1 - Goal of the competition

To foster rational use of keyboarding, motivating young people to loyally compete with colleagues all over the world. Consequently Intersteno has made available training exercises (free of charge) in a lot of languages. These exercises can be done using Java or Zav software by accessing  'Training' menu of this web site.

2 - Who can participate

This competition is for students of public and private schools and associations.

Students may not exceed 20 years of age and their results are ranked according to these age categories:

- up to 13 years

- 14 - 16 years

- 17 - 20 years

Senior competitors (older than 20 years) can also take part and their results are listed separately. Senior competitors can only register through the Intersteno National Group in their country, which is responsible for the fair carrying out of the competition. 

3 - Competition formulas and fees

The contest consists of a ten-minute writing of a text, using special software made available on the website www.intersteno.org (Java and ZAV).   Minimum speed 200 characters per minute, maximum 1% of errors allowed; each error results in a deduction of 50 points in the classification list.

Competitors can write in their mother language or in two or more languages (multilingual formula).

The participation fees are:

5 € for taking part in one language only

7 € for taking part in two or more languages

All successful competitors will receive an Intersteno certificate which will be sent at the School/Association or by the courtesy of the National Intersteno Representative of their Country. Medals will be offered for the first 3 places in each classification list. If additional prizes (at national or international level) will be available, they will be timely announced in our website.

A diploma will also be released to teachers who registered 3 or more students.

4 - Schedule of the competition

a - Enrollement - from 12th March till 14th April 2007 - using the form available at www.intersteno.org . Enrollment is done by school/teacher who enters the list of students or by the Intersteno national group for senior participants.

b - Payement of  fees - not later than 22th April 2007

c - Competition - from 23 April till 15th May 2007

5 - Where the competition takes place

Students have to compete from their own schoolroom.  The teacher is responsible for the fair carrying out of the competition.

Competitors over 20 years of age (senior) compete according to the instructions given by a teacher or tutor entrusted by the  Intersteno national group.

In countries where no Intersteno national group is fully active, the Intersteno Board will grant this possibility to trusted organisations and or teachers/tutors.

6 - Competition languages

Competition can take place in all languages listed in the training menu with Java or Zav software.

Intersteno makes available, free of charge, training exercises for these languages.

7 – Multilanguage competition

Competitors can take part in one or more of the available languages using Java or Zav software. Only one shot per each language is allowed.

If a national version of one language is available (for example German and German for Suisse) the competitor can only use one of these language version.

Competitors cannot use both software (Zav and Java) for writing the same language. If this happens, the second attempt in the same language will not be listed in the classification list. However, competitors can use both software (ZAV and Java) if used each time for a different language.

8 – Classification lists  

Two main classification lists will be released: one with the results of all competitors using their mother language, and one with results of the competitors who competed with two or more languages (mother language included). Each classification list with also be split in the 4 age categories mentioned in point 2.  

The multilanguage list will show the languages and the points for each of them, as well as the sum of these points which will define the place in the list. If in one language the competitor is not successful either for speed or accuracy, the number of points for this language will be 0.  

The final lists will include only the names of schools (and related students) which have been successful and which have timely sent in the registration fee. The same applies for senior competitors, instead of school, the name of the national group will appear.  

Classification lists are updated in realtime for competitors using Java software,  results of competitors using Zav software will be integrated every evening.  Results of each competitor, including the unsuccessful ones, are shown in the general classification list.

9 - Misues of software

Intersteno people is a worldwide community of motivated people who loyally compete during Intersteno competitions. Intersteno is now using Internet for this competition, in order to make using the Internet a positive, productive, experience.

By enrolling in this competition, all participants (students, teachers and professionals) are bind to respect to formal policies, regulations, and laws which govern the use of computers and networks in their local environement.

Any attempt of misusing of procedures, software working, hacker activity will automatically lead to disqualification and banning the possibility to enter again in the competition.

Offenses which are in violation of laws may result in the restriction of computing privileges, and will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

10 -  Payments of the participation fees.

The participation fee is € 5 for each student taking part in the competition in one language. If the competitor participates in more than 1 language, the fee will be € 7 euros. The total amount must be cumulatively sent by the school or association before 22nd April 2007.

Due to the small amounts involved, bank transfer could not always be an ideal solution, so a direct contact with the persons listed here below is advisable. In any case a list of bank references is also given. If  your country is not listed here, please send your remittance to the Intersteno bank account

068-2318908-53
Intersteno, Kapellestraat 124, BE-8020 Oostkamp, Belgium

IBAN: BE53-0682-3189-0853

BIC: GKCCBEBB    

Registration fees must be entered before 22th April 2007. Bank expenses, or any expense related to this transfer, must be borne by the schools or associations.

Please remember that with electronic bank transfer, only a short message is automatically sent, so in your remittance please state carefully the number of participants and the name of the school, eventually with short form, and the name of the town (for example: 5 students Lincoln Institute Sydney)

11 - National coordinators or Intersteno Representative in each Country, will coordinate and control the fair carrying out of this competition, therefore they can check and visit the schools/associations during the competition time. Results of cheating competitors will be taken off the list.

12 - Intersteno Board is the final responsible and takes the jury-decisions which are needed for a good management of this contest.