TechnoLawyer: TL NewsWire

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers a contact and project management system (see article below), the smallest laser printer, an online document storage service, an iOS calendar app, and a lawyer directory. Don't miss the next issue.

Manage Your Tasks at Warp Speed

Legal project management. The final frontier. To boldly go where few law firms tread. Bold indeed because while many pundits have proclaimed legal project management the next big thing, they never get into the specifics. Dare I say that's illogical. Just as you can't write a brief these days without word processing software, you can't manage projects — especially those involving a team — without software. A product named after perhaps the boldest mission ever undertaken by humankind may help your law firm rocket into project management.

Apollo … in One Sentence
Applicom's Apollo is a web-based contact and project management application.

The Killer Feature
Most task management applications limit you to personal tasks. Some enable you to delegate tasks. Apollo offers two additional task types — contact-related and project-related.

For example, you might remind yourself to submit your billable time for the week, assign a research project related to a matter to a junior associate, and remind yourself to book a lunch reservation to meet with a client who has no active matters but may soon.

Other Notable Features
Apollo enables you to filter tasks so that you can see only your personal tasks, tasks related to a matter, etc. Other views exist in your dashboard such as active tasks and overdue tasks. If you delegate tasks to others, you can monitor their progress. As you would expect from a project management system, you can set milestones for projects.

Because tasks don't occur in a vacuum, you'll also find other tools. The calendar enables you to schedule events and receive email alerts. Apollo can store your contacts and documents. You can connect contacts, documents, and events to tasks and projects, enabling you to view tasks by contact and on your calendar. Apollo also features an interactive timer. Start a timer connected to a matter to track the time you spend.

What Else Should You Know?
Apollo can import projects from Basecamp as well as contacts from wherever you currently store them (Outlook, Salesforce, etc.). You can choose from four plans that vary by storage and number of projects and users of the contact management tools. All plans offer unlimited users of the project management tools. Prices range from $23 to $148 per month. Learn more about Apollo.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers a document management system (see article below), a task manager, an all-in-one PC, an email management program, and a personal knowledge management program. Don't miss the next issue.

Checking the Document Management Box

It's an Apple world in which lawyers increasingly live now that the company offers everything a law firm needs. Right? Let's see. Computers that can run the two dominant operating systems? Check. Desktop programs for word processing, email, presentations, and spreadsheets? Check (or Microsoft Office if you prefer). The world's best-selling smartphone? Check. The world's best-selling tablet? Check? The largest library of mobile apps? Check. A trustworthy cloud service for syncing contacts and calendars? Check. A multiuser document management system? Uh-oh. A new product can help you check that last box.

DocMoto … in One Sentence
Released earlier this year, CHLSoftware's DocMoto 2.5 is a document management system that runs on Mac OS X.

The Killer Feature
Document management systems typically work best when people start from within them for each document they create. Some document management systems enforce profile creation even when a document is created outside the system, but this scenario suggests a workflow failure.

DocMoto enables you to create templates for all the documents you typically create from simple letters to complex agreements and briefs. Using templates ensures that all documents resides in DocMoto. You can create simple blank templates for each of the programs you use in your firm to ensure compliance.

Other Notable Features
DocoMoto features a three-pane interface similar to that of an email program with folders and subfolders on the left, the contents of the selected folder on the top right, and information about the selected document on the bottom right. You can move documents created outside of the system into DocMoto by dropping them into a folder or folder window. You can tag documents with client/matter and other information.

When you work on documents, DocMoto automatically checks them out (which locks out other users), and then check them back in when you finish. You can have DocMoto create a new version each time a document is changed. DocMoto also creates an audit trail listing author and modifications.

You can search for documents by metadata or their content and save searches. DocMoto can notify you about watched folders and documents.

For complex workflows, you can create scripts that work in conjunction with templates. For example, a lawsuit script might create a new matter folder and create all the necessary documents for initiating a lawsuit.

What Else Should You Know?
Security settings enable you to restrict access to documents as well as grant access to clients and others outside your firm (clients can download files via a web browser). Learn more about DocMoto.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers a cloud billing application (see article below), an iPad app for voir dire, a PDF watermarketing utility, database software, and a collaborative multi-platform notebook. Don't miss the next issue.

Cloud Billing Application Emphasizes Efficiency

Does the world need another cloud billing application? What if Bill Gates thought the world already had enough word processors? Or if Steve Jobs decided that plenty of smartphones already existed? There's always room for new products that break new ground or have some other competitive advantage. Cloud applications are particularly appealing to entrepreneurs because they're easy for lawyers to try and have low switching costs. Into this milieu arrives a new entrant contending for the legal billing crown.

CaseFox … in One Sentence
CaseFox is a cloud billing and trust accounting application.

The Killer Feature
Nowadays, even small firms use contract lawyers. CaseFox enables you to create different role-based user accounts. For example, you might give partners access to all matters, associates access only to their matters, and contract lawyers only the ability to enter their billable time.

You need not create these privileges each time you set up a new user. Instead, you define user types (roles) when setting up CaseFox. You then place each new user into the appropriate role, automatically restricting each user according to that role's predefined settings.

Other Notable Features
CaseFox's developers assumed that lawyers track their time in different ways ranging from paper to timers to automatic time capture programs. Thus, instead of creating time-tracking tools, the developers instead focused on making time and expense entry and bill creation as efficient as possible.

Entering time and expenses requires just a few clicks. The application supports UTBMS codes plus you can create your own custom shortcuts. Billing partners can transform approved time and expense entries into invoices in two clicks. If not submitting electronically via LEDES, you can export invoices in PDF format for emailing or printing. Bills can display trust account balances, past due amounts, partial payments, discounts, and more.

In addition to its core financial feature set, CaseFox also offers document and practice management. Each matter can have associated calendar events, contacts, documents, notes, and tasks. If you use Google Apps, calendars, contacts, and tasks can sync with your Google account.

As you would expect, CaseFox offers a customizable dashboard. The application uses 256-bit encryption, and works in both desktop and mobile web browsers.

What Else Should You Know?
CaseFox offers four plans — Basic (free), Silver ($10 per month), Gold ($20 per month), and Platinum ($35 per month). The latter three plans differ by the number of matters, but they all provide for unlimited users (the free plan is limited to 1 user). Learn more about CaseFox.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

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Every review of the 2012 iPad mentions that it weighs slightly more than the iPad 2 thanks primarily to the larger battery required to power the retina display. We mentioned it too in our TL NewsWire coverage, but it's a largely irrelevant datapoint because even the iPad 2 is too heavy to hold for long periods of time.

Accordingly, a vibrant after market exists for iPad stands. But the vast majority consist of desk stands. Don't we already have enough stuff on our desks?

In this special TL NewsWire article, I've rounded up some unique stands that don't consume desk space or that function in other use cases from your bedroom to your reception area.

Desk Stands That Don't Consume Desk Space

Monitors in Motion's Tablet Lift ($289) clamps to your desk without any screws. Once mounted, you can move and rotate your iPad with one finger. It has a maximum reach of 16.7 inches.

Twelve South's much less expensive HoverBar ($79.99) can attach not only to your desk but to an iMac (pictured above). In the latter configuration, you can position your iPad above or to the right or left of your iMac. You can even attach two HoverBars to an iMac (iPads sold separately as they say).

Floor Stands Offer More Versatility

Many lawyers use their iPads for both business and pleasure. In fact, the iPad truly shines away from your desk even for work-related tasks such as reviewing a deposition transcript. Steve Jobs purposely demonstrated the iPad while sitting in an easy chair to underscore its positioning as a "Post-PC" device.

Floor stands can work at a desk, but also in other locations such as an easy chair or even in bed. Stand For Stuff's SwingHolder ($239) weighs about 20 pounds and adjusts to almost any conceivable position. A USB cable runs through the stand so that you can use your iPad without draining the battery. This lamp-like wiring probably explains its hefty price tag.

Less expensive is the LEVO Deluxe Floor Stand ($159), which has the added benefit of casters for easy mobility. However, its iPad holder lacks the build quality of the SwingHolder. It also lacks wiring, but given the iPad's long battery life power doesn't seem like a critical feature.

Cheaper still is Standzout's Standzfree ($99.99). Because it weighs just six pounds, you could use it as a lectern in court. Just make sure you don't knock it over.

A Classy Touch to Your Reception Area

When you're next in New York City, have lunch at Birreria and dinner at South Gate to see the iPad in commercial use. Birreria uses an iPad to check in guests, whereas South Gate houses its wine list on iPads.

Why let restaurants have all the fun? An iPad can add a touch of class to your reception area — and it may save you money in the long run by enabling you to cancel your magazine subscriptions. Of course, most people wouldn't bother stealing a magazine. But an iPad could grow some legs even if you don't have a criminal law practice. Security is key.

Griffin will soon begin shipping Kiosk, a stand that locks down an iPad and eliminates access to its ports. A power cable resides within the stand. You can choose from a floor ($299) or table ($199) model. Both enable you to bolt the stand (floor, table, or wall) for further security.

For a different approach, you could use one of the many iPad locks — typically a case with a lock connected to a steel cord that you wrap around an immovable object.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers a practice management app store (see article below), a secure cloud storage service for iPad and iPhone, a secure mobile office suite, a document assembly add-on for Microsoft Word, and a social media management and marketing application. Don't miss the next issue.

The World's First Practice Management App Store

Lawyers often complain about the complexity of practice management systems. Ironically, this problem stems from software companies eager to accommodate requests from their customers. Accordingly, each new version of their software contains new features that only a few law firms want. With each new feature, the clutter increases and the learning curve steepens, resulting in complaints. A more modern approach to pleasing customers without this downside is to focus on core features that all law firms need, and build a platform on which other companies can offer optional specialized solutions — or "apps" as we now call them.

Total Attorneys App Store … in One Sentence
Launching today, Total Attorneys App Store enables you to add first- and third-party apps to Total Attorneys (a cloud practice management system), thus enhancing its functionality to suit your needs

The Killer Feature
Earlier this year we reported on Total Attorneys, which costs just $1 per user per month. This price point created quite a stir. Today, the company has dropped another disruptive shoe on the practice management world.

At launch, Total Attorneys App Store features a number of third-party apps with more en route. For example, you can set up a Fastcase account for legal research ($95 per month). Capital Payments enables your clients to pay you via ACH, check, or credit card. You can also schedule automatic recurring payments. All transactions occur through Total Attorneys' client portal.

Also available is LegalEase for outsourcing work to contract lawyers ($350 for 10 hours) and paralegals ($150 for 10 hours), Legal Web Experts for marketing services such as web site creation and search engine optimization, LawQA for client development (respond to inquiries from consumers seeking legal help), and Google Calendar Sync.

"We have worked very hard building the most comprehensive web-based practice management platform for small and solo firms," founder and chairman Ed Scanlan told us. "Total Apps Store is a huge step in accomplishing our goal of simplifying law practice management so that law firms can better serve their clients and achieve greater financial success."

Other Notable Features
Total Attorneys App Store contains first-party apps as well (apps created by Total Attorneys). Live Virtual Receptionist combines technology with a human touch. A live operator answers your phone, eliminating the need to add a receptionist to your payroll. Messages appear in your Total Attorneys account plus you can receive email alerts.

Legal Leads helps you grow your clientele. You receive your first 10 leads for free. When a lead becomes a client, you convert the lead into a client file in Total Attorneys.

What Else Should You Know?
Earlier this month, Total Attorneys released free iPad and iPhone apps. On other platforms, you access Total Attorneys from any web browser. The base price for the core practice management system remains $1 per user per month. Apps vary in price. Learn more about Total Attorneys App Store.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Read our latest coverage of CaseMap here.

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers a case management program (see article below), an email app for iPad and iPhone, a mobile scanner, a legal hold cloud application, and a personal finance app. Don't miss the next issue.

Leave No Stone Unconnected in Your Cases

In the old days of legal technology (before my time mind you), lawyers and vendors alike used the term "case management" to refer to software for managing a law firm (contacts, calendar, matters, etc.). We now use the term "practice management" for these products. Why the semantic change? Because two trial consultants created a software program that helps litigators manage the issues and facts associated with their cases. Accordingly, "case management" now refers to software of this ilk. The two founders retired, but not their software. A new version recently shipped.

CaseMap 10 … in One Sentence
LexisNexis' CaseMap 10 enables you to analyze and manage the issues, facts, and related information associated with a lawsuit.

The Killer Feature
Many litigators have an aversion to math so it's something of a miracle that a program with a spreadsheet-like interface became so popular. Of course, CaseMap crunches facts, issues, questions, research, and objects rather than numbers.

Objects? An object is a key item in the case that doesn't fall into the other categories — documents, events, locales, etc. Previous versions of CaseMap offered a default list of objects based on customer feedback.

However, litigation is simply too complex for a finite list. Thus, CaseMap 10 enables you to create custom object spreadsheets for items not among the defaults. Now you can track just about any aspect of a case no matter how obscure or unusual.

Other Notable Features
When you seek to manage the information associated with a lawsuit, you need all the data entry help you can get. CaseMap now integrates with Microsoft Outlook and Word 2007 and 2010, enabling you to send email messages and documents to CaseMap with one click on the Ribbon.

CaseMap's developers realized the importance of such linking long ago. In another enhancement, the the new DocManager technology enables you to view any linked file even if you don't have the software that created it. Also, CaseMap can now convert linked scanned documents into searchable text thanks to its built-in OCR technology. Perhaps most helpful, you can bulk import files into a spreadsheet.

CaseMap 10 has also beefed up its search functions with full-text searching, and the ability to save searches and restrict searches to specific spreadsheets. Other new features include batch printing of linked files, reports that include embedded files, and a streamlined interface designed to make CaseMap easier to use, especially for those new to the software.

What Else Should You Know?
CaseMap runs on Windows. You can try it free for 30 days. Learn more about CaseMap 10.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers multiuser discovery software (see article below), a document management system, a service for scheduling meetings, an Android-based watch, and a law firm video directory. Don't miss the next issue.

Turning the Ediscovery Challenge Into an Opportunity

Litigators view ediscovery as a black box — an expensive one that's not going away. Now that state courts have begun creating ediscovery rules, even those of you who don't practice in federal court need to get up to speed. But fear not. You've gone down this road before. Back in the days of paper, a managing partner somewhere must have received a bill for photocopying and thought, "We should buy our own copiers!" And voila — a new source of law firm revenue was born. Similarly, a growing number of law firms see ediscovery as challenge they can transform into a business opportunity — with the help of some software.

Digital WarRoom WorkGroup … in One Sentence
GGO's Digital WarRoom WorkGroup (DWR WorkGroup) is a multiuser ediscovery application that enables you to process and index collected data, and then analyze, review, annotate, and produce it.

The Killer Feature
Most litigation teams don't see discovery documents until after a service provider has processed them. Processing software typically requires specialized training. DWR WorkGroup eliminates the need for such training.

You'll still want an expert to collect data from hard drives to prevent spoliation. Once you have the data, however, you can process it yourself by literally dragging the collected files into your case database in DWR WorkGroup.

DWR WorkGroup automatically extracts email messages and documents, removes system files (de-NISTing), removes duplicates (de-duplication), and indexes the content to make it searchable. The software recognizes more than 500 file formats. The built-in OCR technology even enables you to search text extracted from image files.

"High quality ediscovery solutions have traditionally been too expensive for all but the larger, complex matters," GGO managing director Bill Gallivan told us. "We created DWR WorkGroup to give law firms an affordable, easy-to-use ediscovery system for all their cases. Ediscovery is becoming a profitable practice area for enterprising law firms."

Other Notable Features
Once you finish processing, you can start analyzing and reviewing. Regarding the former, DWR WorkGroup includes a number of early case assessment technologies. For example, "Who to Whom" and other graphical views of the document set reveal patterns of conversation, relationships, and events that can inform case strategy.

For document review, you'll find Boolean, keyword, and fuzzy search, as well as filtering by file type, mark, issue codes, and metadata fields. Conversation threads and date histograms also facilitate finding relevant and privileged documents. You can annotate and redact documents, and automatically generate a privilege log.

DWR WorkGroup captures everyone's activity in a control log that, along with a number of other reports, enables you to monitor progress and defend your review if challenged by opposing counsel.

Case data is portable in several senses. DWR WorkGroup offers review features as noted above, but if you prefer you can review the documents you process in Summation. Or you can move your case database from DWR WorkGroup to GGO's hosted platform if you need assistance from the company's consultants. When your team completes its review, you can create load files in many formats (e.g., Concordance, Summation, iPRO) if requested by opposing counsel.

What Else Should You Know?
DWR WorkGroup costs $3,895 for a perpetual server software license, and $600 per reviewer per year. Installation and one day of training, which is optional, costs $1,600. Learn more about Digital WarRoom WorkGroup.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers Apple's third-generation iPad (see article below), an iOS app that contains court rules and other legal references, a new set top box for 1080p televisions, and an iPad photo app. Don't miss the next issue.

No More Squinting

There are two types of lawyers — those with an iPad and those who will buy an iPad. Okay, that's a little bit of a stretch, but just a little bit. How many articles have you read over the years about lawyers not embracing traditional computers? Hundreds? But this resistance doesn't mean lawyers dislike technology. They just dislike overly complex technology — namely traditional computers (including Macs). By contrast, lawyers loved GPS navigators since day one. Lawyers loved car phones, then cell phones, and now touchscreen smartphones since day one. Well, guess which other easy-to-use technology lawyers have loved since day one?

iPad … in One Sentence
Announced today and available March 16, Apple's iPad (yes that's its name) is the third generation of its market-leading tablet.

The Killer Feature
My father, a retina specialist, tells me that someday my perfect vision will become imperfect and I'll need reading glasses. So far so good — no trip to Lenscrafters yet. But even I continually marvel at the "Retina" display on the iPhone 4S.

Well, the new iPad has a Retina display at 2048 x 1536 pixels with a density of 264 pixels per inch (PPI). Pixels per inch is the megahertz of this decade — the specification that matters most when discussing displays. Put simply, the new iPad's display is sharper than a typical LCD monitor, which should make it even more popular among lawyers for reviewing documents.

This level of pixel density requires a powerful processor to prevent screen lag. The new iPad sports Apple's new A5X processor with quad core graphics (this means the chip can literally handle four graphics tasks simultaneously).

Other Notable Features
Siri's debut last year got people talking — both to their iPhones and about artificial intelligence. The new iPad lacks Siri the automated assistant, but it has integrated voice dictation across all apps, including email and word processing.

Storage size on the new iPad remains unchanged — 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB. Ditto for color options (black or white). However, the cellular models now support 4G LTE networks such as those being rolled out by AT&T and Verizon (the iPad falls back to 3G when 4G is not available). Apple claims these new networks have a maximum possible download speed of 73 Mbps (faster than the typical home and office broadband connections). Best of all, you can use your iPad as a personal WiFi hotspot for other devices.

The new iPad essentially matches the iPhone 4S in the camera department with a rear 5 megapixel camera that shoots video in 1080p. The front camera, designed for video chats, has a lower resolution.

What Else Should You Know?
All this new gear comes at a slight cost — the new iPad is 0.6 mm chunkier than the iPad 2 and weighs a bit more at 1.4 pounds. But no other costs have increased, literally and figuratively. It still features 10 hours of WiFi battery life (9 hours on a 4G network), and costs $499, $599, and $699 for the WiFi models, and $629, $729, and $829 for the 4G cellular models. Apple will continue to sell the 16 GB iPad 2 WiFi model for $399, and the 16 GB 3G models for $529 (a $100 price reduction). Learn more about iPad.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers a time and billing application (see article below), a practice management and accounting system, a trial presentation iPad app, a remote control app, and a task management program. Don't miss the next issue.

Harvest Your Billable Time and Expenses Wherever You Work

In early 2006 I attended the first Barcamp. No, it's not a bar exam prep course involving tents. It's a free conference for programmers in which anyone can give a presentation. I attended because I'm always looking for talent. In fact, I unsuccessfully tried to recruit John Resig who was a college student at the time, but has since become a rock star in web development. I also met Danny Wen who was running a web design studio. Unhappy with all the time and billing products available then, he pivoted shortly after Barcamp to develop a product that has since become a leading player. It's about time I report on how his company's product helps lawyers track and bill for their time.

Harvest … in One Sentence
Harvest is a time capture and billing solution used by small to midsize law firms in more than 100 countries.

The Killer Feature
Recognizing that lawyers need to capture billable time anywhere they work or risk underestimating or even forgetting about it, Harvest goes wherever you go (it also records expenses).

For starters, Harvest works in any web browser. Some lawyers prefer native software. No problem. Harvest offers lightweight desktop applications for Mac and Windows.

What about when you're out of the office? Harvest has Android and iPhone apps plus it'll work in mobile web browsers on other smartphones. You can even record your time via text message, email, and Twitter (private direct messages).

Other Notable Features
The Harvest applications all feature start-stop timers that tightly integrate with your device. For example, if a client calls you on your iPhone, you can start a timer with one tap before answering the call, not only ensuring that you capture the time but eliminating the need to create a manual time entry. Of course, sometimes you need to manually enter time. Harvest offers a weekly timesheet designed to speed up this task.

Most lawyers work in teams. Harvest enables you to review and approve your staff's timesheets, and automatically remind them to submit their timesheets so that you can send out bills and get paid.

Speaking of invoices, Harvest can create them for you. Alternatively, you can generate reports using various filters (e.g., approved billable time and expenses for a specific matter), and export it in common spreadsheet formats for importing into your billing or accounting system.

Harvest offers a number of reports with visual panache that facilitate data analysis (remember, these guys started out as designers). The newest report shows you all time and expenses that your firm has not yet invoiced.

Harvest uses bank-grade encryption, and backs up all data twice a day. TRUSTe has certified Harvest's privacy policy.

What Else Should You Know?
Harvest offers three plans — Solo ($12 per month for 1-3 users), Basic ($40 per month for 4-10 users), and Business ($90 per month for unlimited users). You can try it for free for 30 days. Learn more about Harvest.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.

Today's issue of TL NewsWire covers an online meeting service (see article below), an iPhone task management app, a do-it-yourself ediscovery project management and review system, a text messaging service, and a file decompression utility for the iPad and iPhone. Don't miss the next issue.

A Front Row Seat for Existing and Prospective Clients

The Internet disrupts life as we knew it. In some cases, it kills entire industries (music stores). In other cases, it changes the nature of something that once seemed immutable. Consider meetings and seminars. Until the Internet, every knowledge worker had an innate sense as to when to meet in person versus schedule a teleconference. Online meetings blur the lines, and can eliminate costly business travel. While some meetings remain unavoidable (depositions), online meetings work extremely well for law firms with a national practice but only one office as well as for CLE and sales presentations (webinars).

MeetingBurner … in One Sentence
Launched this month, MeetingBurner is an online meeting service.

The Killer Feature
Online meeting services have matured quite a bit (e.g., they all support Macs now), but most of them still require proprietary browser plugins. Some companies block these plugins, which means you can face an awkward situation.

MeetingBurner uses Flash, the ubiquitous Adobe plugin preinstalled in all browsers (except Safari). MeetingBurner also offers iPad, iPhone, and Android apps since Flash doesn't run on mobile devices.

Other Notable Features
MeetingBurner boasts several unique features that should appeal to perfectionists not to mention those with stage fright. For example, MeetingBurner's AutoPilot feature enables you to record your presentation beforehand, and then have it play to your audience "live." You can jump in for real at the end to take questions.

During your presentation, audience members can move a slider to indicate their level of interest. You can use this data to eliminate weak points in your presentation. For sales presentations, you'll know the identities of your hottest prospects.

Other features include teleconference lines, Skype and PayPal integration, text chat, video of the presenter (you), customizable registration pages, automated email and SMS reminders, and the ability to record your presentations and post them to YouTube.

What Else Should You Know?
MeetingBurner offers three plans — Free, Pro, and Premier. Free limits you to 15 attendees. Pro ($39.95 per month) boosts your attendees to 50 and includes telephone support and meeting recording. Premier ($99.95 per month) has no limit on attendees and includes AutoPilot and Meeting Analytics. Learn more about MeetingBurner.

How to Receive TL NewsWire
So many products, so little time. In each issue of TL NewsWire, you'll learn about five new products for the legal profession. Pressed for time? The newsletter's innovative articles enable lawyers and law office administrators to quickly understand the function of a product, and zero in on its most important features. The TL NewsWire newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.