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Web Page Archiving; Is QuickBooks Risky?; StartStop Review; PCLaw Review; Much More

By Sara Skiff | Friday, April 4, 2008

Coming April 10, 2008 to Answers to Questions: Bill Baldwin suggests several different ways to archive Web page information on any budget, Steven J. Best explains why using QuickBooks can get you disbarred, Rob Howard reviews the StartStop Universal Transcription System with Olympus DS-4000, David Hudgens reviews PCLaw and ponders its future integration with Time Matters (and LexisNexis responds), and Jack Futoran weighs in on the Word versus WordPerfect debate from a technical perspective. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published 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 | Collaboration/Knowledge Management | Coming Attractions | Dictation/OCR/Speech Recognition | Practice Management/Calendars | TL Answers

Top Ten Tips for Recruiting and Managing a Law Firm Bookkeeper

By Sara Skiff | Friday, March 28, 2008

Coming April 1, 2008 to TechnoFeature: Good employees are hard to find. Hiring a good bookkeeper with law firm experience is even harder. Do you know the skills required to work with sensitive and specific accounting records, only found in law firms? In this article, trainer Beatriz Milia shares ten important tips for hiring and training a competent, motivated, and trustworthy legal bookkeeper.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Tuesdays, TechnoFeature is a weekly newsletter that contains in-depth articles written by leading legal technology and practice management experts. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Coming Attractions | Law Office Management | TechnoFeature

PayMo: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a new Web-based time and billing application (see article below), a suite of server-based PDF applications, and a hosted wiki service for collaboration and document management. Don't miss the next issue.

Pay Me More
By Neil J. Squillante

If a typical software application has 100 features, but most people use only 10 of the features, should the software company jettison the 90 features that only a minority of people use? Yes, according to the growing number of software companies creating lightweight, Web-based applications.

One such company, Logic Design, recently launched PayMo, a Web-based billing application for lawyers and others who need to track their time. PayMo doesn't do as much as its more mature competitors — by choice. Instead, the company focuses on a few core features and a lickable interface that looks like something from Apple.

To get started, you set up clients and projects (matters), and then simply track the time spent on tasks within those projects. PayMo has two types of users — managers (such as managing partners and office managers) who can see everything, and individual users who can see only their own time entries.

PayMo can track the time you spend on a task with a stopwatch and then create a time entry. You can edit time entries anytime before submitting them. The stopwatch shows you how much time you've billed for the entire day and week, not just the task at hand. If you don't like the idea of tracking your time in a browser, you can install a lightweight desktop application for Mac or Windows with much the same functionality.

Managers have access to many more functions. From a single dashboard, you can access and review everyone's time-sheets. Thanks to an array of charts, at a glance you can gauge overall performance and spot slackers. You can view time by client, employee, and project, and you can drill down further for more details. At any point, you can generate bills and send them to clients via email. You can also save bills and reports in PDF format.

PayMo is free for up to three users. Otherwise, it costs $3.99/user/month. If you have 30 or more users, you can choose to pay a flat fee of $150/month. Learn more about PayMo.

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 | Business Productivity/Word Processing | Collaboration/Knowledge Management | Document Management | Online/Cloud | TL NewsWire

ABA TECHSHOW 2008: Beating the Startup Blues: A Tech Survival Guide (Solo/Small Firm II Track)

By Mazyar Hedayat | Friday, March 21, 2008

7450

Presenters: Carolyn Elefant and David Masters
Friday, March 14 at 8:30 am

A small firm or solo attorney could hardly ask for more. Before me, on the second day of what was already shaping up to be the most interesting TechShow in years, sat a pair of legends in solo practice — Carolyn Elefant and David Masters.

They needed no introduction to the standing-room-only crowd that had packed the Hilton meeting room that morning. Nor do they need an introduction to any of us who believe in the Internet as the great leveler. They were here to discuss how to make smart technology decisions as a small firm and solo practice lawyer. They wasted no time setting out the factors to consider:

• Cost
• Mobility
• Ease of Use
• Available Support
• Compatibility
• Security

With these in mind, technology decisions can be narrowed down to:

• Mac v. PC
• Laptops v. Desktops
• Multiple Monitors
• Multifunction Machines
• Handheld Computers
• Software
• Collaboration
• Adobe Acrobat
• Backup Strategies
• Communications Tools
• Email Tools

Mac v. PC

Proponents of the Mac will tell you they are more stable, virtually virus-proof, easy to use, intuitive, and have more third party applications being built for them all the time. PC people on the other hand point out that PC's have a lower overall operating cost, are slightly less expensive to acquire, have far more third party applications available, and simply represent the flagship of business computing. Since neither side has been proven 100% right or wrong yet, the speakers suggested an integration strategy. Since PCs and Macs can coexist on the same network, bi-curious practitioners should mix and match to determine which system works better for them.

[They can also co-exist in the same computer with virtualization software like Parallels and Fusion.]

Laptop v. Desktop

David was quite clear about his preference for a laptop, citing its inherent mobility, fewer moving parts to damage, synchronization with your home office, and the drop in price in recent years. Desktops on the other hand remain the champs when it comes to power, applications, and configuration options. In the end, all that extra RAM and ROM will secure the position of the desktop as ruler of the law office until laptops establish an insurmountable advantage or can't-do-without-it set of features (MacBook Air anyone?).

[While tablet PC's were not discussed, I'd bet money they will be on next year's agenda].

Note: When selecting a laptop, look for

• Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
• At least 1 GB of RAM
• At least 80 GB Hard Drive
• CD/RW-DVD capability
• At least a 14" screen

Multiple Monitors

Dual monitors were generally acknowledged to increase productivity and therefore ROI. In that regard the UltraMon utility was recommended by David. The point is to situate programs on the various screens (one or two per monitor) and reduce the number of clicks it takes to complete a task or switch between tasks. There was really no dispute from those present.

[Incidentally, the University of Utah just released a study finding that a 24 inch monitor is ideal for maximizing productivity. It did not study dual monitor use. See Ben Worthen, Bigger Computer Monitors = More Productivity, Wall Street Journal.]

Multifunction Machines

The topic of multifunction machines that print, scan, copy, and fax went without much fanfare. Who could object? In fact the very idea of a single-use machine seems archaic nowadays — although David expressed his wistfulness for some fine machines from his past. Added features to keep in mind include 2-sided printing and scanning, as well as faxing both in "hard copy" form and electronically (though electronic faxing is generally done from the desktop via software such as eFax and WinFax).

Handheld Computers

There was much to discuss here, with the debate centering on whether a PDA needs to be bundled with a phone and whether its true purpose is to unify communications, enhance mobility, un-tether users from the office, or act as a low-resolution laptop replacement. At this point an audience member asked whether anything inhabited the space in-between handhelds and laptops. Enter the sub-notebook. Another audience member had one to show. In the end the speakers ticked off a list of suitable units including:

iPhone
Palm Treo
BlackBerry
Sony
Motorola Q

Software

Nowadays software is everywhere and nowhere. Lawyers can't work without good software, but often try to make their software do what it can't. Stick to the basics:

Word-Processing
The usual suspects here include Microsoft Word (2003, 2007, etc.) and of course Corel's sentimental favorite WordPerfect product. Less traditional but more interesting alternatives include OpenOffice (now NeoOffice) and Google Docs. There is an abundance of choice in this department.

Digital Dictation
Again, the standards were trotted out here including Dragon NaturallySpeaking and (surprise!) outsourcing in India or even near-sourcing in the U.S. by using a digital dictation and transcription service.

[Last year at TechShow, a company called QuickSek had a booth. This company transcribes overnight or even the same day — you can dictate by phone. No booth this year.]

Practice Management
Amicus Attorney, Time Matters, PracticeMaster, and ProLaw were mentioned by the speakers; and although Outlook 2007 appears to be creeping into the space traditionally occupied by such products, it was specifically not recommended as a practice management solution. The speakers were clear on that.

Time and Billing
In this category Timeslips, Tabs3, and PCLaw were the favorites.

[Again, Outlook was not mentioned although the Journal feature includes a timer. Also missing was new market entrant Bill4Time, a Web application.]

Collaboration

The speakers mixed things up a bit here, beginning with the more traditional concept of the Extranet and proceeding to the more exotic offerings from BaseCamp, Zoho, Google Apps, and the wonderful world of Wikis. It's no coincidence that the ABA just published an entire book on this subject. For the audience at this event however, there was no need to go into any great detail. Any of the suggested solutions was adequate for the needs of a small firm or sole-practitioner.

Adobe Acrobat

David Masters wrote the book on Adobe Acrobat for lawyers. No, really; he wrote The Lawyer's Guide to Adobe Acrobat, now in its second edition. So it was no surprise that David considers Acrobat to be the most efficient document format in the market, as well as the standard for e-filing and scanning. He recommended using a sheet-fed, flatbed scanner for best results.

Backup Strategies

Already the source of much confusion and fear, backing up is essential. With that in mind both Carolyn and David suggested:

• Daily backup is essential — develop the discipline.
• Make sure you're catching relevant files in each backup.
• Make sure you can restore reliably using this system.
• Backup off-site as well as on-site.

Communications Tools

Sure, voice over IP (VoIP) is less expensive than using traditional telephone lines and cell towers, but is it time for a small-firm or sole-practitioner to take the plunge? According to these speakers yes — the time has come. In addition, users now have an unprecedented choice of Internet-based calling, messaging, and communication options including:

Free Conference Call
Grand Central

Email Tools

As the price of email technology and storage has plummeted the small-firm and solo attorney has been deluged with the same range of choices as a big-firm practitioner: desk-based, Web-based, POP3, IMAP, Exchange, etc. The point is to use the safest alternative and always get a good spam filtering system.

Conclusion

At the end of presentation the audience gave the speakers a well-deserved ovation. Also, I'm guessing they left better off than they arrived. I know I did. Unfortunately however, I had to be in court by mid-day so this was the end of day two of TechShow for me. Still, if I had to pick only one session to attend this was it.

Read more firsthand reports from ABA TechShow 2008.

About TechnoLawyer Trade Show Reports
Even in today's wired world, trade shows continue to play an important role. But not everyone can attend trade shows. Hence, our trade show reports, which bring trade shows to you. You can find our trade show reports here in TechnoLawyer Blog, and also in TechnoGuide, a free newsletter that also contains exclusive content. Learn more about TechnoGuide.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Backup/Media/Storage | Business Productivity/Word Processing | Collaboration/Knowledge Management | Desktop PCs/Servers | Dictation/OCR/Speech Recognition | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets | Monitors | Networking/Operating Systems | Practice Management/Calendars | Trade Show Reports

PCLaw for Front Office; Ironic Advice; Matrox DualHead2Go Review; PaperPort Review; My Mac Secret

By Sara Skiff | Friday, March 14, 2008

Coming March 20, 2008 to Answers to Questions: Paul Lepine discusses using PCLaw for front and back office (and LexisNexis responds), diehard WordPerfect user Sharon Kirts shares some Microsoft Word advice, Stephen Silverberg reviews Matrox DualHead2Go for running dual monitors, Gerard Stubbert reviews PaperPort for annotating PDF files, and Michael Labay explains why he no longer tries to convert Windows users to Mac. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published 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 | Monitors | Networking/Operating Systems | Practice Management/Calendars | TL Answers | Utilities

PCLaw Usability; PracticeMaster; Timeslips 2005 Support and eCenter; Start-Stop Review; Compatibility Is King

By Sara Skiff | Friday, March 7, 2008

Coming March 13, 2008 to Answers to Questions: Vusumzi Msi reviews his experience using PCLaw in his solo practice for more than 12 years, David Moon discusses PracticeMaster's pros and cons (especially for Tabs3 users), Timeslips Product Manager Ronda Horsham responds to a subscriber's Question regarding Timeslips 2005's functionality and technical support options, Steven Fritz reviews the Start-Stop Universal Transcription System and compares the Olympus DS-3000 digital recorder with the DS-4000, and Edward Schoenecker shares his observations on Word and WordPerfect usage in the legal profession. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published 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 | Practice Management/Calendars | TL Answers

MacBook Pro and TrialDirector; Why Word Won; Courtroom Presentation Privacy Tip; PDF Converter Review; Tabs3 Review

By Sara Skiff | Friday, February 22, 2008

Coming February 28, 2008 to Answers to Questions: Legal Nurse Consultant Patricia Karalow reviews her experience running TrialDirector 5.1 on a Mac (plus we introduce you to three new Mac-related blawgs), Dave Culbertson discusses the history of Word and WordPerfect and what his crystal ball suggests for both products going forward, Julie Saliba suggests an easy fix to prevent showing your computer's desktop during a courtroom presentation (and we provide some alternative solutions), Mary Jo Toth reviews Nuance's PDF Converter, and David Bernier reviews his firm's experience using Tabs3 along with a few other products from Software Technology Inc. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published 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 | Monitors | Networking/Operating Systems | Presentations/Projectors | TL Answers

Treo 680 Review; Host Your Own Trade Show; Anatomy of a Backup; Perils of Software Downgrades; Avvo Review

By Sara Skiff | Friday, January 18, 2008

Coming January 25, 2008 to Fat Friday: Michael Caldwell compares his old Treo 650 to his new Treo 680, Douglas Thomas explains how to host your own legal technology trade show in your hometown, WIlliam Lloyd shares the details of his office's backup system and a new online system he's testing, Jay Brice discusses his experience trying to downgrade Amicus Attorney, and Daniel Fennick reviews the attorney ratings site Avvo. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Fridays, Fat Friday is a weekly newsletter that features a grab bag full of genuinely useful product reviews and tips on a wide variety of topics. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Backup/Media/Storage | Coming Attractions | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Fat Friday | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets | Online/Cloud | Practice Management/Calendars | Technology Industry/Legal Profession

How GCs Hire Lawyers; Roboform Review; How to Improve CLE; DOS Versus Windows; Amicus Attorney 7

By Sara Skiff | Friday, December 7, 2007

Coming December 14, 2007 to Fat Friday: Eugene Curry responds to a thread on biglaw associate salaries and shares how he chose lawyers when he worked as general counsel, Chanler Sparler reviews the pros and cons of using Roboform for creating and managing passwords in his busy law practice, Edward Still offers three suggestions for improving CLE, Stephen Seldin reminisces about the glory days before Windows and fancy word processors, and Chas Watson reviews Amicus Attorney 7. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published on Fridays, Fat Friday is a weekly newsletter that features a grab bag full of genuinely useful product reviews and tips on a wide variety of topics. Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.

Topics: Accounting/Billing/Time Capture | Business Productivity/Word Processing | CLE/News/References | Coming Attractions | Fat Friday | Law Office Management | Networking/Operating Systems | Practice Management/Calendars | Privacy/Security | Technology Industry/Legal Profession | Utilities

Philips Dictation System Review; Trust Accounting; Paperless Medical Disability Practice; Text Cleanup Review; Parallels Versus Fusion

By Sara Skiff | Friday, December 7, 2007

Coming December 13, 2007 to Answers to Questions: Kristy Binmore reviews her firm's use of Philips digital dictation recorders and the SpeechExec Transcription Set, Brett Thompson explains how his firm uses QuickBooks for trust accounting, Dan Norris reviews Adobe Acrobat as part of his firm's paperless workflow, Yvonne Renfrew reviews Text Cleanup for copying and pasting between programs, and Edward Kionka reviews Parallels for running Windows software on a Mac. Don't miss this issue.

How to Receive this Newsletter
Published 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 | Document Management | Networking/Operating Systems | TL Answers | Utilities
 
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