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digIT Enterprise 2.5: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers dictation software for your BlackBerry and an accompanying online dictation service, an online service for retrieving medical records, and new electronic discovery software designed for in-house counsel in the early stages of a case or investigation (see article below). Don't miss the next issue.

Put the Cushy Back Into Corporate Counsel
By Neil J. Squillante

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Being a corporate counsel used to be a cushy job. When litigation arose, you could have your outside counsel swing by to collect documents. Those days have ended. It's one thing to let your outside counsel rummage through file cabinets, but it's not advisable to have them rummage through your computers. Increasingly, that task belongs to you.

DigIT Technologies' DigIT Enterprise 2.5 enables your legal department to access to all electronically stored information throughout the enterprise, enabling you to quickly search for, find, and preserve data that may prove relevant to an investigation or litigation.

DigIT Technologies customizes every installation of DigIT Enterprise based on your specific needs. Once configured, it performs three core functions — Early Case Assessment, Custodian Mapping, and Full Custodian Capture.

Regarding Early Case Assessment, digIT Enterprise enables you to make decisions before you spend any money processing data. By running a few quick searches, you will know how much evidentiary data exists so that you can establish a case budget and strategy. digIT Enterprise also provides the requisite information necessary for the Meet & Confer requirement of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure such as the number of custodians, how much data each custodian has, and where that data resides.

While some software uses a single method for identifying custodians, digIT Enterprise employs a variety of methods for Custodian Mapping, including address, machine name, and integration with Microsoft Active Directory. You can also map email using particular fields such as the sender and the name of the mailbox.

Full Custodian Capture facilitates the preservation of all potential evidence belonging to one custodian in a single search. digIT Enterprise places all available information for each custodian into a "repository." You then apply search terms against each custodian's collection, and then export potentially relevant files to your review platform of choice for further analysis, tagging, and categorization. This approach ensures that no file is altered or deleted during discovery by any key custodians.

Learn more about digIT Enterprise 2.5.

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: Dictation/OCR/Speech Recognition | Laptops/Smartphones/Tablets | Legal Research | Litigation/Discovery/Trials | Online/Cloud | TL NewsWire | Transactional Practice Areas

Wall Builder 3.2: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers an online application for managing your firm's relationships with car services, technology that enables your firm to pursue new business and lateral hires even when ethical conflicts arise (see article below), and a new wireless keyboard and mouse. Don't miss the next issue.

Good Walls Make Happy Clients
By Neil J. Squillante

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Raise your hand if this scenario occurs at your firm. A large public company wants to hire your firm. To ensure that no conflicts exist, everyone at the firm has to fill out a questionnaire about that company — stock holdings, previous employment, etc. If a conflict arises, you have to figure out a way to reassure the company that you can still handle the matter and safeguard confidential work product from the tainted few.

The problem is that every employee can access your document management system, including contract lawyers. You don't have real safeguards, just an ad hoc honor system. Sorry, but that won't cut it nowadays in these highly regulated times. Sarbanes-Oxley anyone?

Enter IntApp's Wall Builder 3.2, a Web-based application that enables you create ethical walls to isolate certain people from certain information, enabling your firm to take on new cases and even pursue lateral hires.

Wall Builder's wizard-driven interface enables you to construct and configure these walls. It also creates an audit trail so that you can prove (if necessary) that so and so never had access to such and such.

Wall Builder integrates with Interwoven and Open Text/Hummingbird so that you can restrict access to documents. It similarly integrates with other applications with sensitive data such as accounting, billing, CRM, records, search, portals, etc.

Wall Builder doesn't just do what you tell it to do. It also "learns" in a manner of speaking. For example, if you handle matters for two adverse clients and you work on a document for one of these clients, Wall Builder will prevent you from accessing the other client's files.

As you might imagine, Wall Builder has layers of security, enabling your firm to delegate wall creation to certain members of your staff with oversight by more senior management. Wall Builder can scale to accommodate up to 150,000 client records and 700,000 matter records. If you need more coverage than that, God bless you. Learn more about Wall Builder 3.2.

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 | Computer Accessories | Law Firm Marketing/Publications/Web Sites | Online/Cloud | Privacy/Security | TL NewsWire

BlogRush: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a new 24 inch widescreen LCD monitor with a built-in Webcam, software that enables you to create virtual desktops, and an online multilevel marketing service that promises to drive desirable traffic to your blawg (see article below). Don't miss the next issue.

Boost Your Blog
By Neil J. Squillante

Congratulations! You launched your blog. Now, please fork over $50,000 to a public relations firm to get it from 0 to 50,000 readers in one month. What's that? You didn't realize marketing was the biggest expense? Well, if you don't want to pay, you'll have to build your audience slowly.

Then again, you could try BlogRush, a new service that promises to "drive a flood of targeted readers to your blog." You simply add a bit of code to your blog template, which places a widget to your blog.

The widget lists five blog posts from other blogs that publish material similar to yours. When a reader clicks on a link that blog opens in a new browser window. For each page view on your blog, your blog will show up that many times in a BlogRush widget on other related blogs in the BlogRush network.

At the bottom of your widget lies a small BlogRush logo. Those who click the logo and sign up for BlogRush become your referrals. You then begin receiving credit for their page views as well. For example, if your blog has 100 pages views and your referral blogs 1,000 page views, BlogRush will list your posts in BlogRush widgets 1,100 times that day. It's like that old Faberge Organics TV commercial ("And I told two friends ...").

This referral system works for 10 generations, which means you'll receive exposure credits for page views on blogs that don't even know you exist. The BlogRush dashboard shows you exactly how much exposure you're receiving.

If you have multiple blogs, you can add them to one account and set up rules for the distribution of your exposure credits. If you're concerned about posts by competitors showing up in your widget, you can try to block them by prohibiting certain keywords that you designate. BlogRush is free. Learn more about BlogRush.

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: Law Firm Marketing/Publications/Web Sites | Monitors | Networking/Operating Systems | Online/Cloud | TL NewsWire | Utilities

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

Cryoserver: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers an email archiving and disaster recovery solution (see article below), a turnkey hardware/software paperless office system that works with any scanner or MFP, and a new 46 inch plasma TV for movie buffs and gamers alike. Don't miss the next issue.

Hold Everything
By Neil J. Squillante

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Have you ever rummaged through a shoe box of old photos trying to decide which ones to have scanned and which ones to discard only to realize making case by case decisions is incredibly slow and inefficient? Chance are you'll just send the entire shoe box off for scanning.

Email archiving is similar. While most email archiving solutions encourage you to develop policies as to what to keep and what to discard, Forensic and Compliance System takes a different approach with its Cryoserver email archiving appliance — keep everything.

As a result, the company claims that Cryoserver is the only solution that has a complete record of all your email and attachments, including metadata. And because Cryoserver consists of a software-hardware combination, the company further claims that your data is collected in a forensically-sound and tamper-proof manner. The need for a litigation hold doesn't exist in a Cryoserver world because you're always holding everything.

When you first install Cryoserver, it can transparently offload email from Microsoft Exchange servers. Because of the volume of data Cryoserver stores, it provides robust tools for finding what you need in seconds for eDiscovery purposes or simply because you mistakenly deleted a message. You can access Cryoserver through your email program or a Web browser, both of which offer a familiar interface to reduce the learning curve.

Cryoserver offers protection against disasters through it's replication technology, which requires one or more Cryoserver appliances in other locations. Also, Cryoserver can scale from just a handful of email accounts at a small firm to more than one hundred thousand accounts at large corporations. Learn more about Cryoserver.

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: Backup/Media/Storage | Desktop PCs/Servers | Document Management | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Entertainment/Hobbies/Recreation | Gadgets/Shredders/Office Gear | Litigation/Discovery/Trials | TL NewsWire

DirectLaw: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers a private label online store law firms can add to their Web site (see article below), a network appliance for handling discovery requests and legal holds, and customer relationship management software for law firms that integrates with Microsoft Outlook. Don't miss the next issue.

Open Your Own Online Legal Services Store
By Neil J. Squillante

Over the years, state bars have tried to protect lawyers by lobbying for and enforcing legislation concerning the unauthorized practice of law. By and large, these efforts have failed, especially regarding online legal forms — much to the consternation of solos and small law firms.

With Epoq's new DirectLaw, a private label Web-enabled document automation service, you can fight back the old-fashioned way — by beating the competition at their own game. DirectLaw provides your firm with a complete turnkey solution that creates a secure Web space for your clients. It integrates seamlessly with your existing Web site.

Within DirectLaw, your clients can assemble and purchase legal documents and forms, and also purchase legal advice when necessary. In other words, you can earn fees by simply reviewing common legal documents, and also provide personalized legal services for more complex needs, which the online forms providers cannot match.

Clients can select from hundreds of templates for common legal documents, including wills, powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney, marital separation agreements, divorce pleadings, and a complete collection of state-specific business documents such as corporation and LLC formation.

Once clients select a document, they complete a questionnaire in which they enter their personal information and instantly create a document ready for your review. Upon reviewing the documents, you may find other areas in which you can provide assistance. Even if the client just wants a simple form, at least it's you earning money and not some site run by non-lawyers.

Epoq provides you with a basic library of more than 200 state-specific interactive templates so that you can get up and running quickly. Epoq's Rapidocs Solo, an authoring application that comes bundled with DirectLaw, enables you to create your own templates as well.

Epoq offers DirectLaw on a subscription basis for one year or longer. As a DirectLaw subscriber, you receive access to your own secure administrative dashboard from which you can manage the client relationship, including retrieving client-created documents, uploading finished documents, and communication with clients.

In addition to Rapidocs Solo, DirectLaw also includes credit card processing of both legal documents sold through your site as well as your legal services in general. There is no set-up fee. Rates start at $495 per month for a solo practitioner. The fee increases based on the size of the firm. Epoq also provides Rapidocs Solo training for an additional fee. Learn more about DirectLaw.

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: Automation/Document Assembly/Macros | Law Firm Marketing/Publications/Web Sites | Litigation/Discovery/Trials | Online/Cloud | TL NewsWire

Mimosa NearPoint for Microsoft Exchange: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers software that manages medical records and calculates damages, email archiving technology with eDiscovery capabilities (see article below), and an online resource for lawyers, paralegals, and others who handle the compliance work of corporations. Don't miss the next issue.

The Ultimate Email Cocktail
By Neil J. Squillante

You and your colleagues receive thousands of email messages every day, many of them confidential and potentially important in a future lawsuit. An email exchange to schedule a luncheon may seem innocuous except the date of the luncheon might help impeach a witness. And all those lengthy do-not-compete agreements with multiple comments speak for themselves — especially in front of a jury. Do you have a handle on all this email?

Mimosa Systems' Mimosa NearPoint for Microsoft Exchange offers an email archiving system that combines immediate message archiving, eDiscovery, disaster recovery, and storage management in a single software package.

Using NearPoint's capture method, "Continuous Application Shadowing," you can continuously store Exchange data, including email, folders, calendars and contacts, and backup to a NearPoint archive. Once captured, NearPoint's search functions allow for easy retrieval through keyword and time period searches.

NearPoint captures email through transaction logs. As a result, it does not interfere with or slow down your Exchange server. NearPoint is also scalable. It can archive thousands of mailboxes.

NearPoint expands its usefulness through five optional add-ons: NearPoint eDiscovery, NearPoint Custodian Collector, NearPoint Disaster Recovery, NearPoint PST Archiving, and NearPoint Content Monitoring.

The eDiscovery option provides an application for yourself and workgroups to use to search and produce email from the NearPoint archive. Email discovery that in the past took you days or weeks to compile takes mere minutes by leveraging NearPoint. As an adjunct, the Custodian Collector enables you to zero in on the documents of the key players in a dispute and preserve them in a forensically sound manner. You can search and retrieve files from laptops, desktops, file servers, etc.

The Disaster Recovery option enables you to restore Exchange data to a standby Exchange Server, including the restarting of Exchange services and the remapping of mailboxes in an Active Directory Server. One click is all it takes to initiate a complete Exchange recovery. The NearPoint PST Archiving option centrally manages all PST data in an email archive.

NearPoint runs on Windows Server 2003 or later and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 SP3 or later. You'll also need three to five times your total Exchange storage. Learn more about Mimosa NearPoint for Microsoft Exchange.

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: Backup/Media/Storage | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Litigation/Discovery/Trials | Online/Cloud | TL NewsWire | Transactional Practice Areas

Pathagoras 2008: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers document automation software that doesn't require programming skills (see article below), software designed for David Allen's Getting Things Done system, and a portable digital stereo recorder. Don't miss the next issue.

A Shorter Path to Document Automation
By Neil J. Squillante

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Law firms face a conundrum when it comes to document automation technology. The people best suited to create an expert system for your law firm are the lawyers, but many lawyers don't know how to program and don't have the time to develop such skills.

Lawyer and Pathagoras founder Roy Lasris took note of this situation several years ago and developed Pathagoras, a document assembly program that doesn't require any programming. The latest version — Pathagoras 2008 — continues to build on this guiding principle.

With Pathagoras, you start by transforming existing documents and forms (your own or from any source) into templates. By simply selecting words, you can create "clauses" that you store in a "glossary" for use when drafting documents. You can also create "variables" — matter-specific information such as a client's name — just as easily.

In Pathagoras 2008, variables can contain anything you want — an address, date, name, etc. like before, but also entire documents such as terms and conditions, warranties, etc.

Along the same lines, you can assign up to ten commonly-used folders to Pathagoras' DropDown Lists. This way with one click you can quickly insert any file (photo, PDF, Word or WordPerfect, text, etc.) into a document. You don't even need to create a variable.

This focus on timesavers permeates the new version. For example, the new interface enables you to more readily access a greater number of clauses, files, images, and templates than ever before. Also, a number of helpful utilities make it easier to manage your forms library and associated resources.

Other features include PathSmart and SaveSmart for quickly accessing and saving files in designated locations, Name and Subject Editor for displaying and renaming files and folders in a spreadsheet-like table, calendar and calculator tools that can autofill dates and numbers respectively based on triggers in a document, Spell Out for spelling out numbers you enter, and much more.

Pathagoras 2008 runs on Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. You can try it for free for 90 days and take advantage of free video tutorials. Prices start at $379 for a single-user license. A network version for three users sells for $799. Many other configurations exist. Existing customers qualify for reduced upgrade prices. Learn more about Pathagoras 2008.

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: Automation/Document Assembly/Macros | Business Productivity/Word Processing | Gadgets/Shredders/Office Gear | TL NewsWire

Heckler Design, Offi, Topdeq, Ground Support Equipment, Anthro, and Holmris Hansen: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, February 20, 2008

OneLessDesk and Other Hot Computer Desks — Special Issue
By Neil J. Squillante

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Hundreds of years ago some tall guy built the first desk. He decided on 30 inches as a good height. A good idea for him, but not so good for shorter people and just plain awful for tall and short people alike who use a computer.

Whatever the real story, most desks have remained fixed at 30 inches high even though experts recommend lower heights for computer use. Instead of reducing desk height, however, manufacturers offer a keyboard tray option. But keyboard trays are like a studio apartment — extremely cramped.

Big box retailers sell computer desks at lower heights, but they tend to consist of cheap particle boards and look about as sleek and stylish as a Honda Element. Perish the thought of placing one of these eyesores in your corner office or home.

Of course, consumers — including law firms — are partly to blame for continuing to purchase the same old, same old. Notwithstanding this vicious cycle, several furniture companies — Heckler Design, Offi, Topdeq, BioMorph, Anthro, and Holmris Hansen — have decided enough is enough. In this special edition of TechnoLawyer NewsWire we explore the offerings of these forward-thinking companies.

HECKLER DESIGN: ONELESSDESK

Heckler Design's new OneLessDesk seems like a misnomer upon first glance as it consists of two desks. However, this pair of minimalist brushed steel desks that work in tandem with each other consume about half as much space as a traditional desk.

Measuring 30.5 inches high, 33.5 inches wide, and 12.5 inches deep, the higher desk is designed for your monitor (or monitors — two 24 inch monitors will fit). The upper desk also contains a semi-hidden shelf and cable management system. Measuring 25.5 inches high, 30 inches wide, and 11.5 deep, the lower desk accommodates your keyboard, mouse, and papers (letter size will fit perfectly flush).

Both desks have glides on the feet to preserve your flooring and make it easy to slide the lower desk under the higher desk, transforming it into a credenza or sofa table. Because steel is stronger than wood, OneLessDesk is less than an inch thick, further reducing its footprint. OneLessDesk sells for $899. Learn more about OneLessDesk.

Update: May 12, 2008: Read our review of OneLessDesk.

OFFI: D2 POCKET DESK

Like OneLessDesk, but need more space? Offi's D2 Pocket Desk offers a similar concept, but keeps one foot firmly planted in the past.

Made of wood (cherry, maple, or wenge), this desk measures 30 inches high, 60 inches wide, and 30 inches deep. However, it also features a pull-out keyboard drawer 26.75 inches high that runs the entire width of the desk, providing ample room for your mouse and papers.

Two grommets and a hidden drawer on the back of the desk facilitate cable management. Wheels enable you to easily move it around or out of sight. D2 Pocket Desk sells for $1,499. Learn more about D2 Pocket Desk.

TOPDEQ: GO-2

If someone ever admonishes you to get off your butt and do something, what better comeback than to do exactly that. With Topdeq's GO-2 desk, you can work sitting down or standing up thanks to its adjustable height.

You can adjust the height from 27 to 46.5 inches electronically with the press of a button or manually with a hand crank. Of course, you cannot change the width or depth of the desk. These remain fixed at 63x31.5 inches (regular) or 71x35.5 inches (extra large).

You can equip your GO-2 desk with a matching freestanding storage unit — either three drawers (one file size) or four drawers (none file size). For the desk and the storage, you can choose from light beech or gray. Pricing starts at $1,504 for a regular GO-2 desk with a hand crank. Learn more about GO-2.

GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT: BIOMORPH DESKS

While most furniture makers may experiment with one unconventional desk design, Ground Support Equipment has built its entire business around such designs and offers eight different desks.

Every desk shares the same split-level design — the lower level for your keyboard and mouse and the upper level for your monitors and gear. You can adjust both the upper and lower portions of the desk. The models differ in size and shape and accompanying accessories.

For example, the Level model works best against a wall thanks to its linear design. It comes in four widths. The Pro model offers a massive amount of desk real estate for those who want to use two or more monitors while the Multi model offers a similar amount of space for those who want wraparound wings on their left and right. By contrast, the XO2 and Exo models are much more compact and suitable for home use.

All Biomorph desks come standard in welded steel, but you can add a wood finish at an additional cost. Prices range from $430 for the XO2 to $1,995 for the Pro. Learn more about Biomorph desks.

ANTHRO: ANTHROBENCH, ANTHROCART, FIT, ENOOK, ADJUSTABLE LAPTOP CART

Anthro, the grandaddy of computer desk makers, offers no fewer than five product families as well as some unique solutions.

The AnthroBench line features height-adjustable desks best suited for IT departments and other "heavy" applications. The flagship AnthroCart line features the most desk sizes and accessories. The Fit System best suits home use as it offers lots of color options, cable management, and better looks than the other lines.

Among Anthro's "unique solutions" is the eNook, a fold-out desk reminiscent of a murphy bed, and the Adjustable Laptop Cart for using your laptop just about anywhere.

Anthro's desks generally cost hundreds rather than thousands of dollars, but the build-to-order process in which you can add hundreds of accessories such as drawers can add to the cost. Learn more about Anthro desks.

HOLMRIS HANSEN: MILK

Scandinavia saved the world from the club chair with its sleek, modern furniture designs. Now Holmris Hansen wants to save us all from the executive desk with its MILK computer desk.

Set on an aluminum pedestal, MILK measures 55.125 inches wide and 25.25 inches deep. You can adjust the height electronically from 28.7 to 48.4 inches.

MILK subscribes to the theory that your desk should hold a lot but show almost nothing. Grommets and a cable management system hide all wires. The desk is quite thick for a reason. The front features a slot built into the desk for papers.

On the top of the desk, four pockets that open on the top and bottom enable you to do just about anything. For example, you can install a fish tank or a trash can suspended in air. Most people will probably use these pockets for more mundane items like supplies. Learn more about MILK.

ADDENDUM: ONE MORE DESK

Fellow ultimate desk seeker and TechnoLawyer member John Starkweather emailed us about another unique desk — Steelcase's airtouch height-adjustable desk. Also, I bought a OneLessDesk for my home. Stay tuned for my review and unboxing photos.

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: Furniture/Office Supplies | TL NewsWire

RivalMap: Read Our Exclusive Report

By Sara Skiff | Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Today's issue of TechnoLawyer NewsWire covers an online service for tracking rivals (see article below), a content management system for blogs, wikis, and internal discussions, and a Firefox plugin for tracking online forum threads of interest. Don't miss the next issue.

Spies Like Us
By Neil J. Squillante

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If you operate a gas station at a busy intersection, it's pretty easy to keep tabs on your competitors on the other three corners. Just walk outside and take a look through your binoculars. Because neither you nor your clients work at a gas station, you'll need a more sophisticated strategy.

Enter RivalSoft's RivalMap, a Web-based service that enables you, your colleagues, and your clients to share information about other organizations of interest — especially rivals.

You start by setting up profiles of the organizations you want to track. You can categorize as needed. For example, you might organize rival law firms by the practice area in which you compete for business.

Once you complete the set-up process, you and others can post comments such as anecdotes, links, etc. You can also share files such as brochures, proposals, photos, briefs, and anything else that comes into your possession (legally of course).

If a rival engages in an action that troubles you or a client, you can create a "Concern" and then track that particular issue separately from more general posts. A "Concern" could of course result in legal action, which means RivalMap could help you generate more business.

RivalMap features a number of "social bookmarking" tools. For example, the bookmark tool creates a live link. The clipping tool enables you to quickly capture and share the relevant portion of a Web page. To facilitate finding all the information associated with a given issue, you can apply "tags" to your posts. You can also search RivalMap using Boolean queries.

Like many knowledge management products nowadays, RivalMap provides a dashboard so that you can see the most recent and most urgent information at a glance.

RivalMap comes in five versions — Free, Small Team ($49/month), Team ($99/month), Company ($199/month), and Enterprise (price varies). The versions differ regarding the number of users and storage space. Also, the Free version lacks encryption. You can upgrade or downgrade anytime, and need not commit for longer than one month. You can try any version for free for 30 days. Learn more about RivalMap.

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: Collaboration/Knowledge Management | Email/Messaging/Telephony | Law Firm Marketing/Publications/Web Sites | Law Office Management | Online/Cloud | TL NewsWire
 
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