Coming today to Fat Friday: Senior Marketing Manager Conrad Saam responds to our criticism of Avvo's Top Legal Blogs list, Edward Zohn defends his position on whether lawyers should know how to build a PC, Ron Murphy describes his Mac-based backup routine, Thomas Sennett shares a tip about using Dragon NaturallySpeaking on a computer with iTunes installed, and Michael Gibney discusses his problem with the marketing of iCreate. Don't miss this issue.
How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
Coming today to Fat Friday: Bob Walsh explains the importance of filing email by case plus he reviews FileCenter and MozyPro, Elaine Dowling describes her backup routine and how it has improved her practice, former large firm lawyer Robert Brouillette offers advice to other "large firm refugees" going out on their own, Edward Zohn reviews Western Digital enterprise-grade hard drives, and Tom Trottier shares his take on the world's first laptop. Don't miss this issue.
How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
Coming today to Fat Friday: David Parker reviews LogMeIn and LogMeIn Rescue, Scott Gardner shares what 23 years using Macs has taught his firm, Lori Iwan reaches out to SmallLaw columnist Mazyar Hedayat, Bruce Brightwell discusses his secret to buying and servicing PCs for his firm, and Don Feferman warns new BigSolos what's in store for them. Don't miss this issue.
How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
I've donned my kevlar and am ready to tread on sensitive ground. After slogging through the legal technology trenches for 24 years, I've developed the MDTR — the "Minimum Daily Technology Requirements" for every solo and small firm's technology needs. In today's first of three installments, I'll provide you with your MDTR for hardware.
Let's define minimum. I don't mean it in the absurd way some software publishers do when they say you could run, for example, Vista, on some 15 year old Pentium 4 when Mars and Venus are perfectly aligned. My minimums are really a reasonable balance of suitable functionality and performance for a projected four year life-cycle (or maybe five) for hardware systems. The key is neither underbuying nor overbuying — it's about "Smart Buying."
Also, I'm far less concerned with the brands and models and versions of the hardware and software tools I'm including on my list than the concepts. Technology in law practice, if intelligently viewed, shouldn't be about technology. Instead, technology should be a means to an end or multiple ends: best serving clients, generating professional work product, making a living, and frankly, even injecting some sense of fun and quality of life back into practice. That's what matters in the great scheme of things, not whether one has a Dell Optiplex 360 or 755.
MDTR: Desktop PCs
If it's a desktop, a business-class system from Dell (Optiplex business series only), HP (business series only) or Lenovo (ThinkCentre business series only). You could include Apple in this list as well, but with the limitations to consider that I discussed in my recent SmallLaw column on the subject.
Specifications should include:
Processor: Intel or AMD Dual Core processor (e.g., Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 or better, or AMD equivalent).
RAM: 2-3 GB.
Operating System: Windows XP Pro until Windows 7 is available, proven, and stable. No Vista permitted! Or Mac OS X Leopard with Windows XP Pro running via either Bootcamp, Parallels Desktop 4 with its jaw-dropping "coherence mode," or VMWare Fusion 2.
Hard Drive: 7200 or preferably 10,000 rpm SATA drive — at least 250 GB, but 500+ is better. A RAID Level 1 mirrored pair isn't a bad idea if it's your only PC and your budget permits (use an inexpensive SATA RAID controller from companies like Promise Technology).
Optical Drive: DVD-R.
Networking: Gigabit Ethernet, possibly Bluetooth to sync with your smartphone (which you do have, right?), WiFi (if you're not close enough, practically speaking, to a wired connection to your Internet connection; otherwise, wired connections to your router are always better). Use proper CAT 5e or CAT 6 cables (cheap and reliable for data cabling, not the local rip-off Worst Buy or other Big Box retailers that will charge you $30 for a $3 cable.
Video: Dual-display capable with 256 MB of RAM, preferably with dual VGA connectors with dual DVI adapters for maximum connection flexibility.
Displays: Two 19" at least or preferably larger 22" LCD widescreen displays (don't pay more than $200 each for 22" displays — shop smart via Price Grabber, Shopper.com, and Google Product Search). You might consider one traditional landscape mode display and make the other a pivoting display you can keep in portrait mode for the most efficient document viewing/proofing (with pivoting offerings at about a $50-$100 premium over landscape mode display).
Keyboard/Mouse: You need to be comfortable with your choice. I'm particularly partial to Microsoft's Elite series with the padded palm rests — they're built like tanks. Aficionados of the original IBM TrackPoint and even earlier series keyboards can have their long-deprived fingerlust sated at PC Keyboards and Clicky Keyboards).
Bundled Software: Microsoft Office 2007 (Small Business or Standard edition for most people, Basic if you never need to use PowerPoint), and ideally Adobe Acrobat 9 Standard edition (for most people, but Pro is better with its legal-friendly features. If you need WordPerfect, the latest Office X4 is available at moderate prices.
Warranty: 4 years with at least next business day response time, or if it's your only system, upgrade to same day. Plus plan for the support you'll need related to your software.
MDTR: Laptops
For a laptop that serves as your primary PC, purchase a business-class system from Dell (Latitude business series only), HP (business series only) or Lenovo (Thinkpad business series only). You could include Apple's MacBook or MacBook Pro in this list as well, but with the limitations mentioned above.
Specifications to target should include:
Processor, RAM, OS, Optical, Networking, External Keyboard/Mouse, Bundled Software: Same as above though WiFi is a must, not optional.
Hard Drive: 7200 rpm SATA drive ideally versus more commonly available slower 5400 rpm drives — at least 250 GB, but 320 GB and 500 GB drives are now available.
Video: "Discrete" video is preferred with 128 MB or 256 MB RAM as opposed to "integrated" video.
Displays: For internal displays, 13" and above for regular daily use with either WXGA or higher resolution (1280 x800, 1440 x 900, or 1680 x 1050). Remember the higher the laptop resolution, the smaller the characters.
If you want to connect two displays externally, some laptop docking stations allow this, such as the Thinkpad Advanced Port Replicator with both DVI and VGA ports. Otherwise, use a Matrox DualHead2Go, which runs two external displays (a "TripleHead2Go" model can run three displays).
Docking: Business-class laptops have available docking capability via $100-$200 port replicators. These make lots of sense versus having to plug and unplug half a dozen or more cables every time you get the call on the Bat phone and need to hit the road.
Keyboard/Mouse: There is universal sentiment that on the PC side of the coin, Lenovo's Thinkpad keyboards, born of IBM technology and tradition, are still, bar none, the best-feeling laptop keyboards ever made. On the Mac side, the keyboards on the new unibody MacBook and MacBook Pro systems are a joy to use. I know — I have both.
Warranty: 3 years since you'll wear out and likely keep laptops for a shorter period, with at least next business day response time, or again, if it's your only system, upgrade to same day, more rapid guaranteed response time.
MDTR: Printers
A color or black & white multifunction laser printer can make a great deal of sense, with the key being having enough paper trays. Think about how much time is wasted having to feed envelopes or bond paper into a printer that only has a single paper tray?
With inkjet cartridges costing more than virtually any other liquid on the planet (many times the cost of human blood — that's just plain wrong), avoid them except for special purposes such as dedicated photo printing.
If you email more than print, you can get away with less printing ability. On the other hand, the long term value of a black and white multifunction laser model like the 35 page per minute, heavy duty LaserJet 3035M can prove quite economical in the long run since it may easily last a decade. For smaller volume situations, the HP 2727M comes in at 27 ppm and around $650 with two paper trays (but no digital sending).
For occasional networkable color printing, you could add an HP Color LaserJet CP2020 series printer with a couple of paper trays for about $600 to complement the primary black and white workhorse. And having a "spare" backup printer is always sensible.
The HP theme should be apparent — why? Because HP makes better printers? Not necessarily — it's all about the practical issue of fast and local toner availability. Dimes to donuts you'll find HP toner in stock even at a local 24-hour FedEx, but certainly a local Staples, Office Depot/Max, etc. Other brands might find you one toner cartridge short and out of luck when the printing chips are down to make that court filing deadline.
Finally, add a Dymo Labelwriter Twin Turbo 400 (yes, it sounds more like an exotic sports car than a label printer). These invaluable printing dynamos will pay for themselves rapidly in reduced label consumable costs versus traditional Avery label sheets for your laser printer. Use them to print mailing labels, file labels, shipping labels and even your postage. You'll later email me to tell me it was the best money you've ever spent on a printer.
MDTR Scanners
Aside from the scanning ability in your multifunction device, above, it may make sense to have a desktop-connected Fujitsu ScanSnap (S510 or S510M). Long my favorite Paper LESS Office desktop scanner, these little scanning wonders have become the darling of the "build complete electronic case files set."
With good reason — netting about $350 after rebates, the ScanSnaps earn their deserved fame for solid, reasonably quick 18 pages/per minute duplex scanning (both sides at the same time), and the famous "Big Green Button" to initiate scans in a newbie-proof manner. Plus the bundled Adobe Acrobat Standard edition PDF license.
For the solo standalone system, add at least three 500 GB, 750 GB or 1 TB USB 2.0 external drives. Use actual data backup software — Acronis True Image Home in the current edition — for your primary full, nightly automated drive backups, alternating media daily, taking it off-site anywhere daily, and performing at least weekly "mini test restores."
For your secondary layer of protection, use an online backup service such as CoreVault, SugarSync or MozyHome / MozyPro to backup your DATA folders.
Then consider a third layer — real-time data folder backup to an always-connected external 750 GB or 1 TB drive using a program like Second Copy to protect you against downtime. Second Copy will make copies of your data files, as you work on them. If your hard drive fails and you have to wait for repair/replacement/restoration, you can take your Second Copied backup drive to any other PC and work on the files while you're waiting.
And use Windows "System Restore" function to create "Restore Points" before installing any new software, enabling you to roll back in time to your PC's state just before you loaded the "program from hell" that ate your Registry and killed your machine.
Mac users should think about using OS X's wonderful and impressive Time Machine function, whether to external USB drives or to an Apple Time Capsule, wirelessly across their network.
How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Published first via email newsletter and later here on our blog, SmallLaw provides you with a mix of practical advice that you can use today, and insight about what it will take for small law firms like yours to thrive in the future. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
Coming today to Fat Friday: David Hudgens reviews 3M's Micro Professional Projector MPro110, Camden Hall reviews ProLaw for practice management, Tom Caruso discusses three cost considerations when switching to a Mac, Jerry Perrella provides some sound advice for law firms needing to reformat server disks, and Jeff Scott Olson shares his recent experience with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 and Windows Vista 64. Don't miss this issue.
How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
Coming today to Fat Friday: Sarkis Babachanian explains why his firm uses Macs, Tom Trottier reviews ZScreen and IrfanView for capturing screenshots to use in other programs, Steven Finell discusses spam versus spam control and which is the lesser evil, Roger Boyell provides a tip for those interested in building custom PCs, and Robert Fleming shares a workaround for using WordPerfect on multiple monitors. Don't miss this issue.
How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
Coming today to Fat Friday: George Ross explains how he manages incoming email, Yvonne Renfrew shares her idea for making the ScanSnap S300 even more mobile, Thomas F. McDow discusses sharing an office with another lawyer (who also happens to be his wife), Paul Mansfield warns about one of the pitfalls of 64-bit computing, and Robert Fleming provides a helpful tip for running WordPerfect with multiple monitors. Don't miss this issue.
How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
Legal netbook fans take note! Asus of netbook fame released a fascinating new product late last year, which was re-introduced at CES 2009. It's called the Asus EEE Top 1602.
The more I think about it, the more I think it isn't just yet another member of the burgeoning EEE family of mini-systems, but possibly something revolutionary. This may just be the perfect accessory for your small firm's primary workstations — a second workstation for your desk.
What Is the Asus EEE Top?
It's essentially the guts of Acer's popular 1000H netbook (see my review of the 1000H in an earlier SmallLaw column). The EEE Top is replete with an Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz) processor, 1 GB of RAM, a 160 GB hard drive, N-series WiFi, built into a stand-up desktop, all-in-one-ish chassis with a 15.6" wide-mode display, and a wired keyboard and mouse.
One difference versus the Asus EEE netbooks is its use of an ATI Radeon 3450 discrete video system versus the earlier netbook's more minimalist integrated Intel graphic chipset — document image and digital photo viewing should benefit.
Plus the 15.6" wide-mode 16:9 format display. Ah, but that's no ordinary wide-mode LCD display … it's a touch-screen. Available in white or black, it's a little like either a smaller scale version of HP's pricey TouchSmart series of all-in-ones, or like an iMac "Junior" — with the white version having more than a passing resemblance to the previous generation of iMacs.
The operating system is Windows XP Home, commonplace in current netbooks — so we're spared the personal torture Vista would inflict on such a system. While it's no processing powerhouse, anyone who has used an Atom-equipped netbook has seen how zippy these systems are. And also, it's hard not to notice the quick boot-up and shut-down times versus regular Windows systems.
What is fascinating about these systems isn't Windows — certainly not. But Asus' "Dashboard" system evokes memories of its original netbook, the too-tiny to be useful EEE PC701 model. What I enjoyed about the 701 was its Linux GUI — elegantly simple, visually uncluttered and fast! Dashboard looks a lot like the 701's Linux GUI and includes a number of touch-enabled utilities with real promise. When you view the YouTube demo (see below) pay attention to the "memo" function. It literally lets you write memos on screen with your finger — very slick.
So What Would a Small Firm Do With an Asus EEE Top?
I can think of several scenarios. In the office, think of using it as a secondary network-connected PC, handling communication functions, and thereby unburdening one's primary system from those functions.
Use it as your Skype machine, have a browser open, run an intra-office IM system like the very slick Outlook Messenger, monitor your Twitter feeds, keep a posting window open for your practice's blog, monitor the news, etc.
Or what about placement at your receptionist's desk — use it to display your firm's marketing message via a slideshow running in a window — and one that welcomes visitors. Or take it much further and allow clients to check in when they visit. Let them press their own personalized welcome button on-screen, which could execute a Windows macro (using a program like MacroExpress) notifying their lawyer and his/her assistant, pulling up the client's matter in the case management system with the information about the appointment for a final briefing before the meeting (with the client's picture of course, to jog the memory).
How about another one for the kitchen counter at home? Use it to check the Food Network for the evening's recipe, place Peapod orders, and leave hand-touch-written memos for the kids about the lasagna in the fridge just needing to be heated in the convection oven.
Conclusion
So it is a KitchenTop? I think so. How about a ConnectTop for your office communications? Yes, I can see that. What about a SecondTop — just another PC to run secondary programs to unburden your primary PC? Whatever it may be, the Asus EEE Top seems to be much more than a low-budget iMac or TouchSmart. The Top may be hard to top for work and play. Sign me up — I can't wait to review it.
Postscript: A Message to the Mac Lawyers Who Dissed Me
Finally, a note to all the surprisingly unfriendly Mac Lawyers who trashed my pro-Mac SmallLaw column.
Guess what people, today's column was written in Microsoft Word 2008 on my 13" MacBook acquired in December 2008. Does that make me a "Mac person." Nope. Just like I'm not a "Windows person." Rather, I'm just a "person" not defined into a mere label by virtue of whatever computer or operating system I happen to use at any given moment. How ironic is it that devoted users of one of the friendliest technologies ever created are some of the least friendly legal technology consumers I've ever encountered?
How to Receive SmallLaw
Small firm, big dreams. Published first via email newsletter and later here on our blog, SmallLaw provides you with a mix of practical advice that you can use today, and insight about what it will take for small law firms like yours to thrive in the future. The SmallLaw newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
Coming today to Fat Friday: David Copeland joins the debate over whether law firms should build their own custom PCs, Tom Trottier reviews POPFile for controlling spam, Malcolm Gregson shares an important integration issue between Compulaw Vision Docket and Peachtree, Lincoln Miller responds to Ross Kodner's recent SmallLaw column on the search for the perfect laptop, and Louis Rosner reviews LogMeIn Free. Don't miss this issue.
How to Receive Fat Friday
Our most serendipitous offering, Fat Friday consists of unsolicited contributions by TechnoLawyer members. You'll no doubt enjoy it because of its mix of interesting topics and genuinely useful knowledge, including brutally honest product reviews and informative how-tos. The Fat Friday newsletter is free so don't miss the next issue. Please subscribe now.
Coming today to Answers to Questions: Carlton Barnes reviews SharePoint 3.0 and SharePoint Server, Oskar Teran reviews several Mac and Linux alternatives to Microsoft Exchange, Peter Conway discusses digital dictation from the viewpoints of the lawyer and transcriber respectively, Neil Kaufman reviews PDF Converter Professional 5, and Fraser Page shares some helpful resources for online Word training. Don't miss this issue.
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Published on Thursdays, Answers to Questions is a weekly newsletter in which TechnoLawyer members answer legal technology and practice management questions submitted by their peers (including you if you join TechnoLawyer). Like all of our newsletters, it's free. Please subscribe now.
