Course
Materials
Fees
Materials
The training programme consists of instruction in conflict-free, computer-compatible Sten-Ed machine shorthand. The course can be undertaken without a computer, but the computer tutorial is the best option available. Students/participants will have use of a training machines from SCRTS for two years (subject to availability). Should all machines be out on loan then students/participants will provide their own machine with a suitable reduction in the training fee. (References will be required from potential students/participants as well as their undertaking to keep loan equipment in good and safe order.)
There are textbooks and digital audio recordings for each individual student/participant. They are for the student/participant to keep, provided he/she completes the course and pays all fees due. Advanced instruction manuals are provided as and when the student/ participant requires them (and upon payment of the fees due). Replacement for lost textbooks will have to be paid for, at approximately £50 each. Copies of the Principal's speed-building cassettes will be provided at no extra charge. SCRTS is licensed to install the software on students'/participants’ computers and to copy the digital audio recordings for them. Shorthand paper will be provided by SCRTS to each student/participant using SCRTS's machines.. This should be used economically, as it is very expensive, costing over £1 per new pack! For economy students/participants will be using both sides of the paper.
On completion of the course (and upon receipt of all fees due) a disk containing a 40,000-word dictionary will be provided in the appropriate CAT software (either Stenograph's Case CATalyst or Total Eclipse by Advantage Software).In the event that you do not complete the programme, SCRTS requires all equipment, books and digital audio recording to be returned. Copying by a student/participant, or any agent on their behalf, of the software, printed material and/or digital audio recordings is not permitted.
Also the student/participant will be required to remove the tutorial from his/her computer
Stenography Machines and Software The latest state-of-the–art stenography machine produced by the Stenograph Corporation is either the Elan Cybra (without SD cards or Diamante (with SD cards) currently retailing at approximately £3999+ plus VAT (depending on the rate of exchange), although some second-hand machines may be available. Advice can be obtained from the Principal as to the latest machinery available and, more importantly, information on which are obsolete!
CAT software varies in price but Stenograph’s Case CATalyst is approximately £3,000 plus VAT It may be possible to purchase Case CATalyst second-hand and pay a small transfer of license fee. The student version is approximately £350, though for a while Stenograph were supplying it free with the purchase of a new machine. Stenograph's machines and software may be purchased through TypePart in Watford. Advantage's Total Eclipse student version software is free upon payment of a $50 shipping fee and signing a licence agreement. The full version is approximately £3,000, but please check www.eclipsecat.com for the price (in dollars), remembering that there is 4.9% duty plus VAT to pay on import..
All Stenographers provide their own input machine, but most firms with court contracts will provide software at their court centres or at their offices for the use of reporters. However, serious freelance real-time reporters should expect to provide their own notebook computer complete with software and dongle key.
Employment
