Protect your LightSpeed

Go here: http://www.mobileedge.com/items.asp?cid=19&scid=19&pid=120

This is a neoprene carrying case for a 13 inch Apple MacBook, but jut the right size for your Lightspeed.

It is:
Soft, durable and water-resistant Neoprene protects and cushions your laptop
Small enough to fit inside your regular carrying case, but tough enough to use by itself
Stylish design combines form and function to create a unique laptop carrying solution
Heavy-duty nylon strap
Full-size external pocket for AC adapter, files, CDs and other accessories
Lifetime Warranty

Using keypads to increase accuracy

If you are having trouble with the cracks between the keys and not hitting them properly, you can use keypads to "relocate" the edge of your key. For instance, if the asterisk key is too far away from the FR for you, place the keypads a little bit over the edge of the key. That will put the edges together and make it easier to stroke them together.

By the way, if you are having trouble with the software update, re-load the version that came with your writer.

The LightSpeed future

Johnny Jackson has a vision for how the LightSpeed will be in the future. It will be A LOT different than it is now. If you own a LightSpeed now, you probably feel a little like a beta tester. It's exciting, but just a little frustrating when you can't get it just right!

Anyhow, here are a couple of changes that will be implemented in the writer. These are Johnny's comments that I edited out of the first person.

Stenovations is having a proof-of-concept model made that has the STPH FPLT keys as well as SKWR RBGS keys made of two keys. In other words, the T and K keys would be composed of two keys apiece. Johnny believes two small keys will make a more accurate stroke when you hit the crack by virtue of the smaller keys tilting more easily.

Try and see how the number keys tilt more readily on your unit; that is how the keys will operate.

Johnny is having the programmer write a utility that will let the reporter have more control over the "crack" combinations.

Now you can set the threshold for the sensors near the crack. People are setting that very low so they will make sure to get the "crack" stroke but as a result it is too sensitive and they accidentally touch it between strokes.

Johnny is having the programmers provide another approach where you have a setting for the TK, PW, HR, FR, PB key combinations.

You will have a setting where if you hit the T and it reaches threshold and the K goes so far but does not reach threshold that it will still register. You will be able to set the percentage that the key has to register when hit in combination with the key above or below it that has reached threshold.

The top of your finger is more rigid and the bottom soft and that sometimes prevents the bottom key reaching treshold, inasmuch as most of the pressure is focused on the top key.

So if we can tell the program the threshold we set for the sensor near the crack is only applicable when the key above it or below it reaches its threshold and otherwise it has to reach the threshold of the sensor near the middle of the key, Johnny thinks that will improve accuracy.

Check your settings

Apparently the new software build will change some settings in your dashboard. So if you're having problems with the writer not responding, go to your settings and turn off the sleep timer. Also, check your sensitivity settings and make sure that something didn't get changed inadvertently. (Thank you, Brenda, for the enlightenment!)

I also have the first two anti-stacking options turned off.

I have been having trouble since I applied and removed my keypads. I think I wasn't careful enough. :( I have been having trouble with the strokes not releasing and piling up on top of each other. That didn't start until my little keypad experience. SO BE CAREFUL WITH THOSE THINGS!!!!

Now my writer needs to warm up or something. When I start a new session, two strokes will translate, then it sort of freezes. Then I keep on tap, tap, tapping, and suddenly the strokes will start translating again. Hmmmmmm....

.07 tran rate!!!

I reached a milestone today -- .07 tran rate for my morning docket. Woo-hoo!!!! My afternoon docket was 1.4, but I still am proud of that.

After I took put on and took off the keypads, now I have a new problem. My writer gets "stuck" on some strokes. It has only happened twice today, but I will write a word, then the next word shows on the stroke monitor and won't go away. So I just kept tapping on keys, and it eventually started writing again. It took about 15 seconds. Good thing for sound sync! I don't know, but I think I may have caused a problem with my keypad removal. I'm going to look into it more tomorrow.