What hardware and software will attorneys need to participate in ECF?
At a minimum, attorneys will need the following hardware and software to electronically file, view, and retrieve documents in the electronic filing system: • A personal computer running a standard platform such as Windows or Macintosh. (100 MHz and 267 MB RAM) • An Internet provider. • Netscape Navigator version 4.5 or higher or Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher. • PDF writing software to convert documents from word processor format to portable document format (PDF). For viewing documents, not authoring them, Adobe Acrobat Reader only is needed. PDF writing software packages range in price from free to several hundred dollars depending on features. Be sure to ask for volume discounts when ordering multiple copies of software. The Middle District of Georgia clerk’s office will be using CutePDF Writer for converting documents to PDF. • A word processor such as WordPerfect and Microsoft Word . • A scanner to transmit documents that are not in your word processing system.
Attorneys will need the following hardware and software to electronically file, view and retrieve documents in the electronic filing system: Netscape browser version 3.0 or higher (128 bit encryption is recommended); a computer capable of running the above browser, such as one using a Windows, Windows 95, Macintosh, Linux or Solaris operating system with a minimum of 8 Mg memory (32 MB is recommended); Adobe Acrobat 3.0 or higher to convert documents from a word processor format to portable document format (PDF); a PDF-compatible word processor like Macintosh or Windows-based versions of WordPerfect and Word; a modem supporting a transfer rate of 28.8 kbs or higher (56 kbs is recommended); Internet access through an Internet service provider using Point to Point Protocol (PPP); and access to a scanner if paper documents need to be imaged and sent to the court.
