Scoping FAQs - Definitions

Definitions

Scoping - A service performed by a professional who provides computer-aided transcription for court reporters. The scopist receives the reporter's translated, unedited, unresearched notes on a computer disk or via modem or email. With the aid of specialized software and the scopist's skills of translating undefined stenotype into English, punctuating, researching and formatting, flagging any questionable areas, the transcript is then returned to the reporter ready to be proofread.

Scoofing - A humorous term made up by SSG members to describe a proofreading job that requires too much spelling research and other editing to stay in the proofreading rate category.

Audiosync - The digital audio file (.wav file) recorded by some CAT systems which is synchronized ("sync'ed") to the text in the job.

Proofreading - Taking a scoped job and reading through it to look for any errors in punctuation or spellings, inconsistencies of any kind that need to be brought to the reporter's attention, etc., which would need to be corrected before it's printed. Some reporters prefer their work proofed on paper with the corrections marked by hand, some reporters like you to make the corrections right in the CAT system.

File Transferring - Audio Files - FTP, MOLLy, T3 -

Definition from Encarta: FTP, noun, standard procedure for transferring files: a set of rules or standard procedure that allows a user on one computer to transfer files to and from another computer over a network, for example, the Internet.

There is FTP software that is either free or can be purchased. To transfer the files you must have a server available to store the files or both parties must have FTP software to connect directly with each other and transfer the files.

SwapDrive, XDrive are examples of services that use FTP and store the files for you, and you pay a monthly fee. There is no need for either the reporter or scopist to have any special software. Access to the site is done completely through URLs on the internet.

MOLLy is an example of FTP where the web site is hosted by a service, but one person is paying a monthly fee to host both the web site and store the files. A web site like MOLLy requires specialized setup at first, but then both the reporter and scopist can access send/receive files via the web site with no need to have any specialized software.

http://www.reportersupport.com/molly/index.htm

T3 is a software that transfers the files between a reporter and scopist. Only one person has to pay a monthly fee, but both people have to have the T3 software. The files are stored on T3's server. The software compresses the files much more than even zipping the files does, and this allows the transfer time to be reduced. The monthly cost for T3 is for one reporter and one scopist and additional licenses need to be purchased to add other scopists to a reporter's network.

http://www.reportingsware.com/catalog.html

From the Dictionary of Occupational Titles

NOTEREADER (clerical)
CODE: 203.582-078
Operates typewriter to transcribe stenotyped notes of court proceedings, following standard formats for type of material transcribed: Reads work order to obtain information, such as type of case, case number, number of copies required, and spelling of participants' names. Reviews form books to ascertain format required for specified document, and adjusts typewriter settings for indentation, line spacing, and other style requirements. Operates typewriter to transcribe contractions and symbols of stenotyped text into standard language form. Proofreads typed copy to identify and correct errors and to verify format specifications. Copies typed documents, using copying machines. May use automatic or manual stenotype noteholder.

STENOGRAPHER (clerical) alternate titles: clerk-stenographer
CODE: 202.362-014
Takes dictation in shorthand of correspondence, reports, and other matter, and operates typewriter to transcribe dictated material. Performs variety of clerical duties [ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK (clerical) 219.362-010], except when working in stenographic pool. May transcribe material from sound recordings [TRANSCRIBING-MACHINE OPERATOR (clerical) 203.582-058]. May perform stenographic duties in professional office and be designated Legal Stenographer (clerical); Medical Stenographer (clerical); Technical Stenographer (clerical). May take dictation in foreign language and be known as Foreign-Language Stenographer (clerical). May be designated according to department in which employed as Police Stenographer (government ser.). May work for public stenographic service and be designated Public Stenographer (clerical).

TRANSCRIBING-MACHINE OPERATOR (clerical) alternate titles: dictating-machine
CODE: 203.582-058
transcriber; dictating-machine typist Operates typewriter or word processor/computer to transcribe letters, reports, or other recorded data heard through earphones of transcribing machine: Inserts cassette tape into cassette player or positions tape on machine spindle and threads tape through machine. Positions earphones on ears and presses buttons on transcribing machine to listen to recorded data. Turns dials to control volume, tone, and speed of voice reproduction. Depresses pedal to pause tape. Types message heard through earphones. Reads chart prepared by dictator to determine length of message and corrections to be made. May type unrecorded information, such as name, address, and date. May keep file of records. May receive and route callers [RECEPTIONIST (clerical) 237.367-038]. May be designated by subject matter transcribed as Legal Transcriber (clerical); Medical Transcriber (clerical).

Basic Differences Between Scopists, Proofreaders, and Transcriptionists:

Scopists use a CAT system to go through the reporter's translated job file word for word and correct spelling and punctuation where needed, resolve untranslated steno or incorrect translations where possible, sometimes listening to audio and typing in anything missed.

Proofreaders read (as opposed to listening to audio) a scoped job looking for anything the scopist (or reporter) missed. Corrections might be marked on a hardcopy draft, an errata sheet, in an ASCII file or right in the CAT system if the proofreader has one.

Transcriptionists transcribe directly from a cassette tape or digital audio file. They type exactly what is said on the tape. A court reporter was not present during the interview, hearing or whatever is transcribed, and, therefore, there is no disk or file that is used with a CAT system. Transcriptionists normally transcribe witness statements, witness interviews and DUI hearings. Transcriptionists are also used to transcribe standard dictation from attorney's notes (legal transcription) or doctor's notes for medical records (medical transcription).

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