Category Archives: Video Services

Useful Business Apps Worth a Try

Managing a hectic work/life balance isn’t easy.  Fortunately, we live in an era where technology can help with all of the chaos. For business professionals there are an astonishing number of apps to help us. We have weeded through the myriad of apps again to bring you some that are actually useful.

1. EVERNOTE, a free app, is an excellent productivity tool that helps you stay organized, save documents, record voice notes, and even share notes with colleagues via Twitter and Facebook.  Evernote has even been recognized as one of the best apps by the New York Times.

2. FLOW is an app for businesses who rely on plenty of team work and communication. Flow helps you communicate through your network of colleagues to hold discussions, share files, brainstorm ideas and generally manage day-to-day business activity.  The cost of this app is approximately $20, but a small price to pay for seamless syncronicity.

3. 30/30 is the perfect app to help you procrastinators out there. Basically it is a “to do” list which highlights all of your tasks in different colors. 30/30 is based around a timer, so once the user sets the clock ticking…you have to get the tasks done. Don’t put off downloading this one!

4. WAZE was initially created to compete with Google Maps, however Waze became superior due to its functionality. Users can report traffic issues in their area for up-to-date travel news. This app will get you from A to B for free!

5. CAMCARD is an app that reads business cards and saves them instantly to your phone’s contact list. While this app has been around for a couple years, it’s still touted as a must-have app for business and sales people. “It brings order to the chaos of a business card collection,” says the New York Times.

6. GLASS BOTTOM JET is an app that allows the user to book flights and conduct airport check-ins all directly from the app.  A fun feature of Glass Bottom Jet is that it allows users flying on Delta to get a virtual view of the ground below them… although not in real time. However, the app does pull Facebook data to show which of your friends you’re flying over.

7. BUFFER …here’s a free app for those of you that don’t have time to constantly log in and out of Twitter to promote your posts. You can trust the Buffer app to distribute tweets for you at regular intervals throughout the day. As a member of Buffer you can provide content that you’d like to share with your friends and followers. Once you add them to your Buffer, they will post over the next few days.

We’ve just scratched the surface as to the full capabilities of these apps. Take some time and look into them.  One of them may be just what you’ve been looking for!

 



FLAG DAY ETIQUETTE

FLAG DAY ETIQUETTE

Happy Flag Day! This poor holiday gets no recognition! Here’s some etiquette tips for flying our flag properly:

  • Never allow the flag to touch the ground or floor.
  • The flag can only be flown at night if properly lit. Otherwise, it should only be flown from sunrise to sunset.
  • When a group of flags is being displayed, the U.S. flag should be at the center and at the highest point. The only exception is when the flag of another nation is being flown, and then that flag would be equally placed.
  • When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union (blue area) should be uppermost and to the flag’s right, that is, the observer’s left.
  • The flag should not ever be used to cover a ceiling.
  • Care should be taken not to let the flag get torn or damaged.
  • The flag should never have placed upon it, nor attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing…. In other words, do not tamper with Old Glory!

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RULES FOR TELEPHONE DEPOSITIONS

RULES FOR TELEPHONE DEPOSITIONS

Useful Insight for Attorneys and Court Reporters

In this new world of technology and inflated travel costs, why not do telephone or videoconference deps?  In fact, when timing or location are an issue for counsel or even the witness, this is the answer to endless cancellations and passing deadlines.

Since phone deps have become more popular, the question amongst reporters and attorneys has been, is it okay for me to swear in the witness over the phone?  The answer is two-fold; in other words, yes and no, depending on your state. 

There are states listed below that do have rules on phone deps that each notary/reporter should look into.  However, according to the NCRA, the states listed on the right of the below chart have no guidelines regarding phone depositions… For my local friends, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have NO RULES.

For those states on the left, the Director of the NCRA offers these three suggestions if you find yourself in a predicament that would violate your Notary oath:

1. Get a reporter to take the deposition with the witness.

2. Get an authorized oathgiver to swear in the witness.

3. When the witness is not in the reporter’s presence and there is no notary in the witness’s presence, if local rules allow, suggest that all parties, including the witness, stipulate on the record that the testimony is being given as if under oath.

Does your state have any laws, court rules or guidelines regarding telephone depositions?

Yes

Alaska
Colorado
Florida
Idaho
Indiana
Illinois
Maryland
Minnesota
Mississippi
Nebraska
New Mexico
New York
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

No

 Alabama
Arkansas
Arizona
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Delaware
Georgia
Hawaii
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia

 



Does Your Court Reporting Agency Offer You Free Videoconferencing?

The latest technology in court reporting is here and you should capitalize on it! Videoconferencing is a great way to get the testimony you need from out-of- state or even out-of-country witnesses without leaving the city.

Videoconferencing suites at your court reporting agency should be fully accessible to valued clients at no charge. For example, Ace Reporters, Inc. offers not only the complimentary suite, but also any necessary amenities such as, copying service, couriers, breakfast and / or lunch, free Wi-Fi, etc.

Here are three good reasons why you should be using videoconferencing:

  • Videoconferencing will save you money. There may be a charge at the remote location, but the fees are far less than traveling expenses.
  • Videoconferencing will save you time. It’s convenient to stay nearby and take the deposition in a familiar and comfortable setting.
  • Videoconferencing cuts out the unknown. No more hiring reporters that you don’t know! Remain confident with an agency you know and trust taking your important notes of testimony.


Five Tips on How to Get the Most Out of Your Court Reporter

Every attorney has their own style when it comes to taking depositions. Mostly all are equally effective in soliciting the information needed to argue their case, however, few are court reporter friendly.

To get the most out of your court reporter, we recommend the following:

1. Upon scheduling the deposition, provide all pertinent information, including a full case caption. The fastidious reporter will have this loaded into their document files and ready to go as soon as they boot up their laptop. In essence, a well prepared reporter is an effective reporter.

2. Provide any names that may be tricky or even products, brands or companies that may come up and that could cause interference of your flow. Trust us, we HATE to interrupt during your deposition, but it is our duty to have full and accurate information and spellings. This is especially important with realtime. The job where “Shores, Inc.” constantly translated as SURE/STINK was a real concentration-breaker for all parties involved!

3. Never skip instructions to the witness! Yes, we know it gets monotonous for you to say them day in and day out; and yes, the witness said he was deposed before; and yes, you want to get to the meat of the examination, but please, please, please give full instructions anyway! Again, our goal — at least here at Ace Reporters, Inc. — is to be seen and not heard. We DREAD interrupting!

4. Please note that your turnaround requests are paramount for reporters. Please let them know as soon as possible if you need a daily copy or even expedited. Reserving this upon scheduling is ideal. Anything other than normal turnaround time (which should never be more than 10 business days) affects the court reporter’s whole world! Oftentimes, they will need to be taken off the schedule for the next day, line up their scopists and proofreaders and even cancel dinner plans!

5. And last, but positively not least, don’t forget that we can’t do ANYTHING with our hands while you are talking, unless it is off the record of course! This includes marking exhibits, reading back and even eating lunch! We are trained to be fast in the bathroom, eat on the go and be as silent as possible, but following these tips will keep us proficient and loving our jobs, so thank you in advance!