Re: Premier Power and Windows 98/XP

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Hi Mary.

Watching your chats is killing me. First stenocat and now premier?
I have to speak up and help you.

I don't understand what the reason is for you to use such antiquated
software. I totally understand money issues. I support my whole
family on my job. I have enough to worry about in my life. I don't
need to worry about my cat software too.

I used to use Premier Power, when it was the latest and greatest.
But it was a DOS program (using a parallel key, not a serial key)and
when I bought a computer with XP, it didn't run very well any more.
I had to (and I mean HAD to) make a change. I went with CATalyst
because it made the most sense to me and it runs on XP. It also
runs on Vista, but someday I'll go there. Not today. And now they
are talking about another new operating system next year. My
Goodness!!!!!

I think I got Premier in '92. CATalyst came out after that, maybe
in '97 or '98. Somewhere around there.

If you bought Premier now, and you needed to get a new computer for
some reason, you would be stuck with having to shop for an old
crummy computer with DOS on it. You'd be in the same place I was in
way back in 2000.

I'll bet that you could find a way to get something newer. Have you
already called stenograph to find out what they have now?

On 6/21/09, Cindy wrote:
> On 6/20/09, Mary Cochran wrote:
>> I am starting over in court reporting (RPR 1981). I was non
>> computer. I bought Open Stenocat off e-bay. Obviously it is not
>> compatable with newer computers.
>>
>> Is Premier Power a good choice? Is it useable on a newer
>> computer. Is the security key portal or USB? I also cannot
>> afford new software.
>
> I have used Premier Power since I started working as a court
> reporter so I can only tell you what I know about Premier Power. I
> don't have any problem putting out a good transcript with it. The
> issues I have come across have to do with the computer and printer.
> I am using an older computer with Windows 3.1 on it and I have
> found that the Brother HL-5240 is compatible with both. I have
been
> told that Premier Power can be used on Windows 95/98 as long as the
> computer is configured correctly. I don't know how to do that but
> JM Steno in Phoenix, Arizona sells the computers or will configure
> yours. I don't know where you live but I'm sure there would be
> someone in your area who does this as well.
>
> As far as the security key, it uses a serial port (another problem
> with printer/computers that only have USB ports). It must be
> plugged into the printer port to access Premier Power. I have used
> it on an older laptop without problems but as the key gets older I
> am having connectivity problems on occasion. I bought the software
> new nearly 14 years ago so that's isn't too bad!
>
> Hope this helps!