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Voice typing in Basecamp

Basecamp is deliberately built around writing, which makes typing speed the whole constraint. Typally works at the keyboard level, so anywhere Basecamp accepts typing, it accepts your voice instead.

Disclosure: Typally is our product. We have tried to describe what Basecamp already does without talking you out of using it.
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In short

  • Basecamp's own dictation: None. Message boards, to-dos and check-ins are all text.
  • What Typally does instead: types into the focused window, so it works in Basecamp and everywhere else you write.
  • Best used for: message board posts

Does Basecamp have built-in dictation?

None. Message boards, to-dos and check-ins are all text.

Why dictate in Basecamp at all?

Basecamp's philosophy is that written communication beats meetings. That only works if people actually write, and the reason they do not is that typing a proper message takes longer than calling someone.

In practice people use it for: Message board posts, comments, automatic check-in answers, to-do descriptions, and client updates in Campfire.

How to dictate in Basecamp

You do not configure anything in Basecamp. The hotkey works wherever your cursor happens to be:

1

Get Typally running

Install, sign in, and it waits in the tray.

2

Focus the Basecamp field you want the words in

Text goes wherever Basecamp has focus. One click first saves undoing a paragraph in the wrong box.

3

Speak with the key held down

Push to talk, say your piece, release to transcribe.

4

Read it before you move on

Basecamp's composer autosaves drafts but posts on an explicit button. A dictated return will not submit, which here is a good thing.

What Typally adds in Basecamp

Typally turns the daily check-in from a two-minute chore into a twenty-second one, which is usually the difference between a team answering it and quietly abandoning it. It types into message boards, comments and Campfire equally, and its cleanup pass means the posts read like writing rather than a transcript of someone thinking aloud.

What this looks like in practice

A team that had quietly stopped answering the daily check-in starts answering it again once each reply takes twenty seconds of talking. Within a fortnight the check-in is doing the job it was added for.

One habit that makes it work better

Answer the daily check-in by voice. It takes twenty seconds instead of two minutes, which is the difference between answering it every day and quietly abandoning it.

What to watch out for in Basecamp

Basecamp's composer autosaves drafts but posts on an explicit button. A dictated return will not submit, which here is a good thing.

Frequently asked questions

Does Basecamp have dictation?

No. Everything in Basecamp is typed into standard text fields.

Can I dictate Basecamp check-in answers?

Yes, and it is one of the best uses — short daily answers are exactly what typing makes tedious.

Does dictation work in Campfire chat?

Yes, it is an ordinary message box.

Try it in Basecamp

Start on the free plan (100 minutes a month, no card). Pro lifts the cap and adds meeting notes for $7.99/month.

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