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2.5. Infrastructure for court technologies


Whatever form of computerised information is under discussion, whether full
text, document summaries, document images or presentation graphics, its
effective utilisation in trials will depend upon a number of what we may call
'infrastructure' considerations. These include the operating systems used by
the various computers under consideration, devices to store and exchange
information, devices to display it, and technologies to communicate it
from one computer to another. These matters have two main types of
implications: the equipment which may need to be provided within
courts; and compatibility standards between the different
parties to a trial. It will become apparent through this
Report that the sharing of data, and in
some cases programs, among the different                                [PP19]
parties to a trial is very important to the effective use
of information technology in trials.

The ITAC Report (1989) in the UK stated that its members

   'were unanimous in concluding that the most important factor in all
   our considerations was compatibility. Without a properly worked out
   protocol no effective system of technology use can be implemented in
   the courts. No doubt some ad-hoc arrangements can be cobbled together
   from time to time, but if full and efficient advantage is to be taken
   of these electronic tools only compatible types of equipment should
   ever be chosen.' (1.4.1).
   


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