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What to do now that free StartSSL digital signatures for RB-PDF transcripts are being discontinued

Update February 2019: Comodo CA has been acquired and rebranded Sectigo. You and your reporters can get free digital certificates, called InstantSSL Secure Email Certificates, that are good for one year. Visit reporterbase.com for more information.

December 2017: In August 2016, we announced that RB-PDF transcripts could be signed for free on reporterbase.com. You and your reporters could use any digital signature you prefer, free or paid, but we recommended StartSSL, due to their zero cost, ease of installation, and multiple-browser application.

However, we have recently learned that StartCom, the Certification Authority (CA) that issues StartSSL’s free digital IDs, has been “de-certified” by the majority of browser makers. StartCom has been unable to regain the trust of these browser makers, so they decided to no longer issue digital IDs after December 31, 2017. They will provide validation services for two years from January 1, 2018, but starting 2020, all remaining valid certificates will be revoked.

In addition, we have learned that Google Chrome plans to distrust Symantec, GeoTrust, and Thawte security certificates.

These changes are the result of ever-improving security standards, which require CAs to evolve or stop offering security certificates. StartSSL decided on the latter.

How this affects you & your reporters

Fortunately, all existing digital IDs issued by StartCom will be valid for 2 years from date of issuance. However, new IDs will not be issued as of January 1, 2018.

If you or your reporters do not have a digital ID after the end of this year, you will need to get one from a different source, either free or paid.

We recommend Comodo Secure Email Certificates. The only problem we have with this solution is that they only work with IE and Firefox browsers. When we find a better long-term solution, we will let you know.

We have updated the RB Digital Signature Proxy Guide for Reporters. Please share with your reporters.

Product announcement

RB9 is here

The wait for the next generation of legal support business management software is over. OMTI is pleased to announce that RB9, the next major upgrade of ReporterBase, is available now. This new version has been completely redesigned with new features and improvements that incorporate user suggestions.

Browser based

RB9 uses new technologies that improve workflow, security, and efficiency while eliminating a lot of the overhead involved in managing your court reporting or other legal support business. It is browser based, which means no more server hardware and software to purchase, maintain, and upgrade. This also eliminates the need for IT to handle these functions. RB9, like RB8 Cloud, is housed in the cloud on Microsoft Azure’s Cloud Services. Microsoft guarantees a 99.9% uptime, and more than 66% of Fortune 500 companies rely on Azure.

Multi-platform

Browser based also means that RB9 users are not restricted to a particular platform or browser. RB9 will work on Macs and PCs, plus tablets; and in all major browsers.

Subscription only

Instead of coming up with a large lump sum upfront for software and user licenses, then paying for annual software maintenance, users will pay for RB9 by monthly subscription only. This eliminates a significant barrier to using RB9: software expenses are part of regular overhead expenses, and users can add or subtract user licenses as needed, even cancel the entire program if needed without further financial obligation.

What’s inside

RB9 has the same modules as RB8 — such as Calendar, Production, and Billing — with many of the same functions. However, every module and function has been rethought and restructured to work better incorporating new technology and more flexible, streamlined workflows.

Visit the RB9 product section for more information on this new version of ReporterBase, the business management software with the largest installed base in legal support businesses.

2018 Team RB user conference

First Look: RB9

The Team RB user conference, held Oct. 24, 2018, was attended by over 300 RB users who got the first look at RB9, the new version of ReporterBase software.

View the entire conference video playlist on YouTube.

Looking for older RB News?

RB8 news has been archived to the Team RB > RB8 Legacy section. For more news stories, visit the News Archives on Idea Salad.