iPhone, iPhone, iPhone, iPhone …

• 

Gizmodo’s iPhone 3G Review Matrix

ABA TechShow 2008 – presentation materials available

AI – Advanced IT/Security
CR – Client Relationships
ED – E-Discovery
GG Going Green
IN – Internet
LF – Large Firm / Corporate Counsel
LT – Litigation
MA – Mac Track
MO – Microsoft Office
MT – Mobile Technology
PO – Paperless Office
RM – Records Management
RT – Roundtables
SSI – Solo / Small Firm I
SSII – Solo / Small Firm II
SM – Show Me How

Share this post :

the debate rages on ..

 This cover-story in the March 2008 edition of the ABA Journal features our colleague and friend of the pm blog, Rick Futurelawyer Georges. Go get ‘em, Rick.

The decades-long Mac versus PC battle recalls those video games in which the Big Boss Bad Guy just can’t seem to squash our nim­ble little hero. Clever marketing and product development vie against massive market share. And with each round, the question grows: Is there a reason to switch to Apple, and is now the time? This year the ABA Journal is letting some real advocates argue the case. Ben Stevens and Rick Georges are not only lawyers using opposing systems; they are proponents who advise on the use of technology in the law office. They have strong opinions, and they’re not afraid to state them. No games, no rules and no punches pulled. [read more]

E-Mail This Story

Recipient’s E-mail:
(Separate multiple addresses with a comma.)
Your E-mail:
Your Name:

Subject:
Your Message: I thought you would be interested in reading this article from the ABA Journal: Mac v. PC Read the complete article at: <a href="http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/mac_v_pc/" rel="nofollow">http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/mac_v_pc/</a> ————————————————————— Visit ABA Journal at <a href="http://www.abajournal.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.abajournal.com</a> for breaking legal news updated throughout the day, plus analysis from more than 1,000 legal bloggers who are experts in their practice areas. © ABA Journal | Privacy Policy <a href="http://www.abanet.org/privacy_statement.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.abanet.org/privacy_statement.html</a>

bubble … what bubble?

 

 

Take it away guys …

so what if lawyers don’t like us? its the Client stupid …

 

Author’s Note: For professional reasons I’m positive Mazy will edit this next part, which in all fairness he should. (Bluegil)

Editor’s Note: I didn’t change much. (mhedayat)

 

 

The Avvo world is now heating up by the day and it looks like the anti-Avvo crusade has taken on a life of its own! Why, every time we turn around it seems that someone has decided to ratchet up the stakes. First criticism on the blogs, then stories about stories criticizing the site, now a (would-be) class action lawsuit. But first a little background:

 

Avvo was shrouded in mystery as it ramped up in Seattle, WA. It was going to be some kind of legal website, but what it would do and how it would do it would remain a mystery. We did however get a pre-launch interview with CEO Mark Britton.

 

 

Immediately after Avvo’s debut numerous legal bloggers started talking about how they were being slighted in Avvo’s rankings, how the rankings and information listings could be inaccurate, and just generally a host of reasons why Avvo should not have messed with the legal profession (seems they didn’t “understand”). When Avvo and others countered with the facts, the legal bloggers pullout the tried and true consumer protection card (“Think of the poor Clients mislead into thinking that one lawyer is better than another based on ratings …”). Yeah — giving consumers a way to rate and compare lawyers is a terrible idea. Who could see that catching on?

 

 

Next, Attorney Steve W. Berman, a managing partner at a firm in Seattle, filed this law suit. But there was more to this than met the eye. Seems that (based on public records and our research — don’t want to go too far out on a limb here) Mr. Berman has a history of filing lawsuits against technology companies. Some examples include

· Apple (iPod too loud)
· eBay (a monopoly)
· Expedia (too expensive)
· Apple (again) (iPod Nano too scratch-prone)

Come-on; how do these claims keep getting traction? Remember George Carlin? There are 2 knobs. One is for volume; the other is to turn off what offends you. We suggest you use them both. Can Mr. Berman and those like him cry wolf an unlimited number of times without reprisal? Oh, did we mention that Mark Britton was Expedia’s General Counsel? Turns out that these 2 have a history after all.

 

 

Then there is Seattle lawyer John Henry Browne, who referred to Avvo as a “joke” of a service and protested that his poor rating on the system damaged his reputation and business. In that case, Avvo had cited an “admonition” Browne received from the state bar in 2005 over compensation issues. Browne called it a minor transgression, noting he has received high rankings from Martindale-Hubbell and Best Lawyers in America. But these defenses miss the point: Martindale and Best use peer rankings. Fee disputes are brought by clients, so it seems that prospective clients ought to know what they are about to step into … doesn’t it? Long story short, the public has a right to know, and if you can’t stand the heat maybe you should be waiting tables far away from the kitchen.

 

 

Finally, there is a limited minority, including the author of this blog Mazyar Hedayat (himself a practicing lawyer), that has embraced Avvo. You would also have to include Rob Hyndman in that number; he went on record saying that in his opinion “Avvo is a sensational idea [thus far] flawlessly executed, and I hope the team is up to the trench warfare that lies ahead.” Our sentiments exactly.

 

Reading the comments posted on various blogs and news outlets, it looks like lawyers are leading the pack 10 to 1 with predictably negative responses. Note: Funny, no one wants to e-file or create a blog or use RSS feeds, but lawyers are eager to post comments on other people’s blogs. Sounds like some groups just don’t wan t to go on the record with their sentiments. Must be hedging their bets.

 

 

Yet just when it looks like Avvo will be bullied right out of the school yard don’t be surprised to find a user who is excited about the possibilities. In fact, I found 3 comments left at different blogs by small firms, anonymously of course, actually encouraging their members to sign-on an update their profiles. These are the groups within the profession that realize the potential in having a clear, unified, market-place.

 

 

Mark also used the Avvo blog to address some of these issues and for that we applaud him. In general we at the Practice Management Blog hope that Avvo remains focused on its initial plan to provide a vehicle for consumers of legal services. Because let’s face it, each and everyone of you belongs to, is affiliated with, or makes use of, some service or group to attract potential clients and pay for the privilege. But do those services or groups promote your interests or those of your prospective clients? If you were looking for a service or product, would you walk into a place or check a website that turned its virtual back on you? I wouldn’t, and Avvo is betting that your potential clients wouldn’t either.

Audio Mastering

 CDMastering.com/audio blog

For those creating MCLE/CLE Audio CDs, an have not updated the content yet alone the quality of audio.   Discmasters offers FREE Test Mastering – you hear the result BEFORE you make any final decisions.
 

Acrobat 8 Pro convert AutoCad

Rick Borstein of  Adobe Legal, right here in Buffalo Grove, addresses what you may also receive as discovery documents:    Converting CAD Drawings in Discovery