I stand corrected

After writing my last post, I've been playing around with my new Google Apps site. I loaded some documents, started editing, and presto, I found the justify option! This is fantastic!

It seems appropriate now to admit (dare I even say it for fear of diminishing readership) that even a Gen-Xer like I can make some mistakes.

The benefit of this mistake, is that I can now laud another robust and profoundly useful tool, Google Apps. You say you want to build and market your law firm, I say, get Google Apps. How do you keep your clients informed? Google Apps. Check it out! You have a calendar (useful for informing of deadlines and other important dates), an email program, an ability to share documents, a website creation tool, a personalized start page, and even a chat module. You client's entire case file is now accessible for you and them, anytime and anywhere.

The Google Apps method does have 2 potential drawbacks:

1) Your clients need computer access (ability to use a computer); and

2) You may spend an additional amount of time uploading documents, calendar docketing, etc. (assuming you're performing offline practices on a different piece of software), which could get tedious if you have numerous clients/cases all pending. NOTE: I do see that you can email your documents to your account. This may save some problems for your documents, but still leaves the double-docketing problem open.

Google Docs v. MS Office

Generally, I'm an ardent supporter of Microsoft Office, especially 2007. Maybe it's because of Microsoft's high-pressure monopoly (I mean marketing), or the hatred I developed for the "useless" and "disfunctional" Mac computers my elementary and middle schools installed in the library, that's formulated my dislike for any other, and arguably more superior, word processing programs.

However, the powerhouse that is Google, is testing its new program, GoogleDocs. If you've followed the industry developments at all, you're probably well aware of this development, and its impact on the future of "Office Suite" programs. GoogleDocs revolutionizes the way individuals, and companies, create, edit and share their documents.

Unlike the behemoth MS Office 2007 (currently occupying 1.06 GB of HD space on my computer), GoogleDocs' bundled package requires nothing more than a Google id, and a compatible web browser. Users can create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, with much the same glamor as their Office counterparts. Moreover, because all of the documents are stored on Google's servers, there is a lower risk of losing important information/documents. I think this is a valuable feature for groups that are collaborating or gathering information.

Despite its fame and glory, a few things irk me about GoogleDocs. First, where is the justify feature? I'm partial to this feature, because it contributes to a cohesive and seemingly elegant finished product. Even more confusing is the fact that Google's Blogger service contains the feature, but in GoogleDocs, it's missing.

Second, GoogleDocs contains a lack-luster presentation feature, with very few themes (most of which look like they came from Office 97), and none of the other presentation frills associated with its competitor. Admittedly, when the goal is to create an overall professional appearance, these features can distract from the overall presentation, and are often unnecessary.

Finally, I'm disappointed by the limited number of available fonts. Their available package seems to be internet/browser specific (given the HTML platform, this is logical), but I'm kind of partial to my Cambria or Guatemala fonts.

So, is this an option for my office? I think because 1) GoogleDocs is free (we all love free), 2) GoogleDocs is easy to use (even for the "dinosaurs"), 3) GoogleDocs contains sharing and multiple output features, and 4) GoogleDocs is essentially the same as MS Office, you'd be hard-pressed to convince yourself to purchase the $499 MS Office Suite. So, if you're itching to "stick it to Microsoft," GoogleDocs may be an appropriate option for you. Be aware though, according to this article from Law.com, your decision to use GoogleDocs won't be the first.

***Do you want more information, check out the Official Google Docs Blog for some helpful tips and tricks.

For your amusement

Do you need a way to waste some time today? How about visiting this clever blog. I am especially fond of the whitty comments included with each post.

Je t'aime mon amour!

Ah Valentines Day, the one day of the year when I consistently disappoint my wife. For all the hub-bub and hoopla, there isn't a more disappointing day than this - for men and women. In honor of this splendid day, take an opportunity to read this.

Oh, and by the way, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY sweetie, because this is all you're going to get.

- Just Kidding

The glue that binds us together

I took a short hiatus from blogging because my family celebrated the recent marriage of a younger sibling. We had quite an enjoyable time, enabling us to rekindle dimming family friendships, and remind ourselves why we like living 2500 miles away from family.

I think this pondering posed long ago by my wife has merit: If you weren't related to your family (extended family), you probably wouldn't be friends.

People often take offense to the statement because of its harshness, but think for a moment about your familial relationships, and I'm sure that you'll realize the truth.

I come from a big family, with 2 brothers and 2 sisters. I'm a twin, and the 2nd oldest sibling. Needless to say, we're an exceptionally odd cast of characters on our own, but when combined together, we make the Beverly Hillbillys look at ease in sunny Beverly Hills.

I make this point, because I've been thinking that some of the difficulties that many of us have is that we fail to realize that we are an assortment of mis-matched bedfellows. I think our oddities are the fabric that holds our disfunction together. When, and if, we forget about the "odd-ball glue," then our worlds crumble.

I'm not sure that there is much we can do to combat our complex and quirky idiosyncracies, but I do know that sometimes, it's good to be able to laugh at your siblings, shrug off their behaviors, and be glad you're not their neighbors (I apologize and pity those who live so close).

RSS on the go

There might be 1 person out there who has not discovered the RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed, and the benefits of an RSS reader program. For that person, you need to get "reading."

The great thing about the RSS feed, is the ability to "mobilize" and condense your web-browsing. If you're still bookmarking each blog and then checking the sites daily, you're wasting a lot of time (and money if you're working) having to search through and read each entry. YOU NEED AN RSS READER.

The RSS reader is great for mobile, home, or office use. The reader takes your subscriptions, makes checks for new posts, and downloads the posts for viewing. You'll only be reading and checking the updated feeds (we all know how few blogs really get regular updates), saving you time and money.

You might want to check out Internet Explorer's RSS options, but I've found that MS Outlook 2007 has a great feature for downloading RSS feeds to your email. This is great, if you're at your desk all day, or reading blogs only while you're at your computer. As for me, I prefer a more mobile method, using my iPAQ pocketpc.

Recently, NewsGator opened up it's several RSS reader programs, for free (always a bonus). I jumped on this opportunity, signed up for an account, and downloaded their NewsGator Go program, to replace my seriously outdated and feature-lacking (but free) PocketRSS reader. The NewsGator program offers features that put it heads and shoulders above other similarly free readers.

One of my favorite additions is the ability to use the NewsGator website to add/delete or view my subscriptions.

So, if you're looking to improve free up some time (and money), download an RSS reader, and start subscribing to those feeds.

Some great advice

Susan Cartier Liebel publishes the Build a Solo Practice, LLC blog. Today's post which gives adivce regarding first-time lawyer tips and tricks is excellent.

Although she directs her blog toward solo practitioners, the tips she gives would got well for everyone. Thanks to Susan for her robust (and sometimes "gritty") analysis of the legal profession.

PrimoPDF Gets Praised

I've told you about one of my favorite free programs called PrimoPDF. This beauty of a program gives you full PDF creation ability, without the hassel of having to buy the more expensive Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Well, PDF for Lawyers posted this nice reprint about the PrimoPDF program.

Be Aware

Be on the lookout if you're using MSN Messenger. I got a message that tried hacking my system. It goes under the auspices of the phrase, "Hey, is this you?" [smiley].

Harping on Privacy

Lately it seems that a lot of these posts are focusing on privacy, and the importance of protecting that privacy. The big "harp" for attorneys is protecting client privacy, but how much do we think about our own privacy, especially when we leave our "secure" office connection.

The funny (or coincidental) thing is that I received an email today addressing this problem. Some of the things discussed in the email, were discused by me in earlier posts, here and here. I'm reproducing the email "in toto" for your consideration:

One of the big risks [of blogging] is privacy (of course). Anything you place in the Internet is FOREVER. Even if you change your mind and attempt to delete items, they remain backed up in various places and are accessible forever. So, anything you publish online should always be considered permanent.

Privacy is an issue for two main reasons. First of all is identity theft. There are increasing numbers of bad guys wanting to steal the identity of you and your children. Although this is not usually dangerous, it's very, very inconvenient if you or your kids become a victim. Although these bad guys aren't usually out to harm you physically, it can actually lead to that.

The second reason privacy is important is for the safety of your family. Although unlikely, there are bad folks out there who prey upon vulnerable families. Information from a blog could assist someone to inflict harm in a variety of ways including burglary, kidnapping, harassment, lawsuits, etc. Also, photographs posted on blogs can be used to identify family members or photos can be manipulated (photoshopped) for other sinister purposes which I won't explain.

Many family bloggers think they are protecting their privacy by using only initials or aliases. This method doesn't work very well because over time bloggers usually slip and use real names. Or even if they're careful, someone will post comments on their blog with information the blogger themselves wouldn't have posted. (for example someone may say, "have fun on your cruise next week!" thereby alerting the entire world your house will be vacant.)

One of the reasons I've had some experience following blogs is tracking down child abusers. One of the ways we've alerted authorities across the country about child abuse is by reading blogs. It has been interesting to see how many folks think they are hiding their identity, but even a bunch of novice Social Workers can find the family. There's simply no way to make a blog meaningful or interesting while leaving out all identifiable information. We've found families by their mentioning of their pastor's name, their child's school mascot, etc, etc. And as I mentioned, often it's the comments posted by others to their blog which are very revealing. We've also been able to see who a person's Internet service Provider is and find their city. Computer geeks are a lot better at this than a bunch of Social Workers.

A private, password protected blog is better, but it also has it's problems. A friend of mine has a private family blog which he checked using my computer. My computer saved his login info, and I was then able to log in (by the way, my friend told me I could log in). This is just one simple example.

Finally, many folks think "we don't have to worry about stalkers and wackos, after all, we're not celebrities or public figures." Sadly, I've worked with too many people who suddenly found themselves in circumstances they never dreamed would happen to them. They became the victim of a random crime, witnessed a crime, became a juror on a high profile case, got sued, etc. etc. One sad case I worked on involved a high school girl who was stalked by a boy she met at school. In many of these cases folks have regretted the information made public, which was later used against them.