Futurelawyer

Puppy Linux 4.00 on an OLPC? Why Not?

Link: Puppy Linux 4.00 (Dingo) | Puppy Linux. First, let me say I am a fan of the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) mission. I bought one last fall, and, hopefully, the one I donated made it to a needy child in Africa. However, my daughter found the OS and interface clunky and hard to use, so the unit has sat idle. If this is what we are donating to children across the world, they must be finding them hard to use. Now, the news is out that OLPC is dumping the OS in favor of XP. Since the unit has only 1 Gigabyte of memory, that will require a lot of downsizing. If Microsoft is donating the OS that is fine; however, why not install a version of Linux, like PuppyLinux, that resides in less than 100 Megabytes, and has all the applications a user might need?

TokyoDownstairs: WinFlip

Link: TokyoDownstairs: WinFlip. WinFlip is a free app that converts the XP Alt Tab window switching function into a really pretty floating window application. If you like eye candy, and increased function, and refuse to "upgrade" to Vista, this is for you. Hold down the assigned key combination, (I use Alt Tab, since I am used to it for task switching), and your open windows appear floating in space. Keep hitting the Tab key, and they move from Window to Window. When you get to the one you want, let go, and, bingo, you're working. This is great for lawyers who keep a lot of Windows open, and switch back and forth between them.

Why She Who Must Be Obeyed Loves Me

Link: � Pink Centro drops for Sprint -> TamsPalm - the Palm OS Blog. Red Green often says: "If She doesn't find you handsome, at least she should find you handy". Truer words were never spoken. She Who Must Be Obeyed has been complaining about the difficulty of the Windows Mobile interface on her last two smartphones, the Moto Q and the HTC Mogul. So, ever responsive to her needs, I grabbed one of the first Sprint Pink Centros, and introduced her to the marvelous world of the Palm interface. The OS may be old, but it is easy to use, intuitive, quick, and, in the new world of EvDO web access, a delight on the tiny Centro. Color it pink, and it is a tech lady's delight. I can also beam applications to her new phone, and maintenance is easy, since I do it for myself.

Gates emphasizes PC-phone connectivity in Windows 7

Link: Gates emphasizes PC-phone connectivity in Windows 7 | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com. Ah, the promise of vaporware. Wndows 7, scheduled for 2010, cannot arrive too fast for those of us who passed on Vista. The vapors promise that the new Windows OS will have lower power requirements, take less memory, be more efficient, and have lots more connectivity with cell phones and smart phones. This from the lips of none other than Bill Gates himself. Ah, 'tis a consummation devoutly to be wished. However, methinks there is something already rotten in Denmark, and uneasy lies the head that wears the Microsoft crown.

Darkside of SaaS?

Link: Web-Tones: Darkside of SaaS?. Carlos Leyva is a deep thinker. He thinks big thoughts, and his blog is full of insight about practicing law in the Internet cloud. I am a shallow thinker. I think about where the next meal is coming from, and how I can use the coolest new gadget to watch baseball. However, we both agree that installing and using law firm essential applications in the Internet cloud (Software As A Service or SaaS ) is a risky proposition. I have a running dialogue going with Larry Port at RocketMatter, which provides an SaaS solution to time and billing for lawyers. I agree wholeheartedly that we are headed to a world where desktop OSes are irrelevant, and all or most applications are Internet based. I think we all need to take a deep breath, and consider the risks before we jump off that cliff, however. I will not take that leap, for mission critical applications, until I am certain that a local desktop fall-back solution is available if the unthinkable happens. I love Web 2.0, and use Internet enabled applications and tools all the time. However, I don't trust my essential stuff to them.

Is Norton System Works "Deranged"

Link: LAWTECH GURU BLOG by Jeff Beard: Norton SystemWorks "Deranges" Your Hard Drive?. Jeff Beard recommends Norton System Works for computer security. The error in this ad ("derangement" instead of "defragment") creates a question, however. I have had problems with Norton products in the past; particularly because they install themselves into the taskbar without asking permission, and because the monitoring tools REALLY make computer performance sluggish. They gum up the works, and for what? I love Norton Ghost, and use it to back up my drives. However, I only load it when I need it. There are a lot of free antispyware and antivirus tools out there, and I use them. Perhaps it is the persons who buy and use Norton System Works who are deranged? (Just kidding, Jeff)

Are You A Success?

Link: Execupundit.com: Who Feels Successful?. Michael Wade is a smart man. In the eyes of the rest of us, he is a success. His blog, Execupundit, is a treasure trove of daily wisdom useful to those of us in the professional and business world. This post of his, that begins with a denial that he is a success, is instructive. As lawyers, we tend to measure success with case or matter success, financial success, or the fancy office or partnership, or the fancy car, or whatever material or professional measure you choose to use. Those of us interested in technology and gadgets are proud of our gadgets, and our innovative ways to use them to chase the other measures of success. In our heart of hearts, though, I suspect that we all ascribe to Michael's reference to the U.S. Army's motto: Be, Know, Do. We all need to concentrate more on being and knowing. It is nice to Do; but, it is not the only essential element of happiness.

New Sprint Palm Centro Ad

I have a Sprint Palm Centro, and love it. It now comes in colors suitable for the whole family, has a removable battery, is small and fits in one hand, has a tactile QWERTY keyboard, and is easy to use. What's not to like? Best of all, with a two year contract, it only costs $99.99. I don't get paid for loving this smartphone. Here is a new ad that shows off the advantages and relative size.

Has Your Law Firm Thrown Vista In The Trash?

Link: Closing the Door to Microsoft Vista. Almost two years after its arrival, Vista is being bypassed by some of the largest corporations on the planet. The requirement for new and more powerful computers, on a massive scale, has given these companies pause. What about law firms? Notoriously slow in adopting new technology, I suspect that many law firms are also complacent about adopting Vista. If it comes on a new computer, fine. But, until somebody makes them adopt it, if ever, Vista will not likely see the insides of a majority of law firm computers. The most telling quote in this story is the one from Fred Killeen, CTO of GM: "We're considering bypassing Vista and going straight to Windows 7". It would take several years and many millions of dollars to convert now anyway. By that time, Windows 7 will arrive, and hopefully save the day. Of course, it is just as possible that many companies will have gone to Ubuntu Linux and totally web based computing by then. Is the OS dead?

Pope As The Great Communicator?

The rumors are not true that the Vatican has acquired Palm and intends to lead the mobile movement to Jesus. However, it is true that the Pope will be texting a message of hope and the future to thousands of Sydney teens on World Youth Day in July. This photo is a mere presumption that he will use Palm Treos to do so.