e-Tip #88 - May 2009 - Text-Only Version


<> Keith Vincent - Font Selection:  Compressed Transcript Printing

As of Version 4.1, Total Eclipse’s features for compressed transcript printing were greatly enhanced, and I discussed this in e-Tip #62 of January 2007.  Recently, however, I helped a fellow reporter fine-tune her font selections for compressed printing, and that has prompted today’s tip.

To fine-tune these font selections, open a transcript within Total Eclipse and then go to Print (Alt O).  Use the “Options” button to reach the dialogue for “Multi-page printout options.”  In the upper-left corner of the dialogue, click on the arrow next to “Default font” to drop down a list of items.  If you do not make any selections here, then Eclipse will use the same fonts as in your full-size transcript, only scaled down to fit the page. By specifying fonts for the compressed printout, you’ll get text that is much easier to read, even though you’re still fitting several pages onto each sheet. 

Here are the fonts that I use.  They’re standard on Windows computers, not special fonts that need to be installed. For text that may need to line up in columns, I use Lucida Console instead of Courier New.  These are both fixed-width fonts, like typewriter text, but Lucida Console is darker and more readable than Courier New, even when it’s shrunk down for compressed printing.  Text that does not need to line up in columns can use a proportional font, and for this I use Arial because, again, it’s very standard. 

For each item, I also set the “Width” at 10. That squeezes the characters just a bit, making room for a larger font that is easier to read.

Default font:  Arial, Regular, 24.
Header font:  Arial, Regular, 18.  Same for Footer font.   
Single-spaced font:  Lucida Console, Regular, 14.
Fixed font:  Lucida Console, Regular, 20.
Default label font:  Lucida Console, Regular, 24.

This is a short list, but it does the job.  Notice that I did not make a selection for “Question label font,” “Answer label font” or “Speaker label font” because “Default label font” was sufficient.  However, if you want, you could use a fancy script for your Q&A labels and you could put your Speaker labels in bold.  Just an example.

Likewise, because “Default font” was sufficient, I did not make a selection for “Question font,” “Answer font,” “Speaker font,” or “Parenthetical font.”  However, you could use a bold question font if you want that text to stand out.  You’ve got plenty of choices.

Notice that my “Single-spaced font” is smaller than all the rest.  If you use a larger size, each line of single-spaced text will appear too tall and will intrude into the line above it.  In my experience, if an Eclipse user is not satisfied with the look of his/her compressed printouts, it’s probably because the “Single-spaced font” selection has not been properly adjusted. Pages for case captions, appearances, index information, and certificates are often single-spaced.  Thus, you’ll want to pay special attention to your “Single-spaced font” selection.

More information is in Tip #62, which is available at the e-Tips page of KVincent.com.


<> Keith Vincent:  Mid-Year Update - StenoCast Edge, X7 RED, Bridge 2, and TeleView 3

In March, I mentioned that the StenoCast Edge would soon be unveiled at the NCRA mid-year convention in New Orleans. I was able to see it there, and I’d like to thank Wil Wilcox for letting me have his space here today to talk about the Edge and other developments for realtime transcription.

The Edge was intended to replace the StenoCast X1 so that you could attach a small unit to your current steno machine and have a wireless connection to your computer, along with Smart Audio HD and dual backups.  It’s a rich combination of features and the price tag of $1295 is certainly less than buying a new steno machine; but it became apparent that another product was needed to fill the gap left by the discontinued X1.

Enter the StenoCast Edge JR (i.e., “Just Realtime.” ) The JR uses the same casing as the Edge, and it also switches  easily from one type of writer to another.  It does not record audio or provide dual backups, but its price tag is comparable to the familiar StenoCast X1 and it can be upgraded into an Edge.

The StenoCast X7 transmitter is also evolving.  The current X7 now costs $399 (a $100 reduction in price.) There’s also the new X7 RED (i.e.,  “Refresh-Enabled Device”.) It costs $499.  The RED uses a gray version of the X7 casing, but it contains two transmitters.  (In essence, it’s an X14.)

The X7 RED contains 2 transmitters, yet it’s powered by just one USB port and it creates 2 com ports.  For example, it might be sending a 2400-baud signal through Com 3 for up to 7 EzReceivers on computers that are running CaseView, LiveNote, Summation, Transcript Manager Pro, DepoSmart, etc.  At the same time, it might be sending a 38400-baud signal through Com 4 to another 7 EzReceivers that use Bridge to take advantage of instant auto-refresh. Until now, offering an auto-refresh signal for  Bridge and also a  CaseView signal for everyone else meant 2 serial adapters and 2 sets of cables,  or  2 sets of StenoCast equipment.  Now one unit does double duty.  

If you already have several StenoCast EzReceivers, you can use these to receive the X7 RED’s 2400-baud signal.  To get the X7 RED’s signal for auto-refresh with Bridge, you’ll add a few red-colored EzReceivers which are preset to 38400 baud.  

The StenoCast folks are great at letting you upgrade to their latest and greatest.  Watch for offers that will let you trade in your X1 for an Edge or your X7 for an X7 RED.

The mid-year convention also let me visit with colleagues at other CAT companies, and I’m happy to report progress on implementing the Bridge auto-refresh protocol. It’s an open standard that’s freely available, but it does take time to implement. Here’s the current status, and let’s hope for better at NCRA’s summer convention. 

StenoCAT has implemented the Bridge auto-refresh protocol in their latest beta version.  Excellent!

AristoCAT is at work, too.  Larry Hunt peppered me with questions about Bridge, indicating lots of enthusiasm.

The folks at Stenovations repeated their commitment to implementing the protocol, so I’m hopeful that soon DigitalCAT users will be able to send an auto-refresh signal to programs that support the Bridge protocol.

No word yet from ProCAT or Stenograph, but I’m an optimist.

A new version of Bridge is now available.  You can freely download it at EclipseCAT.com. If you have Bridge flash drives, you should copy the new  BridgeSetup.exe file onto them so you’ll be ready to give your clients the latest version of the program.  However, you should also run the setup to update the Bridge program that’s on the flash drives.  In that case you would be installing the latest version onto Drive E or F or whatever letter might reference your flash drive.  Also, new Bridge Visualizers with audio can be viewed at the Bridge page of my website, KVincent.com.

The Bridge protocol is also used by Advantage Software’s TeleView program. A new version of TeleView is now available.  TeleView can work via the internet or via an instant private network that’s been created with a wireless router, and it’s very affordable.  Version 3 offers a much improved interface, as well as several ways to save not just text but notes and marks.  This makes it useful for judges and attorneys, not just CART clients.  For more info and video demonstrations, visit the TeleView pages of the Advantage Software website, EclipseCAT.com.