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The world of court reporting has seen many technological advancements over the past several years. Between equipment and software, the industry is moving forward at lighting fast speed. Some of the advancements creating this movement are explained here. Real-time Professional court reporters with special software and laptop computers can create a live feed for attorneys or other clients as the proceeding moves along. The stenographer types syllables into the stenotype machine. This is connected to a laptop. Each word in the conversation is translated, syllable by syllable, into English and appears in typed form on the reporter's laptop. The reporter's laptop is connected by cable to the attorney's laptop or the internet. The written transcription is not perfect, but gives a close written feed. For those that are observing or are hard of hearing, this is especially helpful. Paperless Writers Stenographers use special machines that record words, phrases and sentences by syllable. Back in the day, this was transferred onto a skinny piece of paper that was long and folded into a tray attached to the stenotype machine. Many years ago, the addition of a computer disk to record these keystrokes became a staple on every machine. To read back the question or answer asked, the court reporter would pull the paper up and read back the tiny steno notes. The latest technological advancement is called the paperless writer, because that tray is gone. Instead, the keystrokes are electronically recorded with a backup for emergencies. This is environmentally friendly and easier to store. For those that need to read back, it simply requires hitting a display key on the device. They are expensive, but cut down on paper and storage issues. Electronic Transcripts When a deposition or legal proceeding is ordered by a client, the court stenographer will transcribe it into a typed record. For years, they have been available via e-mail or on disk in a simple text file or for use with a specially generated software program. Technology has made it easier for both the court reporting agency and the attorney or other client to receive and store these transcripts. Files are now produced in .pdf extensions and in other formats with free reader file downloads that enable the end-user to eliminate paper usage and keep back-up copies wherever necessary. The new features available in the software allows for highlighting of specific testimony and the ease of finding certain words within the transcription. Also available now is the linking of electronic exhibits with the electronic transcript. Rather than hunting through a monstrous stack of papers produced in the case, they have been scanned and only require a few clicks of the mouse to find the right page.