Court Reporters and Scopists - Articles - Zimbio

Scoping with Eclipse CAT Software on an iMac Computer

Wed, 8 Mar 2007 11:21:05 GMT

posted by scopist

Apple Computers have scored a big consumer hit with the new CoreDuo technology that enables the use of Windows-based software on a Mac computer. Up until recently, I have always had PCs because my computers have always been mainly for work. I never considered a Mac because of that fact. However, while browsing in an Apple Computer store one day last fall, a big, beautiful iMac caught my eye, and after doing some research on it, I decided to buy one and use it for my scoping business.

Always one for a new challenge, I knew that Advantage Eclipse CAT software did not officially support their software on a Mac, but I still had my trusty IBM ThinkPad, and if things got really ugly, I figured I could always go back to churning out pages on my laptop!

I was a brand-new Mac owner, and a fairly new Eclipse user, so I definitely had a bit of a learning curve to navigate! However, I had heard a rumor that there were some court reporters out there that were reportedly using Mac laptops with Eclipse, so I thought if they could use a Mac for reporting, then I could certainly use one to scope on!

The first step was to research Boot Camp v. Parallels. These are two different software programs that allow you to split your hard drive on the Mac so that you can have different operating systems installed. I decided to go with Parallels. The main reason that I went with Parallels was the fact that you can have more than one operating system running simultaneously on the Mac, but Boot Camp requires that you reboot every time you want to switch O/S’s. That sounded like a lot of extra aggravation that I really didn’t need. Why not have the best of both worlds right at your fingertips at all times?

I purchased a boxed version of Parallels at the Mac store where I bought my computer. The installation was easy. Then I installed a brand new copy of Win XP Pro. The next step was to install my Eclipse software, which went off without a hitch. It was the same as installing it on a PC – it didn’t know the difference!

Because the Mac keyboard and mouse are different from their PC counterparts, I customized my workstation by ditching them and plugging in my Microsoft wireless ergonomic keyboard and mouse into one of the USB connections on the Mac. I really love this keyboard and I spend too many hours a day scoping to use anything else. This combination worked perfectly on both the Mac and Windows sides. It was also helpful to have a familiar system when I went about setting up my wireless router and network for my ThinkPad and Mac. Now I was ready to rock and roll.

My first “issue” then raised its ugly head. The Eclipse USB dongle (password key) was not being recognized by Eclipse. A call to the Eclipse support desk revealed what I had already known – they could not offer any suggestions concerning the Mac. The technology of running a virtual Windows operating system on a Mac had not been explored by Eclipse, and I was basically on my own. I quickly learned that I was really in a very grey area of uncharted waters!

The Eclipse support was very helpful in providing me with a temporary password code, so I could continue to work on the Mac. Eclipse seemed to work the same on the Mac as it did on the ThinkPad. In fact, the freezing issue which sometimes occurred on the ThinkPad did not happen on the Mac at all. That made me very happy. Now, if I could just figure out this dead-dongle situation….

I phoned the Mac support in a hopeful attempt. After all, the thing was plugged into the back of a Mac, so maybe they had an idea. No such luck. They said it was a PC issue because Eclipse was PC software only.

I still needed to get that dongle working. I knew that Eclipse wasn’t going to give me temporary codes every week for the rest of my life! The next idea from Eclipse support was to do a diagnostic test and send a report to the Aladdin people – the company who manufactures the Eclipse USB dongle. After sending that off, I received a file from Eclipse a couple of weeks later that I was to install on the Windows side of the Mac, which would supposedly get my dongle to work. No such luck.

Meanwhile, I had installed a couple of new versions of Parallels via their website to no avail. The dongle was still dead. The Eclipse support people came through two more times with temporary pass codes so that I could continue to work on my iMac.

Then I discovered that the Parallels website had an online forum with thousands of posts from people who were also wrestling with this new concept of Windows on a Mac. I poured through hundreds of posts until I came across one thread describing the same type of problem someone was having with a dongle that was part of a commercial manufacturing software program. One post solved my problem! All I had to do was go into the Windows Device Manager settings, disable the Aladdin USB dongle, then enable it, and voila! The darn thing worked!

The only hassle with this was that every time I rebooted Windows, I had to go through about a 10-click maneuver to get the dongle to work. It was, I thought, a small price to pay for scoping on the iMac’s big 20-inch screen. I really didn’t want to go back to my laptop’s 13-inch screen after being spoiled like that!

Parallels released a couple of software updates after that, which I faithfully installed, but which did nothing for the recognition of the Eclipse password key. However, good news finally arrived in the form of another Parallels update in December, Build 3036. I installed it, booted up Windows, and Eclipse actually opened up without going through the usual ritual in Device Manager. I was free!

And now I note that there is no difference between using Eclipse on my ThinkPad and using it on the iMac. Eclipse acts just like it would on a PC. I am a busy, full-time scopist and work with a number of user ID’s on Eclipse – one for each of the reporters that I work with. Eclipse works perfectly within each one of those different user settings, and I have still had no freezing problems on the iMac.

I have to tell you, I am very happy with using Eclipse on the iMac. True, there were growing pains with Parallels, which now seem to have been solved with their software update. There were never really any weird issues with the Eclipse software itself. Because I am a scopist, I have the editing version of Eclipse. I have not used the full-blown version for reporting, so I cannot comment firsthand on any experience in that venue.

However, judging from how the editing version performs on the iMac, it would seem that using the full version for reporting on a Mac should not present too many surprises. One of my reporters just went out and purchased a MacBook over Christmas and plans to use it for reporting. If you would like to hear how she is making out, just drop me an e-mail at scopist@accuratescoping.com, and I will give you an updated report as soon as she jumps in with it!

If you decide to get a Mac to use with Eclipse and decide to go with the Parallels software, my advice would be either to purchase it online at their website at www.parallels.com to ensure that you get the latest version, or if you are like me and like to have a tangible asset in your hand for dollars shelled out (in the form of a pretty box with a CD and manual inside), then make sure you download the updates after you get the program installed. This is easily done within the software itself with the “Check for Updates” under the “Help” tab along the top of the screen.

Having been a Mac owner now for a few months now, I must admit that I am hooked, and my next step will be to replace my ThinkPad with a MacBook later this year. By that time, who knows? Maybe Eclipse will offer support to their customers who prefer Macs!

My Web Site: Scopist at Accurate Scoping Services

My E-Mail: scopist@accuratescoping.com

This article also appears in Volume 1, 2007 Newscache, published by Eclipse Software Professionals Network, an Independent Users Network .

What is Scoping?

Wed, 8 Mar 2007 12:13:04 GMT

posted by scopist

For those of you who have arrived at this page and are not familiar with the world of court reporting and/or scoping, I guess I should probably explain what a scopist is really all about!

Scoping is a bona fide profession that not too many people outside of the court-reporting venue know about. In short, a scopist supports court reporters by editing their transcripts.

Nowadays, the court reporter writes in steno code, just like before, but now the transcript is stored on a computer file instead of the old paper "cash register" tapes that were in use previously. These files are then transcribed into English with the use of software known as CAT (computer-aided transcription) software, such as Advantage Eclipse IV.

Due to a variety of reasons, the transcript never translates perfectly into English. Therefore, someone must manually scan through the transcript, or "scope" the work to correct these mistranslates. Enter the scopist, who is also responsible for formatting the transcript and ensuring that it contains proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Many court reporters use scopists on a regular basis, and some use them on a part-time "overflow" basis, when they get backed up. However, studies have been done to show that a court reporter can increase their income by a large percentage with the use of a good scopist. This is because the reporter makes more money in the court room or depo suite than they do sitting in the office editing their jobs.

By sending their day's work to the scopist, they can be out the next day on another reporting job, earning their regular income, instead of staying in the office and editing while not making anything. Even though they are paying a page rate to the scopist who is editing their previous day's job, they are more than making up for that expense by doing more reporting.

For an in-depth look at the scoping profession, please visit Judy Barrett's scoping blog. Judy has been involved in the court reporting and scoping professions for over 30 years and is a highly recognized scoping trainer and owner of Scoping Careers International.
Accurate Scoping Services

Share Mac and Windows Files Instantly with Tubes and Parallels

Sat, 8 Apr 2007 13:58:21 GMT

posted by scopist

I just discovered a new software application that might be of great use to scopists and court reporters. It's called Tubes, and it allows you to share files with anyone, anywhere, anytime -- instantly and for free! And for everyone who is using Parallels, it will allow you to share both Mac and Windows files, too! Very cool.

I found out about Tubes on the official blog for Parallels software, called Ask Ben Anything. Now, this software sounds promising, because you can drop a file into your tube and your reporter or scopist will receive it instantly. It reminds me of those pneumatic tubes that are used in warehouses to zip paperwork up to the office from the floors below! This has the potential for sending larger CAT files, PDF files with exhibits and appearance info, et cetera, much faster and more efficiently than e-mail. I am going to be exploring this new software application in the next few days, and will be back with a report on it. One of my main questions right now is, how secure is it?

It will still be cool to use with friends and family, but I'm hoping it might also be a practical application for the court reporter and scopist. Stay tuned!

Accurate Scoping Services

ScopeShop: Online Store Specializing in Custom Merchandise for Reporters and Scopists

Wed, 8 Mar 2007 19:22:02 GMT

posted by scopist
Under the heading of "very cool," is something that you just won't see at your local department store! One of our fellow scopists, Al, from Reporter Supporter, had the great idea of creating a niche outlet for merchandise geared towards the court reporter and scopist.

ScopeShop has some really nifty items. How about a T-shirt featuring a red heart with, "I love my Reporter"? Or a cute little teddy bear wearing a T-shirt proclaiming the same sentiments for your scopist? And who couldn't use another coffee mug, or tote bag? My fave has got to be the mouse pad that says, "Scopists get it write right," or the ceramic coaster with the dictionary definition of scopist as, "A reporter's best friend"! Gotta love it!

I had a quick look at the overview of the CafePress site itself, and it has definite possiblities for anyone wanting to try their hand at selling niche items online. Everything from greeting cards to fridge magnets can be customized with your artwork, and a lot of it is free to set up. CafePress prints your items as they are sold, so there are no inventory or printing costs up front.

I can see that ScopeShop is is going to come in handy at Christmas -- and for all my reporters who are reading this, you now have a pretty good idea of what you're getting from me this year!

Accurate Scoping Services

eTips for Eclipse CAT Software Users

Wed, 8 Mar 2007 11:24:46 GMT

posted by scopist
For those scopists and court reporters who are using Advantage Eclipse CAT software, there is a great newsletter available -- and it's free!

Keith Vincent, a freelance court reporter, has also been an Eclipse field tester, sales rep and trainer for the last 14 years. He is also the sysop for the Eclipse section of the CompuServe Court Reporters Forum. Keith has his own excellent web site that includes video tutorials and an archive of his eTips newsletters.

You can subscribe to eTips to receive the monthly newsletters via e-mail, which is what I do. I enjoy reading them and always learn something about the software that will help improve my use of it. Keith's index page of the eTips archives now contain over 60 newsletters, and it also includes a form that you can send in if you would like to subscribe.

Keith's web site also includes sections on Steno Tips, Captioning, SearchMaster, StenoCast, and all kinds of other topics that make his site a valuable source of information for both the court reporter and scopist.

Accurate Scoping Services