New World Speed Record for Word Processing

IRVINE, CA -- February 6, 1998: Two court reporting students broke the existing world speed record for electronic word processing onto a PC at 158 words per minute. The new record is 173 words per minute (At that speed this press release could be typed in three minutes.)

Kathleen Tamashiro and Kendra Potter,students at Bryan Court Reporting College in Los Angeles and South Coast College of Court Reporting in Anaheim, respectively, used the steno (electronic shorthand) writers and a new software package called 'OPEN Write 32' to create the new world speed record for word processing into Microsoft Word on Windows 95 PC.

"OPEN Write 32 makes all court reporters and many court reporting students potential world speed champions using any program that runs on a PC, including all the emerging applications on the Internet," says Jean Gonzalez, President of South Coast College. "This is the technology we have been waiting for; now the unique court reporting skill and lightning-fast speed can be applied to every aspect of industry and commerce."

OPEN Write 32, developed by Gigatron Software Corporation, immediately translates the shorthand symbols made with steno writers and enters them directly into any application running on a PC. It makes the steno writer an extension of the existing keyboard. The students broke the existing world speed record following strict guidelines set by the Guinness Book of Records, requiring them to transcribe unfamiliar material into a word processor for one hour. Any incorrect words or omissions were deducted from their word count. Two independent witnesses monitored the entire event.

Nancy Patterson, director of Bryan College, maintains that OPEN Write 32 made the students success possible. "Even if all students were not world champions, they can now put this new technology to immediate use. OPEN Write 32 is the first affordable software program that allows students to undertake paying assignments while they are building their reporting skills and speed. The corporate world will immediately appreciate the advantages of even 100 words per minute when compared with an above-average typist working at 60 words per minute. Just image how impressed they will be when they discover there are thousands of people who can write consistently at 200 words per minute and above!."

OPEN Write 32 is a full 32-bit Windows 95/98 application which enables individuals with reporting skills (of any speed) to replace their PC keyboard with their steno writer. Now they c an perform any Windows 95 operation, from word processing to using the Internet at reporting speeds. Compatible with the majority of steno machines, OPEN Write 32 is the link with all Windows 95 software applications.