Anyone using DigitalCAT? Like it?

[Jane Borrowman]

Just curious if anyone is using DigitalCAT and do you like it?

 

I would love to hear anyone and everyone's thoughts.

 

Thanks!

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Jane,

 

There is a group on this website called Digitalcat.  You may want to join that group and ask your questions. 

Type into the search box Digitalcat and the group will come up.  Or here is the link:http://csrnation.ning.com/group/digitalcat?commentId=1736041%3AComm...

 

[Jane Borrowman]

Thanks so much, Kelli.

[Mary Jo Cochran]

Jane, a quick and simple answer.  It's practical.  It's cheap.  It's user friendly.

 

I downloaded a dictionary from their website.  I had no training to use their software.  I am still using student, which I didn't have to pay for.  I am looking for a job.  When I get one I will download Professional and start paying.  The cost is low.

[Jane Borrowman]

Hey, thanks for your input, Mary Jo!

[Glen Warner]

Hi, Mary Jo!  Long time.

Since you'll be starting to work in the not-too-distant, you should know that the recommended $79/month is a minimum payment -- that is, you can pay more if you can, and the more you pay, the less you'll have to pay when you purchase the software.

I got some clarification on this from Carmen Santone a few months back:

"There is a bit of confusion on both the price and the payoff. The price of the software is 3,495 to purchase it. The monthly payments of 79 a month do begin immediately following the 90-day trial. However, we take the first 12 payments and apply it to the purchase price. So it is at that 13th month of payments where the user decides whether they are going to purchase the software outright or "roll into" our leasing plan wherein no future payments of 79 dollars a month goes toward the purchase price. If you choose to lease at 79 a month, there is no tech support or update contract necessary as that is included within the lease.

That said, if the client knows they want to purchase the software, they are not relegated to paying only 79 a month. They can pay 200 a month or whatever they choose. By so doing, they can have all or most of the software paid off in the first year at no interest.

So, here's what you're supposed to do when you are transitioning from student to reporter, and are using digitalCAT:

•   At graduation, let Stenovations know you are working, and they will upgrade digitalCAT's code so that you can use it for free, for six months

•   At the end of that six month period, your $79 monthly payments begin (um, you did remember to put that $79 a month into a bank account, right ...?). At the end of the six months, this will bring the cost of the software down to $2,547.

•   One year later, up those monthly payments to $200 -- and TELL STENOVATIONS that you intend to purchase the software."

Making these $200 monthly payments will get you that permanent code in a little over 12 months ... so, a little tweaking of the numbers, with monthly payments of $212.25, you will have your permanent code in twelve months.

[Mary Jo Cochran]

Thanks, Glen.  I'm not graduating.  I graduated back in 1981 and had my RPR for ten years.  I was going to retake the RPR in August, but I might as well wait until November.

 

I have hit firms out here in Tampa for four months.  Florida is not the land of prosperity.

[Glen Warner]

Hi, Mary.

I don't think the payment plan changes just because you're not a student when you start making those payments!

 

[Denise C.]

I love it!  I was on Cheetah for years and very worried about switching but knew I had to, so I was at a convention in NYC and the owner told me his software was very similar to Cheetah and I have been so happy that I switched.   You'll love it!

I went to their office for training and spent a couple of days there.

[Jane Borrowman]

Thanks so much for your input, Denise.  Glad to hear it.