Futurelawyer

New GMail Interface - Again.

Google Gmail Interface Opt Out. Google is always tinkering with its interface, and the new one puts all of the Meet, Chat and other features in a row on the left, next to the categories section. The new Material You styling is gradually occupying each of the Google apps, and it will automatically come to your computer, even if you choose to opt out now. The entire design is becoming more of a one stop fits all location, ostensibly to compete with Microsoft Office. While there is no danger of the FutureLawyer leaving the GoogleVerse, it is good that Google is always tweaking and changing. Keeps us alert.

Ditch Apple. Switch To Android.

Switch to Android. Psssst! Come over here! I have a secret weapon here, that will totally blow your mind. You know how tired you are of the bland, expensive iPhone experience? You know you want the kaleidoscopic variety of the Google Android world. You want the limitless choices of the most popular phone operating system on the planet. But, you don't want to lose years of data that are tied up in the Apple jail. Well, if you buy a Google Pixel phone ( I am still rocking a Pixel 3 as a backup), you can have the Android OS from the source, and it is updated every month with all sorts of cool features. You can now install a free app from Google that will guide you through the process of switching over and saving everything. So, save some bucks, and get an Android phone. Come to the bright side, and leave the dark side behind.

Why Lawyers And Computers Don't Mix.

Lawyers live in a world of maybes, and almosts, and probable results. Computers live in a world of black and white, scientific certainty. The ghost is in the machine; but, lawyers probably put him there.

TimeLines And FlowCharts And Diagrams, Oh My! SmartDraw 2020

SmartDraw. What if I told you that your law practice could afford to hire a complete graphics department, one which could create any sort of drawing, diagram, timeline, or flowchart you might ever need in your practice, for $69 a year? For a small annual subscription, you can access any type of form, chart or drawing you might ever imagine, create Venn diagrams, and hundreds of other professional looking documents that bring graphic clarity to your argument, or to your organizational needs. SmartDraw has been around for a while, and, while I don't use it much anymore, I gladly pay the annual subscription. I was reminded of the software's utility, and the company's class, when I got an email this morning reminding me that my renewal was coming in 30 days, and offering me 3 methods of cancelling, should I wish to. Classy. No thanks, SmartDraw, I like having an in firm graphics department for a pittance. In fact, I suspect that there are a lot of lawyers who share my enthusiasm. You can download a standalone version, or access the program from your web browser. You can even launch it from SmartDraw's Facebook page. 

The Best Alternative PDF Software For Lawyers - Kofax Power PDF Advanced.

Kofax Power PDF Advanced. In today's email, Internet, and Efiling environment, aside from document creation, perhaps the most useful software for lawyers is software that creates, manipulates, stores, and distributes, PDF documents. Adobe invented PDF; but, there are many software programs that allow PDF creation and use. In fact, both Word and Wordperfect allow lawyers to create a PDF of any word processing file, at which point software like Adobe and Kofax Power PDF Advanced, can then be used to store and use the PDF files. I create all of my legal documents in WordPerfect, (I only use Word if I have to), and then publish them to PDF format for transmission via email, or filing with any County in Florida using the EFiling portal. For around $129, Kofax gives an unlimited lifetime license, and the world of PDF files is open to me. Kofax used to be Nuance; but, the software is still the same, and I use it multiple times a day. How are you using PDF files?

Google Assistant Is Lagging? Here's The Fix.

Google Assistant Remove Unused Devices. So, you broke the bank and bought an expensive new Android phone. But, when you call on Google Assistant for advice, there is a definite lag. Guess what? There is a reason. Over the years, you have enabled Assistant on many of your devices, and, even after you bought a new device, you failed to remove the link to the old phone or tablet. Google Assistant is great; but, it slows down when it has to look for a bunch of devices. The newest update to Google Android has a Setting in Google Assistant that allows you to remove all the old devices. Now, your phone will zoom back at you with no delays. OK Google. Let's get to work.

Google Is Bringing A Completely New User Interface To The Web.

Google is bringing a completely new interface to the web. Practicing law in the Googleverse has become my main driver during the day. I love how Google (GSuites) is bringing the ability to connect to all of its services from the GMail main page. Just click and run your law practice from the GMail webpage. I forward my website email to GMail, so I have everything in one place. I can follow tasks, calendar, Google Keep, Contacts, Zoom, Google Meet, and more. My GSuites subscription is only $12 a month, and gives more robust security to my Google apps. If you have an active litigation practice, you probably want a dedicated case management system; but, for my purposes, the Googleverse covers everything I need. One of the best things about GMail and its other apps is that everything is synced through every device, from phone to smartwatch to notebook computer and tablet computers. Google on.

Remote Computer Access - Is That Still A Thing?

How To Use A Chromebook For Remote Access. In the olden days, when FutureLawyer was a boy, we had desktop computers that stayed in one place. We ran our law offices from these big, bulky behemoths that collected dust under our desks. Then, we realized that we wanted to have access to our law firm data from other locations, like home, or hotels, or on vacation. Remote access software became a thing. These days, most of our data and work resides on remote servers somewhere, and we use our tiny, light notebook computers, and tablets and smartphones to access the data using software provided at remote servers. Do we need to access data on desktop computers anymore? Do any of you still have your law firm data stored in a fixed location at your office. If so, here is a blueprint and instructions for using a Chromebook to access it. Ultralight computers can also be carried almost anywhere; so, if you still don't trust cloud storage, you can have your data available anywhere you can carry the computer. The most important thing is that you can be a lawyer wherever you are, using modern tech. Lawyer on.

Rick's Newsletter - Law, Technology, Poetry, Computers, And Fun.

Microsoft Word For Lawyers - It Isn't WordPerfect, But You Need To Know This Stuff.

Word Pro Tips. It is impossible to practice law these days without a passing familiarity with Microsoft Word. While I use WordPerfect everywhere I can, which is 90% of the time, I get Word documents often, and I need to edit, save, and print them, or convert them to WordPerfect format, which is never "perfect". So, fellow lawyers, learn about what you need to know, at this seminar sponsored by the Florida Solo and Small Firm Lawyer's Section of the Florida Bar. Lawyer, teach thyself.