What is RealTeam?

RealTeam is Stenograph's simultaneous editing feature. RealTeam allows realtime editing (sharing of text, globals and audio) with one or more scopists/proofreaders while the reporter is writing realtime. All the RealTeam participants have access to the text and audio. All globals can be shared with each connected RealTeam user's Global Table. RealTeam is not limited to just a realtime setting.  It can also be used while just editing. For example, let's say that realtime is over and the reporter goes home for the day. The scopist can continue working on the transcript and even invite the proofreader to make a final pass at editing. Together, they can review the audio to create a perfect transcript!

What are the requirements for RealTeam?

• CATalyst V20 or higher

• A current Edge for CATalyst Support Plan

• Internet connection

• RealTeam or Cloud Backup login.

• Contact information for your scopist, proofreader or whomever you will be inviting to share your realtime.

How does RealTeam work?

For example, let's say a reporter is hired to do a daily copy and wants to have a scopist edit the file during the proceedings. The reporter starts a realtime file (is automatically logged into RealTeam) and invites the scopist to join the realtime file. The scopist logs in to RealTeam and is notified of the invitation from the reporter. The scopist accepts the invitation and the realtime file opens on the scopist's system. The scopist begins editing and has access to the audio and can define, replace, delete, include, build an index, modify the layout, etc. Any changes made by the reporter or scopist are reflected on both systems. By default, all D, J, K and E defines are shared with all connected users' Global Tables. However, the reporter has an option to not receive dictionary defines made by the invited participants and can change this option  per connection. If a Personal Global is used by any of the connected users, the Personal Global goes into the Global Table also. The Reporter's Area can be displayed so the scopist can see where the reporter can still make changes from the writer such as invoking realtime commands, number conversions, etc., but the Reporter's Area does not prohibit the scopist/proofreader from editing in the shaded area. When the scopist/reporter highlights text in the shared file, the highlight may display in a selected color on the scopist's/reporter's system. The reporter's/scopist's cursor displays with a name on the other system to indicate their cursor location. In other words, the reporter's cursor location displays on the scopist's system and the scopist's cursor displays on the reporter's system.

Each of the connected users has a copy of the RealTeam file on their own system. As long as the reporter remains connected, if any one of the other connected users close their file, the other connected users can continue to edit the file but changes will not be synched with the closed file. If a participant closes their file, the host receives a message, in the lower right-corner of their screen, that states that the name of the participant has closed their file. It displays for approximately 15 seconds and then the message closes. If the host closes their file, a message displays on all of the connected participant screens stating that the name of the host has closed their file. The message displays until the participant either clicks the X in the upper right-hand corner of the message box or closes the file.

When you connect to a RealTeam session, the connected user's system retains the file structure and naming conventions from the host. For example, let's say Bill is going to take several depositions concerning an industrial accident. Bill creates a case named IA Depositions and starts his realtime job in the case and names the job: JSMITH121021. He then invites Pam to the RealTeam session. Once Pam accepts the invitation, a case named IA Depositions is created on her system and a file named JSMITH121021 is created within the case.

The view of things such as page/normal view, colors and options for the way dialog panes display are all based on the individual user settings. The host and participant's Usersettings information is not shared between systems. Format symbols, such as Hidden Text and Oops, are shared within the transcript. Therefore, they will show up in everyone's Hidden Text and/or Hotspots panes. If you apply a different layout or modify paragraph settings, that affects the file on all connected users' systems.

If the host needs to leave the session, can one of the participants become the host?

Absolutely.  The host can use the Transfer to User feature in CATalyst to assign one of the participants as the new host.

How do I get started using Realteam?

1. Create a RealTeam login or use an existing Cloud Backup login.

2. Decide who your contacts will be, gather their contact information such as e-mail address and phone number (optional) and create your contacts.

3. Set up a time to test the connection, if possible, and familiarize yourself with RealTeam.

I'm a Scopist.  Can I be in multiple RealTeam jobs?

Yes. You can receive multiple invites from different reporters.  For example you could accept an invite from a reporter you'll be scoping during their realtime job.  Then accept another just to receive the job to edit later.

NOTE:  Be aware of which file you're currently editing.  You don't want to make an edit in one file that needed to be in the other.

I use one computer in the courtroom for realtime and another in my office to edit.  Can I use Realteam to get the transcript on my office computer and make edits?

Yes you can.  You will need to create a separate RealTeam account for your office computer then become RealTeam Ready.  On your courtroom computer, add the office computer account to your Invite list and then invite them to your RealTeam session. During a break, go to your office computer and accept the invite to receive the transcript.  

NOTE:  As long as no changes are made to the transcript using the courtroom computer at the same time the reporter is making changes on the office computer, simultaneous usage will not be reported.