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BTackt: this page used to be a defense of why plover is not supplanting existing steno software and a proof of why steno not dvorak. that's not priority

2026-03-20T17:40:07Z

this page used to be a defense of why plover is not supplanting existing steno software and a proof of why steno not dvorak. that's not priority

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BTackt at 22:20, 22 May 2025

2025-05-22T22:20:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:20, 22 May 2025
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			{{Cleanup}}

	== Plover ==		== Plover ==

Aqwek: /* Why isn't steno more popular than QWERTY? */

2024-11-05T00:57:09Z

Why isn't steno more popular than QWERTY?

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:57, 5 November 2024
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	# It takes longer to learn how to write with steno than it does learning how to type. (See [[FAQ#How long does it take to learn?\|How long does it take to learn?]])		# It takes longer to learn how to write with steno than it does learning how to type. (See [[FAQ#How long does it take to learn?\|How long does it take to learn?]])
	# Plover software, and [[Supported Hardware\|suitable low cost hardware]], didn't exist until recently.		# Plover software, and [[Supported Hardware\|suitable low cost hardware]], didn't exist until recently.
			# Stenography is not mainstream, being a niche profession that most people have never heard of.

	=== Will stenography be replaced with automatic voice recognition? ===		=== Will stenography be replaced with automatic voice recognition? ===

Aerick: add fingerspelling question

2024-06-19T02:27:49Z

add fingerspelling question

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	=== Why does steno use dictionaries? ===		=== Why does steno use dictionaries? ===
	See [[Personalizing your dictionary#The dictionary's purpose\|Personalizing your dictionary.]]		See [[Personalizing your dictionary#The dictionary's purpose\|Personalizing your dictionary.]]

			=== How do I write a word that's not in my dictionary? ===
			You can use fingerspelling—a letter-by-letter spelling technique. If you use this word often enough, you should add it to your dictionary after.

	== Comparisons to professional stenography ==		== Comparisons to professional stenography ==

Aerick: add question about dictionaries

2024-06-19T02:24:55Z

add question about dictionaries

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:24, 19 June 2024
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	Plover is not court reporting (CAT) software, and there are no plans to make it into CAT replacement software. It has no transcript preparation utilities of any kind. For example: document approval and delivery workflow, document encryption, or file management. See [[FAQ#Is Plover going to put CAT software companies out of business?\|Is Plover going to put CAT software companies out of business?]].		Plover is not court reporting (CAT) software, and there are no plans to make it into CAT replacement software. It has no transcript preparation utilities of any kind. For example: document approval and delivery workflow, document encryption, or file management. See [[FAQ#Is Plover going to put CAT software companies out of business?\|Is Plover going to put CAT software companies out of business?]].

			=== Why does steno use dictionaries? ===
			See [[Personalizing your dictionary#The dictionary's purpose\|Personalizing your dictionary.]]

	== Comparisons to professional stenography ==		== Comparisons to professional stenography ==

Aerick: /* How fast can stenographers write? */

2024-06-17T03:49:47Z

How fast can stenographers write?

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:49, 17 June 2024
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	\|120 WPM		\|120 WPM
	\|-		\|-
	\|~~Typing World Record~~		\|Fastest typists
	\|200 WPM		\|200 WPM
	\|-		\|-
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	\|-		\|-
	\|Steno World Record		\|Steno World Record
	\|~~360~~ WPM		\|370 WPM
	\|}		\|}
	~~In the first year~~ of ~~steno school, many students learn~~ to ~~exceed 100~~ words per minute. By comparison, ~~top qwerty typists can do 120 WPM, top Dvorak~~ typists ~~around 140 WPM, and voice writers dictating~~ to ~~voice recognition software~~ around ~~180 WPM. But experienced stenographers can enter text at up to 300~~ words per minute (~~the world record is actually 360~~, ~~but that's an outlier~~). Conceivably, with practice, amateur steno users could reach 160-200 words per minute.		Professional stenographers with a lot of experience can transcribe spoken English at up to 300 words per minute for sustained periods of time (longer than a minute). By comparison, the fastest typists are limited to around 230 words per minute for texts with comparable material (though, shorter in length). Conceivably, with practice, amateur steno users could reach 160-200 words per minute.

	(also see [[FAQ#How long does it take to learn?\|How long does it take to learn?]])		(also see [[FAQ#How long does it take to learn?\|How long does it take to learn?]])

	=== What is Plover? ===		=== What is Plover? ===
	Plover is a 100% free, open source steno program that lets you use your keyboard as a steno machine.It is a small Python application that you run in the background. It ~~acts as a translator~~ to ~~read steno movements and then emulate keystrokes~~, so ~~the programs~~ you use ~~can't tell that you are using~~ steno.		Plover is a 100% free, open source steno program that lets you use your keyboard as a steno machine. It is a small Python application that you run in the background. It translates the steno strokes to text (by emulating keyboard presses), so you can use steno with any computer program.

	Plover is available on Windows, Mac and Linux. To get started, follow the [[Beginner's Guide]].		Plover is available on Windows, Mac and Linux. To get started, follow the [[Beginner's Guide]].
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	=== Who's responsible for Plover's development? ===		=== Who's responsible for Plover's development? ===
	Plover was originally created by [http://www.blogger.com/profile/16494847224950297255 Mirabai Knight] and [http://launchpad.net/~joshua-harlan-lifton Joshua Harlan Lifton], and is the software arm of [https://openstenoproject.org/ The Open Steno Project], an umbrella organization for open source steno tools. The current ~~lead developer~~ is ~~Theodore~~ (~~Ted~~) ~~Morin~~.		Plover was originally created by [http://www.blogger.com/profile/16494847224950297255 Mirabai Knight] and [http://launchpad.net/~joshua-harlan-lifton Joshua Harlan Lifton], and is the software arm of [https://openstenoproject.org/ The Open Steno Project], an umbrella organization for open source steno tools. The current maintainer is Sammi de Guzman (Jen).

	=== Why does Plover exist? ===		=== Why does Plover exist? ===
	Falling numbers of graduates from steno schools and the high attrition of retiring stenographers initially caused [http://stenoknight.com/ Mirabai Knight] to worry about the future of her profession, as inferior non-verbatim systems (e.g. ER, Typewell, C-Print, automated speech recognition) threaten to fill in the supply vacuum caused by a shortage of steno professionals.		Falling numbers of graduates from steno schools and the high attrition of retiring stenographers initially caused [http://stenoknight.com/ Mirabai Knight] to worry about the future of her profession, as inferior non-verbatim systems (e.g. ER, Typewell, C-Print, automated speech recognition) threaten to fill in the supply vacuum caused by a shortage of steno professionals.

	At the same time, she saw steno's great potential in helping to improve the lives of the large number of people who work in front of computers all day, whether they're writing prose, creating software, entering data, or communicating in text with friends and coworkers. As a method of text entry, ~~Qwerty~~ is inefficient and unergonomic, but so far it hasn't been supplanted by any of the competing systems (such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvorak_Simplified_Keyboard Dvorak] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#Colemak Colemak]), because they're simply not powerful enough to justify the time investment necessary to learn them. Steno, on the other hand, is.		At the same time, she saw steno's great potential in helping to improve the lives of the large number of people who work in front of computers all day, whether they're writing prose, creating software, entering data, or communicating in text with friends and coworkers. As a method of text entry, QWERTY is inefficient and unergonomic, but so far it hasn't been supplanted by any of the competing systems (such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvorak_Simplified_Keyboard Dvorak] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layout#Colemak Colemak]), because they're simply not powerful enough to justify the time investment necessary to learn them. Steno, on the other hand, is.

	So Plover has a double-pronged approach:		So Plover has a double-pronged approach:
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	* Typing is (usually) data entry with single fingers		* Typing is (usually) data entry with single fingers

	Most likely, you are using a ~~qwerty~~ or ~~dvorak~~ keyboard layout to type everything out character by character. If you ever practiced piano, it might be helpful to liken them to certain piano pieces common in a pianist's repertoire. The "typewriter-style" systems (~~qwerty~~, dvorak, etc.) are like [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvm2ZsRv3C8 Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu].		Most likely, you are using a QWERTY or Dvorak keyboard layout to type everything out character by character. If you have ever practiced piano, it might be helpful to liken them to certain piano pieces common in a pianist's repertoire. The "typewriter-style" systems (QWERTY, dvorak, etc.) are like [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvm2ZsRv3C8 Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu].

	Notice how this piece — like typing — is mainly runs of single fingers. When you learn and practice this piece, you often do many finger exercises to strengthen certain fingers to increase your speed.		Notice how this piece — like typing — is mainly runs of single fingers. When you learn and practice this piece, you often do many finger exercises to strengthen certain fingers to increase your speed.
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	=== How does it compare to alternative layouts like Dvorak and Colemak? ===		=== How does it compare to alternative layouts like Dvorak and Colemak? ===
	In terms of speed, professional stenographers are expected to get to 225wpm at minimum, and [https://~~www~~.~~guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records~~/~~fastest-realtime-court-reporter-(stenotype-writing)~~ the world record is 360wpm]. Audiobooks are narrated at around 150wpm ([https://help.acx.com/s/article/how-long-will-my-narrated-audiobook-be source from an Audible/iTunes book provider]). ~~The world record typist,~~ Barbara Blackburn, has achieved a peak speed of 212wpm on Dvorak.		In terms of speed, professional stenographers are expected to get to 225wpm at minimum, and [https://youtu.be/nETlhthG22Q the world record is 360wpm]. Audiobooks are narrated at around 150wpm ([https://help.acx.com/s/article/how-long-will-my-narrated-audiobook-be source from an Audible/iTunes book provider]). Barbara Blackburn, arguably one of the fastest Dvorak typists, has achieved a peak speed of 212wpm on Dvorak.

	In terms of comfort, many people say than stenography is more comfortable. Here is [http://plover.stenoknight.com/2010/05/ergonomic-argument.html Mirabai's article on the ergonomic argument for stenography]. There are fewer keys and therefore less finger movement. You write chords, not letters, so that reduces vertical movement. And you don't write out every single character — spaces are automatically inserted, and you can write whole words and phrases with a single stroke.		In terms of comfort, many people say than stenography is more comfortable. Here is [http://plover.stenoknight.com/2010/05/ergonomic-argument.html Mirabai's article on the ergonomic argument for stenography]. There are fewer keys and therefore less finger movement. You write chords, not letters, so that reduces vertical movement. And you don't write out every single character — spaces are automatically inserted, and you can write whole words and phrases with a single stroke.
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	If you have used alternative layouts like Dvorak and Colemak, you might have found that learning one would make it harder to use QWERTY (e.g. needing time to warm up when changing layouts, losing speed).		If you have used alternative layouts like Dvorak and Colemak, you might have found that learning one would make it harder to use QWERTY (e.g. needing time to warm up when changing layouts, losing speed).

	From reports of users in the [[The_Steno_Community \|Plover discord]], people don't seem to experience this with steno and QWERTY in the same way. This could be because:		From reports of users in the [[The_Steno_Community \|Plover discord]], most people don't seem to experience this with steno and QWERTY in the same way. This could be because:

	* Chorded input is very different from typing, so the muscle memory doesn't interfere as much		* Chorded input is very different from typing, so the muscle memory doesn't interfere as much
	* Steno is typically used on hardware that feels very different (e.g. non-staggered, light keys)		* Steno is typically used on hardware that feels very different (e.g. non-staggered, light keys)
			Although some people have reported difficulty in typing after learning steno, this seems to be limited to a smaller group of people.

	=== Why isn't steno more popular than QWERTY? ===		=== Why isn't steno more popular than QWERTY? ===
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	=== Will stenography be replaced with automatic voice recognition? ===		=== Will stenography be replaced with automatic voice recognition? ===
	Mirabai Knight has done [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKe1O7ppyqQ a presentation] on this topic. As a summary, automatic voice recognition is still not accurate enough in certain situations such as if there is bad audio, someone speaking with a non-standard accent, or if the cost of certain mistakes is too high.		Mirabai Knight has done [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKe1O7ppyqQ a presentation] on this topic. As a summary, automatic voice recognition is still not accurate enough in certain situations such as if there is bad audio, someone speaking with a non-standard accent, or if the cost of certain mistakes is too high. Especially for events with multiple speakers, a lot of equipment is needed just to record audio (quality microphones for each speaker, mixers, etc). Additionally, a human, in the form of an audio engineer, is still required to monitor the audio and ensure everyone's microphone is working or clipped on properly. For many situations, having a stenographer present is the easier solution. Stanley Sakai has an [https://medium.com/swlh/in-an-age-of-high-definition-digital-audio-why-do-we-still-use-human-stenographers-60ca91a65f39 in depth article] covering the recording issue with a lot more detail.

	~~Some people are experimenting~~ with ~~voice typing technology~~, ~~where someone who knows~~ the ~~voice recognition software well speaks into~~ a ~~special mic~~.

	=== What theory is Plover's default dictionary based on? ===		=== What theory is Plover's default dictionary based on? ===
	It's basically Mirabai Knight's personal dictionary, which is a mix of New York Career Institute theory and Sten Ed, with several thousand tweaks, briefs, and additions of her own.		It's basically Mirabai Knight's personal dictionary from many years ago, which is a mix of New York Career Institute theory and Sten Ed, with several thousand tweaks, briefs, and additions of her own.

	=== Where can I find other people who use Plover? ===		=== Where can I find other people who use Plover? ===
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	=== Can I use Plover for programming? ===		=== Can I use Plover for programming? ===
	Yes, and many people do!		Yes, and many people do! That being said, it is a huge time investment, and makes sense mostly for the ergonomic benefit only.

	For example:		For example:

Neu neutral: u+fdfd, Point links internally... Alhamdulillah...

2024-04-20T12:00:26Z

u+fdfd, Point links internally... Alhamdulillah...

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:00, 20 April 2024
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	If you have used alternative layouts like Dvorak and Colemak, you might have found that learning one would make it harder to use QWERTY (e.g. needing time to warm up when changing layouts, losing speed).		If you have used alternative layouts like Dvorak and Colemak, you might have found that learning one would make it harder to use QWERTY (e.g. needing time to warm up when changing layouts, losing speed).

	From reports of users in the [~~https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/wiki/Links-to-the-Steno-Community~~ Plover discord], people don't seem to experience this with steno and QWERTY in the same way. This could be because:		From reports of users in the [[The_Steno_Community \|Plover discord]], people don't seem to experience this with steno and QWERTY in the same way. This could be because:

	* Chorded input is very different from typing, so the muscle memory doesn't interfere as much		* Chorded input is very different from typing, so the muscle memory doesn't interfere as much

Rice: /* What is Steno Arcade? */

2024-02-06T03:27:03Z

What is Steno Arcade?

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:27, 6 February 2024
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	=== What is Steno Arcade? ===		=== What is Steno Arcade? ===
	<img src="~~http~~://cdn.~~akamai~~.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/~~256661129~~/~~movie.293x165~~.jpg?t=~~1456810705~~" alt="Steno Arcade" />		<img src="https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/449000/header.jpg?t=1567716732" alt="Steno Arcade" />

	[http://store.steampowered.com/app/449000/ Steno Arcade] is a suite of arcade games designed to teach and drill steno fundamentals in an immersive, addictive, responsive, and interactive way.		[http://store.steampowered.com/app/449000/ Steno Arcade] is a suite of arcade games designed to teach and drill steno fundamentals in an immersive, addictive, responsive, and interactive way.

Rice: /* What does using Plover look like? */

2024-02-06T03:25:51Z

What does using Plover look like?

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:25, 6 February 2024
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	!'''Demonstration of Plover with Qwerty Keyboard'''		!'''Demonstration of Plover with Qwerty Keyboard'''
	\|-		\|-
	\|[https://youtu.be/UtQzTUEuPWo?t=8s <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UtQzTUEuPWo/hqdefault.jpg" alt="QWERTY versus Stenography on Steno Arcade" />][https://youtu.be/UtQzTUEuPWo?t=8s (click to view video — 3:25)]		\|[https://youtu.be/UtQzTUEuPWo?t=8s <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UtQzTUEuPWo/hqdefault.jpg" alt="QWERTY versus Stenography on Steno Arcade" />][https://youtu.be/UtQzTUEuPWo?t=8s <br/>(click to view video — 3:25)]
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUyg_uoidY <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/jkUyg_uoidY/0.jpg" alt="Plover Wins the Race!" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUyg_uoidY (click to view video — 0:30)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUyg_uoidY <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/jkUyg_uoidY/0.jpg" alt="Plover Wins the Race!" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUyg_uoidY <br/>(click to view video — 0:30)]
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQQzW99cAI <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/JXQQzW99cAI/0.jpg" alt="Demonstration of Plover with Qwerty Keyboard" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQQzW99cAI (click to view video — 1:05)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQQzW99cAI <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/JXQQzW99cAI/0.jpg" alt="Demonstration of Plover with Qwerty Keyboard" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQQzW99cAI <br/>(click to view video — 1:05)]
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Realtime Text to Speech with Plover'''		\|'''Realtime Text to Speech with Plover'''
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	\|'''Rails 7: The Steno Demo'''		\|'''Rails 7: The Steno Demo'''
	\|-		\|-
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3MYFT6VZk8 <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/K3MYFT6VZk8/0.jpg" alt="Realtime Text to Speech with Plover" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3MYFT6VZk8 (click to view video — 3:36)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3MYFT6VZk8 <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/K3MYFT6VZk8/0.jpg" alt="Realtime Text to Speech with Plover" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3MYFT6VZk8 <br/>(click to view video — 3:36)]
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBBiri3CD6w <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RBBiri3CD6w/hqdefault.jpg" alt="Coding in Stenography, Quick Demo" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBBiri3CD6w (click to view video — 2:00)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBBiri3CD6w <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RBBiri3CD6w/hqdefault.jpg" alt="Coding in Stenography, Quick Demo" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBBiri3CD6w <br/>(click to view video — 2:00)]
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7g0ml60LGY <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q7g0ml60LGY/hqdefault.jpg" alt="Rails 7: The Steno Demo" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7g0ml60LGY (click to view video — 2:08:59)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7g0ml60LGY <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q7g0ml60LGY/hqdefault.jpg" alt="Rails 7: The Steno Demo" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7g0ml60LGY <br/>(click to view video — 2:08:59)]
	\|}		\|}

Rice at 03:24, 6 February 2024

2024-02-06T03:24:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:24, 6 February 2024
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	!'''Demonstration of Plover with Qwerty Keyboard'''		!'''Demonstration of Plover with Qwerty Keyboard'''
	\|-		\|-
	\|[https://youtu.be/UtQzTUEuPWo?t=8s <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UtQzTUEuPWo/hqdefault.jpg" alt="QWERTY versus Stenography on Steno Arcade" />(click to view video — 3:25)]		\|[https://youtu.be/UtQzTUEuPWo?t=8s <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UtQzTUEuPWo/hqdefault.jpg" alt="QWERTY versus Stenography on Steno Arcade" />][https://youtu.be/UtQzTUEuPWo?t=8s (click to view video — 3:25)]
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUyg_uoidY <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/jkUyg_uoidY/0.jpg" alt="Plover Wins the Race!" />(click to view video — 0:30)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUyg_uoidY <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/jkUyg_uoidY/0.jpg" alt="Plover Wins the Race!" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkUyg_uoidY (click to view video — 0:30)]
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQQzW99cAI <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/JXQQzW99cAI/0.jpg" alt="Demonstration of Plover with Qwerty Keyboard" />(click to view video — 1:05)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQQzW99cAI <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/JXQQzW99cAI/0.jpg" alt="Demonstration of Plover with Qwerty Keyboard" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXQQzW99cAI (click to view video — 1:05)]
	\|-		\|-
	\|'''Realtime Text to Speech with Plover'''		\|'''Realtime Text to Speech with Plover'''
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	\|'''Rails 7: The Steno Demo'''		\|'''Rails 7: The Steno Demo'''
	\|-		\|-
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3MYFT6VZk8 <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/K3MYFT6VZk8/0.jpg" alt="Realtime Text to Speech with Plover" />(click to view video — 3:36)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3MYFT6VZk8 <img src="https://img.youtube.com/vi/K3MYFT6VZk8/0.jpg" alt="Realtime Text to Speech with Plover" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3MYFT6VZk8 (click to view video — 3:36)]
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBBiri3CD6w <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RBBiri3CD6w/hqdefault.jpg" alt="Coding in Stenography, Quick Demo" />(click to view video — 2:00)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBBiri3CD6w <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RBBiri3CD6w/hqdefault.jpg" alt="Coding in Stenography, Quick Demo" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBBiri3CD6w (click to view video — 2:00)]
	\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7g0ml60LGY <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q7g0ml60LGY/hqdefault.jpg" alt="Rails 7: The Steno Demo" />(click to view video — 2:08:59)]		\|[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7g0ml60LGY <img src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q7g0ml60LGY/hqdefault.jpg" alt="Rails 7: The Steno Demo" />][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7g0ml60LGY (click to view video — 2:08:59)]
	\|}		\|}