Futurelawyer

Have You Switched Browsers Yet? Be Brave.

BraveversusChromeversusFirefox. I have been posting about a new browser lately, Brave. It is a Chrome clone; but, because it blocks third party tracking and has security settings set by default, it loads much faster than Chrome or Firefox. It blocks third party cookies and tracking, and stores all of your browsing data locally. It has built in encryption where possible, similar to the HTTPS add on for Chrome; except, it is on by default. If a site is blocked that you want to see, you just click the lion, and turn off Shields for that page. This reminds me of the old days, when the cool kids dumped old, bloated Windows Explorer for Chrome. Software tends to be lean and mean when it is young, just like the rest of us. Next to Brave, Chrome feels like I do when I get up in the middle of the night and stagger to the bath room. Ever walked on deep, soft sand at the beach? Yeah. Like that. Don't believe me? Check out this speed comparison, side by side:

 

Cross Site Trackers And Other Creepy Things

Brave Web Browser. Most of us are vaguely aware that sites track us as we browse the Internet. But, there is a complex web of relationships between and among sites trying to sell us stuff, and spying on us for ulterior motives. Cross Site Trackers are common, and we often install an Ad Blocker without considering that there are many ways to track our Internet usage. That is why I have abandoned Chrome and now use Brave browser exclusively. It is a faithful clone of Chrome, and uses the same engine. But, it has security built in, and I haven't had a blip from its blocking of trackers and adbots yet. It is the fastest browser I have ever used, and I don't say that lightly. It is free. Try it out. I guarantee that you won't go back. Shields Up, Scotty.

Are You Brave Enough To Switch To A New Browser?

Brave Browser. Let's face it. Chrome is the best browser on the planet, and beats Edge, and any other browser by a mile. However, it can get slow over time, and we all want fast. It also needs a lot of tweaks to be secure, and most of us just want something that works out of the box. Enter a new Chrome clone, Brave. This browser imports all your favorites, tweaks, add ons, and settings from your Chrome installation, and the browser is two to three times faster than Chrome. I installed it in 5 minutes, and it tool 5 minutes to re log in to all my apps and tabs. Presto, I have a great new browser that is so quick and easy that even I , FutureLawyer , am impressed. Give Brave a try. It has built in ad blocking and security by default. If you want something that is blocked you can white list it. Take 30 minutes. This little browser will be worth it.

Traveling With The FutureLawyer - In The Deep, Dark Past

So, lawyer, you think you are cool because you are working remotely during the pandemic. Here is the FutureLawyer in action 8 years ago.

 

8 Years Ago

 

 

Richard Georges

May 4, 2012 · 

 

Traveling With The FutureLawyer. I don't travel much any more. So much can be done virtually these days. But, I still have to travel on occasion, and this week I am in Orlando for seminars at the Attorney's Title Insurance Fund Assembly. However, I don't have to lose touch with the office or clients or the Internet. Here is a photo of my in room setup. I use my Asus notebook for blogging, document assembly and general productivity. I am using the tablet on the left to keep up with home cable TV via Slingbox, and the tablet doubles as an in seminar connection with the Internet world. The notebook is tethered to the Internet connection on my Droid Bionic 4G LTE phone, which is my backup and which also serves as an in car navigation device, using Google Android navigation. The tablet has its own Internet connection to the great Verizon Wireless 4G L network. If I decide to check out the sights, my Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone comes me in my pocket, also with its own 4G LTE connection to the world. I can pretty much do it all on all 4 devices, depending on which one is handy. All my calls to any number get forwarded to my Google Voice number, so I never miss a call, whichever device I carry. Welcome to the future of lawyering, in which you can do your thing wherever you are, as long as you are all Android all the time, of course. My only concession to old school requires someone back at the office to Efax my snail mail to me. Oh, well, you can't have everything.

 

DroidCam X Pro Wireless - Use An Old SmartPhone As A Video Conferencing Camera

DroidCam X Pro Wireless Video. Okay, you may not have 6 to 10 working Smartphones around the house or office like the FutureLawyer; but, it is a safe bet that you have 1 or 2. Every time you upgrade, you don't throw away the old phone, do you? DroidCam X Pro is a small program that costs only $4.99, and uses a client app on Windows to connect wirelessly to the smartphone camera. Just set it up and point the camera. The Five bucks pays for bells and whistles, like flipping the screen, zooming in and out, and so forth. I used my spare Galaxy 10+ Samsung phone and loaded the software on it. Then, it is just a matter of matching the IP address and so forth, and, presto, you have a video conferencing camera. This image is a capture from my screen after I set it up. It is a photo of my law library, which I used as a virtual background. Yes, Virginia, many years ago we had law libraries with real books. I occasionally go out there these days and sweep away the cobwebbs. Tech nirvana.

Hey, Facebook Users...Get A Room!

Facebook Messenger Rooms. Enter a third major player in the burgeoning video teleconferencing app field. Zoom and Google Meet have been jockeying for control of the new normal way of group communication for weeks now; but, the 800 pound gorilla, Facebook, has entered the fray. With an installed base that dwarfs Zoom and Google, the billions of Facebook users who already use Facebook Messenger to communicate, now can create bigger groups for conferencing within the app they are already using all day long. It is now available for installation on your desktop, and I predict that it will be a popular option to keep in touch with family and friends, without the additional complications of learning a new app. Most of us use Facebook Messenger to send and receive private text based messages; but, now that more of us are using the video camera and microphone combinations on our computers, I expect that video calling will become much more popular among Facebook users. With all of its faults, Facebook has many positive impacts on many of us, and I have gone back and forth about it over the years. Now, an easy way to get facetime with our loved ones and friends and colleagues is more than convenient. It is a necessity to stay connected. Call me, maybe?

Zoom Fatigue - It's A Thing

Zoom Video Chats Are Exhausting. You have noticed, haven't you, that all these Zoom teleconferencing calls can be tiring? There are good reasons for that. First, we are all somewhat stressed by this pandemic. Second, when you are talking on screen, you feel the need to always be looking at the screen. If you look away, the other person might think you aren't paying attention. Third, no matter how much technical know how you have, there are always glitches, iffy WiFi connections, worry about the background, and other things. So, my solution? Realize this, and do your best. If you are doing a court appearance, wear a suit and tie (at least from the waist up). On the Internet, nobody knows if you are wearing shorts. Dressing up also helps with focus. We don't realize how much our subconscious figures in to our focus and attitude. If you are talking to a client, be informal, but not too informal. And, treat the Zoom call like you would public speaking before an audience. Get comfortable with your own skin. Now, learn this stuff. There will be a test.

Zoom Increases Privacy And Security With Update

Zoom Update Boosts Privacy And Security. Let us begin with this: Nothing on the Internet is secure. Just get over it. Some Internet apps are more secure in different ways. Suck it up. Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about the subject de jour, video conferencing. Yes, Virginia, we are doing more of it. No, Virginia, none of the video conferencing apps is immune from hackers and script kiddies who want to photo bomb you. But, as with all things Internet, security mostly lies between your ears. Educate yourself. Use the tools. Use passwords. Limit the persons you invite to your conferences, and don't publish the links on public sites. This isn't brain surgery. Now, if you want to extend encryption, there are improvements that can be made. Zoom, the most popular choice, has updated its software to meet this need. But, even lawyers talking to clients aren't required to have 100% security. The word "reasonable" is used for a reason. Jeez.

#WhyIAmASolo - I Don't Need A Telephone

Now that everyone is using VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), and Video Teleconferencing over the Internet, it is clear that POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) is finally in its death throes. I have had a free Google Voice number for years, and have used GMail for email connections longer than that. Modern high speed gigabit Internet connections have made voice calls easier and better than old style calls. For some years, and still, clicking a small phone icon while in GMail brings up a phone dialer, and you can call any phone. Your connection doesn't need Hangouts, and the call quality is excellent. If you need Enterprise security, get a cheap GSuites account ($6 a month). We spend our lives in Email. You don't even need to use your smartphone; although, you can if you like. I keep an office number; but, I don't have the office phone system anymore. Any call to my office number, which I have had for over 30 years, is forwarded automatically to my google voice number, which is forwarded to my several cell phone lines and to my Smartwatch and my Bose Frames SmartGlasses. Call me, maybe?

 

In Case You Can Ever Go To Starbucks Again...

Still good advice, even though you aren't going to Starbucks anymore. Remember this, when you do go back to Starbucks, or the airport, or a hotel, or McDonald's. Use a VPN when you are on a public network. That is all.

Why Lawyers Should Never Use Public WiFi. Why Lawyers Should Never Use Starbucks WiFi.
I have written about using unsecured public WiFi before; but, I couldn't pass up highlighting this post, because of its intriguing title. First, some of us refuse to pay 3 to 5 dollars for a cup of coffee, so we don't spend a lot of time in Starbucks. But, we do have lunch at Panera Bread, and we don't use the public WiFi there either. At least, we don't use it without first tunneling through a VPN. But, the best way to remain secure is to bring your own Internet. Now that T-Mobile has shamed the major carriers into providing unlimited Internet plans, there is no excuse not to use the WiFi Hotspot on your phone or connected tablet, which is a secure connection. You can get a Hotspot device as well, and the T-Mobile On Sync car device has a Hotspot built in. Now, keep your data secure.