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An Evaluation of the Third Circuit Word Processing and Electronic Mail Project

Larry C. Farmer
October 4, 1978

This study was undertaken to assist the Federal Judicial Center in evaluating the results of the Word Processing and Electronic Mail Project conducted in the Third Circuit. The evaluation (1) examined the impact of word processing equipment on the opinion drafting process to see if that process might be shortened by the use of this equipment; (2) evaluated the need for video display based word processing equipment to meet the typing requirements of the circuit; (3) examined the nature of typing support within the circuit; (4) investigated the impact of electronic transmissions on the opinion preparation process and the time required to prepare an opinion to be filed; and (5) compared the time required to exchange opinion s through the U.S. Postal Service and the electronic mail capability provided by the Federal Judicial Center. -- -- Data for this study was collected from interviews with judges, interviews with secretaries, a three week word processing survey, and from the Federal Judicial Center.