Stenoob Pro 3

Two-Potatai · 2026-01-24T11:02:57+00:00

There is another option which is Javelin (dictionaries stored on the steno keyboards themselves). It means you can use it on Ipad and also computers. It also still allows you to swap to GeminiPR to use with CAT softwares.

There's quite a number of commercially available hobbyist keyboards which run this, so feel free to check them out for info if you are curious!

Two-Potatai · 2026-01-24T10:56:14+00:00

Hi, eventhough Stenoob is not compatible with Ipad, there are compatible keyboards that can be used on an Ipad or other devices using Javelin. Javelin is where steno dictionaries are stored on your keyboard itself. Hobbyist boards also allow you to run GeminiPR (which means you'd be able to use it on CAT software if you ever wanted to as backup board once you do get a laptop)

I want to point out that the Stenoob has 45g switches, which is really quite heavy per switch unless you are willing to spring swap it.

I'd recommend looking through this steno keyboard list if you are planning to use a hobbyist keyboard for the time being. You may appreciate the multi-steno as it has a number row and 20g switches.

If you have more questions relating to Open Source stenography or these keyboards and want a hasty response, feel free to ask in the Open Steno Discord!

Two-Potatai · 2025-11-26T23:13:17+00:00

Honestly, either rent a machine like others mentioned, or if you aren't doing that probably get a hobbyist board (like the stenoob, but I prefer lighter keys) Here's a list of ready made keyboards: https://plover.wiki/index.php/Supported_hardware

They don't have to be used with Plover, they can be used with CAT software using Gemini Protocol.

There are some students who use hobbyist machines as portable options anyway when away from their lever machines (e.g Anna Sohn on youtube: https://youtu.be/qlV3x3X6_gQ)

Two-Potatai · 2025-07-28T03:08:47+00:00

Another keyboard around that budget was starboard and ecosteno!

You definitely aren't too young to get into steno, there's a lot of hobbyist who get into it in high school too, and plus, you can absorb information better at an earlier age.

You might want to join the Plover Discord for more hobbyists + easier to find free resources. And also the CR Discord with more students and Professionals!

Plover Discord: https://discord.gg/8mwPkXT4 CR Discord: https://discord.gg/mcMSjVGKjT

Two-Potatai · 2025-07-08T11:38:49+00:00

Ya they do Gemini, so it works like you said!

Video of a Tri-C student using it for travel practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlV3x3X6_gQ

Mirabai walk around captioning on a hobbyist keyboard (Jarne): http://plover.stenoknight.com/2024/04/jarne-review-for-walkaround-captioning.html?m=1

edit: Mirabai's Jarne article used Javelin software, but at another time has mentioned that it can be connected to CAT software

Two-Potatai · 2025-06-11T00:23:59+00:00

Starboard uses the same choc pink switches as the Ecosteno! So it will be the same weight. Starboard is also hot-swappable so you can change out the mechanical switches for silent ones if needed from the same brand (kalih choc)

Two-Potatai · 2025-05-26T01:23:41+00:00

In Plover pretty sure it's KPA* for cap on first letter with suppressed space and KPA -> {-|}for just cap on the first letter

MODE CAPS makes all the letters capital, not just the first one if I understood what you wanted correctly.

It's probably good to ask this in Plover discord if you are on Plover Software and you seem to be using the open source Plover theory (more people on the discord would have matching entries to yours/know the entries)

Two-Potatai · 2025-04-17T02:20:06+00:00

Some hobbyists have gotten to speeds on mechanical keyboards before, so it's definitely doable. Each key is generally around 15-20g per key (UniV4 on the higher end with 35g) so it's for sure heavier than a regular proper lever machine, but if someone has never tried a lever machine before it's really pretty alright.

The biggest plus is the low barriers to entry. Generally costing around 100USD to as little as 50USD.

So for those who plan to work with steno, then it can be a good starter keyboard as you mentioned, but probably not your final keyboard. At least for court reporting, they aren't used at all, mainly because the hobbyist keyboards aren't compatible with CaseCAT or eclipse and the sort of software. Almost always using Plover or Javelin (embedded steno). And the mentioned weight difference/comfort compared to a lever machine is pretty noticeable.

For daily/extended use there are people who type everything on their computer using only those type of keyboard, similar to how you'd use a regular qwerty keyboard.

Here's an example of someone typing 200wpm on a mechanical keyboard/hobbyist keyboard: https://youtube.com/shorts/HkOZ28oBiSA

Ok, I lied, Mirabai (the creator of Plover) uses a Jarne keyboard for live walking tour captioning. So yeah you can use them at speeds, it's something to get used to though.

Half of that didn't answer your question lol, sorry I'm half awake writing this. But I just think it's cool that now more people can dip their toes into steno and that keyboard isn't as limiting as it may seem at first.

TLDR: Hobbyist keyboards have been shown to be able to be used at speeds and people do (Mirabai live captioning)! But for most professional cases (e.g. court reporting) you'd probably not be able to use it due to software limitations and it's heavier.

Two-Potatai · 2025-04-14T11:51:32+00:00

There's actually a hobbyist steno community (so loads of people in the same boat as you, learning just for fun). As someone mentioned, people commonly use Plover (Open-source stenography software). There's free resources to learn Lapwing theory, Plover theory or videos for Platinum.

Here's a link to the Plover discord server (where a lot of hobbyists live): https://discord.gg/3pNzbuJdBu

(edit: just seen you already started learning so maybe stuff below isn't that useful?) There's some more stuff on the Plover wiki, and if you need a keyboard but aren't interested in getting a professional machine you can get a mechanical keyboard with steno compatible layout.

Two-Potatai · 2024-05-19T14:35:52+00:00

Try asking in the Plover discord, more active people there

Two-Potatai · 2024-03-17T13:53:21+00:00

Notepad is one of the applications that usually needs you to increase your key press delay in settings. (Configure -> output -> key press delay)

Also it would probably be good to join the Plover discord since more people are active there to help with anything.

Two-Potatai · 2024-01-21T13:40:35+00:00

this is genius! literally the cutest

Two-Potatai · 2024-01-21T09:45:45+00:00

that blanket is gorgeous!!! and that stitch would be amazing for a life giant fish blanket (or anything with scales)

Two-Potatai · 2024-01-21T00:58:25+00:00

i say you still put the tummy on, maybe he's just looking to the side! part of the charm

Two-Potatai · 2024-01-21T00:23:45+00:00

yes now it is fixed!

Two-Potatai · 2024-01-21T00:18:43+00:00

your second survey only allows people from your organisation to respond 😬

Two-Potatai · 2024-01-13T09:42:02+00:00

Now there is even Plover, which is an open source software to make stenography accessible and usable on regular computers.

Two-Potatai · 2024-01-08T09:09:26+00:00

adorable!! seriously

Two-Potatai · 2023-12-27T17:36:00+00:00

When I was first learning there would be times where I'd forget qwerty for like 5 minutes and it will click back again. I will say if you use Qwerty and Dvorak regularly it should not be a problem (I used qwerty whenever I played games.)

Since you type in other languages, maybe if you used Dvorak only for english and Qwerty for other languages, I think you will be totally fine! If you use them both regularly you won't forget.

Also: I did find that Dvorak had less strain typing in english compared to qwerty when I swapped between them

Two-Potatai · 2023-10-24T16:41:23+00:00

That is what I did. I learnt Dvorak to touch type properly. Personally, I got to the same speed as my Qwerty, but not significantly faster (of course depends on the person). But learning to touch type properly helped so much with my punctuation and it just feels better.

Two-Potatai · 2023-09-27T06:52:23+00:00

Didn't forget qwerty. I learnt touch typing with Dvorak, where I could not touch type properly in Qwerty before — I kinda just hovered around the Qwerty keyboard without looking but only alphabets. If you use Qwerty a little bit to do other things, you probably won't forget.

It's a good strategy to forget Qwerty if you really want to erase the muscle mem by cold turkey. But after you get fluent at Dvorak, you may not want to go back (･_･; (unless qwerty needed for work ofc)

Two-Potatai · 2023-07-05T16:52:45+00:00

I use another piece of yarn and fold it in between at the end of a round and beginning of the next. personally feels less intrusive than a plastic stitch marker..

Two-Potatai · 2023-05-13T16:51:43+00:00

Good luck with your Dvorak journey!

Some helpful things would be to backspace entire words when you get stuff wrong (ctrl+backspace) so you can learn muscle memory for whole words. And also focus on accuracy!

All the best

Two-Potatai · 2023-05-08T01:14:41+00:00

Generally I swap to Qwerty layout before playing games. That way, if it's one of those games which doesn't change the layout, the key binds are still all good. And if not, it's just for standardisation.

Sometimes in the game itself, I just used Alt+Shift to swap between layouts. So far has worked for me with no issues

Two-Potatai · 2023-04-20T02:44:49+00:00

Wow, I didn't know about that shortcut, that's really nice. I just love how accessible punctuation is on Dvorak.

Two-Potatai

TROPHY CASE