Should you learn Stenography?

After a few months of practicing Steno, I've familiarized myself enough with it that I think I'm able to speak to the base level pros and cons of the typing format. Hopefully this breakdown is beneficial for anyone first digging into the steno space.
One day, when I retire to write novels, I'll dig out my Uni steno board and become the very best.

[@misscharachorder]

I really appreciate hearing your perspective! As a pro steno for almost 16 years, I’ve never used my pro steno machine for computer tasks, mostly because I use steno so much, it’s nice to take a break from it when I’m not working.

[@JarrenRocks]

That completely makes sense. I think I went into it thinking that I could make it become more of an all-in-one device. It's super exciting to see the space evolve, and I'll continue tracking everything as time goes on. And I definitely want to get my hands on a CharaCorder Lite eventually as well.

[@misscharachorder]

@@JarrenRocks I definitely got the impression that I could buy a steno board and have an all-in-one device, but that comes with some downsides that I hadn’t factored in. I’m also excited to see it evolve and grow!

[@catlogiknation2885]

I’m getting into Steno. I’m already a digital court reporter (Deposition Officer), I want to get into Steno but don’t want to start with a 5,000 machine. Can this do everything a stenography machine can do?

[@jhonasn]

@@JarrenRocks It can be an all-in-one device, here's an example of that, a programmer that uses it daily and for two languages (steno) with standard qwerty keyboard in the same device! This guy uses another qmk keyboard, but this is not required, I'm using a uni v2 and a standard keyboard on it with semimak layout, I just have two layers in the uni programation (yes you can change uni programming and put your qwerty layer there) and for the missing down row I just use combo of the columns to type them, I also use other combos in the semimak layout for arrow keys, media keys, shift letters, numbers and some most used shortcuts. I'll leave my qmk config here too in case you are interested, the combos are in the same folder in another file there. Thank you for these steno videos, I hope to see more here in the future. Video of programmer using steno with qwerty and two steno languages: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5SrpqWBotBgqLM My qmk config using steno and standard layout: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5SrpqWBotBgqLM gitlab.com/nascimentoj/dotfiles/-/blob/master/.config/qmk/keymaps/uni/default/keymap.c?ref_type=heads

[@toddherzman126]

I'm a full-time fiction author and have been intrigued by steno over the last few days. It seems to fit my use case exactly, as output and accuracy are exactly what I need to be prolific. But it also seems like a hell of a lot of upfront work!

[@JarrenRocks]

I'm really glad to hear that even after watching this video you feel it's a good fit for you (minus the upfront work)!

[@TheRonnieaj]

I'm also a fiction author (and a lawyer in my day job so I've been aware and in awe of stenographers for over 15 years now, lol). I've decided to learn stenography in the past three weeks and 1) am even more in awe of the stenographers, and 2) am LOVING it. I dictate my first drafts already because of carpal tunnel in both wrists, but I've already started adding to my dictionary, like...ahem, my name, and am having a blast, even though I'm only at around 18 wpm. My goal is to use it for drafting words, then Dvorak for editing (I keep QWERTY for law only). Absolute best wishes to you on your journey!!

[@toddherzman126]

@@TheRonnieaj Best of luck! I know the RSI struggle. I was forced to dictate a few months this year. For me it just makes for more editing--really don't like it. I write in colemak myself!

[@philjerkins1593]

For chording: Look up QMK (or its siblings ZMK, KMK, Chrysalis, …). These are the open-source furnaces used by most hobbyist keyboards. Many of those boards are quite small (Corne, Atreus, …). And these firmwares support chords, layers, multi-use keys, tap sequences, and other features. I use a 36-key split board (Gergoplex) running QMK as my daily driver. Small split keyboards might open up your possibilities if portability is a key criteria for you.

[@joshuachambers9302]

Thanks for sharing this! I wanted to type faster but I think I'll just improve my touch typing. If I can get to 100 wpm then there's not much to complain about haha

[@JLarky]

I got myself a steno keyboard about a year ago and only got to 20wpm or so. But I still want to get back into it :) especially for stuff like ChatGPT :)

[@ShawnFumo]

You know what might be worth it in your case is to explore text expansion more. I believe there's even one person who does live transcription professionally using their own system. Since TE doesn't use actual chording, it will work on a regular laptop keyboard as well. Something like that also has a lot less up-front learning needed, since you can sprinkle in shortened versions of long words and phrases without needing to change everything at once. As an aside, even though it does full under the hacked together category, multi-tasking can actually be a plus for steno once it is setup. I combined Plover with AutoHotkey, so I could do two-part chords to go to an app. So GO*EU/MAEUL would switch to mail app, GO*EU/AEUP to switch to my IDE instance with the API project. I don't have space for multiple monitors and have been using my laptop on a stand, along with virtual desktops. But it gets confusing sometimes to get to a particular app, going to the desktop and then app. With this, I can just go to any app at any time from anywhere. I'm also using a system that lets me do arbitrary keyboard shortcuts fairly easily (if you check my channel, I have a video), but it is all definitely a big investment in time to figure out what works for you, on top of learning steno itself. I found the EcoSteno fits pretty well in a backback, but it is definitely more than just the laptop itself.

[@JarrenRocks]

Thanks a lot for the added info, I'll definitely check out the video too! Now that I'm traveling so frequently, I'll probably be sticking the hardware I already have on hand, but the software solutions with the current laptop keyboard are very intriguing.

[@xlblizzard5665]

Here in India, I am learning stenography for competitive exams. The fact is that it is damn old version of steno..I have learned English steno. I use a notepad to write the dictation in shorthand and then transcribe it. It takes around 70min (10 min of dictation 10 min reading and 50 min for transcription) to transcribe a passage of 800 words. My speed is 80-100wpm. What do you think is it worth learning steno today's world?

[@sm0k345]

thanks for the info. currently deciding between learning how to type correctly vs learning steno and i think ill just stick to qwerty for now

[@StellaCarey]

been learning steno for more than two years, it takes a while to learn for some people, don't give it up. qwerty gave me wrist problems, and this and dictation software help prevent excruciating pain. And right now I'm typing with my steno machine, but my qwerty keyboard is close by. Sounds like you found a shiny new thing to play with, and that's understandable. I have adhd and picking up new toys and new interests is kind of my thing. But I'm starting to see the benefits of steno two years on, even if I'm still very slow, 80wpm. Hopefully you'll go back to using your steno machine one day, it's really fun!

[@guyvanraders4214]

I am a software engineer, and spend around 10 hours everyday coding. I am always on the look out for being able to improve my workflow. Recently I have come across stenography. I am wondering whether it is a good idea to start learning it for the purpose of coding. Is it only useful for writing english words or will it be useful, for coding as well. I would need to be constantly writing non-english words, partially english words, wordsInCamelCase or PascalCase or snake_case as well as lots of symbols and brackets and joint words. Could you help give me some insight if it will be useful for me to learn?

[@Lethal_Bite]

​@@guyvanraders4214I am in a similar boat. Coding student right now and I happened to be picking up steno on the side for fun, but didn't think it would be applicable for coding since it's not really English. But one of the resources I am using to learn steno is called "The art of Chording" it's an ebook for learning steno written by a software engineer who uses steno for his job. He also has a few videos here on KZbin of doing it, if you want an example. With steno, you can make your own key combos to add to your dictionary that will do specific things, such as a combo for typing .html All that said, it will take a lot of effort to learn. If you only want it for making your workflow faster, you won't stick with it long enough for it to make a difference. If you want to do it just for fun, and after 6 months you're good enough to use it while coding, and after 8 months you're faster with steno than a regular keyboard, then go for it!

[@nitanice]

Court reporting machines don't interact with our software like a regular keyboard. Each word you write follows the last, so you can't just go in and edit a document with your writer. Most of us have never heard to these other keyboards! Now that I have, I can't wait to give them a try to make editing easier. Most reporters do toggle between keyboards on a QWERTY already since our software has a "hot key" keyboard (as well as a few others) to quickly do things like capitalize, stitch words, break up compound words, delete, change numerals to words, etc. So switching between three keyboards would be almost zero learning curve. Thanks for a great video!

[@notzox]

You should take a video of your typing speed now using stenograph

[@JarrenRocks]

It's still pretty slow, I'm still faster on QWERTY.

[@alkeryn1700]

i personally use a moonlander by zsa and have a steno mode, i get both of both worlds that way.

[@Xingqiwu387]

Most court reporters who write do so on a normal computer, NOT on a steno keyboard.

[@misscharachorder]

I’m excited for you to try CharaChorder Lite, although you will run into the same issue when it comes to creating chords for words that you use regularly.

[@danilopiz6338]

Where can I buy this steno keyboard

[@duffyscottc]

Now that's a really good title

[@JarrenRocks]

Thanks 🙏

[@YannMetalhead]

Good video.

[@catlogiknation2885]

What about for just court reporting?

[@JarrenRocks]

Then it’s probably a great idea. Highly recommended.

[@amyjojinkerson-b6o]

this type of writing is obsolete

[@lamalamalex]

You’re criticizing the steno because it wasn’t made for the things your wanted? I’m sorry, but that’s so bogus! That’s like me complaining a can opener isn’t that great because I can’t hammer things well with it. Of course not! That’s not what it’s made for! Secondly, your theory should help you with those “random words.” You gotta be organized not go haphazardly because yes you’ll get overloaded.