Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers timeline creation software (see article below), metadata management software, a Web-based task manager, an online widget for appointment scheduling at your law firm, and an iPhone app for listening to CLE courses on the go. Don't miss the next issue.
Show Them What Happened
Every case consists of a series of events. And in most cases, the events are in dispute (summary judgment being an exception). When the dispute involves not just the facts, but when they transpired, no amount of verbal gymnastics can compete with a visual timeline. Pedagogical studies have shown that children can understand timelines and other informational graphics before they learn how to read. Other studies show that such visuals also enhance comprehension among adults. So, how can you create timelines for your cases?
TimeMap 5 … in One Sentence
LexisNexis' TimeMap 5 enables you to create and present event-based timelines.
The Killer Feature
While timelines can wow an audience, they can become unwieldy to edit.
TimeMap's new Spreadsheet View enables you to add to and edit your timeline in an Excel-like environment. You can navigate the spreadsheet using the Tab key, and toggle between the spreadsheet and the timeline with one click. If you attach an exhibit or other file to an event, the spreadsheet displays a paperclip that you can click to view the document.
Other Notable Features
The new version of TimeMap also gives you more control over the labels on your timeline. For example, instead of displaying the specific dates, you can use terms like "Summer 2010." You can still see the actual date in the Spreadsheet View. You can also hide the month, day, or year as necessary (e.g., if the timeline covers a short time period, you may not want to list the year).
TimeMap now offers global search and replace. Thus, you can begin creating a timeline even when you don't know all dates, names, locations, etc. You can enter filler text and replace it later. You can also search for and find any text in your timeline.
To make your timeline more visually compelling, TimeMap now enables you to add graphics and photos to fact, text, and picture boxes in your timeline (.bmp, .emf, .ico, .gif, .jpg, and .wmf). TimeMap ships with some clip art, and integrates with Microsoft Office's Clip Organizer.
What Else Should You Know?
TimeMap 5 runs on Windows 2000 or later. Pricing starts at $417.60 for a two-year subscription. You can download a 30-day free trial. Learn more about TimeMap 5.
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