Futurelawyer

O Ye Of Little Faith - The Kindle Scribe Is Already Getting Updates.

I got an email this morning from Amazon, highlighting the first updates to the Kindle Scribe. Naysayers have been complaining that the note taking features were not as robust as the other EInk pads out there; but, the combination of basic note taking with the Kindle library made me and others buy it. Well, Amazon is already upgrading the note functions, and the first update is available already. The email this morning said the following:

Your Kindle Scribe is getting new brush types and new notebook subfolder capabilities

New features are ready starting today.

What's new?

Different writing tools for your different writing needs are ready to go. Try the new fountain pen for beautiful calligraphy, switch to marker to emphasize your notes, or use the new pencil for sketching. Also, keep your notes organized with new subfolder capabilities.

The updates will automatically download and install on your Kindle Scribe when connected wirelessly. 

For my more impatient friends, the updates can be downloaded manually now.

In the coming months, Kindle Scribe will add lasso copy/paste tools, improved notebook organization and navigation, and the ability to send documents to Kindle Scribe directly from within Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 subscription required).

I am loving my Scribe even more.

Stardock Start 11 - Control Your Windows 11 Interface.

Stardock Start 11. One of the first programs I install when I get a new computer is Start 11 from Stardock. I hate the tiled interface, and I bought this little $5 program when Windows 7's efficient lower left interface went away some years ago. It is still only $5.99, and it transforms the way I interact with the computer. Microsoft ruined the beautiful, simple lower left menu buttons when it went with the ugly tiles. Of course, interfaces are a highly personal thing, and Stardock recognizes that, giving you the option to pick and choose how your menu system looks and works. For six bucks, your regain control over your computer use. Thanks, Stardock.

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT?

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT? The latest Legal Rebels podcast, linked to here, considers the meteoric rise of interest in AI Chatbot, ChatGPT, which is a conversational chatbot that seems to be able to provide cogent answers to just about any question, and which some are saying could revolutionize many industries. Of course, in my day, we had Cliff Notes, which summarized books in bite sized pieces that savvy students could use in studying, and writing papers. Chatbots, however, can sound like graduate theses, and are much tougher to identify. For lawyers, what if a client could get their legal answers from a chatbot, and bypass the lawyers? Scary thought, if you're a grunt lawyer. Of course, human lawyers and advocates will always be needed, if only to put a human face on a client's problem. I think these things will be more of a tool for lawyers to do efficient legal research, which can then be used to enhance our ability to represent clients. I have always considered the advances in AI to be an enhancement, and not a replacement. But, the technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, these questions must be asked and answered, and the progress of AI must be closely watched. Enhanced humans might evolve into something we don't want to be.

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT?

Should Lawyers Embrace Or Fear ChatGPT? The latest Legal Rebels podcast, linked to here, considers the meteoric rise of interest in AI Chatbot, ChatGPT, which is a conversational chatbot that seems to be able to provide cogent answers to just about any question, and which some are saying could revolutionize many industries. Of course, in my day, we had Cliff Notes, which summarized books in bite sized pieces that savvy students could use in studying, and writing papers. Chatbots, however, can sound like graduate theses, and are much tougher to identify. For lawyers, what if a client could get their legal answers from a chatbot, and bypass the lawyers? Scary thought, if you're a grunt lawyer. Of course, human lawyers and advocates will always be needed, if only to put a human face on a client's problem. I think these things will be more of a tool for lawyers to do efficient legal research, which can then be used to enhance our ability to represent clients. I have always considered the advances in AI to be an enhancement, and not a replacement. But, the technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, these questions must be asked and answered, and the progress of AI must be closely watched. Enhanced humans might evolve into something we don't want to be.

Have You Upgraded Your Law Office Systems Lately?

I am pretty anal about keeping my computer systems current. I upgrade the software regularly, and keep backups of backups. I am religious about always using current software, and act immediately when notified that a new version is available. It is the best way to protect against malware and scams. But, I am a technology writer and analyst. What's your excuse? Being the software and computer guru for family and friends is a thankless tasks. "My computer stopped working, can you fix it" usually means a couple of hours of work. I understand your frustration. Computers and tech can be complicated and error prone. But, these days, you won't get much work done without them. So, don't angrily throw your systems on the floor. Figure out how to keep them working yourself. You'll be glad you did. And, I will get a little peace and quiet.

You Can Prevent Facebook And Other App Hacking Attacks.

More than one Facebook friend has had their account hacked, and dummy accounts set up that message all their friends. This is one of the easiest hacks to prevent, and only requires the use of two factor authentication for entry to your Facebook account. While in Facebook, click the down arrow in the upper right of the screen. Click Settings and Privacy. Click Security Settings. Click Two Factor Authentication. Enter your cell phone number. Then, before a hacker can ever get into your account again, they will have to have your cell phone as well as your password. You have to get a code on your phone before you sign in to Facebook; but, you can leave Facebook connected if you have control over the physical computer you use. Sure, it is annoying to have to check your phone for a text message and code to get back in to Facebook after you log out. But, it is more annoying to find out some jerk has hacked your account because it was only secured with a password. If you aren't using two factor authentication with every site that has it available, you are like a homeowner leaving the front door to your house unlocked, who is surprised when a criminal walks in and steals something. Be safe out there.

Chrome Is New Again.

Chrome: What's New. We live our lives in our web browser. Google Chrome, my browser of choice, is the background of my life every day. I still use native Windows software for some basic tasks, such as WordPerfect for document creation, Kofax Power PDF for document distribution and Court filings, legacy Windows software like ProDoc document assembly and time and billing software. But, for everything else, I am in the cloud, and I manage my way around inside the Chrome browser. Google is always making Chrome better; and, while I have tried other browsers along the way, when Chrome got bloated and slow (or so it seemed at the time), I have always come back, and Chrome has always improved. If, like millions of others, you are a Chrome user, you should check out what's new, and make sure you are rocking the latest version. There are new ways to organize tabs, and tabbed browsing has greatly increased my speed. Too many tabs? You can search them in a search box now. You can now add passwords in Google Password manager even if you aren't at the site. You can perform an online safety check from within the browser. There are many other things you can do in the browser, and, since you live in it all day and all night, it is worth looking around. Be safe and careful and productive out there.

It's Free. It's Easy. It Gets The Job Done. Google Tasks.

There are all kinds of To Do list and task list apps out there, all designed to keep your day organized. If you use Google Calendar, or any other Google apps, however, you really need to play with Google Tasks. It sits at the right of my calendar every minute of every day, and I add an item to my list whenever it comes up. Since I am no longer doing complex litigation, I don't really need a full function case management system, so, if you are still in an active practice, Tasks may not be for you. However, it is free, and gets the job done, and I use it all the time. I live in my browser, and Google Calendar, Email, Task Management, and various other Google functions are at my fingertips all the time. It really doesn't matter how you get organized. You will be more productive if you do.

 

#WhyIAmASolo - My Employer Doesn't Use TattleWare.

Tattleware - Employers May Be Tracking Home. Employers get nervous when they can't have complete control over their employees. It is likely a matter of lack of trust. But, as companies struggle to get Pandemic home workers back to the office, they are being called out for using software, called tattleware,  to monitor employees off site activities. Tattleware existed before the Pandemic; but, its utility and use exploded when employees started working from home. The sophisticated software can log keystrokes, beam images back to employer monitors, and pretty much record everything the employee does at the computer. The software even knows when the employee isn't working at the terminal. George Orwell, come on down. If you want to eliminate the possibility that your employer is spying on you, become your own employer.

Be A Windows God With One Click Of Your Mouse.

How to Enable God Mode In Windows. Windows is a complicated operating system, and there are literally hundreds of options that can be optimized or tweaked to suit your personal preferences. But, what a pain it is to find one when you need it. What if you want to auto-hide the taskbar? It will get you some more screen real estate, for sure. Of course, some of us like having all our program options visible at all times. In any event, good luck remembering how to get to the taskbar settings, along with dozens of other tasks. The good news is that the Vista inspired God mode, which puts just about every Windows command in one place, has survived all the way to the current Windows 11, and you can install it free and easily. Tom's Guide is a great site, and the instructions are online. Be a computer god. You know you want to.