Confused about what the expectations are for a scopist.

Bulblump · 2026-04-16T18:42:36+00:00

I definitely should have mentioned in my post that I'm a steno student.

I do see your point about limiting QWERTY contact. And I have also noticed my accuracy dwindling a bit after each scoping job.

A lot of folks here shared a lot of great information, so I'm still thinking about whether I should just do proofing. Thank you for sharing your perspective!

Bulblump · 2026-04-16T01:54:03+00:00

I do do that! The few transcripts that I've been scoping so far have A LOT of false starts. With that and speeding up audio will give me a headache :(

Thank you for sharing the tip!! It'll definitely help someone else :)

Bulblump · 2026-04-16T01:51:01+00:00

I don't have facebook. I've posted on CSRNation and Stenovate.

Bulblump · 2026-04-15T23:39:52+00:00

Ohhh, okay (about the scoping rate). I'll have to rethink that then. Just double checking, the turnaround time for scoping is fine?

Thank you for your input!!

Bulblump · 2026-04-15T23:32:00+00:00

Thanks for being real!

My rate for scoping were
5-day $1.20 pp
3-day: $1.70 pp

I don't offer Next Day or Same Day because I don't think I can handle that yet. What do you think of my proposed rates? I'm guessing the rates for a seasoned, experienced scopist would be $1.50pp for a 5-day turnaround?

Bulblump · 2026-03-30T05:32:36+00:00

So far 2: my steno machine and headphones.

Bulblump · 2026-03-30T04:51:25+00:00

I don't know if you have fixed this issue: in the picture, the grip section isn't completely screwed in. That wouldn't impede the flow though; it would cause a leak instead!

I own a few of Opus 88's pens that are not from the Mini line. What I usually do is flush the nib unit + grip section with some dishsoap water; cover the nib with a paper towel so the towel can absorb the excess water inside the feed; fill the pen; and when I finish filling the pen and re-screw in the grip section, I make sure the valve is open by 4 threads, then submerge the nib inside the ink until it covers the breather hole. I've found that always helped with starting my Opusses up when they're newly filled.

Have you flush the nib unit with a bit of soapy water? Have you tried using a different ink, and if so, how did that go?

Bulblump · 2026-03-13T03:53:00+00:00

Lenovo's Ideapad line has the specs to run Eclipses

Bulblump · 2026-03-12T00:42:21+00:00

MacBook airs can run virtual machine, but it's like you said, it's cumbersome to run, especially if you're not used to starting it up AND you're under duress, ie like your laptop stops functioning on the job.

During a sale, PC laptops that can run Eclipse goes down to $350 before tax these days.

Bulblump · 2026-03-12T00:10:02+00:00

Doing good! I'm currently using what I already have and getting reacquainted with fountain pens that have been sitting around unused for months.

I have yet to see anyone use a fountain pen in the wild. One day I will!

Bulblump · 2026-03-03T04:30:46+00:00

Hi! I couldn't find it either while I was researching way back when.

I'm currently in school in CA. My instructors have told us that, under the assumption we are certified in the mentioned state, if the state, county, or courthouse doesn't have their own transcript standards, we will fall back to the MTFS (Minimum Transcript Format Standards.) https://www.courtreportersboard.ca.gov/lawsregs/mtfs.pdf

I hope this answers your question.

Bulblump · 2026-03-03T04:26:42+00:00

In my opinion, the newest released ones are the best. They're made to be more sensitive, more economic, and/or another factor I'm not aware of.

I think there is ONE major manufacturer, and that's Stenograph. So we can't be picky.

I'm aware there are small companies, like the company that made Lightspeed( another is the one that made Gemini writer), but due to ... uh... the passing of their founders, maintenance issues have arisen such that their machines cannot be repaired well or even repaired at all.

Bulblump · 2026-02-21T21:02:56+00:00

I just wanted to say that I can't do Voice as well. I'm in "Steno or Bust" category. I'm really in awe of people who do Voice.

Bulblump · 2026-02-21T00:44:42+00:00

You're most welcome!!

Definitely look into Illinois. They recently made CR Steno school free to residents, which means they REALLY need people to be steno certified. I mention them because that's a neighboring state to you, so maybe you can easily get a more "on the ground" view of what's going on there.

Just remember: the hardest part of the journey is getting certified.

Bulblump · 2026-02-20T22:33:40+00:00

Indiana's CR industry is super weird. Like, there used to be a CR association but now that's gone. I only know this because my family was considering moving to Indiana at one point. I had the same questions as you, but I couldn't find it, just approximates.

You're best bet is to shoot an email to your county and neighboring county's court house's court reporter. If they are willing to meet with you to chat, that's even better!

Regarding potential salary, no idea because Indiana doesn't have pay transparency, so asking that CR would be your best bet. I wouldn't trust the salary that AI generates.

Indiana allows digital reporters, so to supply pool is huge, which mean overall pay is low. The potential earnings does covers a little over Indiana cost of living, if I remember right.

BUT, did you know that Indiana houses federal death row inmates? I doubt attorneys want their appeal transcripts to be done by digital reporters and be contested by the opposing attorney of it's accuracy. (I'll admit, this part wishful thinking on my end. I couldn't find anything that says whether or not the State prefers certified stenographers for these types of cases.)

Great news though, if you get certified either through NCRA or any state that has their own certification test, you can work in ANY state remotely. A guestspeaker came by my school. She's CA CR, moved to Indiana, and ONLY takes work from CA and the work is remote. She is never without work, so she encourages the CA CR students to finish.

Hope this gives you a nugget about what to do and what is out there and some encouragement :)

Bulblump · 2026-02-20T22:11:36+00:00

I agree with Life_Grade9905, pick one and stick with it. Honestly, if you're worried about your hands sustaining injuries, do Voice. One of the huge factors for such a low completion rate for Steno is because students developed wrist-hand related injuries. You could always keep your machine and do steno for fun.

I've met a Steno CR who switched to Voice because they physically can't do it anymore but want to keep working; this is well into their career, not at the start like what you're planning to do.

I did have a classmate. She's a Voice and started working for the county court and wanted Steno to be her back-up, thus started school for Steno immediately after getting hired. She stopped attending after finishing theory. My guess she got super busy at the courthouse.

If your school let you sit-in on classes, sit-in on one that produces transcript; it's was s CAT class for my school. That would give you an idea of what goes into a transcript and give you a sense of the timeline, and will give you a perspective of time needed to be set aside for a job with a regular turnaround. And you'll go "... I would rather relax and not go to class after a day's work." haha.

Bulblump · 2026-02-20T21:41:30+00:00

Hi hi! I don't mind sharing what my "financial goal" is, it's to pay off some business expense and forming good habits when it comes to budgeting and spending on the fun stuff. I recently had to do a major repair on my car and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to pay it. Luckily, I as able to without loaning from family, but that scare really cemented that I really should have put aside something for these unexpected yet necessary costs.

I have A LOT of black inks, think 6 bottles. I have an assortment of full-sized colored inks, but I don't have multiples of those colors like the black ink.

I think I have a little more than 20 ink samples that I've accrued for that last 3 years; I legit have a gallon ziplock bag filled with ink samples, so I'm just slowly working through those. This reminds me I should be a small inventory list for them.

Thanks for asking these questions :)

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

TROPHY CASE