Presenters: Tom Mighell & Friends
Saturday, March 15 at 11:00 am
In addition to being a perennial favorite among both attendees and speakers, this TechShow staple is a great opportunity for the crowd to let its collective hair down and enjoy an often irreverent, free-form look at the Internet for lawyers.
This year was no exception as TechShow chairman Tom Mighell and colleagues took to the dais and led us all a journey of self-discovery and good fun. Of course your humble reporter was bushed by then so I just sat back and enjoyed the show.
Of the 60 sites, below you'll find my favorite 8 in no particular order plus 2 that I would have included:
This site is largely acknowledged to be where the rubber meets the road in terms of law as a business and business as a way of life.
Find WiFi hotspots nearby. If like me you want to be connected constantly, keep this site on your radar.
3. Acrobat for Legal Professionals
Rick Borstein's blog about all things Acrobat for the law office is a must-read.
4. Planet PDF
When just one know-it-all site isn't enough, turn to this bulletin board forum where you might find for instance that you're not the only one who thought the "tab" button on your keyboard would order you a soda ... or who had a particular PDF question. Same difference.
5. TechnoLawyer
I think it's a great resource. No bias here. Plus they get some incredible writers to contribute ...
6. Dodgeball
Dodgeball was among the poster-children of the early Web 2.0 movement. The speakers agreed this site is great for reaching people with text messages when they get near a given location.
7. Lifehacker
This site is just what you would guess: a remedy for what ails you. It also represents the pinnacle of "giving it away" when it comes to really useful information. Try to find something software-related that it doesn't address.
8. Google (including Google Docs, Google Calendar, Gmail, Goog411, etc., etc., etc.)
There is absolutely nothing I can add here that hasn't been written to death ... except maybe this:
• Nearly every aspect of the Google Office Suite is in the throes of being upgraded and improved on a constant basis.
• When I remember how Google Docs drew "oohs" and "aahs" at last year's TechShow it blows my mind to hear it tossed out in such a matter of fact manner as a viable office suite. What's the world coming to?
Not mentioned but worthy of a bookmark:
9. Skype
Need to make a call where there isn't any phone service? Skype plus your wireless modem is the answer. Case closed.
10. Twitter
Twitter asks that you answer the question "What are you doing?" Respond in 140 characters or less and you're twittering. Join thousands around the world doing the same or keep the conversation private. It's a combination SMS system, social network, and cultural phenomenon.
Update: ABA has published the official version of 2008's 60 Sites in 60 Minutes.
Read more firsthand reports from ABA TechShow 2008.
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