Futurelawyer

Creating Law Office Forms - No More Typewriters

Welcome to FormTool. You know you are getting old when a young person looks at an IBM Selectric Typewriter and asks what it is. My office is down to one typewriter, used mostly for typing addresses and fill in the blank forms. So, I am looking at ways to convert digital PDF forms into editable forms on the computer, and I came across an old friend, FormTool. This handy program converts any PDF form into a fill in the blank digital form. Just scan in the form, open the resulting PDF file in FormTool, and highlight the text boxes. It does a lot more; but, once the basic template of a form is created, you can bring it up in the software, fill in the blanks by tabbing from one text box to the next, and save and print the resulting document. Easy and cheap; the basic FormTool Deluxe is $49.95. 

There's A Map For That

Verizon is bringing LTE to 145 markets by the end of 2011 | Gadgetell. You may remember the ad war last year between AT&T and Verizon. Verizon won the war because its map had 3G coverage over most of the United States. AT&T lost because their 3G coverage map didn't compare, and they developed a reputation for dropped calls. Now, again, we are about to enter World Map War II, in which Big Red is touting its 4G access. On this map, the yellow dots are municipal areas that already have 4G, and the green stars are cities where it will be up and running by the end of 2011. It is starting to look like the 3G map, isn't it? I used to believe that 4G was more speed than anyone really needed to be mobile. I was wrong. There is no such thing as too fast, as our history shows. Automobiles, airplanes, Internet access; you can't be too rich, too thin or too fast. Now, let's see if Verizon starts charging too much for access. Right now, 4G costs the same as 3G; don't get too used to it.

Unsafe At Any Speed?

How to turn off LTE on the HTC ThunderBolt [from the forums] | Android Central. With a tip of the hat to Ralph Nader, the question of the day is whether we are going to kill ourselves with the speedy, useful, essential gadgets we carry around with us these days. A few days with the Thunderbolt have convinced me that I may need an intervention. This thing is in a case on my hip, or stuck in my ear, or sitting in front of my face all day long. So, for our first lesson of the day, children, if you carry this thing into your car, plug it in to the cigarette lighter, and plug in a bluetooth speaker. You will need a two outlet dongle to do this, available for a few bucks at any drugstore or grocery store. Then, point your face to the windshield, and don't move it until the deer is in your headlights. Now, for the speed thing. LTE 4G eats batteries, especially if you have all sorts of information syncing going on. So, if you want to save batteries, learn how to turn stuff off when you aren't using the phone; like, when you go to sleep. Modern smartphones use a lot of data and a lot of battery; so, plug them in at night. Then, when you get up in the morning; or, in the case of the teens, afternoon, you will have a fresh smartphone to annoy others with. 

Free Mobile Video Calls - Tango Comes To Android

Tango | Free mobile video calls wherever you are. I admit that I have been jealous of one feature that iPhone users have had, before I bought the Thunderbolt by HTC. That feature is a front-facing camera, and the ability to do video phone calls. Some iPhone users, and AT&T, have also bragged about the ability to talk and text or browse the web at the same time. Android has always permitted multi-tasking; but, it put the browsing in suspended animation while talking on the phone. The Thunderbolt solves all of those problems, and then some. The Verizon LTE network is the fastet 4G network out there. The Thunderbolt has true multi-tasking, and can simultaneously run both phone and web and other applications. And, it has a great front-facing camera. She Who Must Be Obeyed had to have a Thunderbolt when she saw mine; and, now, we happily video chat away. Tango provides a free Android and iOS way to do that, and it works on both WiFi and 3G and 4G. So, if you have an iPhone, download Tango, and give me a call. The downside is that we have to look at each other while we talk. Of course, you can turn off the camera if you want, and, with the push of a button, the call transfers your video to your back camera so that you can show the other party what you are seeing around you. As more people around the world sign up, users will now have both audio and video contact with anyone in the world on their mobile devices. Now THAT should make some dictators very nervous.

Here We Go Again...China Wants To Control The Internet

Google accuses China of blocking Gmail - Telegraph. If the violation of free speech and privacy rights weren't so serious, China's latest attempts to control the distribution of information over the Internet would be laughable. However, the recent Internet aided uprisings around the world have aroused the concern of dictators across the globe. If I were a dictator who controlled my people by violence and mayhem, I would be concerned also. However, as the democracy explosion is proving, as painful as it is, it is inevitable in an age when communication is as quick and easy as a text message or a tweet. Google's history in standing up to the Chinese is spotty. However, let's hope that the current P.R. campaign has some teeth, and gets some results. 

Meet The Geeks Responsible For The HTC Thunderbolt

After two days with the amazing HTC Thunderbolt, I can't put it down. The design team at HTC that built this beautiful machine highlight the process in this short video. Meet the Geeks who built it:

 

With New Feature, Microsoft Word Causes FutureLawyer To Consider Giving Up WordPerfect

Microsoft Word Now Includes Squiggly Blue Line To Alert Writer When Word Is Too Advanced For Mainstream Audience | The Onion - America's Finest News Source. Leave it to the Onion to be way ahead in announcing new word processor features. This is a feature that everyone should have in their word processor. Know your audience.

It All Depends Upon What The Definition of "Is" Is.

Deposition Battle Over Definition of "Photocopy" - Lowering the Bar. I had flashbacks to Bill Clinton when I read this funny retelling of a deposition in which the Deponent decided that he didn't know what the Plaintiff's lawyer meant when he asked the seemingly innocent question about whether the Clerk's office had "photocopying machines". For 10 pages the parties spar over whether the Plaintiff's lawyer needs to define the term. In the deponent's defense, the case was apparently about the use of photocopying machines in the office, under a statute that regulated their use. Of course, any lawyer representing a party would have instructed his witness not to engage in such colloquies, since they make the deponent look like he is avoiding the truth. Since the statute in question dealt with "photocopying machines and similar devices", I could have helped out in page 1 of the depo in question by suggesting that the Plaintiff's lawyer amend the question to: "And, do you have photocopying machines or similar devices in your office?". Just another day at the office, most of which contain "photocopying machines or similar devices".

Shut Up And Start Praying

Japan disasters could result in gadget shortages - San Jose Mercury News. When I saw this headline from a California newspaper, as I was watching a Jet get shot down over Benghazi, Libya, my jaw dropped. We are facing two disasters of worldwide implications, and these guys are worried about a supply shortage of gadgets? Are they afraid they won't get their next shipment of iPads? OMG. This is a time that all Americans should be praying for the people dying in Japan and Libya. Let's get a grip. Here's a modest proposal. Let's contribute to the Red Cross, or to one of the organizations that is concentrating on sending aid to Japan. OMG. 

Faster Than A Speeding Bullet

Well, after a day with the HTC Thunderbolt on Verizon's LTE 4G network, I can say only that this sucker is fast. Screaming fast. Like instant loading of email and web pages. Downloads that make 3G look like a turtle running a race against a rabbit. Here is a video review that will give you a flavor of the beast.