Using Plover with ProCat Blaze

[jmall...@gmail.com]

Hi,

I downloaded your program to use with my Blaze and everything downloaded just fine, even the driver for Windows Mobile Device Client. The program connects to my Blaze (used a USB to the computer, RJ11 in the Comm port on my machine), but when I go to configure none of the COM ports recognize my steno machine. When I apply COM 5 the tape goes crazy in steno, even though I'm not writing anything on my steno machine. To get this to stop I have to put it back in COM 4, which does not seem to work with my machine. I downloaded version 4.0.0.

I had read on the compatibility page that I would need a DB9 (female) to RJ11 (male). If this is my problem, please direct me to where I can find such a cord as I've looked on Amazon, Walmart and Office Depot and can't seem to find one. The closest I could find is linked below but it's a male to male connection.

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Serial-Adapter-U209-000-R/dp/B00005V52C/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1501265398&sr=1-12&keywords=serial+USB

Thanks for your assistance! I really would like to be able to use your program!!!

Jessica Allen

[Glen Warner]

Hi, Jessica.

I don't have a Blaze, but I thought it might be helpful to share with you what I'm using with my ProCAT Flash.

First, I like the KeySpan/TripLite USB-Serial adapter, which you can see here:

https://www.tripplite.com/support/usa19hs

As you might guess, you will need a driver for the TrippLite adapter, which you should be able to find on their website as well.

Second, I don't know about that cable you linked to, but I bought one of these from StenoWorks sometime back:

http://www.stenoworks.com/cable-procat-flash-realtime-cable-10-ft

Currently, Plover's support of the ProCAT communications protocol is a bit ...  well, spotty. That is to say, sometimes I'll be writing along, and all of the sudden the document I'm writing into will start receiving what appear to be random numbers and letters!

Unfortunately, ProCAT has been less than helpful with this issue, which, of course, makes it difficult to get the necessary information the developers need to get the ProCAT communications protocol working properly, but I'm sure they're still working on it (Team Plover, not ProCAT).

... so, since there is no luck using the ProCAT protocol, I am using the old Baron protocol, that was used with the very first writers ... but if the person I was talking to is correct, is not supported in ProCAT's new writers.

If you have your writer's manual handy, you should be able to check to see if that's correct pretty easily! Otherwise ... I would highly recommend checking eBay from time to time to see if you can find a ProCAT Flash. I saw somebody was selling one for $100 on Facebook the other day ... but expect to spend a bit to get the writer serviced by your friendly neighborhood steno repair ninja.

Also, should you find an auction for a particular writer, ensure that you can see pictures of the writer actually powered up. That way, you would be avoiding a larger repair bill for a "DOA" writer.

Hope that helps a bit ... and good luck!

--gdw  

[jmall...@gmail.com]

Hi!  I thought you all might like to know I got Plover working with my Blaze!  Woo Hoo!!  I had the cable you suggested on your webpage, but since my computer didn't have that port, I needed a USB to serial converter.  ProCAT sells one on their website for like $60, but I bought mine off Amazon for like $6. Their webpage also says that the converter uses a FDTI chipset.  Not sure if that is standard (I am so not a tech person), but I made sure the one I bought had that as well.  Once I got the drivers installed and the correct COM Port selected (COM9), it worked! 

Thanks, Glen, for your response about the Flash and how you got it working.

[Glen Warner]

On Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 10:21:21 AM UTC-7, jmall...@gmail.com wrote:

Hi!  I thought you all might like to know I got Plover working with my Blaze!  Woo Hoo!!  I had the cable you suggested on your webpage, but since my computer didn't have that port, I needed a USB to serial converter.  ProCAT sells one on their website for like $60, but I bought mine off Amazon for like $6. Their webpage also says that the converter uses a FDTI chipset.  Not sure if that is standard (I am so not a tech person), but I made sure the one I bought had that as well.  Once I got the drivers installed and the correct COM Port selected (COM9), it worked! 

Thanks, Glen, for your response about the Flash and how you got it working.

You're welcome, Jessica! Glad you were able to get your writer working with Plover. I am guessing you're using the ProCAT protocol?

--gdw   

[Jessica Allen]

Yes.  I didnt change any settings on my writer.

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[Glen Warner]

On Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 12:34:19 PM UTC-7, Jessica Allen wrote:

Yes.  I didnt change any settings on my writer.

That's good ... but keep an eye out for an error I've been getting while using the ProCAT protocol, where I will be writing along with no problems, and then suddenly a string of letters and numbers appear.

It stops after a while, but it's weird when it's happening!

--gdw   

[jmall...@gmail.com]

Hi, Glen.  I got my Blaze to work with no problems on my Windows 10 computer, without even shorting out.  Now I have upgraded to a new laptop with Windows 10 and it says it is connected, but nothing comes up on the paper sheet.  any thoughts? 

On Friday, July 28, 2017 at 3:29:35 PM UTC-5, jmall...@gmail.com wrote:

[Glen Warner]

On Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at 6:34:35 PM UTC-7, jmall...@gmail.com wrote:

Hi, Glen.  I got my Blaze to work with no problems on my Windows 10 computer, without even shorting out.  Now I have upgraded to a new laptop with Windows 10 and it says it is connected, but nothing comes up on the paper sheet.  any thoughts? 

Hi, Jessica.

I think it might be a good idea to check to see if the driver you have for your KeySpan/TrippLite adapter has a new version available.

It might also be instructive to take a look at the Device Manager and see what's going on with the ports. Windows might have used a different driver that it believes is better, but obviously isn't.

Hope that points you in a good direction!

--gdw