atw: Re: Digital/analogue Voice Recorders

I have always used a voice recorder when being briefed by a
developer. Here are some points I have found important, in muck
order:

Always ask your interlocutor if it is ok to make a recording.
No-one has ever refused me, it's just a courtesy.

I use an analog recorder with a vox switch (starts when there is
sound, stops when there is silence), and 2 lapel mics, one for me,
one for the developer. It has a fast playback, so I can scoot
through to  a point of interest. My previous recorder also had a
cue
button which put a beep on the tape when it was pressed. The beep
is inaudible at normal playback speed, but can be heard on fast
rewind, so you can whizz through to the 5th beep, for example,
to hear the part you need.

Be aware that there is often (a lot) of background noise, which we
mentally ignore, but will be recorded. This affects the vox cut-in
sound level, so you need to make adjustments and test before you
start the interview. It can also mask the actual conversation you
want to hear.

If you use a desk mic, keyboard thumping, finger tapping,
coffee-mug plonking will affect the recording and vox operation,
unless the mic is well isolated.

There needs to be some way of linking the commentary with the
screen events, for later reference. You should develop a style of
interview in which you mention where you are in the application.
This feels awkward at first, but if you don't do it, you end up
with a
recording like "...see this here, well now you do this, then click
here (clunk) and go back to the aaah, mmmh other one there, no no
the first one...", which is less than helpful. 

Providing a running commentary yourself during the
interview has the added advantage of confirming with the developer
that you have understood (or not) the information.

You still need to take notes. For me, the recording is a backup
reference for the times when my memory and notes fail.

I have tried using the PC sound recording accessory in windoze,
but it is too primitive: no vox and it uses too much memory. No
doubt there are better applications, but I have not had time to
research them.

I have not used a digital recorder, but am keen to see if there is
one with the features I want:
- Vox switch
- Position marker: audible and visible on the LCD
- Fast playback, frequency-compensated
- Fast forward and reverse

Another way I have used a recorder is when I am experimenting,
configuring and installing software, to keep track of what
settings I made. This has saved my bacon on several Debian, Gentoo
and FreeBSD installations.

Similarly, when crawling on top of a Caterpillar 3412C, or up to
the
elbows in grease while stripping a Hatz 4L41, or following the
pipes in the stinking, rotten, filthy, disgusting hold of a @#!##*
ship, my pocket recorder and lapel mic enabled me to make notes, 
with hands free.

There are lots of other uses not all directly connected with tech
writing (eg audible map), stocktaking, proofing parts lists and so
on, which I have found during a lifelong interest in sound
recorders. I would be interested to hear other peoples'
experiences, too.

Reg



* David Godley (david@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) écrivit:
> Chaps,
> 
> Do any of you souls out there use digital voice recorders (or indeed 
> analogue ones for that matter) to capture comments from SMEs, briefing 
> meetings or other similar type things.
> 
> After one too many discussions where ideas were flowing thick and fast 
> and/or unrelated, but important excursions in the conversations occurred 
> I thought that it might be an idea to try to capture this.
> 
> Do any of you use these sorts of things?  If so, any comments on your 
> experiences or even recommendations?
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> David
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-- 


----------------------------------------------
Reginald Hardman        Reginald Hardman
Rédacteur Technique     Technical Writer
Paris                   Paris, France
.                                            . 
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