Futurelawyer

No Excuses

Execupundit.com: 31 Excuses (Feeble and Otherwise) for Failure. An old lawyer once told me to quit griping about a lost case. His solution to my whining was to say: "Did you get paid? Then, you won your case." That little bit of wisdom didn't make me feel any better; but, I realized then that life is full of wins and losses, and good and bad, and happiness and sadness. The worst thing you can do is react to the bad stuff by making excuses. Blame it on somebody else. Minimize the result. Knock the lack of resources. Etc. Etc. We all have done it. It is a human failing to blame our situation on someone or something else. Analyze it, however, and, like regret and worry, it is a useless emotion. So, quit making excuses, get back up, dust off the tasseled loafers, and start walking. It's a new day. Today is all you've got. Are you going to spend it worrying, feeling regret, or making excuses? Or, are you going to look for good things? Your call.

Still Haven't Received The I'm Watch

A couple of years ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I paid $250 for an I'M Watch. The Italians have always had a sense of style, and this smartwatch was the promise of the future. I still haven't received mine; but, a recent flurry of emails promising delivery soon has me interested in video reviews like this one. I prefer the SmartWatch because it is in color, and can be used outdoors. As well, it has a microphone and speakers built in, but now the price is $450. Still, if it ever arrives, I will geek out, and do my own review. This little review will drive you crazy if you can't take the British accent. But, it will show you what it looks like and how it works.  It connects via BlueTooth to your phone; so, you won't be as obvious when you spend a whole meeting looking at your smartphone. You can connect earbuds and make phone calls without taking out the phone, and listen to your tunes. This watch screams "geek", however, so be warned. Actually, I think it will make a great conversation piece, if I can ever find anyone not so interested in their own phone that we can actually have a conversation.

When The Mechs Rule The Planet

Geeks Are Sexy posted this photo today. When SkyNet takes over, I expect to see these signs everywhere. Wait a minute, don't we all do this already? Hmmm...

Drinking Coffee Leads To Mental Disorder? Could SWMBO Be Right?

How drinking too much coffee can induce a mental disorder, according to latest psychiatrist bible | Mail Online. What a bunch of psychobabble. I drink coffee all day long, and I sleep like a baby, speak clearly, have the heart of an ox, and, in general, have none of these symptoms. That is, if you ask me. You might get a different answer from SWMBO; but, she will stop at mentally disturbed. It has always amused me that psychiatrists can invent so many abnormal conditions and then charge money for "treating" them. I agree that mental illness is nothing to joke about. However, I have issues with some of the descriptions. And don't get me started on some of the mental problems on display in Hollywood everyday. Jeez.

The New GMail Doesn't Reduce Clutter

Gmail for Android gets automatic inbox sorting. The hype surrounding the new GMail tabbed and filtered labels is interesting. While I haven't used it yet, the descriptions sound like filtering incoming email into tabbed folders depending on type. This is like building extra closets in your home, and stuffing everything laying on the floor into them. You haven't reduced clutter, you have merely put it away. Out of sight, out of mind. I have an interest in self preservation, so I will not extend this metaphor any further; especially on the subject of women's shoes. If you already have an organized set of email folders, you don't need the update. If you don't, you won't use it anyway. Sigh.

Why I Never Go Outside

Windows 8.1- Windows Blue - Start Button Is Back!

Windows 8.1 Start button SPOTTED in the wild %u2022 The Register. If you have a Windows 8 computer, you know that your trusted Start button disappeared, and you boot to a screen with the formerly known as Metro interface. If you have been reading this blog, you also know that, for $4.99, you can buy Stardock's useful utility, Start8, that solves both problems. Now, the upcoming Windows 8 update promises to add a new Windows Start button, and to permit booting past Metro directly to the Desktop. I have no problem with Metro, if you have a touch screen. However, older notebooks require navigating with a mouse, which is only comfortable on the Desktop interface. Keep an eye out for Windows Blue. It will be a free upgrade.

I Feel Better - New GMail Tabs Are Customizable

I expected nothing less from Google. The new tabbed Email experience that is rolling out today gives the user the option to use or not use the Categories that Gmail filters. I will certainly enjoy checking out the organization. However, it may be a pain to go through each tab to make sure you don't miss an email. I am reserving judgment on this one:

Gmail OverHaul - What If I Don't Want It?

Gmail For Desktop And Mobile Gets A New Inbox, Now Automatically Categorizes Your Email | TechCrunch. I have reached inbox zero on Google by creating my own folders and dealing with my inbox every day. Now, Google is going to start filtering my email for me, and the redesign is rolling out today. My question is "what if I don't want the new Google Inbox?" I am hoping I can opt out, and keep my Inbox the way it is; but, I won't know until it is installed. It will certainly be a boon to SWMBO, since she has over 10,000 emails in her Inbox. Why are the organized always penalized? 

Turn Your Windows 8 Computer Into A Chromebook?

Forget Chromebooks: Chrome OS is Coming to Windows. Google has announced a bevy of stand alone apps that will run outside of Chrome, and will bring a Launcher app to Windows. In effect, you will be running Chrome OS apps on your Windows desktop. If you haven't brought your Start button back with Start8 or another third party app, Google wants to replace it with Chrome Launcher, which will give you one button access to all sorts of Google apps. While the apps will run outside the browser, they will sync with the cloud, and the new term of the day is "packaged apps". These apps will run even if you don't have an Internet connection, and will sync up when you do connect. Chrome OS won't replace Windows right away, of course, but you will certainly be using it.