Steve Colwell, Candidate for STSN Board Member

I was originally trained as a computer engineer, but quickly found that my specialty is in helping non-technical people to solve their problems using technology.  There are many good engineers, but surprisingly few who are understanding and understandable to the people who really need their services.

For the last 20 years I've been developing speech-to-text technologies, in the last 10 years as chief technologist managing a team of programmers at TypeWell.  Since STSN's founding in 2000 I've also been the primary tech at STSN, keeping all the technical aspects of the organization running smoothly.  I've received many accolades from STSN management and members over the years for responsiveness, general helpfulness, and technical skill.

To be an effective board member one must know how to work in a non-partisan way to satisfy issues of funding, volunteer time, and resources within STSN.  I know how to address these in a practical way within STSN.  For instance, I know, respect, and have already developed an effective working relationship with most of the STSN leadership team.  Furthermore, I've worked with most of the different groups comprising STSN, including speech recognition, remote providers, CART, C-Print, and of course TypeWell.  I'll be able to talk effectively to everyone to bring people together on STSN's goals.

 

What issues do you see as being most relevant to STSN members?

1.  STSN has been a fledgling group until now.  As a result it has been doing a lot of organizational background work that's not very visible to members.  Now that STSN has laid the necessary organizational foundation, it is time to focus on its main purpose: doing things of direct value to the STSN members and the speech-to-text community.

2.  Now more than ever, technology can be a huge help to speech-to-text providers and to STSN.  With the energy and budget crises, Internet communication technology is now indispensible for replacing travel.  STSN can use this for continuing education and for sharing ideas within our community.  Furthermore, STSN can become a resource for identifying cost-effective tools to help service providers with particular needs such as for providing remote services.

3.  STSN has relatively low membership fees, which limit its financial resources.  We don't want to raise fees, we just want to get more done.  The issue is: how can STSN get more done within its financial constraints?

 

Please indicate goals that you would have for the organization that relate to your role in this position.

1.  I would help STSN immediately put up a web survey to gather members' opinions about the most important next project.  This can be done easily and at no cost.  I'd help us start with a simple online survey at the STSN website to see what the membership is most interested in STSN doing.

With this kind of immediate feedback from its membership, STSN would be able to provide things of real value to its members.

2.  I'd work to help STSN do much more with its website and with Internet technology.  In a countrywide organization like ours, the Internet makes it possible for us all to help each other.  Possible projects might be:

There are many other possibilities.  My goal is to apply the nearly free technology of the modern age to help STSN's members.

3.  I would like to see STSN solicit more donated services from its component groups.  It has been held back from certain projects due to lack of funds.  Since STSN is a volunteer organization it already accepts donated time.  I think groups in the speech-to-text community would be happy to donate more.  STSN could directly seek grants or sponsors for different projects we'd like to undertake.

For instance, a bi-monthly video presentation might have some small costs even though the Internet makes it mostly free.  We could find a sponsor to support these small costs.  By combining the low-price technology on the Internet with the contributions of our community, STSN could do much more for its members.