Re: Whisper help

I used to be in this boat. I had uses for Whisper, but I don't work in python or the command line regularly.

Two things I've used:

Option 1: Google Colab

For occasional use, and as long as you're ok sending the audio to Google, you can run Whisper in the cloud for free with Google's Colab.

I set up a basic notebook there that'll walk you through the process:

https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1YS2HC9d09f6r3EKfZhWkc0gESQ4ZgJmC#scrollTo=XIHLsuHoiBdz

It's still python, but you only have to edit the code in one clearly labeled place. And you don't have to mess with setting up your own local environment.

If you'll use Whisper regularly, this method might get annoying. And Google will eventually cut you off. But for my occasional use, it's perfect.


Option 2: StoryToolkitAI

This is primarily designed to integrate Whisper into video-editing workflows, but also does a great job spitting out plain transcripts. It has a simple point & click UI, and runs locally: https://github.com/octimot/StoryToolkitAI



-Chad





---

Chad Haefele

he/him/his

Head of User Experience

UNC University Libraries

cHaefele_at_email.unc.edu




________________________________
From: Code for Libraries <CODE4LIB_at_LISTS.CLIR.ORG> on behalf of charles meyer <reachmeplace_at_GMAIL.COM>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2025 12:09 PM
To: CODE4LIB_at_LISTS.CLIR.ORG <CODE4LIB_at_LISTS.CLIR.ORG>
Subject: [CODE4LIB] Whisper help

My esteemed listmates,

I'm not versed in python.

I've installed Whisper on my W10 laptop.

I've installed files needed to "run" Whisper.

Is there any online tech forum you've posted to which has helped you
with Whisper or "basic" python questions?

I've subscribed to forums where the assumption is you have advanced
skills in that software so no one ever responds to your noobie post.

Is there a "civilian" forum for people without advanced python skills
just trying to use python to run Whisper to voice to text?

I've read tons of reddit posts and if you've versed in python these
posts are great.

I've watched YT videos which consume a lot of time often they miss a
step(s) or are using old versions so they're time wasters.

I'm trying to find screenshots of step by steps to run Whisper. I've
chatgpt'd this but maybe I'm not using the correct syntax as Google
will require you ask the question exactly as it needs to be for their
algorithm to find what you need.

I thoutI fI could find a forum with a section for the Forest Gumps of
python where epxfeciend "pythiners" would reply to basic questions
that I could progress is actually dicatign with Whisper and having
that dictation appear on screen or saved as plain text in a file.

Dragon Naturally Speaking worked great and I still have paid for the
disk if only I could use that disk in Windows 10.

Thank you,

Charles.

Charlotte County Public Library