Loyal viewers, you’ve by this time noticed we haven’t been livestreaming as often. We’re sorry to disappoint you – but very glad for your interest, as always. OpenCourt is entering a phase of transition and our efforts have pulled us away from court more frequently than usual.

Firstly (get your Kleenexes ready), I will be leaving OpenCourt soon to work on a new project for which I won a Localore public radio grant. While I’m excited about my new direction, it is with sadness that I leave the court and this important project which still has so much space to continue blooming.

As my transition dovetails with Joe’s plans to be away the second half of February, we’ll be taking our own recess from streaming for the remainder of the month. When OpenCourt returns in early March, emphasis may gradually shift away from streaming the First Session, which has been our focus for the past nine months.

Since the outset, Quincy District Court was always meant to be a test-bed to discover new ways to cover the court system, and we’re taking steps towards the next phase of expansion. We have an opportunity to install a multi-camera, auto-switching video system into a second courtroom at QDC, and are exploring that option having broached the topic with our advisory board, at the most recent media judiciary committee meeting, and plan to discuss the topic in early march with the Quincy Court working group.

The new setup could provide a more dynamic view of the courtroom than our stationary camera and allow you to follow hearings beyond arraignments. To witness pre-trial conferences and trials would give a much fuller sense of the business of the court, which we and many of our viewers have wanted for some time.

Having maintained a daily live-stream for this duration is something we are proud of, and we are glad that so many of you out there have watched along with us and learned about the court. But livestreaming also takes a lot of resources, both of overhead and time, so it makes sense to pull back for the time being as we adjust to staffing changes and explore new options to expand the project.

We’ve also gathered so much video footage over the course of a year and are working towards using that data in a more compelling way, specifically through software and civic education. We are planning to integrate new tools on the site as well as partnering with a local non-profit to weave OpenCourt footage into local middle school curriculums.

We – or Joe at least – will still be blogging and active on Twitter and Facebook as we transition, so keep an eye peeled there at the beginning of March to see what’s next, or just wait for an email from us if you’re already signed up for the newsletter. Don’t use any of those things? Got a suggestion? Call or email us.

Thank you so much for contributing your attention and ideas and being a part of this project. It’s been great to know you’ve been out there watching and communicating with us. We couldn’t have done what we have without you, and OpenCourt will need you again as it works to serve the public in a new capacity. See you soon.

6 Responses to “OpenCourt Reboots”

1. Michele says:

   February 10, 2012 at 11:22 am

   Val, you will be missed. The best of luck to you in your new project.
   If I didn’t already work full time, I’d volunteer to man the cameras!
   Thanks so much for your hard work and dedication.
2. Al Navas says:

   February 10, 2012 at 11:24 am

   Val,

   I send my best wishes for success, no matter where you are! Thanks for working so hard at making the streaming effort a resounding success!!

   Al Navas
   Missouri
3. Val Wang says:

   February 10, 2012 at 1:34 pm

   Thanks so much! It’s been great knowing you all were out there watching. Watch for OpenCourt to return in a new and improved form soon!
4. Stacey says:

   February 14, 2012 at 9:47 am

   Val,
   Congratulations on your new journey. Thank you for your participation in OpenCourt. We will miss you.

   Stacey
   Port Saint Lucie,Fl
5. Terri Lovell says:

   February 21, 2012 at 11:37 am

   Val,
   Let me congratulate you on a job well done. It has given us all a better insight on the 1st session. It was kind of a shock to just have the livestream go away one Monday morning, but if you have a great career opportunity, go for it! Am missing it already & can’t wait for it to come back in some form, so if someone could keep us all updated, it would be appreciated. (Am on the mailing list). I also have a great deal of tech experience, so if you need help, please let me know. Until the next stream,

   Regards,
   Terri Lovell
   Quincy, MA
6. gonzosis says:

   March 14, 2012 at 3:05 pm

   Open court on Russian – http://www.youtube.com/arbitrru

   Supreme Commercial Court of the Russian Federation.