Saturday, April 30, 2016

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Just Released: Express Invoice Invoicing Software for Mac OS X

Download Express Invoice 4.53 now at www.nchsoftware.com/invoice/index.html. Also available for iOS, Android and Windows at the same page

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Video Overlay for YouTube Videos with Debut

Record and overlay your webcam on video capture for YouTube gameplay and reaction channels

If you use video capture for reaction videos, video game playthroughs or reviews on YouTube, Debut Video Capture software can simultaneously and easily record your screen and your webcam.

How to Use Webcam Overlay with Your YouTube Videos in Three Easy Steps

  1. Start Debut, and select the screen you will be recording
  2. Press the Camera Overlay button or find the option under Tools
  3. Adjust options, and press the record button to start
That's all there is to it!

Whether you are in the middle of a deathmatch, a dungeon raid, or building a 1 million block work of art in Minecraft, share your skills and your reactions with all of YouTube at the same time! 

Like what you see? 
Click on the link to download or purchase:



Monday, April 25, 2016

How to Improve Technical Support Using Canned Responses

Tips and Tricks: How to Use Canned Messages for Help Desk and IT Support and When Not to Use Them


For anyone in IT/Tech Support/Help Desk work, you see the same questions and responses repeating on a regular basis whether it's in email, live chat, or even Facebook support. Without software assistance, the sheer amount of time needed to type each response would overburden even the best staffed technical support team. Thankfully, this is where text expander programs like FastFox come in.

Commonly Used Support Canned Responses

While each company's common support needs vary quite a bit, there are a common set of responses that are nearly universally useful in technical & help desk support. The following, when used in conjunction with a readily available cheat sheet of information, will make providing support efficient and effective:
  • Greetings
  • Answers from company FAQ
  • Requests for customer information
  • Links to frequently used webpages
  • Individual product pages
  • Commonly needed tools, directories, parts
  • Support phone #s and email addresses
  • Delay/Apology message
  • Refund request-response

How to Use Canned Responses Appropriately

So while text shortcuts provide much-needed relief for support members, all customer service agents need to keep in mind two things at all times when providing live support to avoid misusing canned responses:
  1. Information Flow
  2. Conversation Flow
When used appropriately, canned responses can be a helpful tool for agents to expedite the chat or to provide standard information. But agents must be sure that the information they provide actually addresses the customer’s question, and canned responses don't apply well in all situations.

Inappropriate usage of canned responses in response to questions can break information flow, which undermines consumer confidence that the agent actually understands the company products. It also puts additional responsibility on the customer to decipher the information to find the answer - any information that can be easily provided should be given without asking the customer to read through a webpage, e.g:

Customer: "What are the pricing options for [Service]?"

Bad: "You can find our pricing options here: website.com/pricing"

Good: "The basic service costs $X/mo, while our plus service costs $Y/mo. For enterprise applications, I will have to get you in contact with our sales team. To see the differences between the tiers, please read through the options here: website.com/pricing"

With the power of canned responses, both answers would take the same amount of time to type out, but the latter is significantly more informative and friendlier.

In terms of conversation flow, most help desk operators are usually trained to instantly open with a canned greeting the second they are connected in chat, e.g:

"Hello, my name is Nick, and I will be helping you today. What seems to be the problem?"

While it seems like a safe catch-all greeting, it fails to take into account potential conversation flows. Since many chat programs don't connect a user to support until they have placed the first line of text, many customers start with the problem first before getting connected.

If the customer has stated the issue already, and the first response is the one above, the "What seems to be the problem?" part indicates that the customer service representative has not read the customer's inquiry before responding.

Conclusion

Canned responses using text expanders like FastFox are a necessary and powerful tool for technical support staff, and when used properly, gain a customer's respect and confidence.

Click here for a quick lesson on how to set up shorthand text shortcuts for technical support responses.

Click on the link to download or purchase:

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

8 Most Useful Canned Response Email Templates for Business

How to Send Business Emails Faster and More Efficiently With Canned Responses in Gmail, Outlook, or Thunderbird Using Text Expander Software


Prewritten, aka, canned responses have become one of the most important software tools available for any business professional, whether you are working in sales, customer support, or management.

With the sheer number of daily emails that come in for any successful modern business, there are common situations that can be handled with a well-written email template. Below are a few common ones for business use.

Example Business Email Templates:

Greeting/Inquiry

A polite but professional email opens the doors and sets the tone for future correspondence.

Hello [Recipient],

My name is [Name] emailing you on behalf of [Company] -

We are interested in your [Product/Service], and would like to know more about availability, pricing, and any bulk discounts you may offer.

Looking forward to your response.

Sincerely,
[Name/Email Signature]

Message Received, Will Respond Soon

Sometimes you are so overloaded with messages and tasks to handle that you might have to politely ask the other party to wait for a proper response. Instead of just leaving it off for later, acknowledging that you have received a response and telling them that you will respond will buy you time to formulate a proper email when you have time.

Hello!

Wanted to let you know that I have received your email and that I will respond shortly. Please forgive the delay, and know that a proper response is on the way.

Thank you!
[Name/Email Signature]

Invoice/Payment

A well-written invoice email may help get you your hard-earned payment on time with less hassle.

Dear [Client],

We are contacting you in regard to a new invoice [Invoice #] that has been created on your account on [Date Created]. You may find the invoice attached. Please pay the balance of [Amount] by [Date Due].

You can pay by mailing a check to:
[Company Name/Address]
or using our online payment option below
[Link to Payment Portal]

We look forward to conducting future business with you.

Sincerely,
[Name/Email Signature]

Bug/Order Error

Sometimes you or your business makes a mistake. No need to fret; acknowledging the error and making a commitment to fixing it reduces frustration and might prevent a bad review!

Hello [Recipient],

We have just reviewed your email. We're so sorry about the [Issue]!

I'm going to investigate what's going on and get back to you, and we'll make sure this gets fixed ASAP.

In the meantime, let me know if there's anything I can do to make sure you have a great experience with us and not let this hamper our relationship in the future.

Sincerely,
[Name/Email Signature]

Refund

Not every issue gets resolved successfully, and when that is the case, a refund is usually in order. Taking the time to write them a short letter alongside the refund just might convince them to come back at a later date.

[Recipient],

We have received and processed your request for a refund.

I'm sorry we didn't live up to your expectations and have completely refunded your charge. It will show up as a credit in your bank statement within the next business day or so.

Let me know if I can assist you further, and we hope to regain your business at a future date.

Thank you,
[Name/Email Signature]

Cancel Service/Ask for Refund

When a service you have paid for doesn't quite live up to your needs, it's time to request a cancellation and possibly a refund.

Hello,

I am contacting you in regards to account [Account Info].

Unfortunately, I am no longer in need of your service, and I want to cancel ASAP. Please let me know when it has been canceled alongside any billing notices associated with the account.

Thank you for your assistance,
[Name/Email Signature]

Reschedule/Cancel Appointment

Life and emergencies often get in the way of business, and when it does, it's polite to notify the other party as early as possible and offer them the ability to reschedule.

[Client],

I'm very sorry - something has come up, and am going to need to reschedule our appointment.

Let me know your availability. I will try to accommodate your schedule.

Again, sorry for the change of plans.
[Name/Email Signature]

Do Not Contact/Unsubscribe

When spammers or unsolicited emails find you, a hard stance is often needed to stop them from pestering you.

Hello,

I have tried to unsubscribe from your email list on multiple occasions with no success.

Please manually remove me from this list ASAP. Remove me from any corresponding lists as well.

I will start marking as spam any emails received from you from here on out.

(Optional) If this continues, I will have no choice but to report you to my Email provider as well as the FCC.

Thank you.
[Name/Email Signature]

Save 100's of Hours by Combining Email Templates With Text Expander Software 

Now that you have the email templates to use, save even more time by binding them to text shortcuts using FastFox Shorthand Text Expander. FastFox allows users to make keyboard shortcuts trigger full paragraphs, email signatures, and images to optimize your email response times!

To learn how to use FastFox for efficient business email management, read the following: How to Use Email Shortcuts for Your Business

Click on the link to download or purchase:

New Release: Debut Video Capture Software for Mac OS X

Download Debut 3.02 now at www.nchsoftware.com/capture/index.html. Also available for Windows at the same page

New Release: RecordPad Sound Recorder for iOS

Download RecordPad 5.46 now at www.nch.com.au/recordpad/index.html. Also available for Mac OS X, Android and Windows at the same page

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Most Common Medical Shorthand Abbreviations for Medical Transcriptionists

Software Tips and Tricks: Abbreviations to Use in Text Expander Programs for Medical Transcriptionists


Text Expander programs like FastFox have made it into part of the core toolkit used by medical transcribers next to dictation software and foot pedals.

Such macro software has shown to improve output as well as reduce the number of mistakes, something highly important in an environment where minor typos can affect a patient's medical history and assistance from spell check/autocorrect tools is nearly non-existent.

Below is a list of the most commonly used medical abbreviations, organized by usage type and alphabetically. This list has been optimized for Medical Transcriptionists to use in FastFox Shorthand Software.

How to use this list:
  • Read the How-To article on using FastFox for Medical Transcription, and add the shortcuts/words accordingly.
  • Remember that usage of terms changes drastically based upon the specialty of the doctor; these are just the most common medical phrases in use. Use the save/load list function of FastFox to change your abbreviation list quickly and easily to match your client's needs.

Anatomy/Physiology

  • CNS central nervous system
  • CSF cerebrospinal fluid
  • ECF extracellular fluid
  • ENT ear nose and throat
  • GI gastrointestinal
  • GU genitourinary
  • ICF intracellular fluid
  • IM intramuscular(ly)
  • RBC red blood cell
  • SC subcutaneous(ly)
  • WBC white blood cell

Compound/Chemical

  • HLA human leukocyte antigen
  • PMN polymorphonuclear leukocyte
  • ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme
  • ACTH adrenocorticotropic hormone
  • ADH antidiuretic hormone
  • ALT alanine aminotransferase 
  • AST aspartate aminotransferase 
  • ATP adenosine triphosphate
  • BCG bacille Calmette-Guérin
  • Ca calcium
  • cAMP cyclic adenosine monophosphate
  • CK creatine kinase
  • Cl chloride; chlorine
  • CO2 carbon dioxide
  • CPK creatine phosphokinase
  • CPK-MB creatine phosphokinase muscle bandisoenzyme
  • DNA deoxyribonucleic acid
  • D/W dextrose in water
  • G6PD glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
  • Hb hemoglobin
  • HCl hydrochloric acid; hydrochloride
  • HCO3 bicarbonate
  • Hg mercury
  • HMG-CoA hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A
  • IgA immunoglobin A
  • IL interleukin
  • K potassium
  • LDH lactic dehydrogenase
  • Mg magnesium
  • N nitrogen
  • Na sodium
  • NaCl sodium chloride
  • NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
  • O2 oxygen
  • P phosphorus
  • PPD purified protein derivative 
  • RNA ribonucleic acid
  • soln solution

Disease/Diagnosis

  • ABG arterial blood gas
  • AIDS acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
  • BPD borderline personality disorder
  • COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • DTP diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis(toxoids/vaccine)
  • FUO fever of unknown origin
  • GVHD Graft-versus-host disease
  • HIV human immunodeficiency virus
  • MI myocardial infarction
  • RA rheumatoid arthritis
  • SBE subacute bacterial endocarditis
  • SIDS sudden infant death syndrome
  • SLE systemic lupus erythematosus
  • TB tuberculosis
  • URI upper respiratory infection
  • UTI urinary tract infection

Measurement/Test/Dosage

  • bid 2 times a day
  • BMR basal metabolic rate
  • BP blood pressure
  • BSA body surface area
  • BUN blood urea nitrogen
  • C Celsius; centigrade; complement
  • CBC complete blood count
  • cGy centigray
  • Ci curie
  • cm centimeter
  • CT computed tomography
  • Cu cubic
  • dL deciliter
  • ECG electrocardiogram
  • EEG electroencephalogram
  • ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
  • ESR erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • F Fahrenheit
  • Ft foot; feet
  • G gram
  • GFR glomerular filtration rate
  • H hour
  • Hct hematocrit
  • Hz hertz 
  • INR international normalized ratio
  • IU international unit
  • IVU intravenous urography
  • Kcal kilocalorie
  • Kg kilogram
  • L liter
  • lb pound
  • M molar
  • MCH mean corpuscular hemoglobin
  • MCHC mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration
  • mCi millicurie
  • MCV mean corpuscular volume
  • mEq Milliequivalent
  • mg milligram
  • MIC minimum inhibitory concentration
  • mIU milli-international unit
  • mL milliliter
  • mm millimeter
  • mmol millimole
  • mo month
  • mol molecular weight
  • mOsm Milliosmole
  • MRI magnetic resonance imaging
  • Ng nanogram 
  • Nm nanometer 
  • Nmol nanomole
  • oz ounce
  • PAco2 alveolar carbon dioxide partial pressure
  • PAo2 alveolar oxygen partial pressure
  • PAS periodic acid-Schiff
  • Pco2 carbon dioxide partial pressure
  • PCR polymerase chain reaction
  • PET positron emission tomography
  • pg picogram
  • pH hydrogen ion concentration
  • Po2 oxygen partial pressure 
  • ppm parts per million
  • PT prothrombin time
  • PTT partial thromboplastin time
  • q every
  • Sao2 arterial oxygen saturation
  • SI International System of Units
  • spgr specific gravity
  • STS serologic test(s) for syphilis
  • wt weight

Treatment/Care

  • BR bedside rounds
  • CPR cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • D&C dilation and curettage
  • ICU intensive care unit
  • IPPB intermittent positive pressure breathing
  • IV intravenous(ly)
  • Npo nothing by mouth
  • OTC over-the-counter 
  • po orally
  • prn as needed
  • qid 4 times a day
  • SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
  • tid 3 times a day
  • TPN total parenteral nutrition
Click on the link to download or purchase:

New Release: Crescendo Music Notation Editor for Windows

Download Crescendo 1.70 now at www.nch.com.au/notation/index.html. Also available for Android and Mac OS X at the same page

Monday, April 11, 2016

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Friday, April 1, 2016

New Release: Switch Sound File Converter for Windows

Download Switch 4.99 now at www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html. Also available for Mac OS X and Android at the same page

Why a Burned Disk Won't Play in Your CD/DVD/Blu-Ray Player or Car

Troubleshooting a Burned CD/DVD/Blu-Ray Disk/Disc That Doesn't Work in a Player/Car


If a disk/disc burning program like Express Burn burns your disc without reporting any errors, but the the disc doesn't play when you put it in your CD / DVD / Blu-ray player, there are a few things you can try to fix this irritating but common issue:

Confirm Which File Formats Are Compatible

Again, check the manual that came with your player. An MP3 CD can store more songs than an audio CD, but an older CD player may not be able to play MP3/Data CDs. Likewise, a data disc of JPEG files is a great way to view a photo slideshow on recent DVD players but to view a slideshow on an older DVD player, you may need to create a video DVD using something like PhotoStage Slideshow Software.

Confirm Which Disc Types Are Compatible

Check the manual that came with your player/car for a list of compatible disc/media types. Are you trying to use a rewritable (RW) disc when the player only supports non-rewritable (R) discs (like in many older disc players, especially in cars)? Are you trying to use a "plus" (e.g., DVD+RW) disc when the player only supports "minus" (e.g., DVD-RW), or vice-versa? (The manual may use the symbol "±" to mean either plus or minus will work.)

Use Quality Discs

Cheap discs often have more read errors than higher quality discs, and some players will have more trouble with reading errors than others. Buy good quality blanks, and avoid discs with scratches, fingerprints, or dust.

Choose the Burn Speed Carefully

Take note of the minimum and maximum burn speeds that your drive is capable of, and that your selected discs are capable of. Contrary to popular belief, burning at a slower speed does not always give a better result than burning at a higher speed. Check what write speed(s) your disc has been rated for. If the disc specifies a single write speed (e.g., 4x) then you must burn at that speed. If the disc specifies a range of speeds (e.g., 4x-12x) then you must not burn at a speed outside that range.

Make Sure Your Drivers are Up-to-Date

Sometimes another program can damage Windows drivers for your CD/DVD drive. Microsoft provides a utility program to fix these cases and instructions: Windows CD or DVD drive support

Enable Verification

A feature in Express Burn; you can check the Verify burned content is correct after burning the check-box in the burning dialog. It will take longer, but you can be sure at the end of verification that your burn actually worked.

Click on the link to download or purchase: