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Info Select is not a legal specific program, but is advertised as "a Personal Information Manager that organizes Internet data, notes, to-do's, schedules, contacts, addresses, forms, ideas, images, and much more..." I have, and make limited use of AbacusLaw, which is a legal specific detailed case management system. However, I am gravitating more and more away from it to Info Select because of the ease of use of the program.
What I like about Info Select is that on one screen I can get an overview of all my cases and clients. The program is highly customizable. Down the left side of the screen I have listed all of my cases/clients names. When I click on the name, the entire right side of the screen becomes active for that case. Here is where I put my clients' contact information, the opposing attorney contact information and then under that I keep my daily notes of anything I need to document about the case. The program allows you to hit a date key and the date appears for note keeping. The program allows you to cut and paste almost anything into the space — documents, pictures, links, etc. Sometimes, I place a link to certain documents in my word-processing program so that when I click it, the document appears. When a client calls, I can hastily look down the left side to identify the client's name, click the name and all my notes and info are instantly on the right side, so that I can talk with them about the case.
The problem with the larger programs is they are more cumbersome and take longer to maneuver to the data. Don't get me wrong, the larger programs are o.k., but I like the simple screen in front of me, with an instant view of all my cases and instant availability of the data. The program also allows me to create an icon under my clients name on the left side, which will open a spread sheet on the right side to record time on the case. The spread sheet also allows for organization of discovery that has or needs to be done. The program has a search system that allows you to type a word or part of a word and every file that has that word in it appears on the left side column so that you can open it and look at the words. The program has a calendaring system and alarms. You can keep a separate calendar for each case and put reminders and alarms for various events. The program allows you to change the color of the files on the left side. I like to use red on files that are needing attention. When I finish a case, I can just drag and drop it to my retired case folder that I keep toward the bottom of the left screen.
On the left side of the screen, I can keep a to-do list and files for names and address of service providers, courts, doctors, etc. Sure, all the large management systems can do all of this and more, but I don't believe any are this simple, customizable, and visually helpful on one main screen. I'm still discovering new ways in which to use it to help me with my cases. It also has an e-mail program but I still like my Outlook program. I, also, use the program to organize my personal life in that I can keep all my passwords, etc in a file and the program has a simple but powerful encryption system. Any of the files can be easily encrypted. The program is inexpensive and I don't think I could do without it. I have no monetary interest in the program.
Danny C. Wash
Wash & Thomas, Attorneys
Waco, Texas
[Publisher's Note: Read Alfred Poor's review of the latest version of Info Select courtesy of PC Magazine.
Also, blogger Ananda Sim shares her two cents. — Sara Skiff]
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