Abstract: A word processor optimized for students taking notes automatically opens the correct document for each course according to a class schedule. It makes digital audio or video recordings of classes and establishes various kinds of links between the notes being taken and the point in the recording at the time the notes were taken. A special microphone is optimized for distance and reduced interference. After permitting the word processor to break the silence, any incomplete notes can be completed by using the links to quickly find the portion of the recording relevant to the incomplete notes. The search is improved by providing configurable preplay times based on the type of link and by playing back the recording at increased speed with pitch correction. Transcription of part of the recording is facilitated by playing this part in a series of short overlapping segments and transcribing each segment before playing the next.