Futurelawyer

Privacy's Benefits Are Exaggerated?

Privacy's benefits are exaggerated, Posner says in op-ed - ABA Journal. Appellate Judge Posner is in a unique position to see the battles over privacy in our tech society. He thinks that the benefits of privacy are overrated, and that sometimes a lack of privacy is a desirable thing. For instance, surveillance cameras in Boston probably saved lives by allowing for the capture of the bombers earlier. My take on this is that it is clear that technology has made privacy a pipe dream; but, there are ways to protect ourselves. My preferred solution is to make the penalties for violating someone's privacy so severe that, even though a hacker or other bad guy can get at my private information, he will, when caught by the same technology, be punished severely. I do not believe that we should allow privacy violations solely because some persons try to hide information about themselves that puts them in a bad light. The more of this stuff that goes on, the more we, as a people, should realize that all of us have things in our lives that we don't want disseminated on the Internet. Be careful out there.

In Most Cases...

Execupundit.com: In Most Cases. In most cases, when I want to think big thoughts, or contemplate how to be a more effective lawyer or person, I turn first to Execupundit, by Michael Wade. Michael always makes me think, and never fails to offer good advice. This list of "best practices" for living and working contains some gems. My favorites are to be kinder than necessary, to listen for what isn't said, and to underpromise. A close second is one of my most difficult tasks: subdue your worries. In my case, worry about the unknown usually leads to anxiety, even though I know that, in most cases, the fear is unfounded. Read the list, follow Michael's blog, and pick one that is toughest for you to do. Then, do it.

Google Now For iPhone And iPad? Say It Ain't So!

Google Now 'talks' its way onto iOS | Internet & Media - CNET News. There are several ways to look at Google's invasion of iOS with its flagship search feature, Google Now. One says that Google wants to be everywhere, and to be the de facto search feature on all phones. However, another way to look at it is that Google just wants to poke Apple by showing its superior search funtionality. My way to look at it is that, if Google Now succeeds on iOS, why are the users using an Apple phone in the first place? It is a competition play, and Google want to lure Apple customers to Android. iOS has a dated interface, and Google is the world recognized leader in search and map technology. Since you have to log in to your Google account in order to use Google Now on iOS, why have iOS at all? I suppose there will be more arguments about the relative merits of Android and iOS; but, does anyone really care anymore? We all have our own preferences for operating systems. If you are considering a switch from iOS to Android, installing the Google Now app is a good way to test the waters of the Android ecosystem. 

Don't Fight - Get A Windows Phone?

As cute as this ad is, I suspect that it won't convert many people from Android or iPhone. The most realistic part of it is the group shot of every wedding guest pulling out a phone to video the ceremony. This is what groups look like these days. I don't think users of Windows Phone would be any different. There aren't enough of them, though, to win the fight. Now, children, let's play nicely.

One For The Record Books...

I swear this is a true story. I let Rio and Savannah out this morning to perch in the aviary. They are quieter when they are out of their cages. Usually, they stay in the aviary; but, this morning, I got involved with clients and work, and, after the last client left, I couldn't find Rio. After searching for 10 minutes in the aviary and waiting room, I heard a noise from the hall. I looked in the hall bath, and this is what I found. I swear that bird has some dog genes. I really need to learn to put the seat down. 

The Best Secret Gmail Feature Is Hiding In Plain Sight

The Best Secret Gmail Feature Is Hiding In Plain Sight. I got this in a Tweet from Susan Cartier Liebel, who hosts Solo Practice University. If you are a solo, or want to be, you need to go there. But, this is about the Reply feature in Gmail and other email clients that will save your correspondents from re-reading, and reloading an email string that can be very long. Don't just reply and send the whole chain back to your correspondent. Just use your mouse to highlight the portion of the previous message or messages you are replying to. Then, click Reply, and only the highlighted portion will go back. Very handy. 

Resources for Android-Using Lawyers | The Droid Lawyer

Resources for Android-Using Lawyers | The Droid Lawyer%u2122. I love this compendium of Android resources for lawyers by friend and fellow Android using lawyer, Jeffrey Taylor. I say this, not only because he lists FutureLawyer among the resources. We may be a minority; but, we are a vocal minority, and any lawyer who doesn't want to follow the crowd, and want superior specs in his devices, should take a look at all that is available in the Android universe. Thanks, Jeffrey, for all the hard work it took to write this post. You need to turn it into a book.

Wear This Shirt For 100 Days Without Washing

This Shirt Can Be Worn For 100 Days Without Washing, Which Sounds Incredibly Sketchy But Also Awesome. My first reaction to this was that I have shirts like this. Not. But, unless these are made of some acrylic polymer that dirt and grime can't stick to, I won't believe it until I see it. Of course, in college, we tested a lot of materials with this kind of wear; but, that was the Sixties, and we really didn't care how we smelled back then. Hey, as we become geezers, maybe we don't care again? Science marches on. Just do it upwind of me.

Galaxy S4 Available On Verizon On May 30

Verizon%u2019s Samsung Galaxy S4 Arrives in Stores May 30 for $199 After Rebate %u2013 Droid Life. SWMBO and I are very happy with the 5.5 inch screen and Active Stylus of the Note 2. However, Galaxy S3 lovers who are happy with a 5 inch smaller screen, and want the latest and greatest features should take a look at the Galaxy S4 which comes to Verizon and other carriers on May 30th. Go to the store, and pick one up. Play with it. See what you prefer. Hey, compare it to the iPhone 5 in the store. You are the one who has to live with the thing. For travel expenses and a small fee, I will go to the store with you. I just want you to be happy.

What If Google Made A SmartWatch?

With the Google Glass becoming reality late this year or early next year, it is fair to assume that Google is working on other wearable computing devices. And, this concept video of a Google SmartWatch is intriguing. I would buy one of these.