The Equipment

  1. A stenotype machine
  2. Internet access and email account
  3. Pads of stenotype paper
  4. A watch with a second hand
  5. Transcription software (recommended after Lesson 15)

A STENOTYPE MACHINE

First and foremost, of course, you will need a stenotype machine. There are several ones on the market, and you can certainly check out www.stenograph.com for their latest student machines.

You don’t have to have the latest bells and whistles on a machine, so even just a plain old manual one will do for starters. The important thing is that you must have a machine that prints on paper, even though paperless machines seem to be the rage these days. Paperless machines will not allow you to read your notes properly, even when connected to a real-time translation software. I absolutely will INSIST that you have a machine that uses paper. Otherwise, I cannot help you.

You may already have a machine or are able to get one on loan from a friend, a court reporter with an old one stashed away, etc. Please check with me first to see if it will meet the requirements I have. It is preferable that you have an extra-wide * (asterisk) key and an extra-wide –DZ key. I personally don’t use these extra-wide keys, so it’s just a preference. The very older machines (pre-1980’s, I think) do not have a final –DZ key. These machines have a final –DS key, so do not get one of these older models.

If you check with www.jmsteno.com, for example, they have reconditioned machines for sale at a reasonable price. You might, if you do get a manual machine, want to obtain a converter that can be installed on the manual machine from www.procat.com. With the converter, you will be able to hook up to your computer and do realtime writing. (I started realtime writing with the kit from ProCAT on a manual machine.)

The newer student models, such as the Stentura Protegé, purchased from www.stenograph.com, cost $1,595, but there is a rebate applicable should you wish to upgrade to a more professional writer in a couple of years. The Protegé is a machine that allows realtime writing.

A basic Reporter Model manual machine is also available through www.ebay.com, though care must be made in bidding on a machine from Ebay as they often come “as is,” and the seller doesn’t always know the true condition of the machine. I’ve managed to purchase from there for as little as $25 (plus shipping), but I would say that is the exception. Some were great buys; others were not, so buyer beware. You can contact me if you’re not sure about an item for sale on ebay and ask the buyer specific questions if necessary.

Either way, please contact me at stenotypetutor@yahoo.com, and let me know how I can help you choose the proper machine to use, or if you have any specific questions. I may also be able to put you in touch with someone who is selling her/his machine(s) at a reduced cost.

INTERNET ACCESS AND EMAIL ACCOUNT

I assume you have access to a computer with good internet connection so that we can communicate readily with each other. I’ll be sending lessons and evaluation quizzes to you for each lesson in theory and your initial speed building once you’ve completed theory. My own audio dictations will be available from this site once you’re ready to access them. You must be registered to access the audios I prepare.

PADS OF STENOTYPE PAPER

You will need to purchase pads of paper for your machine, and there are several sources where you can either buy a whole case or several individual pads at a time. Email me for more info.

A WATCH WITH A SECOND HAND

You should get a watch with a second hand so that you will be able to calculate your fast reading skills of your shorthand PAPER notes. (Yes, that is a BIG part of your training, and something that many instructors and other online programs do not incorporate in their courses.) If you use a digital watch, make sure you can keep track of seconds.

TRANSCRIPTION SOFTWARE

As soon as you’ve successfully completed Lesson 15, I will want you to get a transcription software so that you can start your realtime writing. I have been using ProCAT’s Winner software (www.procat.com) for the past seven years and really like all the features. I know you will as well. Give their sales reps a call, and they will be more than happy to help you get what you need. Of course, you will need an appropriate stenotype machine that can do realtime, and if you’re using a basic Reporter Model, you will need to purchase the converter that will allow you to do realtime writing.

If you opt to wait until later in your theory to get a realtime writer, you can still successfully complete the theory lessons with me until that time. I think that waiting until you’ve completed at least Lesson 15 before beginning realtime writing is preferable so that you can master the basics of the stenotype machine without worrying about mastering a transcription software in the process. As soon as you’re writing clean, accurate notes, writing for a transcription software program will be less of a challenge, and you’ll easily make the transition.