Pam's Tech Talk
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Quick update on some cool things!
So what is new in the world of lawyers and technology. Well, everything keeps moving at the speed of light, of course. I just got a Sony bloggie, and I must admit that I love it more than my camera. The quality is pretty good, and I was able to get pictures of President Obama and video of him shaking my son's hand at Schiller Park (you can see Ben and Rick directly below the podium and to the right of the boy in red sitting on someone's shoulders) all from the same very tiny device. I got it from woot.com, which has excellent sales, but make sure it is something you really want. They feature one deal a day in a variety of categories. You should check in everyday with them and with 1saleaday.com. I have purchased items from both, including computers, watches, and three bloggies! The boys get to have fun, too, you know. Don't tell them, though. They are gifts that haven't been given yet.
Latest apps? Ohio State Bar Association has a new app. You download it from the App Store or Android Market (Google Play). Every day it has an update. It is a great way to stay current while waiting out in the hallway for your case to get called.
My mind was just exploding the other day as I watched www.nytschoolsfortomorrow.com schools for tomorrow. I watched it live stream, but anyone can watch it now. I highly recommend the session on what schools will be like in five years. Watch that, and you can figure out some practical implications.
Still working on my new website, practicingsynergy.com, a place where you can come and learn the basics of technology. I am testing it with new users to make sure that it is user friendly. I will keep you posted on what else is going on.
At any rate, those are my random thoughts for now. What are you learning about or recommending in this brave new world?
Monday, December 26, 2011
In addition to being able to download all of the fun apps, I have also downloaded Documents To Go. I got it free since Amazon offers a free app EVERY DAY. If you have an Android phone, even if you don't have a Kindle, you should be checking out the offers every day. Lately it has been games, but every once in a while it is a significant app, like this one.
What is so cool about Docs To Go? In addition to having all of the Microsoft Office capabilities, including Word and PowerPoint, you can access your Google Docs! That's right! And edit them! And create your own docs! Cumbersome? A little, but still a really cool alternative to having to fire up the laptop when all you want to do is review and maybe edit a document.
In addition, you can email documents to your Kindle! That's right! Have a PDF that you like or that you refer to often? That's why I emailed the Ohio Civil Rules to my Kindle. And then I got an even bigger idea! I started emailing my case files to my Kindle. That's right! Scan and email right to your Kindle. Don't have to carry those big files around. Don't have an excuse when talking with a client that I don't have the file. I have it all of the time. And documents emailed to the Kindle are only on the Kindle. They are not saved in the cloud. Once you have password protected your Kindle, you are good to go.
So, why wouldn't you get a Kindle Fire? It is only $199 and it is saving my back from having to lug all of those files around. And I can review proposed divorce decrees while listening to Pandora and than having a nice diversion of playing Words With Friends.
So, hurry up, go get that Kindle Fire.....
Saturday, November 12, 2011
HotDocs - how hot?
Admittedly, most of the issues I have could be addressed once I actually learn formally how to use HotDocs. My problem right now is that I am stuck with the language that is provided. However, for those forms for which you have no choice (like the Supreme Court required family law affidavits) HotDocs is great. You just enter the info once and it fills in everywhere. For the other things, though, like the shared parenting plan, you get just a basic document, but you have to go back and edit the rest of the document, by cutting and pasting. Like I said, I think if I actually learned how to use HotDocs I could probably learn how to edit the stuff to get my language in. It does save some time by at least giving you a starting document, and I can see that it will have fabulous applications, so I am recommending that you try it, especially if you can get the deal through the OSBA. The fee is pro-rated right now, so it is a chance to try it without a great deal of expense. Give it a try and see what you think.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Got the phone
My phone took a swim a few weeks ago so I finally had to make my decision on the new phone. I ended up picking out a Revolution phone. This is an android phone so I have been having a lot of fun downloading the apps. The reason I picked this phone is because of the availability so many apps. In fact, I am using the option of writing this blog by dictating to my phone and having my phone transcribe it for me. I am also using the Word Press app so that I can write this directly on my phone and then upload it. Who needs a full fledged computer anymore? The accuracy is fairly good although I have had to make a few corrections. It is amazing what's up there are out there! There are all of the usual suspects and then some that are quite creative. I found an app that will tell you when the next bus is coming along. It identifies your location and the bus routes that are servicing that area. There is 1 called Columbulous that tells me all of the fun things going on right now in Columbus.
I picked the phone because the android market seemed to have The most apps that's where along the lines of what I would use and because the phone itself was recommended as being a real work life.
So far I am very happy with this choice. Have you had to pick out a new phone lately? Are you facing that decision now? What are you concerned about? What features are important to you? Let's talk!