Mark Kislingbury is not affiliated in any way with courtreps, BUT Stenomaster is his theory.

Are you using courtreps for CR training??

Hi, Kim. Thanks for joing the Magnum Steno Fan Club.

Who taught you Stenomaster??

Hi Kim - Yes, I've been using StenoCat for 20 years! Unfortunately I can't really give you a comparison between the newest version and Case. I am still in the dark ages with Open StenoCat. I decided to upgrade and change to Case because I am ready to take advantage of the newer features of software -- I want my software to work for me, not me for it. Case also has the smart key feature, as most current software has something comparable. Anyway, if you have any specific questions, feel free to contact me. I had to move my training to Monday, but I should be up and running pretty well with just the one training session!

Hi, Kim. I'm delighted to tell you that I love StenoCAT 32. I have been on StenoCAT software since 1992 and have found it very reliable and easy to use. The StenoCAT Users Network is also fabulous. Their seminars are excellent at increasing proficiency with the software and their members are so nice that I can't think of any of them that wouldn't help you with a question or problem if one came up for some reason. That's a great plus to the software right there, but I would say my three favorite features of SC32 are the easily programmable SmartKeys (macros), the versatility and power of the software, and the company's integrity itself. If you'd like some expansion on those comments, I'd be happy to do that privately, but I don't know how to do messaging here. Are you on facebook? Or I'll check out your website to see if I can send a message there. There are some things I'd like you to know that I wouldn't feel comfortable posting on a comment wall.

Hi, Kim! Good to hear from you -- I've been off the board recently, sorry I didn't reply sooner! Just "life", you know!

How is your prep coming? You must be feeling anxious -- but let me know when you test and I'll say a little prayer for you -- it's soon, isn't it?

Holler back!

Good Morning! I had to laugh at your comment about stopping just before something happens! It's so true! It might be happening -- I just dreamt all night long about 140's -- maybe I'll get there really quick!

Have a great day and good luck with your studies!

(What a handsome family you have! Lucky girl with all those guys!)

Hi, Kim - just thought I would pop in and see how you are doing! How's the studing going? As you can see, I'm up late, working on briefs and my dictionary! Enjoyed your new slide show! Say Hi when you can!

Good Morning, Kim! I'm so glad you are testing for that last leg of the RPR -- I wish you tremendous luck and will say a little prayer for you the day of the test (but you have to let me know when it is!) I am just at 80 right now -- however, did you ever have these moments where you say "I'm at X speed" and you sit down and continue to write and it's easier and easier and then you realize you are actually at a higher speed? I think that has happened, but I have to do a test and see exactly where I'm at.

Called Magnum Steno the other day and I'm going to be ordering Mark's new book; although I'm studying the StenoMaster Theory on my own and making additions to my dictionary, they say I can still do Phoenix and StenoMaster and incorporate Magnum Steno (sounds counfusing, doesn't it?), but I think that I "think" more like Mark's briefs - we will see how it goes!

So, I see you are in PA - don't you miss LA? (I'm a displaced Texan, but in generations past, the family was from LA --Thibodeaux, actually). Definitely a different sort of winter, huh? Keep in touch!

No pressure, I just didn't want you to think I forgot!

That pic was from last week when I sang at a friend's Jan. 4 mass. I was showing Andrea how the LS had aged me!

Kim, any luck in figuring out how to get some notes to me yet???

Wow! (I found your photo on Jayne's page and it looked interesting, so I clicked it). You just reinforced my decision to continue with StenoMaster. I'm in school at CRID and we were taught Phoenix, but I bought a StenoMaster book and have been incorporating that into my writing and it helps. I intend to get the MagnumSteno book and now you have convinced me. I probably should have started that route to begin with, but, what did I know at the time? I just needed to start. Anyway, the point of this comment is that I'm glad I saw your comment on StenoMaster. Congratulations to you and good luck on your test in May!

Hi Kim. I chose steno cat because it's cheap. ahha.. Plus, a lot of classes at my school use steno cat as a reference. It's easy to use, and for a student you can't beat the price. The only downfall is that they don't have 24/7 customer service. It is only normal business hours, but that hasn't affected me because I'm still in school. Good luck with your choice.

Love your new pic, by the way!

Do you use a pedal when you are editing in Eclipse? - no, I edit using Dragon dictation software, so I say "down," instead of clicking. Or, if I'm not in Dragon at the moment, I hit page down, which is v and when I toggle my audio, I press the b key. Those are two of my own special macros. Check out the total Eclipse group here. I also have created a few discussions about Dragon if you're interested. Just search for the word dragon, and I'm sure they will pop up.

Kim, You know what a big Eclipse fan I am. The last time we spoke about Eclipse, you sent me your main dictionary, and I thought I translated a few things using translation magic. If you'd like, e-mail me a few more of your recent notes. Something really awful. I will retranslate them using a different job name and using translation magic. Am I right that you do not have access to Eclipse at this time? What are you using right now? I realize these are big expensive decisions. I can only tell you how much I enjoy Eclipse. How many other software programs have you been investigating in addition to StenoCat? You should still have my e-mail address. It starts out jenlug. If not, let me know. Feel free to send me a more current main dictionary of yours also.

Kim, yes, the LightSpeed is extremely lightweight and flat. It has been nothing but trouble up until the last update which was just last week. Eclipse is an expensive system. If StenoCAT is working for you right now, that's great. Let me know if you ever switch over, though. I will have some good tips to share. I have heard good things about the Magnum Steno site. I know a few reporters who are starting to learn bits of Mark's theory. Even long-time reporters. It is never too late to change things. I know two other reporters who are waiting anxiously for the RPR results as well. I am hoping you all passed, and then on to the CRR you all go!!!

Kim, I have been such a stranger to your page since I've been so obsessed with the LightSpeed. How is it going for you lately? Are you truly now an Eclipsian? I will be having more time to bug you since the last LightSpeed update seems to be working. A while back I typed a long message to you, and then I hit something accidentally and the whole thing disappeared! I hear the Stenomaster theory is the way to go. When I'm done with these depo rushes in the next week, I hope to focus more on my theory changes. I have a few Eclipse tips to send you, but you must let me know if you want them!

Kim,

While in school, I had the student trial version. I liked that. I also liked the price and option of buying outright or paying by the year. The customer service is excellent... always got right back to me. Their web page has lots of useful info. A reporter friend of mine struggled with a different software company right out of school. How dreadful. So I just stuck with what was working fine for me.

Yes it comes with InSync, which is really nice.

Nice to meet you. You've got a really pleasant page here! I enjoyed the break from scoping a job with the music while answering your question.

Best of luck to you,
Angie

Hi Kim! Nice to "meet" you. What I initially liked about Stenocat, coming out of school, was it was affordable! You don't have to pay a fortune outright to buy it. You can lease it for anywhere from 3 months, to 6 months, to a year at a time. With the lease comes all of the updates for free. You also get technical support.

Coming out of school, I also wanted something that was easy to learn so that I could start working right away when I got my license. I'm a computer retard, and Stenocat was a piece of cake for me to learn and use. Anyway, I've been using it for 8 years now, as a working reporter in depos and court, and now as a scopist, and I love it.

Hope that helps! Good luck with school. ;)