Should court reporting agencies be licensed?

Where do old steno machines go to die?

Posted on 11/17/2009

My old steno machine, the one I used throughout my latter years in school as well as passed the CSR exam on -- THAT ONE -- is now a relic in my closet. It weighs about 150 lbs. The batteries are no longer available, I'm told. I hate to get rid of it (in a way), but I hate lugging around junk forever even more.

Any thoughts as to what I should do with my old Xscribe StenoRAM III+ ?

Donate it to science?
Donate it to a steno museum?
Donate it to my landfill?
Gut it and turn it into a flower pot?

Help me out, Everyone!

Comment by Nancy
11/17/2009

I say save it. Up in the attic or garage somewhere. Someday you can pass it on to your kids as an antique....like all the things I`m keeping for you and your brothers. :-) Seriously, don`t you wish we had kept your first computer...that Commodore 64?

mom

Comment by Carla Richardson
12/5/2009

That`s funny; I have the same machine. I, too, am undecided as to what to do with it. I`ll probably do as Nancy suggested. I`ll check back periodically to see if anyone posts any other ideas. Thanks, Carla

Comment by Todd
12/5/2009

Thanks for chiming in, Carla.

Comment by katy
1/3/2010

That`s a hella good machine. The old Stenorams are real workhorses. I`m still using Stenoram Ultras. Fail safe, battery lasts for years, doesn`t fall over when you cross your legs, etc.
Most reliable steno machine ever made in my opinion.

Comment by Lisa Quaglieri
1/26/2010

I am looking for a machine to brush up on my skills with. Haven`t worked in the field in 13 years, and I sold my Stentura way back when. I could use a manual machine or a cheap computerized one. I may get my speed up enough to take some secretarial dictation. I`m not looking to spend more than $30.00. Does that help at all?

Comment by Todd Olivas
1/26/2010

Mine doesn`t work, so I can`t really sell it to you. Sorry!

Comment by Aletheia James
2/12/2010

That flowerpot idea of yours is really cute, actually. Then again, I have odd ideas about interior decorating . . . that`s the kind of nutty thing I would consider doing, except that in actuality I prefer a classic/sophisticated look in my home and a gutted steno machine as a flowerpot simply wouldn`t go!

Hmmmmm, if you have a big desk in your office or home office, it might be neat to keep it on a shelf there as a conversation piece . . . your own personal steno museum. I bet you could think of some other neat stuff to put with it to make a nifty little display.

Comment by Lisa Quaglieri
2/12/2010

If anyone has one for sale or knows anyone, please send me an e-mail @ leelee2464@optonline.net. Thx

Comment by Allan Dyer
3/9/2010

You can send it to/donate it to OTEC in Seattle, and we will pay the UPS ground shipping to get it here. We work on steno machines.

We can put batteries in that. We also overhaul these machines.

Lisa Quaglieri, are you looking for a Stenoram 3 or Ultra? I can help you out with that. We can also fix yours if you have one already.

Allan

OTEC in Seattle
206-284-7492
Supporting court reporter hardware and software since 1991

Comment by Lisa Quaglieri
3/10/2010

I am really looking for a manual machine. I haven`t worked in the field in 13 years, and I still do the outlines in my head all the time. I really want to see if I can still write and read the outlines. Not looking for a heavy investment -- something very conservative. I really just want to see if it`s worth getting back into for me.
Thanks. If you know of any manual machines for sale, please let me know.

Comment by Mary Cochran
6/22/2010

I got my RPR in 1981. Hadn`t worked in reporting for 20 years. Feb 2009 got a Stenoram II. I`m doing 225 (not clean enough).

Cheap investment. Got on Digital Cat. (See the 1981) It was worth every penny.

Comment by Carla
7/13/2010

i have 3 old machines. trying to get rid of them. anyone interested email me secretc@aol.com

Comment by Nancy
7/13/2010

I`d like to see it in a clear plastic box, on display in the main office underneath the framed photo (enlarged) of the very first office space. It`s always good to see where we started and how far we`ve come. I don`t suppose you`ve got the first dollar you earned as a court reporter do you?

Should court reporting agencies be licensed?

I`m thankful for running water