TechnoLawyer: Backup/Media/Storage

Coming May 13, 2005 to Fat Friday: Jason Havens discusses a foolproof way to ensure virus-free e-mail, James Slaughter points to an open source software project that may ultimately lead to a "killer legal scheduling and document management program," Rosanne Estrella shares some common sense tips for implementing legal software, Cheryl Burgess discusses her firm's experience implementing Amicus Attorney, and Susan Fernandes provides a buyer's guide to USB flash drives, including security considerations. Don't miss this issue.

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Fenwick & West's San Francisco office recently went shopping for a disaster recovery system. The firm retained InMage whose fees amount to just 10% of the fees proposed by AT&T, IBM, and Sunguard. InMage has its sights set on helping a segment of the market that has traditionally not engaged in disaster recover — small and middle market businesses, including medium and large law firms. Read more.

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

In response to a review of ABSplus Backup System in the September 10, 2004 issue of Fat Friday, TechnoLawyer member Martha Matthews offers this rejoinder: "I have had no problem with ABS Backup. I take it with me on trips so I have access to work I need to do. I also use it as a conduit between my desktop at work and laptop at home."

About Quips
A Quip is a brief member contribution for which we don't have room in our Answers to Questions or Fat Friday newsletters. Instead, Quips appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

TechnoLawyer member Jeff Schmidt reminds us of the risk involved in using USB flash drives and other portable storage, writing: "These drives are a great idea and provide a greater flexibility and ease for expansion or moving data. As with any portable data, these drives introduce a greater risk of theft or damage than one that is internal. Ensuring that you have implemented best practices around backups and security for these types of drives is essential to enjoying the benefits they can bring."

About Quips
A Quip is a brief member contribution for which we don't have room in our Answers to Questions or Fat Friday newsletters. Instead, Quips appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

Regarding a recent discussion of backup solutions, TechnoLawyer member Manning Huske writes: "Regarding Edd Schillay's review of backup solutions, his firm has converted to online backup. For those who might still be using backup tapes, beware the storage of tapes in a "fireproof safe." The tape might not be burned, but it could easily be melted from the heat of an intense fire, or the data corrupted beyond repair. The only truly safe storage of backup tapes is off-premises."

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

TechnoLawyer member Steven McNichols has a tip for those of you who live in constant fear of screwing up your finely-tuned PC or deleting important files by mistake: "One easy way to solve problems with installation of any software is to install a program like GoBack, which lets you return your computer to the state it was in before the problem developed. GoBack also lets me overcome my own mistakes like accidentally erased files. It has saved my booty many times."

About Quips
A Quip is a brief member contribution for which we don't have room in our Answers to Questions or Fat Friday newsletters. Instead, Quips appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.