RMR Stenographic Technology & CAT Software 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'cloud-based' transcript management and how is it used in court reporting?
- Storing and sharing transcript files via secure internet servers, enabling collaboration and remote access (Correct answer)
- Printing transcripts in a cloud-shaped format
- Using weather data to schedule depositions
- A type of paper used for archival transcripts
Correct answer: Storing and sharing transcript files via secure internet servers, enabling collaboration and remote access
Cloud-based systems allow reporters to securely store, share, and collaborate on transcripts online, enabling remote scopist editing, attorney access to rough drafts, and firm-wide file management.
Question 2: What is 'audio sync' in CAT software?
- A feature that links the audio recording to specific points in the transcript for playback during editing (Correct answer)
- Synchronizing two audio recorders
- Matching the reporter's speaking voice to the transcript
- A setting for adjusting microphone sensitivity
Correct answer: A feature that links the audio recording to specific points in the transcript for playback during editing
Audio sync links time-stamped audio to the stenographic notes, allowing reporters to click on any point in the transcript and hear the corresponding audio, making editing and verification faster and more accurate.
Question 3: What is a 'steno theory' in court reporting?
- A systematic method that defines how to write English words and sounds using stenographic key combinations (Correct answer)
- A hypothesis about the future of court reporting
- A mathematical formula for calculating transcript length
- A legal theory presented during trial
Correct answer: A systematic method that defines how to write English words and sounds using stenographic key combinations
Steno theories (like Phoenix, StenEd, or Magnum Steno) are structured systems that define consistent rules for converting English sounds, words, and phrases into specific steno key combinations.
Question 4: What security measures should be in place for electronic transcript storage?
- Encryption, password protection, secure backup, and access controls to protect confidential legal records (Correct answer)
- No special security is needed for transcripts
- Physical locks on filing cabinets only
- Antivirus software alone is sufficient
Correct answer: Encryption, password protection, secure backup, and access controls to protect confidential legal records
Court transcripts contain confidential legal information requiring robust security: file encryption, strong passwords, regular encrypted backups, access logging, and compliance with legal data protection requirements.
Question 5: What is 'text expander' functionality in CAT software?
- Macros or shortcuts that automatically expand brief typed codes into frequently used phrases or boilerplate text (Correct answer)
- A feature that increases font size
- A tool for stretching text to fill a page
- A function that adds extra spacing between words
Correct answer: Macros or shortcuts that automatically expand brief typed codes into frequently used phrases or boilerplate text
Text expanders allow reporters to type short codes that automatically expand into frequently used phrases (like 'Q.' expanding to 'QUESTION:'), standard paragraphs, or boilerplate language used in transcripts.
Question 6: How has USB and Bluetooth connectivity changed modern steno machines?
- They enable wireless connection between the steno machine, computer, and CAT software for realtime translation without cables (Correct answer)
- They have made steno machines obsolete
- They are only used for charging the machine
- They allow steno machines to connect to printers directly
Correct answer: They enable wireless connection between the steno machine, computer, and CAT software for realtime translation without cables
Modern steno machines use USB and Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to laptops running CAT software, enabling seamless realtime translation and giving reporters greater mobility in courtrooms and deposition settings.
RMR Stenographic Technology & CAT Software 2
What is 'cloud-based' transcript management and how is it used in court reporting?