Beginner's Guide: Get Started with Plover

This guide explains how to get started with Plover. Plover is free stenography software. All the learning resources listed below are free-of-charge.

Overview

The main steps are:

1. Download and install the Plover application.
2. Connect a compatible keyboard or stenography (steno) machine.
3. Confirm it's working.
4. Practice and learn stenography using Plover.

Download and Install Plover

Plover works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

• Download and install Plover with the Installation Guide 🚀
• If you get stuck, see the troubleshooting guide.

Connect a compatible keyboard or stenography machine

Use a standard QWERTY keyboard

You can use Plover with a standard computer keyboard, but there are some important limitations. Stenography often requires you to press 5 or 6 keys at once, and sometimes as many as 16. Unfortunately, most keyboards only recognize up to 1-6 keys at once. When you need to press more than 6 keys at once, you have to use a technique called "arpeggiating". See "How it Works" for more information on arpeggiating.

Note: To write quickly, you'll need a keyboard with N-key rollover (NKRO), a machine designed for use with Plover, or a professional stenography machine.

Use an N-key rollover (NKRO) QWERTY keyboard

An N-key rollover (NKRO) keyboard is specially designed to allow pressing many keys at once. Some gaming or mechanical keyboards have NKRO.

Which NKRO keyboard should I get?

Warning: Be wary of false advertising; some keyboards are advertised as NKRO or anti-ghosting, but are limited to certain combinations. Check reviews to get confirmation before making a purchase. Some keyboards might only support full-NKRO over a PS/2 connector (the old-style plug.)

Full NKRO over USB is possible. Many keyboards do it well, and will work with Plover.

• See the Supported Hardware page for a list of supported keyboards.
• See also: Which type of key switch should I choose?

Adapt a keyboard for steno use

Most keyboards have the keys in staggered rows, which can make it difficult to press two keys in a column with a single finger. To adapt a keyboard for steno, you can use:

• Keytoppers
• Keycaps

You can also use a keyboard with an ortholinear layout.

Use a machine designed for use with Plover

Various steno enthusiasts are making and selling machines designed for use with Plover:

• EcoSteno*
• Georgi* (Warning: significant delays, the community temporarily recommends other keyboards)
• Splitography*
• TinyMod*
• The Uni*

(* = External link)

More information: Dedicated machines designed for use with Plover.

Use a professional stenography machine

Some professional stenography machines are compatible with Plover. You can find used steno machines on eBay at reasonable prices.

See the Supported Hardware page for a list of supported professional stenography machines.

Confirm it's working

Initially, Plover is set up to use your computer's qwerty keyboard by default. If you have a professional stenography machine, EcoSteno, Georgi, Splitography, TinyMod, Uni, etc. you'll need to configure Plover to look for your machine (usually GeminiPR or TX Bolt). See each respective vendor's guides on how to set up your keyboard with Plover.

Keyboard

By default, Plover will use your keyboard as its input device.

1. Run Plover.
2. Click the Output: Enable radio button.

You may like to go into Plover's Configure > Display settings and turn on either the stroke display or the suggestions window.

Write "Hello World"

To confirm Plover is working correctly, you may try to write "Hello, world." into a text editor with Plover, using a QWERTY keyboard:

1. Run Plover.
2. Click the Enable radio button.
3. Open a text editor.
4. Simultaneously press R, N, and O (left index finger on R, right thumb on N, and right ring finger on O), and then lift your fingers off the keys.
   The word Hell appears.
5. Simultaneously press R, F, and V (left index finger between 'R' and 'F', and left thumb on 'V'), and then lift your fingers off the keys.
   The o appears.
6. Simultaneously press J, K, L, and ; (right index finger on J, right middle finger on K, right ring finger on L, and right little (pinky) finger on ;), and then lift your fingers off the keys.
   The comma appears.
7. Simultaneously press D, V, J, O, and [ (left middle finger on D, left thumb on V, right index finger on J, right ring finger on O, and right little (pinky) finger on [), and then lift your fingers off the keys.
   world appears.
8. Simultaneously press U, I, O, and P (right index finger on U, right middle finger on I, right ring finger on O, right little (pinky) finger on P), and then lift your fingers off the keys.
   A period appears.

If you see different output, you might check that you're using the right protocol for your stenography machine.

Practice sentences

You can practice sentences that (mostly) only need two keys at once, on the StenoJig website.

Use the correct body posture and finger placement

Your fingers should be curled slightly, so you press the keys using the tips of your fingers.

On a QWERTY keyboard, you move your hands half an inch up so that your left thumb is resting on the cracks between the C and V keys and your right thumb is resting between the N and M keys. The rest should fall into place.

QWERTY layout	Maps to steno layout
QWER TY UIOP[	STPH ** FPLTD
ASDF GH JKL;	SKWR ** RBGSZ
CV NM	AO EU

See also:

• Basic Hand Posture on the Steno Machine
• Basic Body Position for Steno Students and Pros

Stenography machine

Plover supports several protocols that are in use by various professional stenography machines. To configure Plover to the protocol your machine uses:

1. Run Plover and click the Enable radio button.
2. Click the Configure button on the Plover Dialog screen. The Plover configuration screen appears.
3. On the Machine tab, select the protocol your machine uses.
4. Click Save.

See Supported protocols for more information.

Practice and learn

It's time to start learning stenography theory for free, practicing writing using stenography, and learning how to make the most of Plover's built-in tools. See the Learning Resources.

Which steno theory should you learn?

There are many steno theories that encompass the rules you use to convert words to steno strokes.

All English language steno theories are derived from the original Stenotype theory devised by Ward Ireland. They all share the same keyboard design and basic method of representing the sounds. Theories mostly differ by how much rote memorization is required. Typically, memorization heavy theories are faster.

The default theory that comes with the Plover app (called Plover theory) is Mirabai Knight's own personal theory that she uses for stenocaptioning—it is very fast, as a result. However, there are a lot of odd inconsistencies that may not make it a great choice for beginners. Using it requires a lot of personal changes and additions very early on in the learning process.

One alternative to Plover is Lapwing theory. It was created by a community member dissatisfied with the unnecessarily steep learning curve associated with Plover theory. It has a comprehensive wiki that covers a wide range of content along with exercises to practise concepts. Many regard it as easier to learn than Plover theory due to having more consistent rules. For details on how to set up and learn Lapwing theory, see the Lapwing for Beginners Wiki.

We recommend learning either Plover theory or Lapwing theory.

Other theories also exist, but either cost money, or are not supported by Plover. Ultimately, it does not matter which theory you choose when it comes to speed—it is always possible to add more memorization into the theory you've chosen to squeeze out more speed. Furthermore, we do not recommend spending money on a theory until you're certain you like stenography and see a clear reason to switch.