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3/16/20 - 'I wanted to share with you that I am now officially Mia O'Sullivan, RPR!! I definitely owe a huge thanks to you and the SimplySteno program!! Thank you for teaching me the importance of reading my notes and typing up tests, dropping, breathing, just all of it! I will continue to utilize the practice techniques I have learned here. :)'
Mia O'Sullivan, RPR
- README OutGuess 0.2 - 2001-02-12 - Niels Provos OutGuess is a universal steganographic tool that allows the insertion of hidden information into the redundant bits of data sources. The nature of the data source is irrelevant to the core of OutGuess.
- OutGuess is a universal tool for steganography that allows the insertion of hidden information into the redundant bits of data sources. The nature of the data source is irrelevant to the core of OutGuess. The program relies on data specific handlers that will extract redundant bits and write them back after modification.
- Solvers pieced together that they were being told to use the program OutGuess — a steganographic tool used to insert hidden information in the redundant bits of data sources. OutGuess supports PPM, PNM, and JPEG image formats and uses the following syntax to retrieve data from an OutGuess’d image.
- Outguess is an advanced Stegonagraphy tool. The app will hide your file inside the picture of your choice in easy steps. To hide a file within an image: Select your image (container) and a file to hide (content).
Total Structure - 'I don't have to put my own speedbuilding schedule together like I did in court reporting school. Every minute is planned out. Marc has picked out the court reporting drills, dictations, order, everything. I just have to sit in the chair and follow along. There's not a second of wasted time.'
Camille Connell
We will guide you through 100% of your practice. Drills, dictations, tests - your day will be packed with content. But it's not enough just to write on your machine. With SimplySteno you'll have practice GOALS - a reason to practice - no wasted time just moving your fingers.
Total Feedback - 'I get to see my tests and errors along with Marc's notes. I have a better idea about what to work on, because now I can see where I'm making my mistakes.'
Georgann McDonald
You will be sending in transcripts an average of 3 times a week. We then send those back in an average of 4 days with corrections and comments. It's not enough to test - you need to see your test results to guide your future practice. And we carefully walk that line between being informational and encouraging. Steno is tough - we keep you fighting forward!
Total Guidance - 'I find the SimplySteno court reporting program to be proactive. There's a theme for each day, and it always seems to address something I've dealt with. I guess many issues are common, and Marc doesn't wait till they come up to talk about them.'
Maureen Hepper
Outguess Program For Kids
Hello Redditors! I recently came across the Cicada 3301 mystery, and I'd like to join in the 'chase' should it happen again this January. However, i don't have outguess and can't seem to find a download. Could anyone point me to a reputable outguess download or a program that could do the same job?
We actually teach. Students are not left on their own to figure things out.
Total Support - 'Marc doesn't just tell me to 'practice more' when I'm having problems. He gives me concrete things to do that target my writing/mental concerns.'
Betty Kaplan
Telling a student to 'practice more' is not teaching. We tell you what to practice, how to practice, and what you should get out of it.
Total Access - 'I know I can reach Marc whenever I need him. I'm pretty sure he doesn't sleep!'
Carolyn Mulderig
I do sleep...but not much!
Total Relevance - 'I don't need a degree from court reporting school. I just need to work on my writing speed. That's Marc's goal for me. I am not required to take courses that have no relevance to my court reporting goal. He puts the focus on the steno machine.'
Lois Parks
Total Value - One fee covers EVERYTHING. One fee gives you access to EVERYTHING. There are no add-ons - no extra costs for unlocking new material or speeds. You get access to the entire program, plus the RPR Prep Program once you reach those speeds.
To be clear, SimplySteno is not a court reporting school. We won't teach you how to write on your steno machine. You learned that in Steno Theory. SimplySteno will help you write faster...and smarter. After spending many years teaching within the court reporting school system, I was very determined to get out of it. Most court reporting schools charge over $1000 a month. Most court reporting schools have a graduation rate lower than 8%. Most court reporting schools force students to take academics they don't need, just so the students will earn units and remain in good standing with financial aid (even though we all know the focus should be on the steno machine). SimplySteno is a speedbuilding course designed to improve your existing ability on the steno machine. Whether you're writing at 60 or 200, SimplySteno has something to offer steno machine writers.
If you've been researching court reporting online, you've seen there are many different court reporting programs and court reporting schools available to you. I encourage you think about what you need in a court reporting course, then ask questions. I'm certain you will discover that SimplySteno is not just another online court reporting program. We differ in many ways.
We will not present you with a certificate or degree at the end of our course. Is that your goal - to receive a certificate of completion or degree? Keep in mind that not one state requires you to get a degree in order to work as a court reporter, captioner or CART provider. Not one. The machine is the thing - writing fast and with accuracy. And that's our goal for you - to hone your skills and raise your value.
Some states do require steno machine writers to pass the RPR exam before being eligible to work as a court reporter. Be clear - anyone who is a member of the NCRA is eligible to take the RPR exam. You don't even have to be enrolled in a court reporting school, despite what many programs will tell you. And if your state requires the RPR license to work, you don't even need to join NCRA to take the exam (though I would strongly suggest joining).
SimplySteno was designed to get you to 225 2-voice and beyond. We'll make those 'fast talkers' sound slow. Beyond your 2-voice, we'll work hard to get you up to 200 jury charge and 180 literary speeds.
As you look through our site, you will see that the SimplySteno court reporting program is not for everyone. It requires dedication, time and trust. We will hold up our end of the agreement - we only ask that you hold up yours. We don't want to see you wasting your money or time. Before going any further, make sure you're qualified to start our program by clicking here.
Students must be at a minimum writing speed of 60 words per minute to start our program, which means you must have taken court reporting theory before taking a program like SimplySteno. Repeat - this is NOT an entry-level program. This is a speedbuilding program designed to improve your skills on the steno machine. If you are looking for a theory program, we are proud to refer students toStarTran Theory! They teach a wonderful theory that emphasizes realtime writing from day 1.
Take a look around and please feel free to email us with any questions you may have. Thank you.
SimplySteno Plus Overview
We train court reporting students in most states - Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Utah Texas Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
I LOVE being a court reporter! Thank you to Marc and SimplySteno for getting me to the finish line!
Trudi O'Brien, CSR
I am a returning reporter after being out of the field for 16 years. I went to a school that had a high pass rate, and SimplySteno is run much the same way. The ample amount of dictation is dense and clear, and Marc's support is always just an email away. It's almost like having a personal trainer in that the program is geared to meet my individual needs. I didn't think I could do it on my own, but I was wrong! Thanks, Marc!
I'm very grateful too for all the help you provided while I was a SimplySteno student, It has helped me to make it into an actual courtroom at last! I'm into my second week of work as a trainee court reporter at the Royal Courts of Justice in London!
A little over 2 hours of my day and I feel like I learned more and got more accomplished then I ever have. Its amazing how you can go from writing 6 hours a day and be so bored, frustrated, and annoyed that you don't feel like you accomplished anything. Today I stayed hooked up for 2 hours and actually feel accomplished, satisfied, and eager to move forward. Even though the material was way more challenging, for the first time ever, I am actually looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. Yay!! I am so excited and thrilled that I trusted my gut instinct. Joining SimplySteno was the best decision I have ever made! I am so ready to climb to the top of that mountain!
SimplySteno is a real step forward in speedbuilding. It is a down-to-earth approach that recognizes that court reporting students aren’t training in a vacuum. It gives plenty of support and direction for succeeding in spite of the distractions of everyday life.
I started with SimplySteno at 190 words per minute. One month later, I passed my state exam.
During my time with SimplySteno, Marc was quick with feedback and encouragement. He graded tests quickly. When I was getting ready to start reporting, he was standing by, quick to express his confidence in my ability. He offered help with arranging intern opportunities.
The dictation material is challenging, but as Marc says, if you can write his material, you will have no trouble passing certification tests. SimplySteno is a great program. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to progress rapidly and get inspired about being a court reporter again – and not go deeply into debt in the process!
I passed my CSR exam for Texas. I just want to say to all the Simply Steno students that this program works. If you follow the method to Marc's madness, it will pay off. His program helped push me over the top. Follow his advice on your daily practice schedule!!
This program was EXACTLY what I needed! Being accountable to the SimplySteno program was the boost and incentive I was looking for with the ease of working with my own schedule. I really looked forward to getting practice in without having to think about finding material, etc. It’s all there and really works. I’m back in the world of court reporting again.
I have come a long way since I started your court reporting program last year. Marc, I want to thank you for letting me be your first court reporting student who happens to be blind. Thank you for accommodating my needs and for working with me. Thank you for believing in me and for not giving up on me. It has been a privilege to have been one of your students.
Recent Updates!
11/1/20 - English, Vocabulary, Procedures (Professional Practice), Case CATalyst and Eclipse...DONE!
6/1/20 - Our new academic platform is almost done - new English, Vocabulary, Medical, Legal, and CAT sections!
9/1/19 - Our new grading technique is even MORE comprehensive than before. Now it's easier than ever for students to see what they have to work on.
4/1/19- 900 hours (yes, 900!) of audio dictations added to the Audio Library!
6/13/18- 17 hours of SimplySteno Live classes added to the Video Library!
2/1/18- Over the past 3 months we've added over 200 hours of dictations (audio and video) to our libraries, including more drills!
11/2/17 - Added 47 new hours of SimplySteno Live classes to the Video Library!
5/12/17 - Added 32 new hours of SimplySteno Live classes to the Video Library!
2/20/17 - Added 10 new hours of SimplySteno Live dictation to the Video Library!
2/19/17 - Over 32,000 flashcards in our SimplySteno Flashcards database now!
12/23/16 - Over 13,000 flashcards in our SimplySteno Flashcards database now!
9/23/16 - Added over 11 hours of high-speed dictation to the Video Library!
8/3/16 - Over 100 new dictation videos will be loaded into the Video Library this week!
6/1/16 - SimplySteno Flashcards has been launched! And SimplySteno students, of course, have full access. A great new tool to learn those steno outlines!
4/1/16 - 15 new hours of multi-voice dictation videos added to the Video Library.
2/2/16 - Not enough time for a full lesson today? We've added 33 SimplySteno Quick Classes to the Audio Library. Each class is about 40 minutes.
1/2/16 - 19 hours of sustained dictation is being added to the daily lessons.
10/15/15 - 17 hours of video practice have been added to the Video Library.
7/13/15 - The 'Compare' feature is being slowly added to some lessons, allowing students to instantly compare their test transcripts to a correct transcript.
5/23/15 - SimplySteno Plus has a new audio player that allows the user to increase and decrease the audio speed by 20%. It also allows for easy use on a cell phone or tablet device.
2/15/15 - About 200 new audio and video files added to the libraries!
10/29/14 - Started adding the SimplySteno Live class recordings to the Video Library. That means lots of new dictation every week!
8/8/14 - Added new dictations to the audio library - most of them ranging from 200-250 wpm!
5/22/14 - Added new tests into the mix. New speakers - more variety - keeping you on your toes!
1/20/14 - Adding 'Speedbuilding Focus' files to each speed in the Audio Library. They are about 20-30 minutes in length. They are a single, 5-minute dictation that is broken down by minute - slower - then goal - then faster - then the entire dictation. Great way to do some target practice on one dictation.
12/18/13 - We've added a CAT Software Training area! With teaching guides and videos for the 4 major CAT companies - Case CATalyst, Eclipse, DigitalCAT and Winner - it's a great place to learn your software.
11/11/13 - The EFT Video Series has been added. These EFT videos were designed by a certified hypnotherapist specifically for the SimplySteno Court Reporting Program. They deal with Test Anxiety, Fear of Failure, Fear of Success and more! It's not all about the fingers - it's about the mind as well.
10/29/13 - Stretching videos added. These videos were designed by a certified yoga instructor specifically for court reporting students - specifically for the SimplySteno Court Reporting Program. Students sit for long periods of time, so it's important to keep the body in good position.
9/25/13 - A MAJOR overhaul in the lesson format! We've integrated the audio files directly into the lessons to save court reporting students time. Many students have jobs or family duties, so making the most of every second counts!
8/15/13 - Added LIVE classes to the SimplySteno program! With video integration, you can actually see your teacher - and they can see you! It's a great opportunity to get in some live readback and get instant feedback from your speedbuilding instructor.
7/5/13 - Added more sustained and pyramid dictations to the lessons in every speed! It's important to have variety - to mix things up - to keep you on your toes!
5/26/13 - Added 250 new dictations to the Audio Library - all different speeds and types - literary, jury charge, 2-voice. By this time next year, we'll be shooting for close to 3,000 dictations available for use by SimplySteno court reporting students!
3/12/13 - Updated the Brief Machine section. There are now over 700,000 brief suggestions in the database. Just type in your English word or phrase and get a brief idea (or several) on demand!
1/1/13 - SimplySteno is proud to be a sponsor for the upcoming documentary about the field of court reporting. It's important that everyone learns about this amazing occupation! Check out the documentary website - CourtReportingMovie - and make sure to like the Facebook page to get updates!
On January 5th, 2012 an image was uploaded to 4chan. This was a boring image and normally shouldn't have attracted any attention. However, it attracted a good deal of attention.
This image had extra information hidden at the end if examined in a text editor.
This word Caesar just hints at the Caesar cipher which is nothing more than a ROT technique for rotating text. So you can just apply rotations until the string looks normal. So take the above string and ROT4 it into the below string. It isn't quite normal, but it is enough to produce a URL.
We now had an image, but our first dead end.
This duck however drew attention to the words 'guess' and 'out'. This was leading to the program 'outguess' which was a stenography tool for images. Specializing in hiding text among an image for extraction later.
So now if we ran 'outguess' over the original image. We get:
The subreddit (as of 9/29/2019) is still alive and in read only mode and helps show a mess of random characters and two images.
Of course continuing our pattern. We should run 'outguess' over these two images.
This was the first time the outguess text segments included a signature, thus allowing all future 3301 messages to be verified. You would simply pass the entire message into GPG and verify it. With fakes in the air, this gave peace of mind to all that the real 3301 was here.
This puzzle itself stumped people for a bit. We had random strings, but no matter how they were shifted nothing would make sense. Until people started looking at the subreddit header.
The subreddit name seemed random at first, but a trained eye noticed the symbols resembled that of the Mayan numbering.
So if the 2nd number in the image is '2' and the 2nd character in the subreddit name is also 2 (a2e7j6ic78h0j) we've found our pattern. This means the A in the subreddit name must correspond to '10'.
Outguess For Windows
A longer version of the subreddit name was also found in the sidebar, which looked like:
So now we could decode this into a string of numbers.
With this string of numbers (perhaps a key), what do we do? These puzzles had been revolving around rotation and shifting of text. So perhaps the numbers were just hints at rotations. So below we have one of the lines of text from the subreddit and the solved iteration of it.
So I skipped a lot of steps there, but we basically took the letter 'U' from first string and subtracted 10characters in alphabet and got 'K'. However, this is where it gets confusing. So instead of then subtracting 10 from next character, you move to the next number on key (2). So 'k' - 2 = 'i'.
In an easier to parse format:
U - 10 = Kk - 2 = ib - 14 = nn - 7 = g
We are starting to decode this now. So write a script, input all the lines from the subreddit and you actually end up with a snippet of a book.
Our first message a long time ago was a book code! So we start using that code to find the 20th character on the 1st line, then 3rd character on 2nd line. Slowly we decrypt a solution.
Outguess Tool
Call us at us telephone numBer two one four three nine oh nine six oh eight
This phone number no longer works, but if you are interested here is the audio:
If you don't want to watch the video (audio), then the voice said the following:
Very good. You have done well. There are three prime numbers associated with the original final.jpg image. 3301 is one of them. You will have to find the other two. Multiply all three of these numbers together and add a .com to find the next step. Good luck. Goodbye.
Once again a bit of an investigation needed to take place, but it turns out it was quite obvious.
We can dump the metadata of the image and we get the height and width which is also another set of primes. So now we can multiply 509 x 503 x 3301 = 845145127. So now we need to add a '.com' and another step has been solved.
Going to the website gave another image, when decoded gave:
When that date rolled around, the website updated with coordinates along with the image itself updating to decode to a new message:
These coordinates once visited in the real world, like the below video resulted in a QR code attached to a piece of paper.
These QR codes all pointed to unique images on the Cicada domain. Some examples are:
http://845145127.com/876873892385.jpg- Arkansashttp://845145127.com/316744223127.jpg- Warsawhttp://845145127.com/162667212858.jpg- Sydney
These messages were another book code, this time only vaguely hinting at the books required for the code. One message was a poem ('Agrippa' by William Gibson) and quickly discovered, the code was applied and this resulted in an onion location (sq6wmgv2zcsrix6t.onion)
These onion URLs must be visited over TOR and this is where the puzzle gets unverified.
The other puzzle in the pair turned out to be the Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition in Volume 6, Slice 3 - 'Chitral to Cincinnati'. Using the coordinates (treating the first line in the text as 0) you would decode the following URL.
It is guessed that initial visitors were required to create an email and a private/public key pair. The public key was to be sent to Cicada so future communications could be encrypted.
This rumors for this was to trim down the list of those to strictly those who were capable of solves and not just those that were benefiting from other's work. The trail went cold because the information was no longer being put in the public space.
Puzzle 1 officially ended with an image uploaded to the subreddit by Cicada themselves.
I will be discussing this puzzle in person, at Tampa Bay Bar Camp 2019.
- Puzzle 1 (2012) - You are here.
- Puzzle 1 - Extra (2012)
- Puzzle 2 (2013)
- Puzzle 3 (2014, Part 1)