Unlike courts in the UK, North American court reporters use stentotype keyboard-based machines to record trial proceedings and some can achieve speeds of 250 words a minute. Taking advantage of that type of skill, Cheetah Systems Inc, Fremont, California has launched a text and data entry system that enables a user with machine shorthand skills to type into virtually any MS-DOS program at speeds of 150 to 250 words per minute – faster than speech recognition, it reckons. The Gemini system includes an ‘ergonomic’ stenotype keyboard with data entry software, a carrying case and an MS-DOS word processor. The company claims that real-time closed-captioners, using Cheetah’s technologies, write with speeds of 250 words per minute and higher, accuracy levels of better than 99%, and vocabularies of over 100,000 words. The keyboard can be turned into a numeric 10-key pad, and comes with word processor, spreadsheet and database but can be used with other programs and databases. The keyboard has been designed as two separate modules, one for each hand, enabling the modules to pivot, straightening out the wrists and taking the stress off the ligaments. The halves can be separated completely, so arms and hands can be held at just about any angle and moved periodically so that the user is not working in one position for too long. There is also a tripod available, so the keyboards can be placed away from a desk. The Gemini system is shipping now and costs $800; software to use the system with Windows is expected early next year.
