Flooded in paper!

Posted On: Depoman.com -> Student Bootcamp -> Flooded in paper!

So I have this habit of throwing none of the takes I've taken home, and so today I decided I was going to go through my room and toss takes from last quarter. I basically filled my recycle basket up with paper. Its ridiculous! I had it all over. My computer desk was covered, my book shelf had old takes hidden, I found some under my bed, found some inside an old book, its ridiculous. Basically, I must have had old paper coming out of my ears.

What do some of you do with the old paper? I throw it into the recycling bin personally, but I've heard of people reusing old paper, using them to read back later on, etc. etc.

I probably should have taken a picture, but nobody wants to see my rats' nest. Being an overtime student (I'm taking 16 units vs. the typical 12), I don't have time for anything except takes, homework, sleep, eat, and more takes. My little visits online are usually my only break.

Faster is not always better. Accuracy is key.

My intro from Depoman.com:

"I featured a bit of this on my blog. My teacher lately has been mixing it up from what we had been learning. Instead of warming us up slower, and then gradually going faster, she's been doing the opposite. We'll start at an 80 wpm dictation when the real goal may be to only do an 70 WPM dictation later. She always warms us up at least 10 WPM faster than the highest speed level in the class.

While at first this was really irritating, I found once we slowed down to the actual take I was relieved. Less retention, I could keep up with the takes, and instead of elephant stomping around in the dark I was actually keeping up with really good accuracy. Just the other day I actually passed an 80. An 80! They'd really been kicking my kapooty up until she started doing this.

So what I've been doing now is I start my warm up just before homework at the higher speed first, and then work my way back down. Then after the first time around I work myself back up once again, and voila, I find I do a lot better. The extra speed push challenges me to do a bit better, and I fix all the mistakes I did the first time around.

I really hope she keeps doing this in class... Though I probably jinxed it by sharing. "

Everyone knows the big goal is to get to that 255 words-per-minute speed. However, pushing yourself way too quickly can really hurt you in the long run. Accuracy is key, not always speed. If you are going so fast you are misstroking words, or having to guess later what you meant to write down, then you need to stop and slow down. Faster is not the key.

Students should be gaining the accuracy first, and then the speed. Not the other way around. I have an 80 word-per-minute typing certificate myself, and I didn't gain it from madly stomping my fingers around. I used to play a game where it could mock you if you got it wrong. It infuriated me, so accuracy came first. Then I gained the speed like wildfire in my early teens. 80 wpm is the highest level professions using the QWERTY keyboard requires.

However, everyone needs a bit of a push or a challenge sometimes to warm up. So! Instead of starting on the lower speeds first and working your way up do the opposite. Its what we've been doing in our dictation classes at my college and its working. Start 20 words per minute higher than what you are on now. While it will frustrate you a little, it practices retention (holding something in your mind), works your fingers up, and you'll note mistakes. Now, go down to your level on that same dictation. Notice you're a bit more relieved that things have slowed down, better accuracy comes, and you're more relaxed. Then, after doing that do a practice that is 20 words-per minute-lower than where you are now. While its slow and a big agonizing, I know, you'll be able to catch all those errors from the higher speed while also being able to include proper punctuation.

After all that go back to the dictation that was 20 words-per-minute faster than your usual speed. You'll probably find you did a lot better than you did the first time. Viola! You got a speed push, learned from your mistakes from the first time around, and also learned better accuracy.

I really found it weird the first time my teacher did this to us, warming us up for 80 WPM when we were supposed to be doing 70 WPM takes, but that reverse physiology worked great. It really calmed us down for the 70 WPM take because we were relieved at not having to retain so much or stomp our fingers around in the dark. Warm up faster, then work down to the speed you're at.

Before my teacher started doing this the 80 WPM dictation in our class was kicking my kapooty. Yet, just the other day when she did a take I didn't realize it was an 80. When she told the speed to the class I practically jumped in my seat and asked "Are you serious?" ...Yes...I got a weird look from her and she told me she wouldn't lie to me, but I was really excited! I was actually doing better than before.

Sometimes being too safe is a mistake...

WAUGH!!

Boy do I have something to rant about: myself. I wanted to get my check and investment sheet tracked to Stenograph so I knew when they got it. I did the stupid of asking for 'Registered Mail' instead of 'Tracked Mail,' so not only did I waste $13 dollars for something I didn't want, but its also delayed the process of getting my machine ordered. Isn't that just peachy?

I checked my USPS tracking confirmation, which I was reportedly not supposed to get according to the lady I called, and it says that they tried to deliver it on a Saturday...um...Stenograph is in a business center. USPS should be smart enough to realize its not open! So I gave USPS a call, and guess what, I can't ask them to redeliver it. Stenograph has to call for it it, so the check I wrote is reportedly under lock and key until they pick it up. Stenograph has no idea how to fix the situation, and nobody is authorized to make that call.

I'm so happy that Stenograph is so on it and so polite. Not only did they put up with my screaming, irritating bird but they are also putting up with this huge mistake I made. I'm falling in love with Stenograph customer service as we speak. They are fantastic and so understanding.

So! Sometimes being too safe is a mistake. I just wanted to tracked so if anything comes up saying 'Oh we never received the check' I could find out who was responsible, but being as I never send mail any other way except the usual stamp and pop it in the mailbox I didn't know the registered mail details, and being as USPS is broke the guy who was at the counter didn't care to explain. So now my check is being safe guarded like it was from Fort Nox...

This sad panda needs a hug...Sob.

I Shimmed! I Shimmed!

CheapandSleazy.net -> Do It Yourself Shim

I shimmed my manual Sentura 200! While I'm awaiting my realtime machine, tortuously mind you, I'm getting a little antsy. I can't wait to get my own copy of Case Catalyst too, but at the same time I want that soft touch everyone brags about when they use a realtime machine. Even the SRT's have a lighter touch than my manual one. So! I decided I was going to follow the Cheap and Sleazy guide to shimming your machine.

It was incredibly simple, and I did it in about 10 minutes. I'm a little unsatisfied with 2 cards, but this 5-year-old Quizno's card is gonna get chopped once again in a little while. I couldn't believe it when I pressed down that metal bar just below the gears and it made the keys go further down! No wonder people shim their machines.

So! I actually highly recommend following this guide (click here) for an cheap, sleazy, and easy way to shim your machines. I'm really, really liking this. Hopefully my wrists won't feel so tired because of it. All you need is a pair of scissors, an old and expired credit card, library card, or some old gift card, and a ruler. Everything else is incredibly simple. No risk too! Well, unless you consider getting ink and oil on your hands risky.

...Still can't wait for my own realtime writer and software though. Curse being manual, no-techy, court reporting student....

Court Reporters Keep it Straight

http://www.macombdaily.com -> Articles ->  Court Reporters Keep it Straight

Another great court reporting article I really enjoyed. The article is really in depth so I decided to take my favorite quotes out of all of the articles and respond to them individually one by one. It covers a lot of topics, but my favorites are here. The large quotations mean the beginning and ending of the quotes I took from the original article. Its a fantastic read (click here.)

"Macomb County Judge Diane Druzinski tried using the county’s video/audio system in her courtroom for a few months last year...but at her first chance she grabbed retired judge James Biernat’s reporter, Angie Little. “I don’t like video as much as I like a real live court reporter,” she said. “It ultimately produces a better record.”"

I really like this point. I understand judges wanting to try the latest technology, but overall I believe they'll find that it doesn't produce such a fine record as we court reporters can. Technology is always going to need a person to proof read, maintain, and update it on a constant basis. Court Reporters take a lot of the cost away from the court because not only do we buy machines that basically can do the same things, but we also take the responsibility for it working properly and producing a valid transcript. 

 "Chief Judge Mark Switalski said each judge chooses his or her preference, and the majority select a stenographic court reporter over an electronic audio-and-video recording. Switalski said, “When they say, ‘This is the best way to run my courtroom,’ I take them at their word.”"

I've always mentioned in class and in debates with those against the Court Reporting profession, that most judges and lawyers prefer to work with a person. Technology can be frustrating and can break down easily. Its expensive to buy a machine that fails later on, and then hire a company, another person, to fix it. You might as well stay with one person, and pay only one person, to do the job themselves. Its less frustrating, and much more professional when you're not cursing over a failed video camera or lost audio file. 

 "Nationally, some states are moving toward requiring a court reporter while others are moving toward mandating audio/video, according to Matthew Dreger, past president of the Michigan Association of Professional Court Reporters and recently retired reporter in Wayne County."

Even if courts require audio and video Court Reporters can provide both. A lot of top-line Stenography machines, and computers,  have build in microphones to do the audio, and these days the cost of a quality video camera isn't that bad. I know some Deposition companies offer audio, video, and the original transcripts. Basically, they knocked out three birds with one stone and one price. Court Reporters, again, prove to me the more logical choice than hiring three people to do the jobs individually.

" “You have human ears listening to make sure the record is correct,” said Deborah Doyle, Teamsters union representative for Macomb’s reporters. “When you don’t have human ears, you have people looking at a bar thinking, ‘OK, it’s recording.’ But no one really knows what was recorded until they go back and try to get a record off of it.”

There have been many cases nationally affected by poor recordings or by someone forgetting to activate the system, advocates say. "

Huge point here: what happens if someone forget to press 'record' on a video camera or on an audio file? You get lost testimony, potential lawsuits over the failure of having a record to prove what was said in the case, and a lot of unhappy, frustrated people. Court Reporters have to have their Stenography Machine with them to do their work. They won't forget to keep their hands moving at the machine, and as I mentioned above, a lot of the top-line machines include audio. Two methods of record keeping in one method!

"The need for court reporters is actually growing because stenographers perform closed captioning for TV and for hearing-impaired students. Reporters also are hired for depositions and other events involving sworn testimony. The U.S. Department of Labor in 2008 projected court reporting employment to grow by 18 percent over 10 years due to expanding opportunities. "

Personally, I want to be a captioner or work with the hearing-impaired (CART).  I'd probably do depositions on the side if I needed to, but the ultimate goal is to work with people who will continue to need us as time goes on. The Court can probably afford to upkeep technology, but colleges and students need people and will continue to need Court Reporters and Stenographers as time goes on.

Getting my Realtime Machine!

Alright! Finally I'm ordering my first realtime machine along with software and my theory's dictionary. I got Case Catalyst, which I'm used to using on our college campus, and I'm not going to state what machine I ended up getting considering the unwanted debate it sparked at Depoman.com. All I'm saying is: hurrah! Finally I can start editing and customizing my own dictionary and start doing realtime practices. I'm super excited.

I have heard of a few things people have done to use and practice with their machines, like Gwar and Ellacre's idea about using the Steno Keyboard for other programs on Depoman.com -> Student Boot Camp -> StenoMaster Student Diary. I also know that Simply Steno has games which use the realtime programs to help practice gaining speed.

So what are things you've done with your realtime software and dictionaries? I'm very curious about the things I'll be able to do once I have my student version of Case Catalyst and my new machine!

The only thing I'll say about the machine itself is that I'm ordering it new from Stenograph for the extras it comes with and the warranty I'm getting with it. It was within my price range and exactly what I wanted out of a writer. It'll take a while for everything to clear and set up, as the representative from Stenograph explained to me, so I probably won't get it for another 2-4 weeks. I just sent the order form in the mail.

I can't wait to touch it!

Computer Revived!

So I guess my computer didn't die. I didn't know it was possible, but apparently we had a virus in our router. The router! I almost didn't believe it, but somehow a virus had gotten into our router and its settings and changed it so it had to go through a proxy server that redirected sites like e-mail and online bank statements to a sites that required you to download a 'Sexy Calculator' or required you to do a survey on 'How to know if you're an Idiot' to get to the page you wanted to go. Even though we always pressed back on our browser and never did download or do any of these things, I still somehow got a virus!

We had to not only install a new OS onto my hard drive (of which we recovered all of my old files) but we had to reset the router to factory settings to get rid of the virus in the first place! We had to also give it a new passcode to access our internet. Its scary!

So yes, somehow we got a virus in our router. I didn't believe it either until I saw it! However, my desktop is recovered and all my files, including my music, is intact. Thank God! Computer Revived!

Computer Died!

Just wanted to let everyone know yesterday while checking my e-mail my primary hard drive decided to die. I've lost everything including my music, my documents, and my favorite audio clips. I'm looking for my StenED CD's so I can recover my primary audio.

It won't be until the end of the week that my computer will be fixed with a new hard drive. So if you don't see me my computer decided to kapoot.

And yes, it was a blue screen and crash. Then it started turning itself on and on by itself. It was crazy. I had to unplug my computer to get it to stop going koo koo for coco puffs.

See you when my baby is fixed. . . Sob.

David Feldman: "Frustrated when your court reporter interrupts? You're not alone."

David Feldman's Blog -> Depo Insider Blog -> Frustrated when your court reporter interrupts? You're not alone.

I really like this blog entry. One of the biggest complaints I'll hear from teachers or speakers is that a lot of the time lawyers and witnesses have no respect for the court reporter. While this is a huge complaint, I'm sure the lawyers sometimes get frustrated with we court reporters and court reporting students too. This blog addresses both sides of the fact in a neutral voice, which I really respect and like. If they understand where we come from, and we understand where they come from, not only is it better professionally for a good relationship but it also leads to a compromise.

Part of the reason these attorneys probably don't understand our occupation is that some reporters don't feel the need to be vocal about the when, what, how, and why and they don't want to listen. A lack of communication can lead to be a problem. By communicating on both sides, like this blog does, you reach better understanding for each of the people involved. Just expecting the same etiquette and respect every time you go to work isn't realistic.

My favorite text out of the entry is the two ideas below. I'd agree to do them with no problem. 

"Idea #1: – For the taking attorney: When delivering your “ground rules” to the witness at the beginning of a deposition be CERTAIN to include and emphasize “verbatim etiquette” including:

1) Explain the court reporter is not a machine, and just like everyone else in the room, he/she has to hear what everyone is saying in order to construct an accurate record
2) Specify only one person is to speak at a time
3) Remind everyone to be considerate of the speed they speak at
4) Remind everyone to speak loudly and clearly
5) Remember #1 – 4 applies to you as well

Idea # 2: – You know everything about this case, and having that context helps you more easily “get” everything being said, especially when heavy accents are involved. The court reporter is coming in blind and does not have the benefit of this context.  So to give the court reporter a more level playing field and fighting chance, here’s what you can do.

Prepare and provide the court reporter/agency as far in advance with any/all of the following:

• The deposition notice
• A list of names
• Word indexes
• Words of art
• Expert reports
• Previous transcripts
• Extra credit – a brief synopsis of the case and the roles of the key players likely to come up in testimony"

Another Site Update

So I decided the panda bears really made it hard to read, at least for me, so I went for a new template and played with it a bit. I had a lot to do with this Blog since I've sorta been neglecting it due to time pressures. Thank goodness for this weekend!

Anyway the new template features bamboo. Tell me what you think guys! I'd love to get your comments and e-mails on what you think. I'm not just writing for myself, I'm writing for others too.

Unfortunately today's "Sunday's Dictation" will have to be postponed, much as I wanted to do it, because what I was going to feature as audio were just random drills you typed from hardcopy. Boring! I'll try to find something. If you have any suggestions I'm begging you please tell me.

StenEd Contractions

FlashCardMachine ->  StenEd Contractions

New Flashcard set! (Again) This time they're on StenEd's Contractions. Don't, wouldn't, shouldn't, etc.They are positive (I'd, I'll, He'd, He'll) and negative (don't, wouldn't, shouldn't) contractions. Much as some of them are grammatically incorrect, which will annoy the blazes out of you who have become grammar nazi's, you can't control what people say. We're supposed to write verbatim, and what verbatim is verbatim unfortunately gets.There's a total of 73 flashcards covering these nuisances.

These are very important and come up a lot, even though not as much as we students would like them to for memorization. So here's another flashcard set from a handout I got, all with brief forms of contractions.

Again, if you are not StenEd Theory don't use these flashcards!

Fantastic Study Technique! A must do!

 Place whatever girly scream you would like here. I know I've done a lot of flashcards today but they are a huge help in more than one way. Its helping me with reading steno, increasing my speed and reaction time, keeping my eyes off the keyboard, and also helping me memorize more briefs and phrases I'll need to use.

To use this study technique you need to either make your own flashcard list or use one or the many that are listed on FlashCardMachine's database. To search for a list go to their database search or (FlashcardDB) and make sure to make the subject listed as Court Reporting. In the description type your theory name and then go through the list of cards. When you find one you want click on the link.

Once you've done that press 'Start Study Session.' A popup should come up after that in which the flashcards will show up and a list of settings. Make sure to make them listed as 'Randomized' and then click the box that says 'Auto-Flip.' If you're really fast and confident with the words make sure to make the speed up to your level. For example, on my list of 261 Briefs and Phrases I set the speed to flip every 3 seconds. Make sure its not only decently challenging but gives you enough time to read and type the word.

Now start typing the words. If you've done the settings correctly it should be fast enough to not only keep your eyes from looking down at your fingers and machine, but it should also help you read the Steno and increase your speed in typing. When you're done with all the cards go back and read the steno notes.

If you've discovered you've made some mistakes on a few words don't fret or worry. Go back into your list in the 'Quick Editor' section. Go through the list and find the words you feel you've made a mistake on and flag them. This gives them special status in the list, and later on you can do these words by themselves to further practice them without having to go through the entire list.

I've been doing it a lot the past few hours. Its fantastic and I love it! Add another girly scream here.

StenEd's States of the Union

Another FlashCard Set! FlashcardMachine.com --> StenEd's States of the Union

I added another 54 flahcards that covers the brief forms of all the 50 United States. Where I go to school we're quizzed on these and they are mandatory, so they shouldn't be any different  for anyone else. These are good to know and can help aid in speed increasing. I'm definitely going to be using these since some of these are hard, at least for me and a couple other students in our class.

Again, as always, if you are not StenED Theory DO NOT USE THESE because they could conflict with your theory.

StenEd's Review of Major Briefs and Phrases

New Flashcard Set! FlashcardMachine.com --> StenEd's Review of Major Briefs and Phrases

I added a total of 288 flashcards of StenEd's major briefs and phrases. While a lot of these are no-duh cards its good to practice them and keep them to memory. By cutting out multiple strokes for those that can be easily done in one you can increase your speed dramatically. I try to memorize as many briefs and phrases as I can, though note make sure you practice out the longer-forms too for reading sake! Don't forget to read them back as well. Reading the steno is vital to proofreading and knowing how to sound words out when you don't remember them! 

When using these flashcards here is a hint. When you set them up click AUTO-FLIP and set the speed to so-many-seconds a minute. This will increasing your typing speed and reaction time, and to prevent boredom when studying make sure to keep them randomized. The key is to increase speed and accuracy not to bore you to death. 

If you're not StenED Theory do not use these cards! They could conflict with the words you've learned in your theory

Jury Charge/Q&A Briefs and Phrases

FlashCardMachine.com -> NevCR -> Jury Charge/Q&A Briefs and Phrases

For those who are StenEd's Realtime Conflict-Free Theory I have a treat for you! I got a list of some Jury Charge and Q&A briefs and phrases from my teacher. I put them in flashcard format and this list has over 190 cards that covers everything from basic words and briefs to intense, and long phrases that would kill you to keep up with. Words like "Preponderance of the Evidence" are cut down into one stroke. It really helps up the anti with speed.

However, this is for STENED'S THEORY ONLY! If you are not StenED do not use these briefs for they may conflict with your theory's way of writing. Unless you know your theory left and right, front to back, side to side do not attempt to use these or study these. Unfortunately I can't provide briefs for other theories of study because I don't know their theory nor do I want to learn for fear of conflicting with my own theory.

My flash cards are available here (click here) for the Jury Charge and Q&A Briefs and Phrases. Do enjoy! If there happens to be any typos or any mistakes I didn't notice please leave a comment and I'll fix it immediately. Hope you enjoy. Its going to help me study and I like to share my tools with others.

If you would like a simple list to just print out for your own list have provided them all in a notepad .txt format on Megaupload -> http://www.megaupload.com/?d=99TQRBNH. I have no responsibility for Megaupload or anything that may come with it. It is only available to you.

Flash Card Machine

Another student who posts on the fabulous Depoman.com forum brought something to my attention today. Their teacher recently gave them a list of 1000 most commonly used words. Her name is Tailypo and she too is studying the StenED Conflict-Free theory. She is starting to use a website start Flash Card Machine which allows her to not only create electronic flashcards but also randomize them. Her list, which has about half of the list updated so far, is here (click here.) 

I think this would be a very useful tool for us students who'd probably like to study not only words from different chapters but also get ready for quizzes and memorization. Flash Card Machine (http://www.flashcardmachine.com/) is free for use and allows you to do read-only flashcards and possibly also print them out. I'm planning to do this eventually for words I have difficulty remembering or for memorizing new briefs. 

Good luck fellow students. If you know of any good study tools, dictation providers, or methods of study please e-mail me at nev.e@live.com! I'll be sure to post them, as long as they are free or decently affordable. Thank you Tailypo and I plan to take at your list real soon!