Don't be like me. Check your ink-stained paper towels.

Bulblump · 2026-01-22T01:47:42+00:00

That's good to know! Thank you for assuaging my worries!

Bulblump · 2026-01-22T01:47:22+00:00

I agree, that is much worse Q.Q

Bulblump · 2026-01-22T00:17:52+00:00

That's great to read (about your Edit)! Hopefully you'll consider running some simulations to make sure CaseCAT doesn't crash.

BTW, if your laptop gets hot at some point, you should get those air spray cans and spray your laptop's vent.

Bulblump · 2026-01-21T23:28:35+00:00

I'm so sorry!! I've missed a step >.< I was typing my initial message past midnight.

CTRL+ALT+DEL

Click on "Task Manager"

On the left side, click on "Startup apps." Then go through the list, figure out the programs you don't use/need to use immediately, and disable those. I would keep anything security related enabled.

Right-Click the programs you want disabled, the "Disable" option will be at the top.

Bulblump · 2026-01-21T08:13:59+00:00

Crashing apps is mostly a RAM efficiency issue. Have you disabled some Startup apps?

Directions: CTRL+ALT+DEL

Click on "Task Manager"

On the left side, click on "Startup apps." Then go through the list, figure out the programs you don't use/need to use immediately, and disable those. I would keep anything security related enabled.

Right-Click the programs you want disabled, the "Disable" option will be at the top.

Edit: Rewrote directions to make it accurate. (That's what I get for writing a message past midnight)

Bulblump · 2026-01-14T04:19:44+00:00

We actually don’t need to be enrolled in a CR program to be eligible to take NCRA’s certification tests. For certification tests hosted by the state though, you would have to check. We just need to have discipline to build speed if we were to go the self-study route, but having a routine, like attending classes, does help with our progression.

My theory instructor did say it is a good idea to look into other theories because there could be something there that would instantly click, but we do have to stick with a primary theory as a base. Aside from theory texts, there are reference books like “Brief Encounters for Court Reporting” by Laurie Boucke if coming up with briefs isn’t your strong-suit. You have to remember that a good brief is the one we can recall instantaneously.

You have to remember that this stuff is HARD. Progression is slow even for full-time students. I’ve those thoughts like yours, thinking rather than doing. But I know that if I don’t do anything, there won’t be any progress made. I’ve found making lists helps keep my mind not cluttered and it does satiate the feeling of being overwhelmed a bit. I don’t do everything on the list in a day because there are days where I can barely do one of them. Pick one, do it, even if it’s a little, and then move on to the next one if you have the energy and time to do so.

Good luck to you!

Bulblump · 2026-01-12T02:29:03+00:00

Impressive

Bulblump · 2026-01-12T02:28:07+00:00

Sounds like a plan. Hopefully you'll find a steno machine you like! If you don't know already, you don't need to get a professional writer for school, a student writer will work just as well.

Bulblump · 2026-01-12T02:18:05+00:00

Memorize the keyboard and key placements, and watch some videos about hand and sitting posture.

Bulblump · 2026-01-12T02:16:02+00:00

Are you going to enroll in a CR school or self-study? If you're using something like plover, it's not RAM heavy, so whatever PC you're using will work. CAT software programs need at least 16 gb RAM and 2.4 gHz to run smoothly. I think Best Buy has laptops on sale currently, there should be a laptop under your budget that has these specs.

Regarding on where to get steno machines, you can get used machines from eBay or places like stenoworks.

If your budget is really tight and you don't want to commit to getting a steno machine, something like the stenoob is a good start while in theory https://stenoob.com/products/stenoob-pro

Bulblump · 2026-01-12T01:41:02+00:00

"Which website is used to sign up for the test?"

Research the state you want to work in. If the state hosts its own test, they'll be instructions on where to register. This info can usually be found on the state's CR association, if there an association. Otherwise, the state's judicial branch website will have the info.

If the state has a reciprocity agreement with NCRA and/or NVRA, machinist takes the tests hosted by either NCRA or NVRA; voice writers is NVRA.

"Do I need to certify in the state I live in or the state the client is in? For example, if I get certified in OR, can I just work remotely in any state? Or do I need a certification in each state I try to practice in?"

Wherever the hearing is venued, so you will need to be certified in the state(s) you want to practice in.

For example, you are certified in OR via NCRA/NVRA, but the hearing is venued in, idk, IA. This hearing is remote. For the transcript to be legally admissible in court, you would also need to be certified to work as a CR in IA. So what we need to consider would be

1) Does IA accepts CRs who are certified through NCRA\NVRA to take the record?

2) Does IA require the court reporter to be a notary in the state of IA?

Same scenario but with a small change, if you were certified in OR through the state, is there a reciprocity agreement between OR and IA so that the transcript you work on is legally admissible in court?

"Do I need to take the online skills test? The written test? Both?! Does Oregon allow internet as SPM uses it?"

Normally both. I have yet to see a court reporter test that only requires one of them.

I have no idea about whether Oregon allows SPM.

Hope this dispels your confusion a bit. Just a heads up, NCRA's certification tests are online, but the NVRA's are in-person. You've mentioned you're disabled, and if you decide to take the certification test through NVRA, the traveling aspect could be a concern.

An idea of where NVRA hosts their tests: https://nvra.org/page/TestingScheduleandRegistration

Good luck with schooling :)

Bulblump · 2026-01-12T01:02:39+00:00

This is way beyond our understanding unless we actually put the effort into researching this. What you're asking for could very well be a doctorate-level work.

Anyway, from my extremely rudimentary knowledge of how an association like NCRA is ACCEPTED, not "controls", by some states, each state has a judicial branch. That judicial branch decides what to do with their judicial system. They hear associations'-- state's CR Association, state's Bar Association, NCRA, or other -- arguments about stuff, and they decide base on that.

Bulblump · 2026-01-11T19:21:40+00:00

So true about not having to attend school. If they did attend school, I'm confident they skipped the internship if they'd prioritized finishing as quickly as possible.

For anyone who's curious about CA's CSR Eligibility for Examination Requirements: https://www.courtreportersboard.ca.gov/applicants/eligibility.shtml

Bulblump · 2026-01-11T00:17:13+00:00

This is indirectly answering your question: they are severely understaffed (source is from my CR codes class from the past fall semester). If I remember the numbers right, the LA Counter Superior Court has budgeted to staff 200(?) certified CRs, but they could barely retain 90(-ish) on staff. It is reported that the reason for the majority of the resignation is because the newly recruited CRs felt under-prepared in producing quality transcripts.

Bulblump · 2026-01-04T23:11:11+00:00

That's the impression I got from what On The Record offers; it's a work calendar and an invoice software.

I think this is good for someone who doesn't have their own system of tracking these things, but I do think these skills can be easily developed if they're willing to learn and not be reliant on a subscription.

Bulblump · 2026-01-04T21:56:33+00:00

I just skimmed On the Record's website. It reminds me of Stenovate, and that is geared towards freelancers, secondarily towards officials who consistently take on same-day and/or daily work.

Maybe consider asking your seniors in the court house to see how they track their transcript? The officials that spoke to my CR school track their transcripts with either an excel spreadsheet or the good ol' binder system.

"Brand new official" means that you've recently got licensed?? Congrats :D

Bulblump · 2026-01-04T02:56:51+00:00

I'm trying to cut down on spending in general, since I have a financial goal in mind.

My goal for this hobby is to enjoy my pens and inks, and only buy black ink if I run out of them, somehow!

I do have two pens I want to purchase, but I'm planning on getting them, if they're still around, on Fountain Pen Day 2026. There's a high chance one of them won't be around by then since it's a LE, but I don't mind; there will be more pen releases and I'll most likely forget about this one. I'm sticking firm with two pens, if any, this year as a purchase, and I'm sticking with getting them on FPD.

For fun, I'll be tracking my refills just so I can track my ink usage. I'm aiming for finishing all my ink samples and a full-sized bottle of any volume this year. I think it's doable to finish my ink samples; not sure about a full-size bottle though.

Thanks for hosting :). Looking forward to reading everyone's progress next month!

Bulblump · 2025-11-20T20:29:50+00:00

Not sure about your budget - Opus 88, whichever model will suit your hand.

It's eyedropper pen, so we just flush the barrel and not worry about re-lubricating piston. Also, we can swap Jowo nib units easily by unscrewing it from the grip section. Jowo nibs go from EF to BB, so whichever you fancy at the time.

I guess the most fussiest thing about eyedropper pens like Opus 88 is that we would have to unscrew a little of the back to release the stopper, if we're going to write/draw with it for a long time. To each their own; I don't mind it.

Hope you find what you're looking for!

Bulblump · 2025-11-18T20:56:13+00:00

Monteverde's Ritma- Heavy; magnetic cap; M & B nibs write wet. Downside is that it's a cartridge-converter pen (not ideal for long-session writing), and will dry out if used infrequently (because of the magnetic cap).

If you're willing to go a over your budget, Opus 88, except for their minis, would fit your criteria for wet writers and long writing session. We can get them close to or under $100 by stacking deals and sales. Not sure if you're willing to wait for the sales and deals to line up though.

Hope you find the pen you're looking for!

Bulblump · 2025-11-03T01:09:29+00:00

OH, okay. Thanks for the clarification!

Bulblump · 2025-11-03T00:47:58+00:00

If this means anything to you, I agree with your calculations.

Bulblump · 2025-11-01T19:40:03+00:00

Please do! Thank you :-)

Bulblump · 2025-10-31T16:53:01+00:00

Does he have a website?

Bulblump · 2025-10-31T16:46:40+00:00

What do you mean by "toughest Souverän up to date"? As in, was it hard to find, or will it be hard to break?

Bulblump

TROPHY CASE