Actually, Koster has pointed out something that I had argued earlier ...
which is that a <completely> automated paragraph numbering is more difficult
than it sounds ... but, so also is a page numbering macro. If you doubt
me, I suggest you download an opnion in WordPerfect form from the 6th
Circuit and attempt to insert "hard" page breaks and numbers (hint, you
better have the same printer that the Court does and the same fonts).
But, a macro that does 99% of the work for paragraph numbering is not a
big deal ... one caveat though. There must be an "undelete" capability
if the first try is not what one wishes to have. That is why the paragraph
numbers should be denoted with angle brackets as in SGML-HTML. Then they
can be pulled out.
But, how do you write the macro.
First, replace all paragraphs symbols with <p>, perhaps even bolded in red.
Then, the human person delete all that are not necessary (like before a
block indented quote).
Then, the next macro replaces the paragraph symbols with numbers like
<p=1> etc. This is pretty simple.
Then, if before release of the opinion one wishes to make a change, one
merely deletes all the bracketed numbers and then starts over again.
This is not any harder than running a spelling checker and a cite
checker, both of which are in general run on legal opinons before the
final version is released.
I hypothesise that Colorado has three problems:
One, someone said it would be "fully" automated and tried to design
something that cannot be done.
Two, in order to placate those opposed to the concept, they decided not
to tag the paragraph numbers a la SGML HTML making removal of the
paragraph numbers something more problematic.
Three, there may be a little NIH involved. For some reason, I think
that there are a lot of people who would readily provide something that
works.
HyperLaw hereby offers to provide the Colorado courts with a Word For
Windows program that will handle this with dispatch. I hereby volunteer
John Lederer to provide a Word Perfect Macro. Maybe even Jamie Love
could do it (Greg, what ever gave you the idea that Love was a
techno-klutz). I think that Lexis would also provide technical support.
The question to Greg would you be in favor of fixing the technical
problem or opposed to fixing the technical problem (we assume the problem
is one of technique, and not something else).
Alan Sugarman
HyperLaw
sugarman@panix.com
212-873-1371
On Mon, 16 Jan 1995, Koster wrote:
>
> Meanwhile, the Colorado courts, which adopted this "instant" paragraph number
> system months ago, have yet to issue a case with paragraph numbers--because
> the macro that adds them ***doesn't work***
>
> So Jamie Love, who can't even work the shift key on his computer (much less
> find the symbol for registered trademarks), is trying to destroy a workable
> legal citation system in favor of one based on broken technology.
>
> Greg Koster
> CUNY Law School
>
> PS to Jamie - The flame war has been quiet for a while. Why are you starting
> it again?
>
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