Stenograph Stentura Protege and Plover

[Edie Shillue]

I'm interested in learning Steno using Plover and have downloaded it to my Acer laptop (Windows 10 software).  I have a Stentura Protege student steno machine and would like to ask a few questions before I go down the rabbit hole that is Steno study (I've been here before....).  My objective is to learn in order to do CART work or speech to text for the deaf.  

1)  The plover site says it can work with a steno keyboard or toppers  -  can I do this study by working just with the specialised keyboard?  I'm not crazy about this machine and wonder if I'd be more comfortable with a separate keyboard studying Plover from the site (exercises, etc) and moving on from there.  In short  - should I keep the Steno machine and plough on or leapfrog into a new keyboard?  I notice that CART machines look a bit different from Steno machines, but that the keyboard looks the same.  

2)  I like this study, but the hardware is a bit of a problem for me.  The steno machine is now out of date (according to Stenograph.....I know what that means)   and doesn't have a charger.  I live in Ireland and need a global charger to use it.  I can't find one for purchase.  It's never been the most comfortable machine to use, but I can adjust.  I have an acceptable typing speed (50+ wpm on QWERTY) and a reasonable accuracy rate, so I am interested in continuing.  However, I need a keyboard/toppers that work for/with UK/IRELAND format and/or systems.  

3)  if using my current steno machine is the best option, perhaps people can assist me by advising the best source for a global charger that will work in the UK/IRELAND?  

As I'm just at the beginning of study I really want to keep this simple, so I don't get discouraged.

Any advice would be appreciated.    

[jessica caudron]

Between the steno machine and the keyboard, I would make a reasonable effort to get the steno machine working. The keyboard feel is different and usually requires more force than a steno machine.

I'm not sure what you mean by CART machines looking different unless you are talking about Velotype or palantype machines. stenograph machines have the same keyboard layout, mostly. the infinity ergonomic is the main one that's very different, and the Treal looks a little bit different. There is also a stenograph machine with the grandjean or continental layout, but that's not used for English.

The Stenograph website sells the global charger and international plugs separately. The same charger will work for you, according to the website.

http://www.stenograph.com/writer-accessories/all-featured-items/writer-accessories/global-charger-38910?returnurl=%2fwriter-accessories%2fall-featured-items%2fwriter-accessories%2f%3fcount%3d30%2338910

and

http://www.stenograph.com/writer-accessories/all-featured-items/writer-accessories/international-plug-adapters-38914?returnurl=%2fwriter-accessories%2fall-featured-items%2fwriter-accessories%2f%3fcount%3d30%2338914

If you do decide to use the keyboard toppers, I don't believe there's any difference for UK formats. The keyboard toppers are blank and go over your keyboard to help the offset keys line up nicer for steno. If there are differences, it would be to your dictionary, which you would go through and change yourself (eg. realise v. realize and all the ou/o words like color/colour) That is a little work but running a spellcheck with a British dictionary would take care of a lot of it.

If it is palantype you are thinking of, the Infinity group has started making palantype writers, and I have heard that the Lightspeed writer will also have a palantype release.

[Achim Siebert]

I bought a simple adjustable power supply from ebay (similar to this: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Uni-Schaltnetzteil-Netzgerat-Eco-Friendly-einstellbar-3V-12V-DC-max-1500-mA-/152630375067?epid=1604237649&hash=item23897ab29b:g:QNIAAOSwpHlZb6Cv). I guess there's similar offers for the UK (just had a look – something like this should do: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AC-DC-1500mA-Universal-Mains-Plug-Power-Supply-Charger-Adapter-3V-12V-/252451630019?epid=1941272956&hash=item3ac74a2bc3:g:e3IAAOSweWVXfQ7o).

Set to 12V it works fine for my Elan Cybra. And I'd say a steno machine is much better to learn than some keyboard with toppers, which is only good for the very first steps into steno.

[Ted Morin]

I used a generic adapter for one of my Stenturas but had to use a knife to strip off some of the rubber material on the power adapter plug so that it would insert all the way. (Obviously not while plugged in!)

I think some Stentura machines have extra deep holes to prevent generic adapters.

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[Edie Shillue]

Thanks folks, very helpful!

[Peter Elsesser]

A keyboard with toppers is a good, cost-effective way to begin learning steno, but if your goal is to get to realtime speeds for CART work, I highly recommend using a real steno machine. 

The Protege can have a very deep stroke and require some force to press the keys. You can adjust the stroke depth and force to a certain degree in an effort to make the writer a bit more comfortable. My personal preference is extremely shallow and light, so it requires less effort to make a stroke. I ended up shimming my Protege to go even shallower than it would normally allow.

You can find adjustment instructions in the Protege manual, available here: http://www.stenograph.com/content/files/documents/Stentura%20Protege%20User%20Guide.pdf

And Glen has helpfully posted a guide to shimming a Stentura: http://www.cheapandsleazy.net/shim.html

Give your Protege another chance before giving up!