The BREVITY Analyzer

Tom Fernicola's four-technique system for stenographic keystroke reduction.
301 Documented Word Comparisons with Mathematical Analysis

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All analysis happens locally in your browser. No text is sent to any server. Your transcripts remain completely private.

🔢 Universal Outline Calculator

Calculate SDS (Stroke Difficulty Score) for ANY stenographic outline from ANY theory. Compare against BREVITY alternatives.

🎯 Understanding The Metrics

These are the first objective measurement formulas in 140+ years of stenography history. They work for ANY stenographic theory, making comparison scientific rather than subjective.

📊 SDS: Stroke Difficulty Score

What it measures: The physical cost of executing a stenographic outline.

SDS = K × (1 + C) × (1 + F) × (1 + S)

Components:

  • K (Key Count): Total keys pressed in the outline
  • C (Coordination Factor): Physical complexity penalties
  • F (Fatigue Factor): How tired you are
  • S (Speed Stress Factor): Testimony speed

Coordination Factor (C) Penalties:

  • Both hands: +0.4 (requires coordination between brain hemispheres)
  • Crack position: +0.4 (ring finger top AND bottom)
  • Ring finger: +0.3 (limited independence)
  • Pinky finger: +0.2 (weakest finger)
  • Multiple vowels: +0.2 to +0.3
  • Asterisk: +0.3 (unnatural reach)

SDS Interpretation:

  • < 10: Highly sustainable (BREVITY range)
  • 10-20: Manageable with attention
  • > 20: Challenging, errors multiply when tired
  • > 30: Very difficult, high correction frequency

Example: "between"

Traditional TWAOEN:

  • K = 7 keys (T, W, A, O, E, N)
  • C = 1.1 (both hands +0.4, vowels +0.3, non-adjacent +0.4)
  • F = 0.2 (moderate fatigue)
  • S = 0.3 (225 WPM)
  • SDS = 7 × 2.1 × 1.2 × 1.3 = 22.9

BREVITY TW-:

  • K = 2 keys
  • C = 0.0 (single hand, no complexity)
  • F = 0.2, S = 0.3
  • SDS = 2 × 1.0 × 1.2 × 1.3 = 3.12

Result: BREVITY is 7.3× easier physically

🧠 DLS: Decision Load Score

What it measures: The mental burden of choosing and remembering outlines.

DLS = (1 + O) × (1 + M) × (1 + C) × (1 + T)

Components:

  • O (Options): Number of outline choices for a word
  • M (Memory Burden): How hard to retrieve from memory
  • C (Confusion Risk): Context-dependent complexity
  • T (Time Pressure): Decision time cost

DLS Interpretation:

  • 1.0: Optimal (no decisions, automatic)
  • 1.0-3.0: Minimal burden
  • 3.0-5.0: Moderate cognitive load
  • > 5.0: High burden, confusion likely

⛓️ CEF: Context Effect Factor

What it measures: How corrections cascade and compound.

CEF = (Prior_SDS × 0.3) + (Current_SDS × 1.0) + (Next_SDS × 0.2) + Conditions

Why Corrections Are Expensive:

  • Physical cost: Asterisk pressed 3-5 times + re-execution
  • Time cost: Fall behind 200-300ms per correction
  • Mental cost: "What's right?" decision under pressure
  • Cascade cost: Next 2-3 strokes suffer during recovery
  • Stress cost: Stress degrades memory → more errors

The Vicious Cycle:

High SDS + High DLS → corrections → cascade → stress → degraded memory → more errors → more corrections → exponential overwhelm

"So overwhelmed with difficulties, you never receive the benefit!"

🎯 Why This Matters

For 140+ years, stenography has relied on subjective opinions about what makes a "good" theory. "My theory is better" has been unprovable. Until now.

These formulas enable:

  • Objective comparison of any stenographic theory
  • Evidence-based decisions for schools and students
  • Understanding why 90% of students fail (impossible SDS/DLS demands)
  • Career sustainability planning for working reporters
  • Industry standards based on measurements, not tradition

The paradigm shift: Stenography becomes a science, not just an art.