Futurelawyer

Indoor Maps Now Available For Google Maps For Android

Indoor maps comes to Google Maps for Android - Gadgetell. When I was a young lawyer, the standing joke used to be "Can you find the courthouse?" Then, GPS and Google Maps made that easy. Of course, finding the courthouse and knowing what to do when you get there are two very different skill sets. But, as anyone who has ever tried to find something "inside" a courthouse or Government building will tell you, just getting there is only half the battle. Now, Google's engineers are adding interior floor plans to many public buildings. I can't wait until all the courthouses are covered. Then, before a nasty hearing in a new courthouse, I won't be asking where the nearest restroom is. 

The 50 Best Android Apps | PCMag.com

The 50 Best Android Apps | PCMag.com. Thanks To Dan Pinnington for posting about this PCMag list of their 50 best Android Apps. A run through this slideshow may miss some that you prefer; but, it shows the functionality that is sitting in the palm of your hand if you are willing to spend some time looking. Every time I look at one of these lists, I find something new and useful. This time I found the Days Left Widget; which is really handy. You tell it the date of something important (like a big hearing or trial), and the widget puts a box on your phone reminding you every day of how many more days you have to prepare. I am not sure whether I really want to know; but, you know how that works. Deadline pressure. It's part of the job description.

This Little Piggy Went To Market Share Hell

Windows Phone Dwindles To 6% Of U.S. Market - Mobility - Smartphones - Informationweek. I hope that my readers are discerning purchasers of computer technology. I hope that you don't choose what tech you buy and use by counting the number of other people who use it. Technology is a highly personal buying decision. It should be based upon features, need, and productive use matrices; not ego, market share and a keeping up with the joneses mentality. So, that said, the new market share numbers showing Android at 42%, Apple at 28% and Windows Phone dropping to 6% should not, in any way, inform your mobile phone buying decision. It might, however, be important that you buy one of the big three. Software makers tend to make software for the larger markets; more customers. So, if you are contemplating a Windows Phone purchase, you might consider that Microsoft is still large and strong, and it is likely that a lot of your Windows software will communicate well with the Phone 7 OS. The same goes for Apple and Android. Many years ago, in a land far, far away, I learned an important lesson. Identify your need, find software that meets that need, and only then pick a machine. Still works for me.

And Now For Something Completely Different

Sony Tablet P Lands in UK, Available for PurchaseAndroidGuys. Are you bored with your tablet? Do you fear the Apple patent police? Are you a Samsung Patent lawyer who doesn't want some Judge to challenge you to tell the difference between a GTab and an IPad from 50 feet away? Have I got a tablet for you. Well, not yet. The Sony Tablet P is only available across the pond right now; but, it will be coming to the States soon. And, it has two 5 inch screens that fold up on each other, for a barrel shaped "thing" that probably won't fit anywhere. It looks like Windows Phone 7; but, it is really just a tiled screen running Android. Monty Python would LOVE this unit. The skits would practically write themselves. Guys? Start writing.

Google Encryption Upgraded

Google future-proofs your e-mail, documents from spies | InSecurity Complex - CNET News. More and more persons are using GMail for its utility, ease of use, features, and wireless syncing across platforms. However, Google is also very active in keeping email secure from spies; and, its new default "forward security" is future proofing encryption to keep your email secure now and in the future. If you use GMail for your practice or business, the first thing you should do is make sure you are using the secure option for all your email. This encryption scheme keeps your email secure from front to back; and, especially in public computer situations. I never use public computers, and prefer to bring my own Internet connection when I am mobile. However, if I ever have to, I will have the security blanket of the "https" in front of my GMail. Google "GMail Security" for instructions on securing your email.

Cyber Monday - It's So Not Fun In A Recession

Best Buy, Verizon, Dell launch Cyber Monday deals | Nanotech - The Circuits Blog - CNET News. It is difficult to take joy in online bargains today; we live in a time when millions of us are unemployed. The political season is in full swing, and the haters are hating and the media is following the latest red meat story. Best Buy, like other retailers, is expanding its shopping season; now, it's not Cyber Monday, it's Cyber Week. There is a desperation in the air and online from retailers who are frightened that the recession will kill their sales. Regardless, retailers have seen 16% increases over last year, and conspicuous consumption is what drives our economy. So, whether you join in the frenzy or don't, you are making some kind of statement. I just don't know what it is. If, after my diatribe, you still want to go searching for bargains, you can get a really nice notebook computer for around $300 at most of the major retailers. This HP Pavilion has an optical drive, a SandyBridge class processor, 4 gigs of memory, and a 500 gig hard drive. 

Everybody Here Is Paid In Full

This clip of Route 66 predates VietNam, Iraq and Afghanistan. Have you thanked a Vet today?

Give Me A Job, Or Else!

Hacker Tries To Land IT Job At Marriott Via Extortion - Slashdot. Okay, I suppose it isn't nice to make fun of a guy who was desperate to find a job. However, using extortion as a tool against the prospective employer should probably not have been on the "to do" list. This reminds me of people who think they can keep a relationship alive by using emotional blackmail. Ouch. However, threatening Marriott from overseas, in order to get a job offer, and then accepting a plane ticket, makes this guy too dumb to work for Marriott in the first place. Surprise, he will be receiving three hots and a cot from his "new" employer - the State prison system. I am sure they will find some job for him to fill.

Going Rogue - What Are You Doing With Your Website?

U.S. executes another round of Web site takedowns | Privacy Inc. - CNET News. Generally, most of us disapprove of website operators who sell counterfeit goods over the Internet, or who use torrent technology to steal intellectual property. So, when the Government uses "Protect IP" or other anti-crime statutes to take down websites run by the bad guys, we should stand up and cheer, right? Well, maybe. Any statute that punishes conduct before due process makes a decision that it is illegal should be challenged. Where does it end? It is a tough balance to strike between due process and fighting crime. It is also problematic to assume that eliminating piracy actually improves the bottom line of legitimate manufacturers. I don't have all the answers. I do have some of the questions.

Client Management According To Rat