Lighten up the Load...

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

So after my depo yesterday I had the LightSpeed rep in the San Fran/Bay Area (Lori Stokes) meet me at my agency's office to show me the new writer.  She walks in with her very thin, light computer and this LS.  She says that's all she brings to a job unless, of course, it's RT and then she brings some iPads.

I've pulled my back out twice now lifting what seems about 70 pounds of equipment in my car.  I have my Diamante, one regular laptop and three netbooks, plus Stenocast, etc.

Anyway, I was so impressed with what little Lori brings to a job, that I'm going to try to do the same.  I'm hoping I can write proficiently on the LS.  I bought the machine five years ago and didn't have any luck.  This time I'm hoping it will be different.  I just need to do something different because of the strain on my body after almost 30 years of writing.

Lori uses Live Depo, which I had not heard of.  I was wondering if anyone has any more information about this service?  I know it costs about $200, which is cheap.  I download it to iPads from iTunes.  Not sure where I buy the router.  

Any ideas anyone has as to streamlining all this equipment and making life a little easier, I'm all ears.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

The audio is great.  I took it out for the first time yesterday on a depo.  No problems at all.  I'm on Eclipse.

[David Levy]

My concern with the LS is, if your computer crashes during a job (as has happened to me twice in the last decade or so), you have no way to read back questions or answers, etc.   No screen, no readable notes.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

This is true.  However, even if that happened with my Diamante, I would stop the depo and have a reporter replace me.  I need my computer to work.

[Martha R]

I have had my computer crash on me too at an arbitration out of town (with no one to replace me easily - I mean it would have taken hours if at all).  I suppose you could keep an extra laptop in the trunk of your car.  

Kelli, sounds like you've adjusted to the LS quickly.  I've read it takes some reporters months and months to adjust to it.   Is the touch that much lighter than the Diamante?

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

The touch is just like touching your iPad.  My writing is a mess, so I'm not even close to being comfortable with it.  My wrist hurt also after writing all day with it yesterday.  The vowel keys are the worst.  When I want to write "I" only the "U" will show up or vice versa.  Pretty frustrating.

Not giving up yet, though.

[Deborah M.]

My solution is I don't put everything in one bag.  I have a case with steno machine and cables, tripods, table, etc.  Then I have a briefcase with my laptop and worksheets and essentials.  I have another case that I carry my netbooks in, actually several different sizes, depending on how many I'm carrying.  They all stack on top of my steno case, but I unload/load them one at a time so no back problems.

[David Levy]

It would be tough to do that if you live in an area where you have to use public transit to get to work.

[Dean Morris]

I don't know how most reporters can take public transportation while carrying all the equipment reporters need to carry.  I know only one male reporter who has a lot of upper-body strength who takes public trans.  I don't know how most reporters could possibly take pub trans and carry all the stuff we need to . . .  If they're taking pub trans, they're probably not bringing along spares, let alone extra laptops to sell realtime on-the-job.

[Martha R]

I've taken public trans with just a writer and essentials and a laptop and it's pretty difficult mostly because the first step up on a bus or a train is huge and with both hands full there is no handrail to help you.  Luckily I'm very tall, so that helps.  I actually think a backpack would be useful for at least some of the stuff, so you have one hand free.

[David Levy]

I take public trans with my laptop, two netbooks (sometimes three) for realtime, cables, extension cords, etc.   I use a big wheelie.   When I get on an express bus, I try to get on at the first stop so that I can get the seat opposite the wheelchair door.  That seat has more legroom so I can put my wheelie there.   Otherwise I have to put it in the belly of the bus.

On the subway I try to use stations where there is an elevator or escalators all the way to the street, even if it means walking a little further.

It's not easy, but we do what we have to do. 

[Dean Morris]

Problem is:  one never knows if those elevators will be working.  In my opinion, it's too risky hoping that an elev or an escltr will be working.  And walking a little further means pulling all the equipment that much farther.  Wonderful if someone is able to deal with that uncertainty, let alone the load of all the equipment.  Definitely a no-can-do for me and the equipment/spares I carry.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

That's why I'm saying buying a 1.2 pound laptop, 2 pound writer and iPads will seriously lighten up the load so you CAN easily take public transportation.  That's my goal for the year.