TechnoLawyer: TechnoFeature

Coming April 17, 2007 to TechnoFeature: Do you only use your Treo as a phone and to occasionally check your email? Did you know that you can also use it listen to music, read books, review documents, share photos, and much more? In this article, attorney Bryan Sims details his top 12 Treo programs for the mobile lawyer (we tried to stop him at 10, but he just kept writing). Among his picks, you'll find both free and commercial programs, professional programs geared for productivity, and programs that just make a Treo more fun.

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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.

Coming April 10, 2007 to TechnoFeature: You've used text-processing tools (like Word and WordPerfect), search engines (like LexisNexis, Westlaw, and Loislaw) and litigation support databases — but have you worked with a brainstorming tool? In this article, technology consultant Seth Rowland reviews MindManager, evaluating how well it can help lawyers identify connections and reach conclusions within information by creating idea maps that link issues, facts, documents, and solutions in a multi-branching tree. What does Seth think of MindManager and how high a TechnoScore did it earn? Read his review to find out.

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.

Coming April 3, 2007 to TechnoFeature: Adobe Acrobat 8 looks tempting — but what can it do and how does it fit into your law practice? In this article, attorney Jeffrey Allen answers these questions and more. From general considerations such as the program's performance on different operating systems to specific capabilities such as Bates stamping and redaction, Jeffrey discusses what he likes best and what still needs work.

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.

Coming March 27, 2007 to TechnoFeature: Learning new software is like learning how to drive — most people can't rely on the manual alone. Most of us needed Driver's Ed classes as well as a few times around the block in the family station wagon before driving became second nature. Computer software requires similar training and practice. In this article, legal technology consultant Pat Nemish provides an overview of available training methods, discusses what she thinks works best, and suggests what to do before, during, and after training. From exploratory learning to one-on-one instruction, you'll be cruising along in no time.

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.

Coming March 20, 2007 to TechnoFeature: It seems like the epic battle between word processors, especially in the legal profession, has raged on since the beginning of time. You've already chosen your side (WordPerfect) but do you really know all there is to know about the program? In this article, legal technology consultant John Heckman lists the top ten lesser-known features of WordPerfect, including instant access to the Thesaurus, moving tabbed columns, and the wonderful "snowflake."  If you liked using WordPerfect before, you'll like it even more after reading this article.

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.

Coming March 6, 2007 to TechnoFeature: Many legal professionals have been using Word Processor Tables as document indexes to manage their litigation documents. Although simple in form, the word processor index is very limited. If you fall into this category, you may want to consider a litigation support software package. In this article, veteran consultant Timothy Piganelli, along with co-author Cindy MacBean, discusses why you should consider dropping your index in favor of a more powerful tool.

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.

Coming February 27, 2007 to TechnoFeature: Last summer, the New York Office of Court Administration proposed some rules on lawyer advertising that could have dramatically interfered with how New York lawyers use Web sites and email. Many lawyers and bar associations filed objections to the proposed rules. In response, OCA trimmed back its initial proposal substantially, releasing a final version in January 2007. In this article, real estate attorney Joshua Stein, who submitted 20 pages of objections to OCA's original proposed rules, argues that although the Final Rules are much improved, they still fall short of perfect. Read this article to find out why. Even if you don't practice in New York, this article may enable you to take proactive steps in your jurisdiction.

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.

Coming February 20, 2007 to TechnoFeature: You may have heard of Wikipedia — an attempt to catalog all human knowledge in an enormous online encyclopedia, similar to the Galactic Encyclopedia in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series. But you may not realize that the true excitement lies not just in the information itself, but in how it is collected and validated. In this article, technology consultant Seth Rowland discusses the power of wikis (both public and private) and the many ways they can serve the legal community. Wiki's aren't just for geeks and academics — they can provide a vital tool for lawyers to capture and organize knowledge. Read on to find out how.

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.

Coming February 13, 2007 to TechnoFeature: With Valentine's Day just around the corner, what better time to get your relationship with technology in tip-top shape? In this article, legal technology therapist and trainer Adriana Linares discusses the interesting parallels between romantic relationships and technology commitments, and offers up five important tips for ensuring that at least the tech side of your life stays on track. You don't need to woo a new printer with dinner and a movie — though you may need Adriana's words of wisdom to get you through the install. Learn how to discover your inner-romantech.

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.

Coming February 6, 2007 to TechnoFeature: E-Discovery and Electronically Stored Information (ESI) are at the top of many attorney's list of important topics they need to learn about — so consider this TechnoFeature E-Discovery 101. In this article, attorney and legal technology enthusiast Bruce Olson provides his top ten E-Discovery caveats, with corresponding suggestions for dealing with the identified concerns. Bruce's suggestions deal with common issues most attorneys will encounter when dealing with E-Discovery and how to avoid the major pitfalls.  If you've been wary of diving into the intricacies of E-Discovery — here's your life preserver.

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.