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BrainDump, EDDWorld, Wordundant, Billable Bully, DayOff: Read Our Exclusive Reports

By Neil J. Squillante | Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a network appliance that writes briefs, a Web app that recreates the document review rooms of old for eDiscovery, a specialized email filter that deletes ad hominem arguments, a tool for boosting your billable hours, and an iPhone social networking app for meeting up with people who can help you when you need a day off. Don't miss the next issue.

Briefs That Write Themselves (Associate Not Included)

Most automation tools are limited to documents such as wills that have the same basic components and structure each time. That's helpful, but many lawyers create unique documents that require analysis and creativity as opposed to just filling in the blanks — briefs, letters, memos, layoff notices, etc. These documents keep many a lawyer trapped in their office until late at night. So how about some automation technology that enables you not only to spend less time at the office but less time thinking?

BrainDump … in One Sentence
Hoodathunk's BrainDump is a network appliance that automates the drafting of briefs, obviating the need for critical thought.

The Killer Feature
BrainDump's "Brief Brief" feature ensures that you never miss a tee time (or teatime or whatever you enjoy). However, it works best when you have a junior associate at your disposal. If you don't have one, you can usually find them near fancy skyscrapers around lunchtime after the law firms in these buildings announce their latest round of layoffs.

Once you have an associate, give them an overview of your case and ask them to find supporting opinions for all the points you want to make in your brief. If your associate used to work in a large firm, give him the assignment on a Friday afternoon and ask for the research to be on your desk the next morning even though you don't plan to get back to the office until Tuesday. That way, you'll put him in his comfort zone.

When you return to the office (on Wednesday), review the headnotes of the cases. If the cases look good, simply dump them into BrainDump's 5,000-page automatic document feeder and press the "Brief Brief" button. After just a few minutes, BrainDump will print out your brief and all supporting documents, as well as email a copy to you, your client, and opposing counsel, and even file it with the court if it offers e-filing.

Other Notable Features
BrainDump can produce virtually any legal document and has 50 programmable buttons. If you run out of buttons, you can create button-pressing sequences for documents that you create less frequently. For example, while you might want to press a button only once for a nasty letter to opposing counsel, you could program BrainDump so that pressing the same button 112 times produces a friendly letter to opposing counsel.

BrainDump is not Energy Star compliant given its heavy processing requirements. However, it compensates with its built-in shredder. After scanning the raw material you feed it, BrainDump shreds it into subatomic particles. Even an electron microscope cannot detect any remnants. For this reason, Hoodathunk recommends feeding only copies to BrainDump, not originals.

While BrainDump might sound a bit dangerous, it has a highly intelligent sensor that can detect human skin. Therefore, if you accidentally insert your hand too far while feeding it some deposition transcripts, you'll be pleasantly surprised by what happens — BrainDump will trim your fingernails if needed and then turn off. The company is reportedly working on a manicure add-on by popular demand.

What Else Should You Know?
In addition to paper, BrainDump can handle CDs, DVDs, hard drives, USB drives, and your voice — just shout into the ADF. BrainDump comes in two pieces — a five pound 5 x 5 x 5 inch base and a 500 pound 5 x 5 x 5 foot ADF. Assembly requires four or five able-bodied people. Hoodathunk provides a list of CBCs (certified brawny consultants) on its site should you require assistance. The price of BrainDump depends on its opinion of your intelligence.

TLN Roundup: Pardon the Dust Plus Much More

Litinoodle's EDDWorld (Web) is a Web-based document review tool that mimics the paper-based systems of the past. The Killer Feature: You review discovery documents in a virtual document review room using an avatar. You can adjust various elements such as the amount of dust, the number of blown ballasts in the fluorescent lights, and the color of your Redwelds and Bates Stamper. The pricing of EDDWorld depends on the size of your document collection.

Redonkulous Technologies' Wordundant (Windows) is a utility that automatically deletes TechnoLawyer newsletters and other email in which someone praises or criticizes word processing software. The Killer Feature: Instead of having these newsletters deleted sight unseen, hundreds of clever animations such as "walk the plank" make it fun to delete these ad hominem arguments.

Rounding Error's Billable Bully (Web) helps persuade you to bill for time that you're unsure about. The Killer Feature: Billable Bully asks you a series of questions after which it builds a case as to why you're entitled to bill the time. In fact, lawyers who use Billable Bully end up billing twice as much time on average as what they originally enter. Billable Bully also provides lengthy descriptions for your bills. You pay Billable Bully 20% of the fees you collect on the time it persuades you to bill.

Beer Gut Software's DayOff (iPhone) is a social networking app that uses GPS to locate people nearby who have a bad cold so that you can infect yourself and get a day off. The Killer Feature: Thanks to built-in chat software, you can ask those in your vicinity about their symptoms. Thus, if you prefer sneezing to coughing, etc., you can wait until you find the perfect mix of symptoms before meeting up and shaking hands.

Publisher's Note: In case you haven't guessed by now, none of the five products described above actually exist (I hope). April Fool's! We'll resume covering real products next week.

How to Receive TechnoLawyer NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The "In One Sentence" section describes each product in one sentence, and the "Killer Feature" section describes each product's most compelling feature. The TechnoLawyer NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Automation/Document Assembly/Macros | Business Productivity/Word Processing | Entertainment/Hobbies/Recreation | Litigation/Discovery/Trials | TL NewsWire

Law Firm Payroll Processing; Time Matters 9; Olympus DS-330; Nuance; Data Rot; New Lawyer; Much More

By Sara Skiff | Thursday, March 26, 2009

Coming today to Answers to Questions: Steven Best discusses three payroll options for law firms, Steven Kraus reviews Time Matters 9.0 Enterprise edition, Peter Conway reviews the Olympus DS-330 and how it compares to the old days of mini-cassettes, Steven McNichols reviews Nuance's tech support policies, and Tom Trottier shares a few tips for long-term data storage. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive Answers to Questions
Do you believe in the wisdom of crowds? In Answers to Questions, TechnoLawyer members answer legal technology and practice management questions submitted by their peers. This newsletter's popularity stems from the relevance of the questions and answers to virtually everyone in the legal profession. The Answers to Questions newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Automation/Document Assembly/Macros | Backup/Media/Storage | Business Productivity/Word Processing | Coming Attractions | Dictation/OCR/Speech Recognition | Practice Management/Calendars | TL Answers

MPro110 Review; ProLaw Review; Mac Switcher; Fire Your Consultant; Dragon on Vista 64

By Sara Skiff | Friday, March 13, 2009

Coming today to Fat Friday: David Hudgens reviews 3M's Micro Professional Projector MPro110, Camden Hall reviews ProLaw for practice management, Tom Caruso discusses three cost considerations when switching to a Mac, Jerry Perrella provides some sound advice for law firms needing to reformat server disks, and Jeff Scott Olson shares his recent experience with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 and Windows Vista 64. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Coming Attractions | Consultants/Services/Training | Desktop PCs/Servers | Dictation/OCR/Speech Recognition | Fat Friday | Networking/Operating Systems | Practice Management/Calendars | Presentations/Projectors

SplitView Review; Ergotron LX Review; Paste Special; Off the Shelf; Time59 Review

By Sara Skiff | Thursday, March 12, 2009

Coming today to Answers to Questions: Jeffrey Brown reviews SplitView with a 24 inch Monitor, Robin Stickney reviews the Ergotron LX Dual Desk Mount Arm for multiple monitors, Ross Kodner explains how to use Paste Special, David Estes defends hiring technology consultants but laments being unable to find one to help his firm, and Mike Tryon reviews Time59 for time-billing. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive Answers to Questions
Do you believe in the wisdom of crowds? In Answers to Questions, TechnoLawyer members answer legal technology and practice management questions submitted by their peers. This newsletter's popularity stems from the relevance of the questions and answers to virtually everyone in the legal profession. The Answers to Questions newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Business Productivity/Word Processing | Coming Attractions | Computer Accessories | Consultants/Services/Training | Monitors | TL Answers | Utilities

TechnoLawyer's Truman Moment Plus 37 More Links

By Neil J. Squillante | Monday, March 9, 2009

Coming today to BlawgWorld: Our editorial team has selected and linked to 38 articles from the past week worthy of your attention, including our Post of the Week. Here's a sample:

Do Web Applications Cost More Than Software?

Overheard in Chicago: Foley May Hire 20 Big Law Refugees

Using the Web to Network

Don't miss this issue or future issues.

How to Receive BlawgWorld
Our newsletters provide the most comprehensive coverage of legal technology, practice management, and law firm marketing, but not the only coverage. To stay on top of all the noteworthy articles published in blogs and other online publications you could either hire a research assistant or simply subscribe to BlawgWorld. The BlawgWorld newsletter has received rave reviews and is free. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | BlawgWorld Newsletter | Coming Attractions | Law Firm Marketing/Publications/Web Sites | Law Office Management | Online/Cloud | Practice Management/Calendars

Can't Go Back; PDF Transformer Pro Review; RTG Bills Review; Best Desk; Credit Cards; Much More

By Sara Skiff | Thursday, March 5, 2009

Coming today to Answers to Questions: Steve Quinn explains why he'll never go back to analog dictation, Jon Manchester reviews ABBYY PDF Transformer Pro, Dennis Loy reviews RTG Bills, Gerard Stubbert shares his solution for the perfect office desk, and Harold Burstyn discusses WiFi options in Israel. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Thursdays, Answers to Questions is a weekly newsletter in which TechnoLawyer members answer legal technology and practice management questions submitted by their peers (including you if you join TechnoLawyer). Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Business Productivity/Word Processing | Coming Attractions | Dictation/OCR/Speech Recognition | Furniture/Office Supplies | Networking/Operating Systems | TL Answers

Bill4Time: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers an online billing application (see article below), an iPhone eBook reader, automation software for HUD closings, software that enables you to search your PC from a smartphone, and legal graphics software. Don't miss the next issue.

Can Technology Help You Bill More Time?
By Neil J. Squillante

B4T-37-NPP-450

If you're like most lawyers, you probably dislike keeping track of your time but enjoy the end result — getting paid. Two paths exist that can deliver you from this chore — leaving legal practice or using technology to make billing your time easier. If you can carry a tune and don't mind being berated by Simon Cowell, great. The rest of you might want to explore the latest billing technologies.

Bill4Time ... in One Sentence
Bill4Time is an online time billing and project management system that enables you to track time and expenses on the go.

The Killer Feature
When we first covered Bill4Time in this newsletter in July 2007, we noted how its Web-based nature freed lawyers to bill their time using a Web browser on any Mac or PC.

While liberating, a number of situations exist in which lawyers don't have access to a computer or the Internet or both. Bill4Time has addressed this issue by releasing free applications that connect to your Bill4Time Web account.

For example, the new Bill4Time Widget is a desktop application for Mac and Windows that enables you to enter time and expenses with or without an Internet connection (if you're not connected, it syncs when you next connect).

Similarly, Bill4Time offers mobile apps for BlackBerry, iPhone, Palm, and Windows Mobile, which enable you to use Bill4Time on the go without having to use a laptop.

Other Notable Features
Over the past year and a half, Bill4Time also realized that one size does not fit all. You can now choose from three versions — Free, Lite, and Professional. The differences primarily concern the number of users, clients, and matters (projects).

Also new since our previous coverage is integration with QuickBooks thanks to the free QB Connect program. This software enables you to import your Bill4Time invoices, payments, balances, and other data into QuickBooks Pro or Premiere 2004 or later.

One of the most requested features among Bill4Time's early adopters was trust accounting, which the company rolled out about six months ago. You can create trust accounts for clients and even for specific matters.

Bill4Time offers a variety of ways to monitor activity. You can receive realtime email alerts, configure and view a Web dashboard, and create and export reports.

What Else Should You Know?
Bill4Time backs up your data offsite six times every day and encrypts your connection to your account. You can also backup your data locally. Bill4Time Free costs nothing of course, but you can try Bill4Time Lite and Professional free for 30 days. Pricing starts at $19.99 per user per month and includes unlimited support. Learn more about Bill4Time.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Online/Cloud | TL NewsWire

Lexmark X9350 Review; Time Matters and PCLaw; FineReader Pro Review; WordPerfect ToC and ToA Tip; Pathagoras Review

By Sara Skiff | Thursday, February 19, 2009

Coming today to Answers to Questions: Neal Rogers shares how his firm uses their Lexmark X9350 all-in-one for wireless network scanning, Caren Schwartz reviews Time Matters and PCLaw, Mark Manoukian reviews ABBYY FineReader Pro for OCR, Carolyn Thornlow explains how to create Tables of Authorities and Contents in WordPerfect, and Daniel Fennick reviews Pathagoras for document assembly. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Thursdays, Answers to Questions is a weekly newsletter in which TechnoLawyer members answer legal technology and practice management questions submitted by their peers (including you if you join TechnoLawyer). Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Automation/Document Assembly/Macros | Business Productivity/Word Processing | Coming Attractions | Copiers/Scanners/Printers | Dictation/OCR/Speech Recognition | Practice Management/Calendars | TL Answers

Is PC Building For Chumps?; POPFile Review; LogMeIn Reviews; CompuLaw-Peachtree Conflict

By Sara Skiff | Friday, February 13, 2009

Coming today to Fat Friday: David Copeland joins the debate over whether law firms should build their own custom PCs, Tom Trottier reviews POPFile for controlling spam, Malcolm Gregson shares an important integration issue between Compulaw Vision Docket and Peachtree, Lincoln Miller responds to Ross Kodner's recent SmallLaw column on the search for the perfect laptop, and Louis Rosner reviews LogMeIn Free. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Coming Attractions | Desktop PCs/Servers | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Fat Friday | Litigation/Discovery/Trials | Networking/Operating Systems | Online/Cloud | Privacy/Security

Amicus Attorney 2009 Premium Edition and Amicus Attorney 2009 Small Firm Edition: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers new practice management software (see article below), a Web application for time tracking and billing, inexpensive OCR software for law firms with modest needs, secure instant messaging software, and a time-billing application for Macs. Don't miss the next issue.

Your Practice, Your Way
By Neil J. Squillante

GGA-308-NPP-450

Having information at your fingertips won't do you much good if there's too much of it to thumb through. Nowadays, you don't just need access to information. You need intelligent access. This need is particularly acute within the context of practice management software because that's what you use to run your firm. Fortunately, help is at hand.

Amicus Attorney 2009 Premium Edition and Amicus Attorney 2009 Small Firm Edition … in One Sentence
Gavel & Gown Software's Amicus Attorney 2009 Premium Edition and Amicus Attorney 2009 Small Firm Edition (collectively, Amicus Attorney 2009) enables small firms and larger firms respectively to manage their practice, including calendars, contacts, document creation, email, tasks, and more.

The Killer Feature
As intimated above, sometimes you need to see the forest and sometimes you need to see the trees. The new Dashboard in Amicus Attorney 2009 offers the best of both worlds.

You can decide exactly what you want to see thanks to completely customizable screens. Also, you can create as many Dashboards as you want.

In addition to viewing data from within Amicus Attorney 2009, you can also view external information such as file servers (including specific folders and files) and Web sites.

"Amicus 2009 lets you do it your way," said Ron Collins, President of Gavel & Gown Software. "With over 24,000 law firms using our software, we've learned that no two law firms work the same way."

Other Notable Features
Among the other new features, the File Intake Form standardizes the creation of new accounts and matters, ensuring that you capture all the information you need at the outset. You can design your own templates and designate mandatory fields or use the included Client Matter Intake Form.

Of course, before you set up a new client, you'll want to take advantage of the improved conflict searching. You can designate which areas of Amicus Attorney 2009 to search, including custom fields, notes, and even time entries. You can run a conflict search for multiple names simultaneously. The report generated lists the names searched, the criteria you selected, the person who ran the search, the results, and any comments entered by the searcher.

Also new is the Communications Preview Pane, which enables you to preview email, phone calls, and phone messages at the bottom of your screen.

What Else Should You Know?
Last year saw the release of Amicus Mobile for the Windows Mobile platform. With the 2009 release, the company has created a version for BlackBerrys. Amicus Mobile 2009 works exclusively with Amicus Attorney 2009 Premium Edition.

Pricing for Amicus Attorney 2009 Premium Edition starts at $699 while pricing starts at $349 for Amicus Attorney 2009 Small Firm Edition. The company offers a free trial so that you can kick the tires. Learn more about Amicus Attorney 2009 Premium Edition and Amicus Attorney 2009 Small Firm Edition.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Wednesdays, TechnoLawyer NewsWire is a weekly newsletter that enables you to learn about new technology products and services of interest to legal professionals. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Practice Management/Calendars | TL NewsWire
 
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