I finally upgraded my 4G Tab S5E yesterday. I loved it because it was thin and light, the lightest available; but, after 4 years and 4G LTE speeds, I lusted after a 5G tablet. The Fan Edition (for Samsung fanatics like the FutureLawyer)_ , Tab S7 5G is perfect. At around $600, it is a lot of tablet for the money, and has a big 12 inch screen. This adds some weight; but, it is still light enough to hold in one hand, and has a typically outstanding Samsung screen. I gave the 5E to Diane, and it is perfect for her Facebook browsing. Better for her eyes than a small phone screen. Since I upgraded, it didn't add anything to my TMobile monthly bill, and with 5G, it is speedy everywhere. The bigger screen is perfect for reading newspapers, magazines and pdf files on the go. It is the perfect complement to my Samsung Book 2 ultralight computer, and my Samsung phones. All Samsung devices sync with each other. Another Samsung exclusive feature is the Dex option, which turns the tablet into an Android desktop interface. Add a keyboard and mouse, and you can do real work on it. Finally, it is perfect for watching TV, movies and video. If you are in the market for an Android tablet, look at the Samsung options.
Once you have experienced a lazy weekend, Monday mornings become challenging. In order to be a successful lawyer, you must learn to set goals. If you are a solo, you must set your own goals. I get out of bed early every Monday, and the first thing I do is set my goals for the day.
1983 - My First Word Processing Computer - Atari 800 XL.
In the early 80's, computers were large, heavy and expensive. They were bought by businesses only, and having a personal computer was a pipe dream for many of us. Word Processing was in its infancy, and it never occurred to most of us that computers could be used to make lawyers and law firms more productive. Advanced tech consisted of cassette tape machines wired to a secretary's desk, at which earphones and foot pedals were used to transcribe dictation. The more tech oriented among us bought small micro cassette recorders that we dictated to on the road or at the courthouse. So, when I received my first Atari game machine as a gift, I used it to play chess games, and Pong and Asteroids. Then, I discovered the word processing cartridge, and saw that documents could be typed on the Atari 800 XL keyboard and printed on a dot matrix printer that attached to the machine via cable. I started creating office correspondence, and the adventure began. Almost 40 years later, I am still shrinking the office down as small as possible, and I can do most lawyer things on a Smartphone. The beauty of technology is that it is always changing, always evolving, and we humans are the same. What have you learned new today that will make you a more productive lawyer? What tech is out there that you can use to make lawyering more efficient or better? It's out there. You just have to use it.
Can We Finally Acknowledge That Masks Don't Work? It has been clear for a while now. Wearing a mask doesn't prevent Covid 19 transmission, and says more about the mask wearer or their employer than about any peer reviewed science. The only thing wearing a mask has accomplished the last three years is to create a market for masks, and to serve as advertising. I even had FutureLawyer masks made...see below. Yes, washing your hands frequently has some effect on transmission. Yes, social distancing has some effect on transmission. But, masks were, and are, useless against the microbes that cause Covid 19. If you are wearing a mask everywhere, more power to you. You are just telling everyone that you are a lemming that goes where the crowd goes. Jeez.
Lawyer,Poet, author, educator. Practices real property, corporation, wills, trusts and estates law in Pinellas County, Florida. Writes the FutureLawyer column. Gives seminars on technology and the law. Author of "Life is Simple, Really", Poems about Life, Loving, Family and Fun, and "Poems For Lovers".