Transferring Files onto your iPad

We are receiving many phone calls each week from counsel excited about receiving PDF files because they have an iPad.  The next inquiry is, “How do I get the files onto my iPad?”

Fortunately for the end user, there are many ways to access the file(s).

1. E-mail – If you have e-mail on your iPad, e-mail the PDF file as an attachment.  Click on the attachment and the PDF file will load.
2. Dropbox – As long as the APP is loaded onto the device and you have access to the Internet, the PDF file will be accessible whenever/wherever counsel may be.  This is the BEST way to download a file.
3. Direct connect the iPad to your computer with the USB cable provided by Apple and transfer the file through iTunes software. 

Recommended APPS to make this all possible:

• Dropbox (free) – get all of your files from anywhere, any place and on any computer or device you have access to.  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dropbox/id327630330?mt=8
• PDF Reader ($0.99) – a simple PDF reader that lets you read an ADOBE PDF file.  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pdf-reader-pro/id300298606?mt=8
• iAnnotate ($9.99) – Allows you to read and ANNOTATE a PDF file.  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/iannotate-pdf/id363998953?mt=8

We find that the Page Image PDF is the file that works best as the text is big, clean and looks just like a transcript page.

NATIONAL COURT REPORTERS CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS

Every year court reporters from around the country get together at their annual convention to network, attend workshops and seminars, meet vendors, and to elect their officers and directors for the upcoming year.  This year’s convention will be at the Bally’s Hotel from July 28^th to July 31^st.

The emphasis continues to be on the latest technology available to reporters in helping them make the record.  There is always much to learn and evaluate as far as the types of steno machines, software, and hardware that are on the market today.  The convention setting allows for a comprehensive review and analysis of everything a reporter needs to be at the top of his or her game.

But technology alone does not a good reporter make.  Solid theory and exacting writing skills continue to be the foundation to continued success.  This is why court reporters continue to sharpen their skills and test for ever higher designations that will earn them the respect and recognition of their colleagues and prepare them for whatever testimony comes their way. 

Two special events at every annual convention are the speed contests.  The national speed contest consists of three, five-minute legs of literary at 220 words per minute, legal opinion at 230 words per minute, and testimony at 280 words per minute.  To qualify, one must have a minimum accuracy rate of 95%.  The reporter with the best combined score wins.

The other contest is the realtime competition, which consists of two, five-minute legs of straight matter at 220 words per minute and two-voice dictation at 225 words per minute.  To quality, one must have a minimum accurate rate of 95% WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF EDITING.  The reporter with the best combined score wins.

Needless to say, only the most elite reporters are allowed to compete for these titles.  The winners of these two contests have their legacy sealed in NCRA’s history.

Lastly, the annual convention is also a time to reflect on the great strides reporters have made in the past and contemplate the challenges that face the profession in the years to come.

Our Centralized Operation

Did you know that the court reporters from Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc., work exclusively for this agency? This is not generally the case.  Many reporters work for several different agencies as independent contractors.

We have all heard stories of lawyers who cannot locate a reporter to obtain a transcript.  When you use Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc., you can rest assured that your transcript will be prepared and delivered in a timely manner by a certified reporter who is affiliated only with this office.  And since all transcripts are archived, we can always find the transcript you need even after several years have gone by.

So instead of wasting your time hunting down your transcripts and putting your case in jeopardy due to lost testimony, call Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc., and put our highly skilled, courteous, and professional court reporters to work for you at your next deposition or hearing.

We guarantee your satisfaction.

Using an iPad for work and play

There's a new book called "iPad in One Hour" by Tom Mighell which helps attorneys learn the ins and outs of the iPad in one hour.  Recently written up in the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, the book provides counsel guidelines to set up the iPad with work in mind.

http://masslawyersweekly.com/2011/06/08/new-book-helps-lawyers-learn-ipad-in-an-hour/

Sounds like something we could all read and learn from.

TECH TESTED LAWYER APPROVED: Court Reporting with Voice Recognition

Insightful article on what to be concerned about if considering voice recognition technology.

TECH TESTED LAWYER APPROVED: Court Reporting with Voice Recognition: "Visionary is the industry leader in adapting voice recognition to the deposition environment. A demonstration in May 2011 highlighted the ..."

Keeping up with technology

Just returned from a Society for the Technological Advancement of Reporting (STAR) conference in Reno, Nevada.  The technological advancements in court reporting software over these many years is staggering.

Interactive realtime and CaseViewNet should be the realtime software of choice.  Not only is the CVNet integration with TextMap amazingly easy to use, TextMap is part of the LexisNexis CaseMap suite.  Having sat in the seminar, I can’t imagine a more powerful litigation tool for counsel.

Another pleasant surprise was learning the Min-U-Script is now working closely with LexisNexis and is now being incorporated into the CaseMap suite.  All .pdf files from Min-U-Script, with or with exhibit linking, can now be imported into CaseMap seamlessly. 

These are exciting times! 

Cloud Computing is Here to Stay

Catastrophic incidents seem to be a daily occurrence on the news.  Just turn on your computer or open a newspaper and you can read about the devastation from earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, mudslides, and deadly fires.  What happens to your electronic files when such a disaster occurs?

Just last year Doris O. Wong Associates, Inc., started using Cloud Computing for file storage and sharing.  Its implementation was simple and provided the firm with peace of mind.  By having the files backed up in-house and stored “in the Cloud,” we’re assured that your transcripts are secure and easily accessible.

In addition, by using Cloud Computing, we can send encrypted digital transcript and exhibit files to you and your associates with just a click of the mouse.  Regardless of where you might be – your office, home or around the world – you’ll have access to your files 24/7.  

Digital files are predominantly in .PDF format.  So, whether you’re working on a computer, iPad, iPhone, Droid, or any other electronic device, chances are there’s an APP for you for file retrieval and viewing.