Spring 2012

MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT
By Nicholas G. Rennillo, CLVS, STAR President
The official publication of the Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporting
STAR dot STAR
VOLUME 17, NO. 2
SPRING 2012
I am sure it comes as no surprise
to anyone that STAR Mid-Year 2012
was a huge success! Of course some
might claim that I am totally biased,
and I am. But allow me to expand on
why it was an Awesome Conference!
About two years ago a number of
members expressed concerns about
the location of the 2012 Mid-Year
Conference. The Board took those
concerns and comments very seriously,
and with the assistance of Kautter
Management Group we were able to
move the conference to Caesars Palace!
Well, Caesars Palace was a perfect
location to host the STAR Conference.
The Board rooms, conference rooms
and hotel rooms were ideal in every
respect. I was truly amazed how much
of an impact the meeting space had on
the overall energy of the conference.
STAR has been a successful association for many years and for a
number of reasons. But this example
of being at Caesars was a direct result
of our membership being involved.
I had the privilege of attending the
Liaison Committee (LC) meeting on
Wednesday. What a unique experience to participate in a meeting where
reporter and software developers exchanged thoughts and ideas on what
might improve software and what might
improve reporter efficiency. I really
want to thank the LC and Stenograph
for their commitment to STAR and to
the court reporting industry.
STAR also had the opportunity to
honor Irv Starkman for his dedication
to our association and his never-ending
commitment to court reporting; however, I would like to share something
very special that happened during the
presentation. During Irv’s remarks
NICHOLAS G. RENNILLO, CLVS
STAR President
he mentioned that he does not set a
“goal” when getting sponsorships, but
this time he did and he fell a little short
of that goal.
As Irv exited the dais, a STAR
member suggested that we raise the
remaining dollars from the floor of the
Business Meeting. With that, hands
were rising and people began shouting
contributions. In a matter of minutes
STAR helped Irv “reach his goal” and
created a STAR memory that I will
never forget.
I also want to thank all of the
members who, time and time again,
serve as presenters and moderators at
the STAR Conferences. Please know
that the Board of STAR recognizes the
time it takes to plan and prepare a presentation and the commitment you’re
demonstrating at the Conference.
Finally, I want to thank the Las
Vegas Conference Committee Chairs,
Nancy Bistany and Barbara Justl. All
your efforts made for a fabulous STAR
Conference.
See you in New Orleans!
The perfect match...
®
and
...even better together!
Remember, STAR members are eligible for special pricing on the
Diamante®, CaseViewNet, annual support agreements and protection plans.
To learn more, visit www.stenograph.com or call 800.323.4247.
STAR Dot STAR • 2
Society for the
Technological
Advancement of Reporting
Officers & Directors
PRESIDENT
Nicholas G. Rennillo, CLVS
Rennillo Deposition & Discovery, a Veritext Company
1301 E. Ninth St, #100 • Cleveland, OH 44114
W: 216-523-1313 • FAX: 216-263-7070
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
Rosalie A. Kramm, RPR, CRR, CSR (CA)
Kramm & Associates, Inc.
2224 Third Avenue • San Diego, CA 92101
W: 619-239-0080 • FAX: 619-239-0206
[email protected]
SECRETARY
Matthew A. Spievak, RPR, CSR (CA)
Sarnoff Court Reporters
450 Sansome Street, #1550 • San Francisco, CA 94111
W: 415-274-9977 • FAX: 415-274-9998
[email protected]
TREASURER
Todd A. Mobley
Mike Mobley Reporting
334 S Main St • Dayton, OH 45402
W: 937-222-2259 • FAX: 937-222-9747
[email protected]
DIRECTORS
Linda S. Fifield
Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc.
50 Franklin St, 3rd Floor, #300 • Boston, MA 02110
W: 617-426-2432 • FAX: 617-482-7813
[email protected]
William M. Fredericks, RPR, CSR
Fredericks Reporting
3305 Northland Dr, Ste 4B • Austin, TX 78731
W: 512-241-3600 • FAX: 512-345-1417
[email protected]
Shelly Hunter, RPR, CRR
Hunter + Geist, Inc.
1900 Grant St, #800 • Denver, CO 80203
W: 303-832-5966 • FAX: 303-832-9525
[email protected]
Micheal A. Johnson, RPR, CSR (TX), CRR, CLR, CCR (LA)
Johnson Reporting Services
2205 Flaming Tree Ct • Cedar Park, TX 78613
W: 512-331-1161
[email protected]
Jane M. Jones, RMR, CRR
Brown & Jones Reporting, Inc.
735 N. Water St, Ste. M185 • Milwaukee, WI 53202
W: 414-224-9533 • FAX: 414-224-9635
[email protected]
Christine Randall, RPR, CSR (CA)
Wood & Randall Certified Shorthand Reporters
423 Truxtun Ave • Bakersfield, CA 93301
W: 661-395-1050 • FAX: 661-395-0726
[email protected]
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Mark H. Renzi, RPR, CCR (NJ)
Guy J. Renzi & Associates
Golden Crest Corporate Center • Trenton, NJ 08690
W: 609-989-9199 • FAX: 609-586-2881
[email protected]
EDITOR
Christine Randall, RPR, CSR (CA)
Wood & Randall Certified Shorthand Reporters
423 Truxtun Ave • Bakersfield, CA 93301
W: 661-395-1050 • FAX: 661-395-0726
[email protected]
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tina Kautter, CAE
STAR Headquarters
222 S. Westmonte Dr., #101
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
W: 407-774-7880 • FAX: 407-774-6440
[email protected]
Table of Contents
President’s Message............................................................................................... 1
Announcing...STAR Advertorial Guidelines............................................................ 4
Sensational Things are Happening at Stenograph!.................................................. 5
By Vickie M. Main
Bienenstocks Honored........................................................................................... 5
By Christine Randall
Mission, Marketing, Messaging - Part II................................................................... 6
By Al Betz
Seminar by Fred Middlebrooks on the Diamante, CaseViewNet
and the Virtual Router............................................................................................ 8
By Jane M. Jones
Courtroom Connect and Cameo............................................................................ 9
By Mark Renzi
Social Media Tools for Conquering Future Business.............................................. 10
By Barbara Justl
Alternate Dispute Resolution — STAR Innovators................................................ 10
By Rosalie Kramm
STAR 2012 Mid-Year Conference Drawing Winners............................................. 11
Did You Know?.................................................................................................... 11
Ready to Be Irv'd? .............................................................................................. 11
By Christine Randall
STAR 2012 Mid-Year Conference Photo Highlights.......................................12 - 13
e-Key Myths & Misconceptions............................................................................ 15
By Rose Durec
WiFi, MiFi and Connectify — Why Am I Mysti-Fi-ed?........................................... 17
By Linda Fifield
STAR Membership Application............................................................................. 24
The Great STAR Suggestion Box......................................................................... 25
Advertisements.................................................................................................... 26
In Memoriam....................................................................................................... 27
Welcome Mat....................................................................................................... 30
STAR Dot STAR • 3
SOCIETY FOR THE TECHNOLOGICAL
ADVANCEMENT OF REPORTING
Advertorial Guidelines
The Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporting
(STAR) is pleased to offer our advertisers an opportunity to
deliver their messages and tell about their products or services
through a new medium called “advertorials.” An advertorial is
a hybrid of editorial and advertising content which resembles
an editorial page in appearance but allows you to promote your
product or service in greater detail than would be possible in
a display advertisement. It is common knowledge that readers
give more credibility to editorial content than to paid advertisements, so advertorials are gaining popularity, particularly in electronic publications.
CALL
DON'T
SIGN
MISS
UP
OUT
TODAY!
OR
EMAIL
NOW
BIG
NEWS
FROM
STAR
A
CAN'T
MISS
CHANCE
STAR-dot-STAR Newsletter advertorials get results because they look and read like editorials while at the same
time providing you a platform for highlighting the benefits and advantages of your products and services.
Guidelines and Recommendations
Star-dot-STAR has established guidelines to maintain consistency, accuracy, and good taste of advertorials. These guidelines can
help ensure the success of your advertorial and can help you create the “magazine look” for your advertising.
Copy
- Write from a third-person point of view.
- Quote outside sources for authoritative copy and to support your viewpoint.
- Identify the writer and include a brief biography, if applicable.
Design
- Typefaces, fonts and layout should bear no resemblance to standard editorial templates in STAR-dot-STAR. Our production
staff can assist you in selecting font size, leading, layout style and color to ensure that your design features are not similar to editorial content in the newsletter.
- Charts and graphs may be used.
- STAR production staff will add the text “Paid Advertisement” at the top of each page of the advertorial.
- Use of a logo is generally not recommended.
General
- Identification of advertorials, or any advertisement that resembles editorial material, must be clearly indicated at the top of each
page with any of the following: “Advertisement,” “Advertising,” “Special Advertising Section,” or “Special Advertising Report.”
- Type size should be a minimum of 9 points .
- All advertisements, including editorials, are subject to approval of STAR (publisher), which reserves the right to reject or cancel
any advertisement or advertorial at any time.
- STAR reserves the right to reject articles that are poorly written, contain inappropriate content or do not meet other requirements.
- No advertorial piece is acceptable if it is misleading or deceitful, fraudulent, unlawful, or reflects unfavorably on an individual,
race, religion, gender, occupation or institution. It cannot malign the products and/or services of another.
ADVERTORIAL RATES (per insertion)
1X 4X
2-page spread
$650.00
$500.00
Full page
$425.00
$300.00
Half-Page
$250.00$195.00
To reserve your advertorial space, please contact Elaine York at 407-571-1135 or [email protected].
Sensational Things are
Happening at Stenograph!
By Vickie M. Main, Development Project Manager
What's the most exciting feature in
Case CATalyst® v12? The overwhelming
response is e-KeyTM! The CATalyst e-Key is
a free keyless solution that is getting great
reviews from users. We told you for years
to hold on to that security device, but now
it’s time to let it go! e-Key frees you from the
security dongle by providing secure, reliable
and convenient access to Case CATalyst.
You can use it on up to three computers,
just not at the same time. Go back and forth
from your notebook to your desktop to your
office without carrying a key. Why wait any
longer? Update to Case CATalyst V12 and
go keyless now. If you want to know more
details, go to http://www.stenograph.com/
marcom/Case_CATalyst/EKeyLand.html.
Speaking of Case CATalyst…version
12.51 is the latest version and has some
great enhancements. To get the latest version, just run the Case CATalyst Updater.
Some of the new features include: Automatic e-Key renewal option; customize the size
and location of your CATalyst window; enhanced functionality in Keyboard Maps; export your dictionary(s) via WiFi communications when using a WiFi enabled Diamante
V1.13 or higher; print to PDF With Attachments and the attached exhibits display in
the Bookmarks navigation pane in the PDF
Reader software; customization of Text and
Column headings, font type, style and size at
Manage Jobs and other functions; alternate
Phonetic Translation Option; and more.
Stenograph went Pink! Stenograph employees wore pink on October 19
in support of our annual Passionately Pink
for the Cure day and earned the privilege
of wearing jeans. Stenograph’s generous
employees contributed a whopping $2,055
reaching an all-time high. The company
matched the contributions to send the sum
of $4,110 to the Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation.
Calling all Stentura users!
If you’re still using a Stentura 8000/6000 or
8000LX/6000LX now is the time to replace
it. The Stentura is almost 20 years old and
parts are scarce; floppy disks are practically
extinct; soon NiCad batteries will no longer
be manufactured and our inventories are
low; but most relevant, the worn mechanics
lead to inaccurate results and prolonged
editing. Take advantage of our last chance
Stentura CashBack by visiting us at www.
stenograph.com.
The schools are our future. Stenograph is committed to the
court reporting profession right from the
start. While the company has been in the
school business for several years now, what
is new is that we have rebranded all our
schools under the Prince Institute name.
The three schools are Prince Institute Great
Lakes (Schaumburg, IL), Prince Institute
Southeast (Montgomery, AL) and Prince Institute Rocky Mountains (Denver, CO). All
offer both online and in-school programs.
Areas of study include Judicial Reporting,
CART/Captioning, Scoping/Proofreading,
Office Assistant and Professional Transcription (not all programs are offered at all
schools). Prince Institute Rocky Mountains
and Southeast are participating partners
with vocational rehabilitation, and are approved for the training of veterans and eligible persons as well as active duty military
personnel. To see what Stenograph schools
have to offer go to www.princeinstitute.edu.
Software support and writer protection, but why? Both
your CAT software and your steno machine
are your productivity tools that allow you to
perform your job – your livelihood! If something goes wrong with either one of them, it
makes your job harder and in some cases,
can make it impossible to work. With your
STAR membership, you’re entitled to an additional discount on our most popular Software Support Agreements and Writer Protection Plans, helping you save even more.
Your steno machine and software are the
tools of your trade. Keep them protected so
you are protected and ready to work.
Keeping
your
Diamante
software up to date. Diamante
software V1.14 is a free download from the
Stenograph web site. Regardless of your
current version, update to version 1.14 now
and enjoy these and other features which
have been added to the Diamante: The sensitivity of individual keys is easily adjustable;
optional WiFi realtime and Case CATalyst
dictionary update; battery saving option
dims the screen when you aren’t writing;
and Speedometer and Odometer displays.
Updating is easy. Go to the Stenograph web
site for easy instructions and to obtain the
update http://www.stenograph.com/pages.
aspx?docid=531&id=.
STAR Dot STAR • 5
Bienenstocks
Honored
By Christine Randall
Congratulations to Sam and Lauren Bienenstock who were honored
on September 18, 2011, at the Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman
Family Campus in Farmington Hills,
Michigan.
The fundraising event honored
Sam and Lauren for their commitment and dedication to the center.
The Bienenstocks are connected to
the Holocaust through Sam’s family. Sam’s father Abraham, as well
as other members of his family,
spent time in various concentration
camps.
The Bienenstocks are long-time
members of STAR, and Lauren
has served as a Board member
and Past President. To see more
on this honor and the family’s story, visit http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=ES3djT25vT8.
Mission, Marketing, Messaging - Part II
By Al Betz, Al Betz & Associates, Inc.
Marketing to Corporations
A recent jaunt through corporate America gave me a
few pointers about the strategies and techniques to consider when engaging national organizations.
My friend Angelique Rewers, a business consultant,
reminds us that large corporations want to purchase from
small businesses. Among their reasons are these:
• Better pricing is available from small business;
• Response time is better;
• It’s in their best interest, because, for example,
government contractors are required to pass through dollars to small business; it represents political bargaining
power to them;
• Corporate America likes doing good in the world.
Corporate America will buy just about anything of
quality, such as coaching services, motivational speakers,
training services, communication experts, and individuals
or companies with specific expertise.
But you have to know your stuff. And you must bring
a specific benefit to their company.
Among the strategies to employ when making your
presentation are these:
• Connect what you sell to what big business cares
about, i.e., the bottom line, or trends;
• Create a single web page or a brochure outlining
the needs of your prospect and the benefits you bring to
his or her company.
Corporations will buy from the same people repeatedly if they:
• Do a good job;
• Are reasonably priced;
• Develop a trusted partnership;
• Are reliable.
To get started in landing corporate business, remember that corporations hate salespeople but love problemsolvers. Corporations love people who make business
easier. Corporations love people who show that they care
about the corporation and its customers.
Right about now someone reading this is having that
conversation with themselves that reveals their self-esteem issues. That conversation is an inner conflict that
results from our successful life experiences that give us
confidence, and our vision of self - also based on our life
experiences - that give us pause and cause us not to act.
It’s that inner conflict that causes us to rush toward an
opportunity, and then pull back at the last second. That
conversation goes something like this:
“I’m going to do that. I’m going to go after corporate
clients. That’s exactly what I need to do.”
“But wait. I’m just a small town firm. Why would corporate America listen to me?”
A friend of mine calls that inner conflict the result of
hot wiring. It comes from the reptilian part of the brain
whose job is to keep us safe. Our life experiences affect
our behavior. Our brains don’t forget those early bad experiences that scared us, or hurt us. When the brain recognizes the pattern, the hot wire kicks in and our behavior
response is to stop before we get scared or hurt again.
That’s the reason in an audience of 100 people hearing
the same motivational message, only one or two will actually take the action described. Those one or two people
are hot-wired differently either through training or by nature. When we have those conversations that create inner
conflict we are hot wired to respond in a certain way. The
only way to change our hot wiring is to create a new neuro pathway. Many experts are available to consult on this
issue, including a group associated with Outfluence, LLC.
Next month we will focus on the final aspect, the message. Just what do you say and how do you say it?
(Al Betz is an Entrepreneur, an Author, a Speaker,
and a Personal Development Coach. He can be reached
at [email protected] and on his cell phone at 410365-0742.)
STAR Dot STAR • 6
STAR Dot STAR • 7
STAR 2012 Mid-year conference seminar highlights
SEMINAR BY FRED MIDDLEBROOKS ON THE DIAMANTE,
CASEVIEWNET AND THE VIRTUAL ROUTER
By Jane M. Jones
I attended this seminar, and Fred was a fountain of
information. In this article, I am basically going to cover
CaseViewNet and Connectify, the virtual router. A typical WiFi connection requires a router (physical hardware).
When using a virtual router, you still create a network
name, but there isn’t an extra physical piece of hardware
to carry around. The virtual router is your computer. It is
the “hotspot.” You can create the virtual router by using a
software program called Connectify.
Connectify offers a free version and a Pro version.
Connectify only works with Windows 7 and a specific
WiFi card chipset. If you have Windows 7, but not a
compatible WiFi card, you can use a mini WiFi adapter.
It is very easy to download the free version of Connectify,
set it up and determine if your WiFi chipset is compatible.
Connectify will display an error message if your WiFi card
is not compatible. If it is not compatible, you can simply
use a mini WiFi adapter. If your card is compatible, you
do not need to buy an additional WiFi adapter!
Use the following steps to download and install the
Connectify software. This will let you know if your WiFi
card is compatible or whether you will need to buy an additional WiFi adapter.
Connectify – Virtual Router Software Download: Make sure you are using Windows 7. With your computer connected to the Internet,
go to http://www.connectify.me/. At the Connectify website, click the Download button. At the Download page,
scroll down to the Download buttons and click Download
Connectify Lite. (Stenograph strongly recommends that
once you have installed, set up, and tested Connectify
with your computer and you decide that Connectify is the
right solution for you that you upgrade to Connectify Pro
to avoid any license issues involving “commercial” use
with Connectify.
Virtual router Setup: Install the downloaded Connectify software and run Connectify to proceed to
the setup. In most cases, the “Getting Started is Easy”
dialog box displays. When running, Connectify displays
in a pane on your desktop. Position your cursor in the
Hotspot Name field. Type some identifying name or characters to give your “hotspot/network” a unique name.
NOTE: The free version will always have Connectify
as the first part of the name. Once you upgrade to the Pro
version, you can leave Connectify as part of the Hotspot
name or you can remove it and create your own customized Hotspot Name. Position your cursor in the Password
field. Type a password that is easy to remember and easy
for your clients to type in order to establish a connection to your Hotspot. If you need to be reminded of your
password, place your cursor in the Password field. In the
following three fields, make sure they are set as follows:
Internet to Share – Wireless Network Connection; Advanced Settings; Share Over – WiFi; Sharing Mode – Access Point, WPA2-PSK.
If the fields do not have the correct setting, use the
down arrow on the field to display the list and select the
specified setting. NOTE: Stenograph will only support
WPA2 security. Selecting the “Adhoc” setup will not
work.
To see if your chip is compatible, click “Start Hotspot.”
If you encounter a Windows error message after a few attempts, then your WiFi chip set is not supported. Do one
of the following: if your WiFi chip set is compatible, you
do not need any additional hardware to use Connectify.
It is strongly recommended that once you test the free
version of Connectify and you are satisfied with the product that you upgrade to the Pro version to avoid any commercial use licensing issues; if your WiFi chip set is not
compatible, it will be necessary to use the Intellinet Wireless 150N USB mini adapter to continue to use Connectify. The same recommendation in (5a) applies to (5b).
This Intellinet product is available through Stenograph.
FAQ: What do I do if I get a message stating that
the network adapter is not connected to the Internet?
If you are using Connectify and do not have an active Internet connection, and the adjacent dialog displays, click
OK to continue. The pane displays “No working internet.” If you do not plan on having access to the internet,
in the “Internet to Share field,” select “No Internet Sharing” and click the “Apply Settings” button.
Is there a limit to the number of connections with
Connectify? Connectify does not specify a connection
limitation, however, your computer is the hotspot and
you may experience speed degradation the more connections that are made. If you expect more than a few
connections, you may want to consider using a physical
router.
STAR Dot STAR • 8
Continued on page 9
STAR 2012 Mid-year conference seminar highlights
SEMINAR BY FRED MIDDLEBROOKS ON THE DIAMANTE,
CASEVIEWNET AND THE VIRTUAL ROUTER
Continued from page 8
If I have questions, can I call Stenograph? Stenograph Support will assist with basic issues with downloading or installing the software and testing to ensure your
built-in WiFi adapter is compatible. Stenograph will also
assist with connecting the Diamante or CaseViewNet
computers to Connectify.
For any other issues, you can contact Connectify
Support. You can access the Support Center via the Start
menu. Click Start; click All Programs; click Connectify
and then select Support Center – Get Help, Solve Problems OR via right clicking the Connectify icon in the Sys
Tray: locate the Connectify icon in the Sys Trayl right click
and select Help and then Support Center.
In summary, Connectify is a virtual router, and the
key benefit of Connectify is to have more than one con-
nection. Connectify does not get you on the Internet.
Connectify is a router. You don’t have to carry a physical
router, and your computer can have two WiFi connections simultaneously. You must have Windows 7 on the
CAT computer.
Make sure you update CVNet. They have fixed some
bugs that were present. Also, do not plug anything into
your USB port until your computer is fully booted. Pull
USB devices out after Windows has shut down.
Thanks, Fred, for a great presentation with a ton of
information!
(Jane M. Jones is Managing Partner and Co-Owner
of Brown & Jones Reporting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.)
Courtroom Connect and Cameo
By Mark Renzi
STAR was delighted to have Grover Mundell, Chief
Strategy Officer of Courtroom Connect based in Atlanta,
GA, introduce the newest technology in videoteleconferencing communications. He helped us to answer a very difficult
question we had regarding how we can convince our consumers they are better off going with a paid VTC product
versus the various free web-based applications we know are
out there. Most of us by now have heard of mobile VTC
technology for which Cameo is certainly a leader. What
you may not be aware of is their new virtual room product.
Courtroom Connect has sought to make VTC service easier
and more affordable by bundling room reservations, confirmations, calling, bridging, testing and email notifications to
participants on how and when to join the call. All this can be
TIME
TO HONOR
ONE virtual room quite seamlessly. I was
done
in your
very own
OF OUR GREAT
impressed
by this STARS!
product.
Some of the tips we learned on how to best steer clients
away from “free” are the dedicated benefits of monitoring,
security, support, picture and audio quality and synchronicity, and built-in software to preserve audio in the rare event
video may be disrupted or lost. We also learned to let our
clients know that all these possible snafus that come with
free can lead to the unintended or misdirection of the user’s
attention and can also lead to an abrupt cancellation of a
proceeding about to begin or in progress. Given the chance,
tell your consumers that free can actually prove to be quite
expensive. They should understand.
Thank you, Grover, and the folks at Courtroom Connect
for continually bringing technology to this most important
part of our menu of services.
(Mark Renzi is the president of Guy J. Renzi & Associates, Inc., in Trenton, New Jersey.)
IRV A. STARKMAN
To All Star Members: Wow! What can I possibly say? I want to take this opportunity to
thank my STAR family for the absolutely, positively fabulous tribute bestowed upon me on Friday,
March 16, 2012, in Las Vegas. To stand at the podium and look out into the audience and seeing
the room full was a very emotional experience. The way I was accepted by the group was overwhelming. I thank everyone for all your years of support for STAR. This is a day I will never forget.
Again, my deepest thanks — Irv Starkman
At the Business Meeting March 16, 2012
STAR Dot STAR • 9
STAR 2012 Mid-year conference seminar highlights
Social MEdia Tools for Conquering Future Business
By Barbara Justl
At STAR’s 2012 Mid-Year Conference in Las Vegas, Jamie Grolle,
owner of Spitfire Social Media, gave
us a delightful presentation on “Social
Media Tools for Conquering Future
Business.” She provided an overview of the various social media platforms and stressed the importance of
a well-planned strategy to reach our
target markets. Although social media serves as a relatively inexpensive
platform for organizations to implement marketing campaigns, it is a
powerful marketing tool. Fifty-seven
percent of businesses plan to increase
their social media spending in 2012.
Jamie emphasized the importance of keeping blogs and journal
entries fresh and informative, with
frequent updates, to keep visitors
coming back to learn more about
our products and services or to join
in a conversation. She offered several topics for blogs, including those
related to your specific business, your
firm’s values, community outreach,
industry topics, local news and events
and topical issues.
She also outlined some of the
specifics of setting up Facebook and
Twitter accounts and urged us to create posts that were “info-taining,” a
combination of informative and entertaining. To keep readers interested, she recommends content that is
“compelling, engaging, authentic and
awesome.” Links to industry news
that is both relevant and humorous
also entice readers and keep them
coming back.
New fans – and clients – can be
gained through fun contests and priz-
es. Even a small prize for a “Caption
the Photo” contest will keep people
motivated and interested.
Jamie stressed the importance of
maintaining a consistent message by
determining your brand personality,
such as serious, edgy, informal, or
playful. Identify your audience and
address them appropriately.
In Jamie’s words, “Social media’s
simple goal is to convert readers into
clients and customers by engaging
in conversation and driving traffic to
your company’s products and services online.”
(Barbara Justl is the Business
Development Manager of Sarnoff,
A Veritext Company, in Las Vegas,
Nevada.)
Alternate Dispute Resolution — STAR Innovators
By Rosalie Kramm
Because there is a push to mediate lawsuits before they go to the
discovery stage, and because arbitrations are becoming an economic and
timely alternative to trials in court,
court reporting firms are finding new
opportunities by opening up their
conference rooms. Kim Neeson of
Neeson Court Reporting has opened
up Neeson Arbitration Chambers in
Toronto. Sarnoff Court Reporters
has started a separate business of
Alternate Dispute Resolution called
PMA. My firm opened the Discovery
Conference Centre of San Diego last
year, and we are excited about the
opportunities it has brought us.
President Nick Rennillo suggested that if court reporting firms are
STAR Dot STAR • 10
hosting arbitrations in their space to
have a court reporter available on
standby the first day of the arbitration, because many times the parties
hadn’t thought about having a court
reporter provide realtime court reporting or daily transcripts, but once
the option is presented to them, they
want to hire a court reporter.
There is always opportunity
wherever new business is growing.
The ADR world is exploding. Take
advantage.
(Rosalie Kramm is the President
and owner of Kramm Court Reporting in San Diego, California.)
STAR 2012 Mid-year conference seminar highlights
STAR 2012 Mid-Year Conference Drawing Winners
A big thanks to everyone who donated items for the drawings at the STAR 2012 Mid-Year Conference! The following is a list of the prizes and winners:
Neat Receipt Donated by Sarnoff (Barbara Justl)..................................................................Winner: Paula Behmke
Kindle Donated by Bistany/Fifield/Ingraham.......................................................................... Winner: Wes Perryman
Amazon Gift Card Donated by Rennillo Reporting................................................................... Winner: Brian Clune
Nordstorms Gift Card Donated by Wood & Randall ....................................................................... Winner: Pat Carl
iPod Shuffle Donated by Veritext/Sarnoff..................................................................................Winner: Toni Pulone
Bracelet Donated by Kathy at Premier Jewelry......................................................................Winner: Paula Behmke
Coffee & Chocolate from Hawaii Donated by Rita King................................................................Winner: Jeri Kusar
$20 Best Buy Gift Card Donated by Nick Rennillo.................................................................... Winner: Sandi Lyon
Did You Know?
Did you know Stenograph has more than 50 vid-
Ready to be
Irv’d?
New Orleans
eos on You Tube on topics ranging from Case CAT-
October 4-6, 2012
alyst and CaseViewNet tutorials, as well as features
included on the Diamante and Wave writers? All
the videos are categorized for ease of use and offer a wealth of information. Whether you need to
know how to implement the User Definition feature
in Case CATalyst or get acquainted with the new
Integrated Video Training feature in version 13 or
how to implement the Dynamic Indexing and Annotation features in CaseViewNet, you’ll find it all
on the Stenograph You Tube channel. For more information, please go to http://www.youtube.com/
StenographLLC.
By Christine Randall
New Orleans, Mardi Gras, French Quarter...all
sounds great. Right? Well, let me tell you that one of
the BEST places to hang out in New Orleans will be
Irv’s Hospitality Suite while he mixes, shakes, and
stirs up the fun.
Please join STAR and Irv in New Orleans at the
Loews Hotel on October 4-6, 2012, for the Annual
Convention.
In the meantime, enjoy a little Kendall Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. Irv says it’s GREAT!!!!!
STAR Dot STAR • 11
STAR
2012 Mid-year
conference photo
highlights
STAR Dot STAR • 12
STAR
2012 Mid-year
conference photo
highlights
STAR Dot STAR • 13
7
reasons
Why our out-of-town referrals
will keep you smiling.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Each member is an independently owned local firm.
We are experts on our local area and can be trusted
with YOUR client.
Our members are rigorously chosen for their skill, integrity,
dependability and access to the latest technologies.
One-stop shopping for local services.
We will treat your client with a high level
of professionalism.
We provide nationwide service for your client.
Our members are accustomed to working with out-of-town
referrals. We will network with you so you retain control of
transcript production.
We are easy to work with and provide the most helpful,
courteous and complete service anywhere.
Certified Professional Reporters • Conference Rooms
Realtime • Internet Realtime • Condensed Transcripts
Word Indices • e-Transcripts™ • Exhibit scanning
Videography • Videoconferencing
www.depospan.com
or call us at 877-724-0001
Visit us on the Web at
STAR Dot STAR • 14
e-Key Myths &
Misconceptions
By Rose Durec, CAT Sales Representative, Stenograph, L.L.C
to the internet once every 90 days in order
to renew your e-Key access. When there’s
30 days left on your current access, e-Key
will automatically look for an internet connection to renew. If none is available, you
will receive a reminder message and you’ll
have a whole month of uninterrupted access to Case CATalyst. If you do not renew
your e-Key within the 30 days, your e-Key
access will expire, but to regain access you
simply go online and renew your e-Key
license. If you have no internet access with
your Case CATalyst computer(s), you can
use any computer with internet access to
renew your e-Key.
Myth #5. “My scopist (or reporter) is
on an older version of Case CATalyst,
so I can’t switch to e-Key.”
With Case CATalyst version 12’s introduction last winter we also unveiled our keyless
access to the software, e-Key! Since then
nearly 7,000 Case CATalyst users have
happily untethered themselves from their
security devices and embraced the freedom of e-Key. In fact, we hear on a daily
basis from reporters, scopists and students
alike who were hesitant at first to switch to
e-Key that they wish they hadn’t waited
so long to make the change! No more
turning around to go back and retrieve a
forgotten key or worrying about a lost or
stolen device.
you have access to our Technical Support
gurus and any enhancements or updates
when they become available.
In talking to Case CATalyst users we’ve
come across some common myths and
misconceptions about e-Key we’d like to
elucidate here.
Myth #3. “I’ll need to call into Stenograph every 90 days to renew my e-Key
access.”
Myth #1. “I’ll have to stay on support
every year in order to continue access
to my software with e-Key.”
This couldn’t be further from the truth! You do not need to stay on a support
contract in order to maintain your e-Key
access to Case CATalyst. Once you have
e-Key it’s yours to keep! Of course, we
always recommend staying on contract, so
Myth #2. “It costs money to switch
to e-Key.”
If you are running version 12 or higher of
Case CATalyst, aside from mailing back
your old security device to us, there is no
cost for you to switch to e-Key. In contrast, the physical security device is quite
expensive to replace should it be lost or
stolen. e-Key is easy and free!
As much as we enjoy hearing from you, you
won’t need to call in to renew your e-Key
access. e-Key will renew itself automatically every 90 days in the background of
your software.
Myth #4. “I’ll have to always be on a
computer connected to the internet to
use e-Key.”
No way! You only need to be connected
STAR Dot STAR • 15
While it is true you need to be on at least
version 12 in order to switch to e-Key yourself, this does not limit you to only working
with others running version 12. Version
12 of Case CATalyst is compatible with
all previous versions and your switching
to e-Key will not hinder you in any way.
So there you have it. What’s holding you
back? If you have additional questions, feel
free to give us a call at 800-323-4247 and
we’d be happy to address your concerns
and put your mind at ease about e-Key. You may also visit the Case CATalyst page
of our website for additional information. We recommend checking out How
it Works, Facts at a Glance, Frequently
Asked Questions.
If you’re up and running on version 12
or higher and ready to free yourself by
switching to e-Key simply send an email
to [email protected]. Include your
customer number and the serial number
from your security device (located in your
Case CATalyst Help Menu under Security
Device Info). Who doesn’t want one less
thing to worry about? Experience dongle
liberation for yourself!
WiFi, MiFi and Connectify —
Why Am I Mysti-Fi-ed?
By Linda Fifield, Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc.
The CaseViewNet (CVNet) APP
is in development and close to being
released. Stenograph has also reduced the software license for CVNet
from $595 to $295 so entry into the
wireless realtime market for reporters
is more affordable. Additionally, STAR members receive a discount. If you have upgraded to e-Key, the license is now tied to
the e-key and not the computer. Now I’m getting really excited.
Years ago when Stenograph first offered CVNet, a software
license came with a Linksys or Cradlepoint WiFi router. This
allowed you to send realtime wirelessly in a secured, controlled
WiFi environment. The biggest benefit to offering CVNet wirelessly
versus a serial connection is that it gave you RapidRefresh. For
example, say you’ve been writing for a half hour and you finally
get a spelling for something that happened on Page 5. Make the
correction in CaseCATalyst and counsel will get the benefit of
that change on his computer. Another benefit is if counsel arrives
to the deposition late, he can hook up and receive the entire
transcript as soon as he makes a connection. In addition, you
are no longer reliant on an Internet connection at counsel’s office
and you have no unsightly wires crisscrossing the table like you
would with traditional serial connections. Carrying the router is
additional equipment but at least you know you’ll always be able
to make a CVNet connection. Plus it’s simple and easy to use.
Of course, if a law firm has WiFi/network that you can log onto, you have the
same functionality as mentioned above.
As time has passed, advancements
have been made in wireless technology.
We can now connect to counsel using
Connectify. When using Connectify,
your computer is now a virtual router or “hotspot.” No more
carrying around the router. You need Windows 7 and a specific
WiFi card chipset in your computer to make it work. To find out
if you have it or not, download the FREE version of Connectify
and give it a try. If you don’t have it, a simple purchase of an
Intellinet® Wireless 150N USB mini adapter is needed.
But what about Internet access? If I
am using a router, Cradlepoint or Connectify, do I automatically have access to
the Internet? The answer is no! In order
to have access to the Internet, you need
an Internet source. If you are in a location
that has an Ethernet cable and you are
allowed to plug the Ethernet cable into
your router or Cradlepoint or even your computer, you and your
clients have access to the Internet.
Another solution is MiFi a/k/a “My WiFi.” MiFi is a personal
network that gives you access to the Internet and allows you to
share it with other people. It’s about the size of a credit card
that combines functions of a modem, router, and access point.
The MiFi is sold with a monthly service contract from your telephone provider.
Why use MiFi? Say that you’re at a client’s office and they
don’t have Internet access. Hook up your MiFi. How is this
secure? As with the Linksys and Cradlepoint routers, you need
to name your MiFi network and create a password. Only those
with your password have access to your MiFi. By sharing the
connection, you are giving counsel access to the Internet and
making it possible for them to connect with CVNet.
STAR is going to have a seminar on this technology at its
2012 Annual Convention, October 4-6, in New Orleans. Learn
more about CaseCATalyst and court reporter technology/marketing and earn CEU credits at the same time.
Special thanks to Vickie Main from Stenograph for her patience with me in explaining this technology.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
STAR 2012 Annual Convention
October 4-6, 2012
Loews Hotel • New Orleans, LA
STAR Dot STAR • 17
STAR Dot STAR • 18
For Your Information
k STARonline.org has a searchable member database. Search by name, city, state, or zip code.
k STAR members save money on Pengad products by receiving the lowest catalog price, on most
items, regardless of the quantities ordered.
k STAR members who spend $3,000 or more annually through Pengad will be refunded their STAR
membership dues.
k STAR members save money on Stenograph products including a $100 discount for professional
software. (See staronline.org for more discounts.)
k STAR members are entitled to $100 off the initial purchase of a CaseViewNet license and $20 off the
renewal price.
k STAR members can advertise their firms on the STAR website or in the STARdotSTAR newsletter at an
affordable price.
STAR Dot STAR • 19
STAR Dot STAR • 20
Covering the Entire State of Michigan
Elegant, High-tech Conference Facilities
(Seating up to 50)
Realtime
Videography
Videoconferencing
Trial Consulting and Presentation
Nationwide Scheduling
Certified Trainers on Staff
Telephone 888.644.8080
Facsimile 248.644.1120
www.bienenstock.com
BINGHAM FARMS
Ann Arbor | Detroit | Flint | Grand Rapids | Jackson | Lansing | Mount Clemens
STAR Dot STAR • 21
Continued on page 17
STAR Dot STAR • 22
STAR Dot STAR • 23
Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporting
Membership Application
STAR’s membership dues cover a period that begins November 1 and ends October 31. Membership is on an individual
basis and is not transferable. Information in the STAR Membership Directory is based on information provided on this
form. Please complete the entire form. (Please type or print.)
Please check preferred mailing address:
Name:_____________________________________________________Business Name:__________________________________________
r Home Address/City/St/Zip:________________________________________________________________________________________
r Business Address/City/St/Zip:______________________________________________________________________________________
Phone Number(s) Office:_____________________________________ Home:________________________________________________
Toll Free Number:_______________________________________________ Cell:________________________________________________ Fax:__________________________________________________________ Email:________________________________________________
Website Address:_________________________________________________ NCRA #:__________________________________________
r Okay to publish home number
Certifications:r RPR rRMR
r
Do not publish home number
rRDR
rCRR
rCLVS
rCMRS rCRI r
CPE rFAPR
r CBC
CSR State(s)__________________________________CSR#__________Other:___________________________________
NOTE: NEW MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY FORMAT!
Be sure your company description is included by emailing your descriptive paragraph to jclark@ kmgnet.com.
Here is a sample:
XYZ Court Reporting is a full-service freelance firm based in San Diego, CA, with offices in New York, Atlanta, Miami,
Chicago and Dallas. Services include, but are not limited to, CaseView, realtime reporting, CART captioning,
condensed transcript, conference rooms, digital video, document production/management, E-Transcript, litigation
support, expedited delivery, and Internet Depos.
MEMBERSHIP TYPE (category descriptions on reverse):
r Reporting Member ____ Freelance ____ Official Reporter.....................................................................$150.00
r Agency Member ____ Firm Owner ____ Co-owner.................................................................................$150.00
r Associate Member (Vendor, other support professional)............................................................................$ 75.00
rStudent...............................................................................................................................................................$ 40.00
per
per
per
per
year
year
year
year
I hereby make application for membership in the Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporting and
pledge myself to abide by the requirements of the Bylaws of the Society as they are now and may be amended in the
future.
My signature below constitutes my consent to receive faxes, emails and other communications from STAR or on behalf of STAR.
Signature:_______________________________________________________ Date:______________________________________________
Name of the STAR member you were referred by:____________________________________________________________________ r Check #_________________ Enclosed
Charge My Credit Card: r Visa r MC r American Express
Acct No.:________________________________________________________________________ Exp. Date:________________________
Print cardholder name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of cardholder:____________________________________________________________________________________________
Membership Dues (choose from membership type above): .............................................................$______________________ TOTAL...........................................................................................................................................................$______________________
STAR, 222 S. Westmonte Dr, #101, Altamonte Springs,
FL 32714; Phone: 407.774.7880 • Fax: 407.774.6440
(Credit Card Payments Only) • www.staronline.org
FOR STAR OFFICE USE ONLY
Reference #__________________ Amount:__________________________
Process Date:___________________________________________________
Revised 9/2011
STAR Dot STAR • 24
P
P
P
Twinkle Twinkle Little STAR . . .
P
P
THE GREAT STAR SUGGESTION BOX
All STAR members are encouraged to submit ideas, complaints, and suggestions for improvement
to the STAR Liaison/Technology Committee. This committee meets with Stenograph representatives
throughout the year to voice concerns and requests of you, the user. All STAR newsletters include
this form that you can use to relay your thoughts to the Liaison/Technology Committee. The more
feedback and/or input you can provide, the better the committee can represent you and your wishes
to Stenograph. The committee will publish responses to your input in future STAR newsletters.
$
TO:
STAR Liaison/Technology Committee
STAR Headquarters
222 S. Westmonte Drive, Suite 101
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
(Fax: 407/774-6440) (or email Peggy Antone)
Please relay the following
p question
p complaint
p request to Stenograph
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
(Use additional sheet if more space necessary)
Submitted by: (Optional)_____________________________________________
STAR Dot STAR • 25
CALIFORNIA, CANADA
Contact us at 416.413.7755 or [email protected]
141 Adelaide St. W., Suite 1108, Toronto, ON M5H 3L5 | www.neesoncourtreporting.com
“When your clients require court reporting in Ontario, rest
assured knowing that your firm will be well represented
by Neeson & Associates. Our commitment to technology
combined with highly qualified reporters and staff will
ensure a well executed deposition. You have my word.”
Kim Neeson, RPR, CRR, CSR, CCP, CBC
President
REALTIME * REALTIME LAPTOPS FOR CLIENTS * ROUGH DRAFT * EXPEDITED TRANSCRIPT * VIDEOCONFERENCING
NETWORKING WITH U.S. AGENCIES * COMPLIMENTARY BOARDROOMS * VIDEOGRAPHY
Calm, cool and collected.
The way you’ll feel when we
handle your out-of-area assignments.
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
Local and worldwide services
Court reporters, interpreters,
and videography
Videoconferencing, video streaming
and conference rooms
Realtime reporters
Email transcript delivery
Imaged/linked bundles
Depositories
In-house technical support
We can help.
24-Hour Scheduling
800.697.3210
www.hutchings.com
fax 323.888.6333
email: [email protected]
STAR Dot STAR • 26
since 1953
In Memoriam
John William Norton
Houston, TX
COLORADO, FLORIDA
303.832.5966
800.525.8490
Hunter + Geist, Inc.
Your Partner in Making the Record
1900 Grant Street, Suite 1025
Denver, CO 80203
www.huntergeist.com
[email protected]
Proud Member of the Society for the Technological
Advancement of Reporting
• Full-Service Court Reporting
Courtroom Reporting, Arbitrations, and Depositions
• In-House Videoconferencing
• Videotape Services
• 24/7 ShareFile Repository
• Realtime and Rough Draft Reporting
• Internet Realtime With Messaging
• Scanned Exhibits / Linked Exhibits with Transcript
• Conference Rooms
• Experienced and Courteous Staff
• Timely, Accurate, and Highly Skilled Certified Court
Reporters
Court Reporting, Legal Videography, and Videoconferencing
STAR Dot STAR • 27
MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NORTH CAROLINA
Covering the Entire State of Michigan
Conference Facilities
(Seating up to 50)
Realtime
Videoconferencing
Trial Presentation
Nationwide Scheduling
Certified Trainers
Telephone 888.644.8080
Facsimile 248.644.1120
www.bienenstock.com
BINGHAM FARMS
Ann Arbor | Detroit | Flint | Grand Rapids | Jackson
Lansing | Mount Clemens
Your Key to Success
Nationally recognized for excellence in reporting
• Highest accuracy and service standards in the reporting
business
• All of our reporters are certified by our state and national
asssociations and work exclusively for us to ensure
consistency of product and quality control
• Expertise in interactive realtime technology, expedited
delivery, and complex litigation
• Electronic files in various formats
Celebrating
44 years
• Videotape depositions
• Videoconferencing services
• Scanned and linked exhibits
For all of your litigation support needs in Florida and nationwide
• Three complimentary conference suites
...and more
For all
litigation
needs
in Florida
and nationwid
Forof
allyour
of your
litigation support
support needs
in Florida
and nationwide
Contact us now at 800-939-0093
Contact us
Contact
usnow
nowatat800-939-0093
800-939-0093
www.doriswong.com
DORIS O. WONG ASSOCIATES, INC.
Professional Court Reporters / Videoconference Center
Incorporated in 1967
50 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110
617-426-2432 • 800-546-WONG (9664) • [email protected]
STAR Dot STAR • 28
MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, TEXAS
Serving All of Lower Michigan Including:
Allegan, Alma, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Bay City, Benton
Harbor, Big Rapids, Birmingham, Cadillac, Dearborn, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Flint, Grand Rapids, Grand Haven,
Grosse Point, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lansing,
Livonia, Ludington, Midland, Monroe, Mount Pleasant,
Muskegon, Niles, Pontiac, Port Huron, Rochester Hills,
Royal Oak, Saginaw, St. Joseph, St. Clair Shores, South
Haven, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Three Rivers, Traverse
City, Troy, Warren.
Deposition Services:
Realtime
Caseview, LiveNote
Condensed Transcripts
Word Indexes
Daily, expedited,
encrypted e-mail and
ASCII deliveries
(E-Transcript format)
Litigation Support
Diskettes
Expertise:
Medical Malpractice
Environmental
Pharmaceutical
Technical
Patent Infringement
Aviation
Product Liability
Videotaping:
Depositions
Day-In-The-Life
Mock trials
Accident reconstruction
Site preservation
Photography
Additional Services:
Conference Rooms
(Call for details on
Specific locations)
Translations
Interpreting
Process Server Referrals
UNITED AMERICAN
Professional Affiliations:
Michigan Association of Court Reporters (MAPCR)
National Court Reporters Association (NCRA)
Society for the Technological Advancement of
Reporting (STAR)
Florida Court Reporters Association (FCRA)
National Association of Legal Support Professionals
(NALS)
Arlene M. Wright, RPR, CSR, Owner
Suzanne L. Christensen, Office Manager
Call us today to schedule your next Michigan deposition.
Great Lakes Shorthand • P.O. Box 2002
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501-2002
1-800-234-2044 * 1-888-329-6776 Fax
[email protected]
www.greatlakesshorthand.com Online Scheduling
STAR Dot STAR • 29
Reporting Services, Inc.
(214) 855-5300
5220 Renaissance Tower
1201 Elm Street
Dallas, Texas 75270
Depositions
Video - Videoconferencing
Records - Photocopying
Two Deposition Suites
1-800-445-7718
Fax: 214-855-1478
www.uars.net
WASHINGTON
Welcome Mat
We extend a hearty welcome to the following new members...A BIG welcome to:
(As of 4/24/12)
Cory Barrett........................................................................................................................ Tustin, CA
Veronica Bertolucci.......................................................................................................Bakersfield, CA
Justin Fox........................................................................................................................... Eagan, MN
Linda Harrison..................................................................................................................Manville, RI
Patricia Hubbell...........................................................................................................Kennewick, WA
Sherrill Jackson...................................................................................................................Tampa, FL
Patric Martin............................................................................................................... Washington, DC
Denise McCombs.........................................................................................................Bakersfield, CA
Donna McGarry...............................................................................................................Caliente, CA
Phyllis Morris...........................................................................................................Corpus Christi, TX
Myra Primeaux............................................................................................................. Alexandria, LA
Jennifer Schmaling................................................................................................ Mount Pleasant, WI
Jennifer Schnitzer...........................................................................................................Bethpage, NY
Julie Teitzel.......................................................................................................................Redding, CA
STAR Dot STAR • 30