American History 1988
Chapter 37 - 34 Free Money

Chapter 37: Chapter 34 Free Money

In Sheryl Witt’s view, the functions that Dean mentioned were very useful.

But the key was when it could become a reality, or in other words, when she could get her hands on it to showcase it properly at the state court office.

"Judge Witt," Dean lifted his chest confidently, "just in terms of functionality, it’s already close to the finished product. The only thing missing is when to input the case files into the system."

"Does that mean as long as the data is scanned, the system can be used?" Sheryl Witt’s eyes started to light up.

"Theoretically correct, what’s left is to set up the storage servers at the court and install the software on the staff’s computers. This hardware aspect of the work can be done in a week."

In this era, the number of work computers deployed in courts was actually not many, and building an internal local area network was relatively much simpler.

A week was Dean’s conservative estimate. If he really threw himself into it, three days would be about right, of course, he needed to leave some time for troubleshooting.

"As for the public access system you’re concerned about, Judge Witt, once the server is in place, connect it to the network. Court staff will only need a few clicks of the mouse to grant everyone this access.

Of course, to save time, while preparing the hardware, the scanning of physical records can proceed concurrently. This will greatly reduce the system’s implementation time."

Dean considerately explained the whole process of the system deployment for Judge Witt. It was not very complex and would not result in delays of several months or even over a year.

It must be said, Judge Witt really appreciated Dean’s "efficiency first" work spirit.

When you’ve experienced a court’s heating system take two years to refurbish yet still fail to improve, you would miss the word "efficiency" immensely.

"Dean, I will bring this software up at the next state court meeting." Judge Witt didn’t mince words, she directly picked up her notepad and started writing down the matter swiftly.

"Yes!" Dean clenched his fist with excitement.

Judge Witt bent the corner of her mouth as if she hadn’t seen his little gesture. "Additionally, even if the state appellate court shelves this proposal, that’s okay."

Sheryl Witt took another form and started filling it out, "I will roll out this system in Youngstown Court; similar proposals have already been discussed with the mayor’s office. Youngstown can’t fall behind on automated office systems, of course, this is just for Youngstown."

"This is already an honor for me." Dean hadn’t expected this pleasant surprise, was it not exactly his original vision?

To be honest, implementing his software throughout the courts of Ohio was not Dean’s ambition. Such a systemic project was not something a student could engage in and drive forward.

Without at least a year and a half and the nod of influential individuals, just the resistance to procedural changes alone would stymie many.

Dean’s initial goal was Youngstown Court, with its endorsement. Following that, transferring schools or making a little extra from his landlord seemed all the more natural.

Now it seemed that goal was within reach.

"Take this with you." It was then that Sheryl Witt handed him another form.

"This is..." Dean took the form and glanced at it twice, then looked up incredulously.

"A three-thousand-dollar budget request," Sheryl Witt spoke with a smile, "I know you’ve put a lot of effort into this software. America respects any labor results obtained through legal means and the practice of exchanging it for benefits. It’s what you deserve.

Of course, three thousand dollars isn’t a lot, but that’s the maximum amount I can apply for."

"No... of course not... I mean..." Dean stood up excitedly, "this is so beyond my expectations, I didn’t think I would get this kind of support from you."

"However, this comes with conditions," Judge Witt emphasized after handing him the application form, "I want to see it in trial operation at the Youngstown preliminary court in a week, only with visible results will the budget be realized."

"No problem," Dean agreed without a second thought, considering that if it was just for the Youngstown preliminary court, the workload would be much less.

"However, Judge Witt, if you want to try it in a week, I will need some other necessary support." Since it was a good time to negotiate terms, Dean didn’t beat around the bush, preferring to get all his concerns out at once.

"Hmm~ let’s hear it," Sheryl Witt sipped her coffee.

"I need help to scan the physical case files into the server; any clerk can handle this part. Moreover, regarding the server..."

"I’ll seek help from the mayor’s office for the server issue; you don’t have to worry about that," Sheryl Witt knew that expensive servers were beyond Dean’s reach or a three-thousand-dollar budget. She could only see if she could temporarily requisition one from the city hall.

If that’s the case, then I have no problem," Dean felt relieved, the hardest part had been taken care of, what else was there to say?

"Dean, if this project is done well. Not just the Youngstown Court, the whole of Ohio might be worth a shot."

Sheryl Witt’s hint was clear to Dean. If the Youngstown Court became a model, then she would have a stronger case to present to the state court office.

"Judge Witt, the future office system of the Youngstown Court is bound to be the most advanced, easiest to use, and least problematic system in Ohio," Dean promised her confidently.

"Very good, I like your confidence," Sheryl Witt nodded in satisfaction.

Seeing that she was preparing to bury herself in the documents on her desk again, Dean tactfully prepared to take his leave.

However, before leaving, he remembered another issue. "Oh, by the way, Judge Witt. Regarding this system, you should name it."

"Oh, a name?" Sheryl Witt grew increasingly fond of Dean, "How about we call it the District Court Automation Programs—DCAP?"

"Great!" Dean enthusiastically expressed his agreement.

"Then it’s settled," Sheryl Witt happily added the name to her memo.

...

With a secretive smile from Lorraine, Dean left the main entrance of the Youngstown Preliminary Court in high spirits.

All those nights he stayed up coding were not in vain; this software, if nothing else, would add a beautiful touch to the ’experience’ section of his transfer application.

Having developed an automation program for the district court and securing its practical application should certainly meet the admissions requirements for the Computer Science program at Stanford.

Dean was sure that few people had such an experience; the admissions office at Stanford would receive a satisfying answer as soon as they made a call to verify.

Oh, and there was also that three thousand US Dollars in budget. Although Dean could not get his hands on it now, it would eventually end up in his pocket, as long as the process was completed.

This was an unexpected delight; Dean approached the phone booth and dialed eagerly.

"Roger, how’s it going?"

"Dean, this is just f*cking unbelievable. I actually got money from the university~!"

Through the telephone receiver, Dean could feel his excitement.

"Roger, I’ve always said that scholarships depend on academic performance, but getting money just by talking, that’s the coolest thing!"

"You’re f*cking right! Dean, next time you have such a money-making scheme, don’t forget me!"

Dean’s words hit Roger’s bullseye. Scamming money from the school was not only gratifying but also thrilling.

He would never forget the look on Vance’s face as he babbled in the dean’s office: Vance wanted to kick him out yet had to patiently engage in conversation.

In the end, it was only because of the words "automation software" and "joint development" that Vance, as if he had swallowed a fly, reluctantly wrote him a check for fifteen hundred US Dollars.

"Dean, fifteen hundred US Dollars! I’ve never had this much cash in hand!" Roger practically worshipped the ground Dean walked on; this money wasn’t a student loan, and he didn’t have to pay it back.

"That’s why the money you didn’t earn feels even better to spend," Dean said with a laugh, expressing the freeloader mantra.

"You’re right, it should be like this," Roger felt Dean truly was his best buddy, sharing similar thoughts.

"Okay, back to business, keep half of this money, and I’ll use the rest to pay this month’s internet bill. Mother F*cker, Amerinet doesn’t deserve their fees with that pathetic stock."

"Half? Isn’t that too much, Dean? After all, I didn’t do anything but just dropped by Vance’s office..." Although Roger loved money, he felt he shouldn’t take so much.

He hadn’t contributed to the software at all; Dean did all the work.

"No, Roger, it’s what you deserve. Without your naked photo, we wouldn’t have had the chance to showcase it in front of Judge Witt." Dean didn’t care much about these small amounts of money.

Plus, it was a check from Youngstown State University; he didn’t lack that bit. It was Roger who had been very helpful to him lately, dealing with taxes and threatening librarians with nude photos...

In short, with an extra three thousand US Dollars from Judge Witt’s budget in his pocket, Dean Grant had slightly changed.

"All right, after the software is officially implemented, maybe you, Roger, can apply for another grant with it."

"Dean, if I can scam some more money from the university, I won’t keep a dime of it for myself; just the thrill is enough," Roger was nearly addicted to these tricks now.

After another laugh and a few words, Dean hung up the phone.

There were still a few days left; it was time to enrich the software’s databases a bit more before he tried to get money from his landlord... ahem, that is, to make a sales pitch.

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.