The Federal Court of Australia issued "The use of technology in the management of discovery and the conduct of litigation" 29 January 2009 (Practice Note No 17): http://www.fedcourt.gov.au/how/practice_notes_cj17.htm

Justice Teague might consider these of use for his royal commission into the Victorian brushfires: http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/premier/fires-royal-commission-to-have-wide-terms-of-reference.html

The guidelines set out the use of electronic documents in court proceedings. This is intended to be used a significant number of the documents in a case are electronic (usually 200 or more) and so handling them electronically will speed up the process and lower costs. The bushfire inquiry will likely have hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of items of evidence. Using a computer based system will help make this feasable.

As with the Oil-for-Food Inquiry, if this evidence is also provided publicly online, it will help reassure the public that the process is open and transparent: http://www.tomw.net.au/technology/it/courtech.shtml

tomW,
Thank you for your response on the sirens.

I wasn't bagging the idea heaven forbid I was hoping to prod a solution that could cover those.

I do remember that sirens albeit with many faults (i.e vandals etc.) in the bush travel further. The one at Cherry Gardens could be easily heard 3-4 ks down the valley.
rostered volunteers used to call in on first sirent to all impaired residents homes.

Clearly it will take many different solutions to cover the range.
I hope that the holes I pointed to will be plugged.

Dear Fractelle,

Welcome back! What a relief to hear from you and learn
that you're safe.

Your two posts brought tears to my eyes (and I'd bet
I won't be the only one). I whole heartedly agree -
let us move on and learn from this experience - and see
to it that it never happens again.

May the Royal Commission bring out all the issues that
need to be raised, and may we learn what we need to do,
and do it.

I can't tell you how happy I am to hear from you...

We were all so very worried - but all's well that ends well :)

My heart actually did a back flip - when I saw your post -
all I could do was shout, "She's Back, Whoopee!"
(gave my husband quite a fright).

It's going to be a good week - Thanks to you!

Belly,
The patriotic quote was from another topic and context.
I'm sure the fireys don't think of the southern cross and Australia etc. when fighting a fire or simply joining up.
In my experience it has more to do with helping someone in dire need,
doing their bit, a sense of community and responsibility.
Patiotism to me is best when you can be proud of what you do/have done extra in contribution to the community, state or country even (your part of the) world. But I'm positive you know that already

Very well said Fractelle - and welcome back!

Fractelle,
Glad you’re ok.
I am the eternal optimist I honestly believe that despite evidence to the contrary I still believe that the good in the individual(s) will always out.
I now say this with some trepidation and fear of past sins being revealed but I too was known in the area when I was young(er) (lots of lovely young ladies) harhum! ‘nuf said me thinks.

I have no fear that most of what was will emulate the phoenix the spirit is too strong not to (as I remember it). It will be different but hopefully better in the long run if only because the community will learn from the tragedy.
Keep safe, I need tolerant/rational people to talk with on OLO.

examinator ant.