The rules of evidence are being rewritten; lawyers are recording trials, and then letting the software sort out the facts
Article Abstract:
Computerized systems are changing the way lawyers gather and manage evidence. Software that helps organize information can now be purchased for a few hundred dollars, and complete multimedia systems can be bought for about $5,000. Stenograph Legal Services Inc offers DiscoveryVideo, a device that can manage text, video and audio simultaneously, using a microcomputer. The system, which is for research involving court proceedings or pre-trial depositions, searches through text or videotapes to find a word or succession of words. The system works as follows: as a trial proceeding or a deposition is being videotaped, a court reporter transcribes what happens onto a stenographic device that connects with a computer running Stenograph's software. The text integrates with the video, simplifying later searches. Sam N Edge, president of Stenograph, says videotape recordings are likely to become a part of the official legal record. Court reporting companies have contracted to be dealers for Stenograph's technology, even though some in the industry fear electronic court reporting.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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Mapping software for everybusiness: more available data and cheaper hardware create a breakthrough
Article Abstract:
Business people often need detailed information about particular geographic areas, and until recently, isolating such information could require an expensive process involving a mainframe computer. Alternatively, the necessary work could be accomplished by using wall maps, doing the tedious labor by hand. Now, however, effective mapping software is available that works on relatively inexpensive microcomputers. Three trends are identified as especially significant in this area: hardware performance continues to improve, software is more effective and easier to use, and relevant data files are becoming available. Sales of mapping software for microcomputers was estimated at $60 million in 1990. The three leading companies publishing mapping software are: Strategic Mapping, which makes Atlas*Pro and Atlas*GIS; Environmental Systems Research Institute, which makes ArcInfo and Arcview; and Mapinfo, which makes a product also called Mapinfo.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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