Reid My Blog! tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-109403 2011-11-22T07:00:00-05:00 Furthering Innovation in Management, Governance, & Ethics for Lawyers TypePad 2011 Holiday Gift Guide for Lawyers tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e20162fcab43fc970d 2011-11-22T07:00:00-05:00 2011-11-26T20:30:48-05:00 T’was the week of Thanksgiving and all through the land, the season of giving was almost at hand. Many families with lawyers were full of despair, not knowing what to buy, just coming up with air. Then out of the East came a blog, bona fide, the annual lawyer’s holiday gift guide. For seven straight years it has brought peace and suggestions; to families looking for answers to their toughest gift questions. So here it is for all those in need, Again, courtesy of MyBlog named Reid. Reid Trautz

T’was the week of Thanksgiving and all through the land,

 the season of giving was almost at hand.

Many families with lawyers were full of despair,

not knowing what to buy, just coming up with air.

Then out of the East came a blog, bona fide,

the annual lawyer’s holiday gift guide.

For seven straight years it has brought peace and suggestions;

to families looking for answers to their toughest gift questions.

So here it is for all those in need,

Again, courtesy of MyBlog named Reid. 

    2011 is the Year of the Tablet. Any tablet. Well, almost any tablet. Although the iPad is the tablet IPad 2 atop most
Christmas lists, there are some very good tablets out there that deliver terrific bang for the buck:

  • The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 tops the list of the many Android-based full-size tablets. Starting at $500 at many retailers.
  • Not getting enough attention is the new Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet. This is a business-class device that comes with a digital stylus that turns handwriting into text. Android-based, this tablet delivers some unique features starting at $500. Galaxy
  • Amazon’s tablet/e-Reader line-up is very good, and the Kindle Fire leads the way. The Fire is a 7-inch color tablet that is primarily an e-Reader but uses Android apps, has a unique Web browser and supports webmail too. The Fire is $199 while other models start under $100. 
  • Overshadowed a bit by the Kindle Fire, don’t neglect the Nook Color from Barnes & Noble. This actually may be the best tablet value on the market Nook today, starting at $249.
  • There are other Android tablets from Sony, HTC, Motorola and more that may be good values, but avoid any larger tablets under $200 without doing thorough research.

    Bottom line? Tablets, including e-Readers, should be on everyone’s list this year.

GoodnightFew parents and techies will be able to resist Goodnight iPad by, ahem, Ann Droyd. A clever and funny parody of our modern times, it is a perfect gift for that lawyer/parent on your list. I discovered this at Delphinium Home in Manhattan, but it is available at most on-line bookstores.

Steve Jobs has been called the Edison of our times, among other choice labels, but love him or hate him, he had an impact on American culture and world
Jobstechnology that cannot be underestimated. His biography by Walter Isaacson is a must read. Out of deference to the late Mr. Jobs, give this via iTunes gift card to read on an iPad (or via Amazon gift card for the Kindle if you must)! 

Nothing quite says “Happy Holidays” better than gift of smoky, delicious bacon. In 2009 it was Nueske’s bacon, but this year it’s Bacon Jam. This amazing concoction can Skillet be made at home, but the folks at Skillet (in Seattle) have perfected this decadent condiment. Made mainly from rendered bacon, herbs, and onions, a spoonful of this goes with just about anything you can think of! Around $35 for three 7oz. jars from Skillet or Amazon. If that won’t float your lawyer’s boat, try the latest rage in flavored vodka—Bakon Vodka.  It makes for awesome Bloody Marys.

Speaking of alcohol--and you knew that subject was going to come up sooner or later--whiskey stones make a great gift for lawyers who enjoy single-malt scotch. Just chill these stone cubes, and then add Stonestwo or three to a dram of your favorite scotch whiskey. They will lower the drinking temperature without diluting the golden nectar! Milled in Vermont by the oldest soapstone workshop in the U.S., a set of nine stones is under $20.

And for the more adventuresome lawyer in your life, consider this private scotch tasting party for up to 20 friends.  The tasting includes scotch, a real Master of Whiskey and authentic Scottish bagpiper to educate and entertain, and personalized bottles for all to take home. All of this can be had for $5,000; however, proceeds go to AIDS research so some of the purchase price may be tax deductible.

The Jambox Wireless Speaker connects to your smartphone, tablet or laptop via Bluetooth and Jambox delivers absolutely amazing sound for playing music, watching movies or using it as a speakerphone. Comes in several colors and is available from numerous retailers for under $200. Made by the people who bring you Jawbone Bluetooth headsets.

LooxcieTake a close look at this—the Looxcie is an over-the-ear wireless video camera that records the world as you see it. Wear it to the kids' soccer games or to a holiday party. It can stream live to your social networks too.  Uses the Looxcie smartphone app to control the camera functions. Starts at $150 online and at electronics retailers.

They rule the day in many law firms nationwide, so why not get the Keurig
brewing system for home? For lawyers, a good caffeine, I mean, coffee maker is the gift that just Keurig keeps on giving. Even Starbucks and Dunkin Doughnuts are selling their own coffee k-cups for this machine! 

AtariSet your iPad into the Atari Arcade, download Atari’s Greatest Hits from the iTunes App Store, and you’re ready to play video games the way they were meant to be played-with buttons and a joystick! $60 for the Arcade dock from numerous retailers including Apple; $15 for the full game app via iTunes.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without at least one remote control toy on the list. The hot RC toy this year is a robot that interprets your hand motions—when you Robots punch, it punches! Light years ahead of the “Rock ‘em Sock ‘em” robots of our youth, these are sold in pairs for hours of great fun! A great gift for that up and coming associate!! From Hammacher Schlemmer.

PandoraI hadn’t heard of Pandora until recently, but judging by my wife’s reaction to the bracelet I recently gave her this will be a hit for that lady lawyer in your life.  This Copenhagen-based jewelry company has a brilliant new take on charm bracelets that has brought them quickly back in fashion. Bracelets start under $100, with individual charms from $35 to $700. (Note to husbands: It takes over a dozen charms to fill the bracelet so you don’t have to come up with a new gift idea for the next few years!)  Energy

I’m not sure I believe the technology behind Energy Athletic golf shirts, but most golfers I know will gladly spend $70 to try to get extra yardage out of every swing.  

IrelandThat golfer in your life who uses being a lawyer as an excuse to get off the golf course, will truly enjoy A Course Called Ireland: A Long Walk in Search of a Country, a Pint, and the Next Tee.  This engaging and funny book by sportswriter Tom Coyne chronicles his recent 1,000-mile walk around Ireland to play 40+ golf courses (963 holes) while learning the history, culture, and people of this emerald isle. Leather-bound edition $80 from Orvis; Hardcover, paperback, electronic versions $8-20 from Amazon and most booksellers.

 

SonosFew lawyers will be able to resist the Sonos wireless HiFi system that takes home music to new levels. Totally wireless, the system can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet computer, delivering superior sound to any or all rooms of your house. Streams music from your iPod or other music player; it also integrates with your existing sound system, or build it from scratch. Speakers and components starting at $300.

Both practical and historic, Heirloom Pens are made out of legacy wood from historic Pensites around the U.S., including Mulberry wood from the home of two signers of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.  Rare woods and unique stories are behind each handmade pen. $50 to over $200 per pen.

IQIs your favorite lawyer a know-it-all? Well, make her prove it by giving the IQ Test Gift Box, containing a 40-question IQ test and a return envelope to have the test graded. Soon thereafter your lawyer will receive a personalized certificate confirming his or her IQ. $20 from Vat 19.

For the lawyer who loves to cook, look no further than The Smoking Gun, a Smoke Gun simple method to quickly and easily add real smoke flavor to food. The gun uses cool smoke technology to infuse any food—cheese, nuts, seafood, vegetables, and more—with a pleasing smoke flavor. $100 from Williams-Sonoma.

Kindle CoverRecommended by a Kindle devotee, Amazon's Lighted Kindle Leather Cover protects this e-Reader, but incorporates a retractable LED reading light for those times when you need it, yet slips back into the cover when you don't. The cover and light are specially engineered to use a small amount power from the Kindle--no separate expensive batteries needed. Seven colors available. $50 from Amazon.

If nothing else seems to fit that hard-to-please lawyer, then why not lease them a farm? Well, not a whole farm! Rent Mother Nature Leases provides a down to earth gift that will keep giving all year through harvest time. The lawyer receives Leasea lease certificate (that the lawyer cannot try to renegotiate) to one of the family farms in this sustainable agriculture network. They’ll do all the hard work of farming, and even send progress reports and a photo during the growing season; however, the real payoff is at harvest time when you are sent your share of the crops. From honey to pistachios to goat cheese, there are many types of farms to choose from.  Starting around $60.

Need more ideas? View my past guides for more ideas for any lawyer in your life! 

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all!

 

 ABA TECHSHOW 2012 Registration is Open! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e20162fbc613f9970d 2011-10-19T19:05:16-04:00 2011-10-19T19:05:16-04:00 Registrations are now being accepted for the 2012 edition of the ABA TECHSHOW. The conference will be held at the Hilton Chicago over 3 days starting March 29, 2012. This event has always been about technology for lawyers, but now... Reid Trautz

Registrations are now being accepted for the 2012 edition of the ABA TECHSHOW. The conference will be held at the Hilton Chicago over 3 days starting March 29, 2012.  This event has always been about technology for lawyers, but now more than ever it is about the future of law practice. As chair of ABA TECHSHOW 2012, I posted the opening message today on the TECHSHOW blog sharing our vision for the conference this year. I hope you will join us for three days of education, innovation, and sharing of ideas for you to use to create your preferred future in the practice of law.

 Even More 60 iPad/iPhone Apps in 60 Minutes tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e2015392301d7d970b 2011-10-10T07:27:00-04:00 2011-10-10T07:27:00-04:00 Several years ago, I created the 60 iPhone Apps in 60 Minutes seminar for the 2010 ABA TECHSHOW, based on the "60 Tips in 60 Minutes" format pioneered at that conference. I was joined that year by Jeff Richardson (iPhoneJD),... Reid Trautz
Several years ago, I created the 60 iPhone Apps in 60 Minutes seminar for the 2010 ABA TECHSHOW, based on the "60 Tips in 60 Minutes" format pioneered at that conference. I was joined that year by Jeff Richardson (iPhoneJD), and when we updated the session at the 2011 TECHSHOW, Tom Mighell (iPad4Lawyers) and Josh Barrett (TabletLegal) joined the faculty (along with the iPad).
We have now presented upated versions of the program to several on-line audiences of over 200 lawyers, most recently this past Wednesday. They audience has some great questions, so we thought we'd publish them across our blogs.

Question #1 from S.F. from Anchorage, AK:  What is the best way for lawyers to use Dropbox or a similar service with an iPhone or iPad, assuming the need to access client information occasionally?

Answer:  Dropbox is a useful service for sharing documents between multiple computers and between a computer and an iPhone and/or iPad.  Because Dropbox is run by a third party, however, you need to be conscious of security issues.  Jeff's solution is that he only uses Dropbox for non-confidential documents, such as copies of pleadings, depositions and exhibits.  For confidential attorney-client documents, Jeff keeps those documents in an app like GoodReader or Quickoffice that allows you to password-protect documents.

Tom also uses Dropbox, but understands that SpiderOak provides better security.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t integrate with as many iPad apps as Dropbox, which limits its utliity.  Tom also recommends GoodReader as a good app for downloading and accessing your Dropbox files - it is relatively simple to connect your Dropbox account to GoodReader, and start downloading files to your iPad.  Tom says "Whenever I download a new app, one of the first things I do is check to see whether it integrates with Dropbox - you may find you have a lot of apps that do so, and it may be easier to download into those apps directly from Dropbox, rather than into GoodReader."

Josh often uses the file manager built into LogMeIn Ignition to grab confidential client files left on the computer back at the office. The transfer from desktop to iPad is encrypted end-to-end and doesn't let the document sit on a cloud based service so the confidentiality concerns some raise about services like Dropbox don't apply. The key to using any cloud based service with your device is setting up a good workflow to help keep track of document revisions, versions and originals.

Reid uses the Dropbox-GoodReader combo, and also uses DropBox to transfer PDFs to the Apple iBooks app for reading. 

Alternate Calendar Apps

Question #2 from J.H. from San Francisco, CA: Does entering an event in Calvetica simultaneously make the entry in the iPhone Calendar app?

Answer:  Yes.  One of the nice features of third party calendar apps such as Calvetica, Easy Calendar or Agenda is that the all use the iPhone and iPad's built-in calendar database.  Thus, you can use one app to enter an event, another app to edit the event, another app to view the event, and they are all working from the same database. 

Question #3 from C.P. from Greenwood Village, CO:  Do the calendar apps interface with Microsoft Outlook calendars?

Question #4 from L.L. from Saint Louis, MO:  Do the calendar apps interface with MS Outlook?  We use an Exchange server to coordinate with our iPhones.

Answer:  Again, yes,  Because all iPhone and iPad calendar apps use the built-in calendar database, if you have your iPhone and iPad configured to synchronize with your office's Exchange server, you can add an event in a third-party app and then the change will be synced to Exchange and will show up in Outlook on your computer.

Stylus

Question #5 from C.McD. from Blue Bell, PA: What stylus do you like for Penultimate?

Question #6 from M.M. from Reno, NV:  What is the name of the suggested stylus?

Answer:  Jeff's current favorite stylus is the Kensington Virtuoso Stylus for Tablet which he reviewed on iPhone J.D. here.  Tom's current favorite stylus is the Adonit Jotpro Stylus.  If you go to the iPhone J.D. website and do a search at the top right for “stylus” you will find lots of reviews pointing out the advantages and shortcomings of many different options. Josh uses the MORE/REAL Stylus cap (http://uncrate.com/stuff/morereal-stylus-caps/) because it has the weight and balance of a regular pen. That said, Josh recommends waiting until version 2 is released with the faster tip. 

Accessing Online Legal Resources

Question #7 from: M.S. from Shawnee Mission, KS: Two general questions regarding the iPad.  First, do you have any suggestions on how to access electronic dockets and pleadings etc. in federal court?  I can access it through my browser on the iPad but cannot scroll within documents that are retrieved.  Do any apps help?  Second, and similarly, I cannot scroll down within the web browser when accessing Lexis on my iPad.  Do any apps help for this?

Answer: When you access PACER from an iPad, once you select a document from the docket, if you click the button to view a document you only see the first part of the first page and cannot scroll down.  However, there is a workaround.  Instead of clicking the button that says "view" click the button that says "download."  This will send a .zip file to your iPad, and your iPad will ask what app you want to open the zip file in.  One such app is GoodReader, an app that Jeff recommended. Josh recommends ReaddleDocs for the same functionality.  Either app will allow you to unzip a .zip file and view all of the PDF files contained in that file.

As for accessing Lexis on the iPad, Lexis is supposed to be updating Lexis.com so that it can be accessed from an iPad.  Moreover, before the end of this year, Lexis will be releasing a Lexis Advance app for the iPad.  For more information on the upcoming Lexis app, see this post from Jeff on iPhone J.D.

Voice transcription

Question #9: S.E. From Draper, UT: Can the Dragon Diction app be download to an iPad?

Answer:  Yes.  The Dragon Dictation app works on both the iPhone and iPad.

Remote access

Question #10 from R.H. from Milwaukee, WI:  Is there an app to allow my iPad to connect to my desktop remotely?  I use Time Matters.

Answer:  Yes, any of the remote access apps that we discussed today will let you do this — Citrix Receiver, LogMeIn Ignition or GoToMyPC.

 Question #11 from P.O. from Austin, TX: Is LogMeIn Igntion better than iTap RDP?

Question #12 from P.dB. from Stuart, FL: Do you recommend LogMeIn more than iTeleport? 

Answer:  None of the presenters have used the iTap RDP, but in Tom’s opinion, it looks like a good option.  It uses Windows’ Remote Desktop Protocol, which is a solid method for remotely accessing your computer.  Tom thinks that LogMeIn might be better for one reason:  ease of configuration.  With LogMeIn, it “just works,” and requires very little configuration.  It looks like the iTap RDP requires a little more work under the hood, which might limit the app’s appeal to more advanced users.  Further, with LogMeIn you can access your desktop from any computer using just a browser, with no configuration; with the Remote Desktop Protocol, you’d have to configure it on any computer you plan to use. 

Likewise, none of the presenters use iTeleport, which also looks like a solid remote desktop application.  However, like iTap, it does not appear that you can use iTeleport on regular computers to remotely access your desktop - LogMeIn’s universal capabilities give it an advantage here.

Reid’s office has a corporate GoToMyPC account, so he has to use their iPad app. He finds it works well on his iPad2, although sometimes a bit balky.

First generation iPad

Question #13 from J.G. from Pocatello, ID: Do most or all of the apps discussed work with the first generation iPad?

Answer:  Very few apps that work with the iPad require the iPad 2, although some do exist.  All of the apps that we discussed work on the original iPad and the iPad 2, although some of these apps are designed for the iPhone and therefore run on the iPad/iPad 2 in iPhone emulation mode.

Accessing Word documents

Question #14 from M.H. from Lubbock, TX: What is the best app to read and edit Microsoft Word documents?

Answer:  The most popular apps for reading and editing Word documents are Documents to Go, Quickoffice and Office2.  Jeff's current favorite is Documents to Go because it is the only app of the three that shows you footnotes and shows you redline edits (although it will not let you create footnotes or create redlines).  But these apps are updated frequently, so hopefully the other apps will add this feature soon.

Apps for transactional law

Question #15 from D.C. from Naperville, IL: I am a transactional lawyer, with a specialty in business law, estate planning, tax and some business litigation.  What are the apps you would consider important for a lawyer with that type of practice to have?

Answer:  As a transactional lawyer you deal with a lot of documents.  If those documents are in PDF format, GoodReader or PDF Expert are essential app's for managing and annotating those documents. Josh prefers PDF Expert because of the easy to use document signing too, the ability to reorder/move/delete pages from a PDF and the ability to fill PDF forms. You also need one of the Microsoft Office compatible app's like Documents to Go or QuickOffice. 

Josh recommends creating a folder on your Dropbox with your principal forms. This will give you access to your key drafting inspirations from anywhere.

If you use a Mac in the Office, also consider TextExpander Touch (with the desktop companion TextExpander) which allows you to expand text snippets into words, sentences or even paragraphs. With this app, Josh types "attfee1" and TextExpander types his preferred attorney fee clause. The snippet "simplemisc" expands into my preferred miscellaneous clauses for a basic contract that I can then edit. "engageltr" expands into the text I start with when drafting my engagement letter or email.  Note that iOS 5 will also provide a shortcut feature like this but it is unclear whether you can sync the shortcuts to a computer.

One key to making the iPad work well for transactional lawyers is to have some flexibility or be willing to try new things in your workflow. For example, Josh does lots of drafting in plain text on the iPad and only worries about formatting when back in front of a desktop computer. Even with the Word compatible apps mentioned here, they aren't WYSIWYG. You will still need to fine tune back at the office on your own or send to an assistant to format. Plain text is also necessary to take advantage of TextExpander since at this time the Word compatible apps do not support it but app's like Elements or Plaintext do support TextExpander.

Legal Podcast Pioneers Ambrogi and Williams Hit Six Year Mark! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e20154354a9ac5970c 2011-09-09T19:10:54-04:00 2011-09-09T19:10:54-04:00 Congratulations to Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams on the sixth anniversary of their landmark podcast program, Lawyer-2-Lawyer! Not only was their podcast among the first, they have been able to sustain the podcast by covering an amazing array of... Reid Trautz

Lawyer to lawyer
Congratulations to Bob Ambrogi and J. Craig Williams on the sixth anniversary of their landmark podcast program, Lawyer-2-Lawyer! Not only was their podcast among the first, they have been able to sustain the podcast by covering an amazing array of interesting topics and engage their audience each week for six years! They even had me as a guest a few years back!

Congratulations guys, and here's hoping for six more!

 iPad Impact: Going Where No Lawyer Has Gone Before? tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e20153906c5581970b 2011-08-10T20:37:31-04:00 2011-08-10T20:36:36-04:00 As I passed through airport security last Wednesday, and reached in the gray bin for my iPad as it rolled out the x-ray machine, I realized it was not mine but the traveler ahead of me. Moments later, as several... Reid Trautz

As I passed through airport security last Wednesday, and reached in the gray bin for my iPad as it rolled out the x-ray machine, I realized it was not mine but the traveler ahead of me. Moments later, as several new bins came rolling at me, the passenger behind me reached for my iPad, mistaking it for hers. That never happened with my laptop before! On my flight that day--and on many flights recently, there are quite a few more iPads in use than even just a few months ago. 

Just last week I shared an article on Google+ about the consumerization of enterprise IT by iPad users and smart phone users.  I also tweeted about an article sent to me by Susan Traylor of the Arizona Bar about a personal injury law firm handing out customized iPads to clients to facilitate communication and case collaboration.

Today, I picked up the August issue of Law Technology News that contains an article by Alabama trial lawyer, James Moncus III, about his firm's decision to use the iPad 2 and the TrialPad app in a high profile wrongful death suit of a police officer, instead of more mature and expensive trial technology. The articles details this decision and their use of the TrialPad app to help them win a $37.5 million verdict. 

Two weeks ago I served as faculty with Jeff Richardson, Josh Barrett, and Tom Mighell, on a ALI-ABA webcast, 60 iPhone/iPad Apps in 60 Minutes, that attracted over 200 lawyers to the on-line seminar. We have similar crowds when we do this live at the ABA TECHSHOW.

And there were countless lawyers toting and using iPads in Toronto last week at the ABA Annual Meeting.

In January 2010, I blogged about the iPad being a tipping point in legal technology. It fulfills the need caused by a confluence of economic, technological, and professional changes that are taking place in the world around us. However, the rapid adoption of the iPad as a serious legal tool has even surprised me. From client communication to trial presentation, from reading and marking up depositions on a plane flight to Skyping with a client halfway around the world, the iPad has changed the way we do business as lawyers. That trend will only accelerate: The iPad is allowing lawyers to be more nimble, mobile, responsive, and productive.

About the only thing holding lawyers back are the strictures imposed by IT professionals who are not keeping up with the innovation that is tablet computing. Yes, we have to be mindful of our professional responsibilities, but we also need to keep innovating to keep up with our clients and the ever-present demands to lower the costs of delivering legal services.

 Q & A: 60 iPhone and iPad Apps for Lawyers tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e201543410cd38970c 2011-07-28T15:12:57-04:00 2011-07-29T16:51:17-04:00 Yesterday I participated in an ALI-ABA webinar 60 IPhone/iPad Apps for Lawyers in 60 Minutes with Jeff Richardson, Josh Barrett, and Tom Mighell, and sponsored by the ABA Law Practice Management Section. The webinar was an update of a session... Reid Trautz

Yesterday I participated in an ALI-ABA webinar 60 IPhone/iPad Apps for Lawyers in 60 Minutes with Jeff Richardson, Josh Barrett, and Tom Mighell, and sponsored by the ABA Law Practice Management Section. 

The webinar was an update of a session we presented at TECHSHOW and attracted over 200 on-line attendees. Those attendees had some great questions, many of which we didn't have time to answer in the time allowed. So, we agreed to post them on our blogs for everyone--including you--to see.  I hope you find these helpful. And be sure to see my past posts on iPhone and iPad apps for even more information.

 

Question #1
Question From: K.M.
We are attempting to use Dropbox to save exhibits (PDF documents) in the Deponent App.  I would like to be able to have my paralegal put the exhibits into MY Dropbox account so that I can later move them into deponent app and attach them to a deposition outline.  However, my paralegal has her own Dropbox app already saved to her desktop computer and has been unable to move documents from our server onto MY Dropbox account. Is there a way to have two Dropbox accounts on my paralegal's desktop?  Or, is there a way to drop documents into Dropbox without having it on your desktop?

Answer:  You don’t need to have two separate Dropbox accounts - because you both have accounts, transferring documents is simple.  You can share any folder in your Dropbox with any other Dropbox user - to do this, just highlight the folder you want to share, right-click on it, and select Dropbox and then Share this Folder.  Type in the email address of your paralegal, and she will now have access to that folder.  You can also share folders via the web version of Dropbox, by clicking the drop-down menu next to the folder you want to share.  Once you are sharing folders, your paralegal can easily move the PDF files into the shared folder, and you can then load them into Deponent.

Question #2
Question From: J.H.
After looking at the materials, I purchased Black's dictionary. It is uploaded into my Dropbox as a zip file, but my IPad can not open it. How can I open it? Thanks Janet

Answer:  Did you purchase the file in your Dropbox using iTunes?  If so, just sync your iPad with that computer and the file will transfer over.  Or just go to the App Store on your iPad and tap the App Store button to download the app; as long as you are signed in with the same account that you used on iTunes, the App Store will recognize that you have paid for the app in the past and let you download it again to another device for free.  Typically, iPhone and iPad apps do not come in Zip files, so it is possible that you have purchased and downloaded a different version.  If this is the case, you will need to go to the App Store and purchase the iOS version.

Question #3
Question From: F.P.
Keynote will output to a projector - have to have physical connector, right?

Answer:  To do this today, you need to purchase Apple’s VGA Adaptor, which costs $29 in the Apple Store. in some apps the output mode remains hidden until you plug it in to the projector. But in the next version of the iOS operating system (iOS 5, which we will probably see in September), you will be able to use the AirPlay feature to display virtually anything on your iPad 2’s screen -- including your Keynote slides -- on any TV that has an Apple TV ($99) attached.  The Apple TV is a very small device so you can easily take it with you to your next meeting, hook it up to a TV, and then display your slides without connecting your iPhone or iPad to the TV.  Note, however, that the Apple TV requires an HDMI or Component input, so if you only have access to a projector with VGA input, you’ll need to use a physical connection.

Question #4
Question From: W.P.
I am sure you have also had exposure to iPhone/Pad apps that are also found on the Android system. So in your opinion, what are the best 3 apps for us Android users to snag?

Answer:  Many popular iPhone apps also exist for other platforms.  For example, Documents to Go will work on BlackBerry, Android, Palm OS, Symbian (S60) and Nokia (Maemo Select).  Having said that, because Apple’s App Store is so popular -- and so profitable for developers -- you often see apps appear first for the iPhone / iPad, and only later for other platforms.  A notable exception:  the great apps from Google.  Because Google is behind the Android system, the Android version of apps (such as Google Voice and Google Translate, which we discussed yesterday) often appear first on Android and have more features on Android.

Question #5
Question From: M.C.
Any Apps for checking court dockets?

Answer:  Not currently, to our knowledge, but some court dockets and online and can be accessed using Safari on the iPhone or iPad.

Question #6
Question From: A.S.
Are there any mail apps that allow you to access the .pst or exchange outlook folders so you can organize emails from your device as you review them? If not, do you know of plans in iOS5 to make this feature available?

Answer:  If you use your computer to create an Outlook folder that is on the server, it should also appear on your iPhone or iPad if you sync with your company’s Exchange server.  To access those folders, just tap the “Mailboxes” or “Inbox” button at the top of the screen to see all other online Exchange folders associated with your account.  If your create a local folder using Outlook on your computer, that folder is only on your computer and cannot be accessed by the iPhone or iPad.  Further, your iPhone and iPad does not currently permit the type of management you describe; if you want to organize your emails, you will need to do that within Outlook itself.

Question #7
Question From: P.C.
My office has Outlook with exchange server, so I cannot access my office e-mails, calendar and contacts directly on the iPad mail feature. We have to use Good Technologies to access our e-mail, calendar and contacts. It is cumbersome because we never know if I have an e-mail unless we log into Good to check. Is there a better program which integrates Outlook into the iPad’s existing e-mail function?

Answer:  The iPhone and iPad can indeed work with an Exchange server, but only if your firm turns on that feature.  Some companies are more security conscious and require the use of third party products with extra security to access e-mail, such as Good Technologies or Citrix.  Unfortunately, this limits the usefulness of your iOS device because, for example, third party apps that integrate with the built-in Mail app will not work with your e-mail.  Each company needs to weigh the advantages and tradeoffs -- increased security vs. decreased usability. The Apple iPhone Configuration Utility can be engaged to find a happy medium to satisfy your reluctant IT staff.

Question #8
Question From: S.M.
Does Atomic Browser allow you to access Flash websites?

Answer:  No, but there are other, third-party web browsers for the iPhone and iPad that allow you to use Flash to a limited extent.  For example, Skyfire will let you view some Flash videos on your iPhone or iPad.  In general, though, Flash websites do not display very well on the iPhone or iPad.  Fortunately, many companies realize this and provide an iOS-friendly version of their website when access with an iPhone or iPad.

Question #9
Question From: D.B.
Do I need to install antispyware and antivirus software on my iPhone? if I log on to my Lexis and/or Westlaw or email account, do i need to worry about spyware? Thanks, DPB

Answer:  The short answer is No.  Because of the way Apple manages approval of apps, the risk that viruses or malware exists within individual apps is very small.  Currently, the most likely way to catch a virus on your i-device is through browsing to sites on the Internet that host such malware.  LexisNexis and Westlaw are both reputable services, and you should be able to access those sites without concern. Although it is possible that you can be exposed to malware on other websites, we recommend that instead of purchasing or using security software, exercise the same good judgment you use when browsing the Internet on your desktop or laptop, and don’t click on any suspicious links.  

Question #10
Question From: T.F.
What was the name of the Apple i-reader app you recommended?

Answer:  iBooks.  Although Apple promotes the iBooks app as a way to purchase and read books on your iPad or iPhone (similar to Amazon’s Kindle app), iBooks also does a good job of reading PDF files.  In fact, it is currently the fastest PDF viewer on the iPhone.  On the iPad, it is nice to have a full-featured app that you can use to annotate a PDF file, but if you just want to view a PDF file quickly on the iPhone, iBooks is a great (and free) option.

Question #11
Question From: M.G.
My firm does not use Citrix.  We do everything via VMWare.  Is there a compatible app with Visual Machines that allows the user to access their office desktop on their iPhone/iPad?

Answer:  Yes.  The app is called VMWare View and it is free.  We haven’t tried it, but the reviews on the App Store are positive.

Question #12
Question From: D.V.
Penultimate -- what can you use besides your finger to type?

Answer:  For any of the iPad apps that allow you to draw on your iPad -- yesterday, we discussed Penultimate, Note Taker HD and Notes Plus -- the apps work much better if you use a stylus to write on your iPad screen.  There are many different brands available such as the Kensington Virtuoso (with or without a real pen), the BoxWave Capacitive Styra (with pen) and Stylus (without pen), and the Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Stylus.  If you go to the iPhone J.D. website and do a search at the top right for “stylus” you will find lots of reviews pointing out the advantages and shortcomings of each.

If you prefer to type rather than write, there are a number of keyboards that work great with the iPad, using the device’s Bluetooth connection.  Apple’s wireless keyboard ($69) is a good alternative, and there are number of great cases that come with a keyboard installed.  One example is the Logitech Keyboard Case ($99), an aluminum case.

 

 Confessions of a TECHSHOW Chair tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e2014e8a28fff5970d 2011-07-27T10:25:53-04:00 2011-07-27T10:28:21-04:00 I am excited to be leading a wonderful group of nine people who are planning the 2012 ABA TECHSHOW next March. It is a small collection of volunteer lawyers and legal professionals who plan all facets of this premier technology... Reid Trautz

I am excited to be leading a wonderful group of nine people who are planning the 2012 ABA TECHSHOW next March. It is a small collection of volunteer lawyers and legal professionals who plan all facets of this premier technology conference for the legal profession. We held our second 2-day planning meeting last weekend (the first being in May) to develop the "grid" of over 70 educational sessions over 3 days, review the expo hall for over 100 vendors, select and engage a keynote speaker, and dozens of other details. Despite the work, it is really a terrific professional experience to build the next edition of this twenty-five year tradition.

But it does cut into my freetime, and as you can see from the lack of blog posts in the last few months, it really cuts into my blogging time.

Yet I wouldn't trade the experience. Besides working with my colleagues on the TECHSHOW Planning Board, I am being introduced to many new people who contact me to be a part of the ABA TECHSHOW 2012, mostly as a speaker. It's time consuming, but worth it.  I am corresponding with lawyers from acroos the U.S. and Canada. The planning board works to incorporate up to 30% new speakers each year, so I welcome these inquiries. 

The Board also has its ear to the ground for new ideas, topics, and the Next Big Thing. We continue to keep offering popular topics such as the Paperless Track that are well-attended each year, as well as new tracks and sessions--yep, iPads in the law office (and at trial) will be an expanded topic this year.

We are well into our planning, but always have time for few more good suggestions--in addition to the ones we get from past conference attendees and others. So feel free to email me with your suggestions. And while I can't promise positive results, if you would like to be a speaker, include a brief synopsis of your past technology and speaking experience. We always have the top legal speakers at this conference, so the competition is tough.

Anyway, I'll blog when I can, but be sure to check out the ABA TECHSHOW blog too, for updates throughout the coming months leading to the conference on March 29-31, 2012 in Chicago. 

 Take a Taste of ABA TECHSHOW tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e2014e88ece7c5970d 2011-06-06T07:51:00-04:00 2011-06-06T07:51:00-04:00 If you have not had a chance to attend ABA TECHSHOW, now is your opportunity to sample the quality of the educational sessions. The ABA Law Practice Management Section, producer of the annual technology conference has, for the first time,... Reid Trautz

If you have not had a chance to attend ABA TECHSHOW, now is your opportunity to sample the quality of the educational sessions. The ABA Law Practice Management Section, producer of the annual technology conference has, for the first time, released most of the slide presentations that accompany the sessions. Take a look at the range of sessions that each year attracts over a 1,700 lawyers, IT staff, paralegals, legal assistants, and product vendors to attend the 3-day conference in Chicago.

The educational sessions are just one part of TECHSHOW; the networking, vendor expo, and one-on-one interaction with many of the top law practice technology experts in the country make it a truly valuable experience.

Take a taste now, but be sure to attend the entire conference March 29-31, 2012 in Chicago!

 ABA Journal: A Recap of ABA TECHSHOW 2011 tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e201538e07add1970b 2011-04-21T09:05:21-04:00 2011-04-21T09:05:21-04:00 The ABA Journal did a fine job of covering some of the over 60 education sessions at ABA TECHSHOW last week. In case you missed them, take a look at these brief stories that offer some of the wisdom of... Reid Trautz

The ABA Journal did a fine job of covering some of the over 60 education sessions at ABA TECHSHOW last week. In case you missed them, take a look at these brief stories that offer some of the wisdom of the thought leaders at the conference: 

 More iPad and iPhone Apps for Lawyers tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00d83455bdf069e2014e6045bb99970c 2011-03-30T20:15:07-04:00 2011-03-30T20:15:07-04:00 Josh Barrett , Jeff Richardson, and I will present 60 iPhone/iPad Apps for Lawyers at the 2011 ABA TECHSHOW in April. I recently highlighted several translation apps, but I am blown away by the 8-part series Josh is blogging on... Reid Trautz

Josh Barrett , Jeff Richardson, and I will present 60 iPhone/iPad Apps for Lawyers at the 2011 ABA TECHSHOW in April. I recently highlighted several translation apps, but I am blown away by the 8-part series Josh is blogging on his blog, TabletLegal. He covers the following types of iPad apps:

Hats off to Josh for a valuable series of posts. We'll cover some of those plus many others at our TECHSHOW presentation. Hope to see you there!