Thank you, Laura, for the info on the BT.  I switched out the rubber keys for the spongy silicone keys and that's made a huge difference in my writing.  I'm not saying it's as good as the Diamante by any means, but I feel if I stick to it, I'll get better and better.  The O and E seem to be the biggest issues so far.  

I think you're right; I'm not hitting them correctly.  I'll just have to be aware of that when writing.  I've also noticed a lot of stacking with the period and the comma, which I've started adding that to my dictionary.  

I think I mentioned I bought this LS about five years ago and hated it.   This time around, I actually feel I can do this.   I'm practicing every day.  Took it out on a job Monday but it was a no-show.  Not ready to do realtime yet, however.  I'm hoping since it's slow at the holidays, I'll get some easier work to get more used to the writer.  

I do know a few reporters that do use this writer everyday for work and they do RT.  If they can do it, so can I.  I'm hoping my body will thank me down the road.

I'm sort of disappointed because I've been practicing on the LS for almost two hours today and my left wrist is killing me.  I was hoping that  would not happen because I switched to this new writer.  I'm baffled why.  I'm trying to write as light as I possibly can.

Give yourself a little time to adjust and pay attention to posture, how you're holding your arms and wrists, etc.  Try not to tense up your shoulders and arms.  You may be holding your wrist at an uncomfortable angle.  Even if you think you're writing light, you're probably still not where you will be eventually if you stick with the LS.

I was subbing in a different courtroom yesterday with a judge who speaks at a moderate pace.  I was completely relaxed, and as I wrote, the only thing moving was my fingers.  Try putting quarters on the backs of your hands while you write and see what happens :)

Oh, interesting.  Okay.  I'll try that.  Thanks for the words of support.  I love hearing how other people stick with it and make it work.

Kelli, I just read what Laura wrote to you, and I wondered if you have tried wearing a support on your arm and/or wrist when you work.  I have tendinitis, and it has helped to wear support when it's really aggravated.

Thanks, Janet.  Yeah, I do wear a wrist support as well.  It does really help.  I'm hoping all of these solutions will make a huge difference.

I love the idea about putting the quarters on my hands and type with the LS.  I took it out on a job yesterday for the second time.  I even had to read back three times and I did it.  I was like, Wooohoo!!

Every time I take it out, I get more confident.  It will be a while before I do RT with it, but still.....

Well, I have a realtime job tomorrow.  I really want to take my Lightspeed and use it, but I'm afraid.  When I have to type fast, it's a disaster.  

I would encourage you to use the Lightspeed tomorrow.  Your RT may not be as nice as you're used to, but switching back and forth between writers won't help you.  Just bring the other writer along and leave it set up in the corner so you know it's there just in case you want to switch at a break.  If you do use it, you'll probably be surprised how uncomfortable it'll seem having to press down movable keys now and how it feels like your fingers will be slipping into the cracks.

Good luck tomorrow whichever writer you decide to go with.

Thanks, Laura.  I know you're right.  I'm just more scared of attorneys criticizing my writing.  Worse yet, not being able to read back.  I've only taken it out twice so far, that's it.

Just keep plugging away with it.  It should be a little better each time.  Keep an eye on the drag/drop keys too, and keep adjusting bit by bit when you see any patterns there.

It's SO worth it using the LS, so much less wear and tear on the body.  Hang in there!

Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Laura.  You have no idea how much I need to hear that from a pro LS user.  

I more have stacking issues, as many as three strokes.  Any suggestion for that?

I had stacking issues using the LS software interface when I tried it way back when, but those went away for the most part using Bluetooth.  Now I only see stacking when things are very fast and my writing is getting out of control.  Stacks that wouldn't be anything else I global.  I don't remember having three strokes stack together, though.  If that's happening a lot, you should probably call Stenovations to see what they say about that. 

If you are using the software interface, you can experiment with the different stacking settings to see if any of those help.  I have zero experience using those settings since BT works so well for me, but I know other people are getting good results with them.  You shouldn't be seeing any stacking when you're writing at a controlled pace, though.

Yeah, I still do.  I'm not experienced enough with the stacking settings to make all that many changes.  I did turn down the time that the software waits for the next stroke from 1,000 to 600.  Maybe I should move that down even farther.

Hi fellow LS users :) 

Kelli,
I had the same stacking problem with my 4-yr old black LS where it was dropping three or four words at a time especially when writing fast.  I was on a big arb and having to read back and looked like an idiot.  We all can read back our "junk" but if it's not there at all that's just a different animal.  I was ready to return the machine about two weeks before the three-month trial period and made a call to Stenovations.  They advised me to take the SD card out just to see if that fixed the problem, but not advisable obviously as a long-term solution with no backup.  It made a dramatic difference and that was when I was using the USB alone as my laptop back then did not have bluetooth. I purchased a bluetooth adapter and my writing was even cleaner.  So you might try taking out the card just to see if that fixes the problem and then get back with Stenovations with that bit of info and see if they can help you from there.   Also I've found that if I write spreading my fingers out and almost more like playing the piano, way more effective than the up-and-down whole-hand kind of motion we are used to with a non-LS.  Laura is right about feeling like your fingers are slipping thru the cracks of other machines.  I tried writing on one about a year ago to help out at a training seminar for a RT demonstration and just could not do it.

Hey Laura,
My LS number two, the silver classic, I did get it bluetooth connected but now can't seem to reconnect.  I see both my black original that I've been using for at least four years now and the new silver in my bluetooth devices (they have been assigned different names).  My black connects on com 5 and then I see 3, 4 and 6 available in my RT tran options and I'm pretty sure I connected on 3 for the silver when I was able to get it hooked up.  Those are also the ports assigned in Device Manager for bluetooth devices.  I know you switch back and forth between your two depending on your outfit, mood etc :)  Any suggestions?  I'd like to take it out on my job Thurs but want to make sure I can connect every time.

Best
Debbie Habian

Hi, Deb.  If you're having problems consistently connecting with the new LS, you could just delete the BT connection from your computer and set it up again with that writer.  When I set mine up, the computer suggested what number port to assign, but I did the option to select the port number myself.  You just have to make sure you change the input port number in your CAT software when you switch one to the other.

So what do you think of the new one compared to the older plastic model?

Deborah, when you say "take the SD card out," do you mean keep it out  or do you mean take it out and then put it back in again?  

I did a realtime job yesterday and every time I tried to write "you" the word "I" would show up or I'd try to write "I" and the word "you" would show up.  What a mess - all day of this.  I just can't seem to make it work.

Also, my wrist was killing me all day having to hold my hands up above the keys all day.   I know this is going to take some time, and I appreciate all your comments.

Kelli, yes, Debbie was writing with no SD card in, so no backup other than her audio and CAT files.  That's not something you want to do other than as a test to see if anything changes with your translation.

You can define something on the LS keyboard as a "null" stroke in the settings if you'd like to rest your fingers on the keyboard.  I don't have a null stroke but will rest the heels of my hands on the bottom part of the writer with my fingers just above the keys.  I sometimes rest my arms on the chair armrests too as I write, but I sit in my own chair every day, a luxury you don't have in the freelance world.

I think the U/EU thing will get better as you get more relaxed writing on the LS keyboard.  Thinking back, I used to miss the E a lot, but that doesn't happen at all anymore.  Keep an eye on your thumbs.  It is an adjustment going from lowered vowels to having them all on one level.

Kelli, Laura answered the SD question that I wrote a test session with it completely out not just taking it out and immediately putting back in - and not advised but just as a test.  I was going to suggest that you rest your palms and try as much as you can to write with just your fingers.  Are you writing with it on your lap or on a stand?  I could not write with it on a stand but when I put it on my lap, depending on the chair, I need something under my feet to get the right angle on my lap.  But if my chair can be adjusted low enough, then don't need anything.

Debbie

Hi Laura

Well, I haven't really had a chance to write on it with this connection problem.  I did delete it once and re-add it and that's how I got it to work and thought, cool, fixed.  Then I had a job last week that ended up canceling at last minute and I was testing it before the job and could not get it to connect.  I'm going to try again this afternoon.  The little I did write on it though, I think I like the wider palm rest. :)

Deb

I already have the null stroke defined as SKWRAO/EURBGS, which is the lower keys of the keyboard.  I have been resting my fingers there and my palms on the flat part of the writer where there are no keys.  Not sure why my wrist is killing me.  I'm stumped.  I got a pillow desk from Pengad that I really like and I like it on my lap too - very comfortable with a lumbar pillow attached to the chair.  I feel great except as the day goes on, my wrist is killing me.  I'm going to have to play with maybe putting a pillow half way on the writer to rest my wrists or something.  I didn't even take it today because I needed a break.

I love that there are you two out there that love it and believe in the LS.  I so want it to work for me too.  

The LS saved Debbie after she suffered a broken finger.  Yay, Lightspeed!

Do you have one of those ReportIt wrist pillow things you could try?  Some reporters swear by them.  I'm not sure why your wrist would hurt so much.  Is it just one wrist or both?  Did your wrist hurt with your other writer, or is this something new to the LS?

There are a few of us in Chicago using the LS.  It's nice to have a little support group :)

No, I have tendonitis is my left wrist only.  I've had it for about 13 years.  That's why I got the LS is because I was hoping that pain would go away.  I' finding it hurts worse with the LS, not better.

I do use a pillow to rest my forearms/wrists with the Diamante.  I'm going to have to find a way to incorporate that pillow into this setting.  It's awkward because it's so flat and the pillow raises your wrists/arms above the machine.  I'll have to mess with that.  It's frustrating because I'm very comfortable having the LS on my lap.  Just as the day goes on, I can feel the aching in my left wrist.

Thank you for including me in your support group, Laura.  It is a huge help, you have no idea.  

Sorry for the typos in last post - just woke up and apparently not all the way awake yet.

Thanks, Roxannee

That's sort of where I am too right now.  Do you have a picture you can post of where you put the bean bag thing when using your LS?  That would be very, very helpful for me.  I use a lumbar pillow with my Diamante but struggling how to make it work with the LS.

So if your wrists are on it, that means the pillow is in front of the LS, not on the LS, right?

There is that huge space in the middle below you can see, your wrists would have to be on that flat space, which leads me to think you have the pillow on that flat area here?

Yeah, I'm struggling with that huge space to deal with that's clearly in the way.  Wish I could cut it off or something.

There is a facebook group called Stenovations Digitalcat Lightspeed Users Group started I believe by Greta Harris Duckett who is a trainer and reporter.  She is awesome with her knowledge and help re LS. There are some configs she shares on the site donated by other users.  I couldn't believe how my translation changed once I employed one of the configs.  This site contains a wealth of info.  

I also have some suggestions for wrist pain.  Try, if you don't already do it, sleeping in the wrist supports/splints.  Often when we sleep, our hands can be bent for long periods of time in positions not beneficial to reporting.   Another thing to try is to try a laptop stand on your lap with the highest angle toward your abdomen.  You can rest your wrists at a rather strange angle that might be beneficial.  Looks strange, sounds strange, but it can help.   I found a cheapo one for $7.00 at Ikea.  Best wishes!

You're totally right on sleeping with a splint.  I do sometimes and other times I forget.  I'll start doing that again.  Thank you.

I also do put the LS on my lap with a computer desk underneath it and also slant my legs downward so it is at a slant.  

I'm totally scratching my head.  I don't get why I'm in so much pain, even worse than the Diamante at this point.  Very weird.  I have no idea why.

I just got this beanbag desk in the mail today.  My wrists fit perfect on the beanbag ledge and it feels great.  Sort of large, though, but it will have to do.  This is the best fit I've found so far.  

Yay!  Keep at it, Kelli.  I know you are frustrated, but seriously, you are doing better on the Lightspeed than most people after such a short time!!!

Thanks, Lori.  I'll figure it out.  

I did take it on a all-day realtime job on Tuesday.  260 pages.  Long day.

Well, the saga of the new LightSpeed.  I think Stenovations has had lots of complaints about vowel issues with this writer because they sent out a beta download to try to fix the problems.  The stacking and the vowel issues are terrible; when I want to write "I" instead I get "you" and when I want to write "you" I get "I."  You can't global that in a sentence because it could come up either way.  Not sure this is going to work for me.  

My LS is not connecting with CaseCAT.  I rebooted, uninstalled LS, re-installed LS, unplugged and replugged USB from computer.  The LS keyboard comes up and I can see my strokes but no translation.  All settings are correct according to the manual.  Does anybody have any suggestions as to how I can get my software to connect with my LS?  Thank you!  Janet

I've never had that problem but my girlfriend did.  There is a certain order it has to be done in.  First start your laptop, then hit on the LS icon and wait for that to boot up, then go into your CAT software and then you should be good to go.  Don't go into CAT software first.  

If that doesn't work, call tech support.  

Woo Hoo!  I got my LS working again thanks to Stenovations Support!  Thankfully it was a wrong setting I had in Case -- I had Baron Tx instead of Smartwriter -- oh well -- live and learn!  I Love my LS!!  Thank you, Kelli, for your help today, too!

Roxanne - Thank you!  My LS is working...

Well, unfortunately, the LS did not work out for me.  I sent it back to Stenovations today.  There was also a flaw discovered with the writer when tech support looked at the "raw" notes.  The mistakes I was making with this writer was just overwhelming.  

With as much technical RT work as I do, there is just no way I could ever take this writer.  It's just been sitting at home for the last two weeks.  I did take it on a Work Comp job I accepted because this is the only job I felt comfortable taking with the LS.  There were so many mistakes, it was shocking.  

This is the second time I've bought an LS and had to return it.  Very disappointing.

A couple of questions about the Lightspeed...

1)  If for some reason the LS loses connection to the laptop, it stops writing to the SD card completely and everything from that point until restarting is lost - correct?  Is there a way to make it keep recording your strokes?

2)  Is there somewhere I could send my notes and settings for someone to analyze what's wrong and help me adjust it?  I find I don't truly understand what I'm doing, so I have lots of stacking and misstrokes.  

3)  Are there some easy, accurate instructions on setting up Bluetooth?

For me, the positives still outweigh the negatives, but it's not smooth sailing.  I doubt my realtime will ever be what it was before the LS, but I'm open to doing ANYTHING I can to make this work, because I'm not going back to a regular machine!!

Anyone out there using the Zenith?

Hi Cheryl.  Yes.  I just sent you a friend request.  I'm happy to have an offline discussion with you about the Zenith.

Cheryl, there is a LightSpeed users' group on Facebook where you can get answers to your questions. I use the classic LightSpeed. 

Hi, Cheryl.  I am also interested in the Zenith vs Lightspeed.  Can you share your experience with me, please.