Home Office Lawyer

Palm, Inc. - Products - Foleo

This just in from the Futurelawyer. Rick ask will Treo users really want one. Quite frankly, I am disappointed Palm is even wasting their time with such a device. I really don't see a need for it. And, how may Treo users already have laptops? Why in the world would I want to carry around something this large that does not have my entire filing cabinet on it? Which I do on my MacBook. I would Palm spent the time updating its OS and keep upgrading the Treo.

Well, the cat is out of the bag, and the new product that Palm announced today, available this summer, is the Foleo, a mobile companion to the Treo, which provides a 10 inch screen and full keyboard, connecting to the Treo via BlueTooth. So, if you don't want to carry a notebook, this will access the information on the Treo, and permit full document editing and web browsing and email on a larger screen and keyboard. It isn't a UMPC, but only costs $499. The question is, will Treo users really want one? Too early to tell, but it IS really slim and cool looking.

Source for Post: Futurelawyer.

The Treo 650 and the Home Office Lawyer

I provided Jonathan Stein who has the great blog, The Practice with a guest post today concerning using a Treo 650 in a law practice. Go to the link above and read the post and take a look at all the great stuff on Jonathan's blog.

The PDA Lawyer

I recently started a new blog called the PDA Lawyer. My plan is to provide information about using a PDA in a law practice. My main focus will be on the Treo and other Palm products. However, I do want to provide information about using the Blackberry too.

So, if any of you use the Blackberry in your own law practice. And would like to provide guest post about it, please comment to this post or drop me an email.

Treo Family Comparison Chart

Treonauts has a post today called, Treo Family Comparison Chart: Understanding the Differences.

It is a great source to compare the features of each of the Treos. If you are considering the purchase of this wonderful tool to stay "Connected", I would encourage you to use the chart.

Flight over Albuquerque

We are actually flying over Albuquerque in a hot air balloon. Blogging in the air, with the Treo! Now that is a "Connected Lawyer."

Live from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

As I promised. Spent the early morning hours watching the balloons. Actually, I am blogging live while watching the key race. WOW!!

The "Connected" Lawyer

It is amazing that I still get some strange looks from my fellow lawyers when I pull out my Treo 650 to check my calendar and schedule a court hearing. For most in my area, they still carry along a paper calendar and a pencil to mark their calendars with.

The stares are even worse when I pull out my iBook during a court hearing or trial. Of course it is fun for me to watch while they struggle to find their own document during a hearing or trial. Especially when you consider I already have it pulled up on my computer screen ready for argument.

And if you really want to get them going, have them ask you what that URL is in your signature line of your emails. I guess it is great they even use email.

But, what is even more amazing, why aren't they more connected? Why aren't they taking advantage of the technology available to them each and every day.

YOU HAVE TO BE WIRED

The connected lawyer must be wired with technology. For me I use the Treo 650. I use it to be in constant contact with my clients, colleagues, and the court. I use text messages, emails, instant messages and the phone feature to maintain constant contact. I can send a document with my Treo in a split second to either a client or the court. With it, no matter where I am at, those I need to be in contact with, don't even know if I am in my home office, in the car or on the golf course.

My other wired tool is my Mac iBook laptop which is wifi and bluetooth ready. This enables me to jump on the internet where ever I can find a hotspot.

Our clients and even the courts have come to expect 24/7 services. And you have to have the tools to enable you to do just that.

CONNECTED ATTORNEYS AND MULTIPLE COMPUTERS

For most of us that can be considered wired, we usually work on more than one computer. When I am out of the office I use my iBook. But, I have to have some way to take my files with me and than sync them with my computer in the office. I use a sync'ing program which I use to sync my Mac Mini with my iBook. So no matter which computer I use, both are up to date and ready to go. If I do anything in a client file while out of the office, when I sync back at the office, the file/fax server Mac Mini will also have the work on it.

CONNECTED ATTORNEY AND COLLABORATION AND VIRTUAL MEETINGS

In order to collaborate with colleagues, clients and maybe even the court, we have to be able to come together. For a Mac user, iChat AV is just one answer. With a webcam or for me my iSight, I can hold a video conference with any of those individuals. With high speed internet service in most areas now, I see no reason why we can't use this technology more. And it is so easy. Well, at least if you have a Mac. You just plug in the iSight and iChat will open on its own. And if you have the person who you need to visit with in your buddy list. And they have a webcam or iSight themselves, you could be seeing each other on your computer screens in a matter of seconds. Wouldn't this be nice for those phone conferences with judges and counsel? And why not. And how much courtroom time could we not take up for a simple status hearing if we would use this method.

CONNECTED ATTORNEY AND MARKETING

Some would suggest that marketing takes a lot of time and is hard to do. NOT!!! Of course, you know where this is going. Blog, blog, blog!!! Blogging is one of the best marketing tools for the wired attorney out there. After all, if you have a Treo with any one of the available blogging tools out there, you can post from anywhere. I have even done a post to my blog from the courtroom while waiting my turn to be heard. And if you use a laptop and are at a hotspot, you can post to your blog.

It has also been suggested that seminars are good. The wired attorney should be doing Webinars instead. They are easy to do and they are cheap. Yes, I said it, cheap. And lets not forget podcast. Another tool the wired attorney should be using.

CONNECTED ATTORNEY AND THE VIRTUAL OFFICE

I have already touched on this a little above and in previous post. Do a search of this blog and you will find those earlier post. My virtual office consist of all those items mentioned above and my virtual paralegal. I have a paralegal that I never see in person. We use all the tools I mentioned above. We communicate with IM, email and the phone. We never sit down from each other across from any desk. And just as soon as I convince her, we will use the internet to video conference with each other.

CONCLUSION

The tools are out there and there is really no reason not to use them. If you don't use them, it is really time you consider what you are missing not being wired. Our clients have come to expect almost instant service and results and by using these tools, we can provide it to them. And for me and best of all, by using the tools mentioned, I am not tied down to my home office and my office chair.

Iambic's YourCall

I am trying a new program that was just released by Iambic, called YourCall.

YourCall is a versatile utility tool that conveniently captures your post-call dialog and offers a variety of useful follow-up actions you can take after you hang up.

YourCall helps you with 4 easy-to-access, "thumb sized" actions:

(Depending on whether the contact is known or not)

• View Contact Card - View contact's detailed information

• Add to Contact - Adds the received phone number to a current contact

• Add to Journal - Adds the contact or phone number to your journal

• Call Back - Calls the number back

• Send SMS - Send SMS to the number or contact

• Take no action - Exits the YourCall dalog

This really does look like a great program and it works right along with Ageudus, which I use for my calendar and contact management on my Treo.

UPDATE: 10/5/2006 -- I had some minor issues today with YourCall. Let me just say the support from Iambic is awesome. We did some emailing back and forth and we resolved my minor issue. If there is ever any doubt that Palm OS software companies don't provide great, personal service, try Iambic.

My Favorite Palm Treo Programs

First, let me just mention that my Treo 650 was one of the best purchases I have made. Recently, I was asked what my "setup" was on my Treo. So, I decided that instead of answering the email, I would do a post here and encourage comments providing what you may be using on your Treo or other Palm PDA.

Along side my Treo is another great piece of hardware and that is my Palm Treo Wireless Headset. Blue-Tooth at its best. To hold my Treo, I use a new holster which I just love. The Treo Rubberized Holster.

The main program I use for my calendar and contact management on my Treo is Agendus for Palm OS. I am using the pre v.11 version as there are bugs right now in v. 11. In connection with the Personal Productivity program, I am using Agendus Mail to handle my emails while out of the office and for text messaging. Both programs work well together.

To sync my Treo and my iBook, I use Missing Sync. Designed from the ground up to support the latest Palm OS devices and Apple technologies, The Missing Sync for Palm OS provides everything you need to be more productive and keep on top of your day.

Documents ToGO is a must in my opinion. This program allows you to read, edit and manage any form of a document you may have on your PDA. I have all of the Kansas domestic statutes on my Treo using Documents ToGO. In addition, I have certain documents I sometimes need to email to clients. If I am out of the office, get an email which I have checked with my Treo and a new client needs something. I can email it as an attachment from Docs ToGO right from my Treo.

Working right along side Documents ToGO is DataVizTech. This the best way to easily move DTG components between RAM and SD Card. They say you can save approximately 4MB or more of precious RAM space without any loss in DTG functionality.

I also have a selection of utility programs that keep the Treo running smooth. Destaller is an application oriented uninstaller. Applications store many different files that often cause resets and the necessity to do a hard reset when not removed properly. Destaller removes this danger and headache. In addition Destaller allows you to maximize the memory of your device by allowing to safely remove single files, 'a68k' Files, saved and unsaved preferences and more.

Another handy little program is PrefDoctor. It does just what its name implies, it maintains your preferences and allows some adjustments.

I also use another Hobbyist Software, Phone Technician. As the website says, it keeps you Treo under control. You can get different ringers, boost sound, has a built MP3 player, make setting up 3 way conference calls a breeze, easy dial, alarms, save battery and control the phone connection. All that from one little program.

If there is one complaint I had with the Treo right out of the box, it would be its volume control. VolumeCare is a must have. VolumeCare increases the maximum volume levels for each Treo speaker. Studies have proven volume increases up to a 250% in handset volume, speaker phone volume and wired headset volume. VolumeCare will also allow you to adjust your voice volume (aka microphone) so others will hear you *loud* and clear. VolumeCare also allows you to set pre-defined default volume listening levels for each speaker type on your Treo. So you can preset the listening level for your earpiece separately from the Speaker Phone.

PowerRUN is a program that helps to save memory. It enables you to run applications form the memory card. Enough said. Get it.

The last program I am going to mention that I have in my "setup" is KeyCaps650. KeyCaps650 allows you to easily capitalize letters or use punctuation without using the shift or option keys on a Treo 650.

Please post comments to this and let us all know what some of your favorite programs are you are using on your Treo or other PDA.

Executives have a Love/Hate Relationship with Mobile Tech

Sometime back I did a POST about being too connected. It would seem some executives may feel the same.

"According to a recent survey of 2,300 global executives conducted by Korn/Ferry International, 77 percent of respondents believe that mobile communications devices (phone, handheld, laptop or pager) primarily enhance their work/life balance, rather than impede it.

However, when these same people were asked whether they believe they spend too much time using their communications devices, 38 percent strongly agreed.

A large majority (81 percent) of the executives surveyed said they are connected to work through some form of mobile device at all times."

There is even talk now about some companies being sued for causing information and communication addiction. Unfreaking believable.

Source for post: Brighthand