners, but they had some of those this morning. RIght now, they're having server problems again, so those hits will be relisted once they get things fixed.
     
  20. riddeck

    riddeck User

    Joined:
    May 22, 2012
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yeah I noticed I couldn't access the Live Hits part of their website. Thanks for the heads up!
     

Share This Page