Kentucky Law Review

TECH TALK: Using on-line chat when shopping

Today I was shopping for a digital dictation machine and recorder.  Olympus AS2300 and WS311m were recommended, and I went shopping.  These are entry level machines.

Stopped at www.StartStop.com and was curious about the price of the recorder and entered a one-on-one chat session.  "Jan" answered all of my questions there on the spot, gave me the price for the two pieces of equipment, and then emailed me the transcript of our "chat" - misspelling, bad grammar, and poor syntax in all!

I was not enthused at first, but it worked out great.

For what it is worth, the Olympus AS2300 is a base model digital dictation machine much like the cassette dictation your secretary is familiar with now using a footpedal with forward and rewind as before.  The foot pedal connects to the computer using the USB port, is compatible with MAC and PC, and you see the control on the screen.  A set of earphones connected to the audio jack and you are there (or so I am told!). Most prices are under $200.

I am considering the general purpose recorder WS311m by Olympus for around $80+ as opposed the dictation type recorder for nearly $200.  The DS or dictation models from Olympus can be had from $170 or so up to $350.  The ws 311m for under $100.

For my conversational chat (misspellings and all), see below the line.  They actually emailed me the chat session.

I thought this was really cool and confirmed my questions and information.

TECH TALK: Instant Messaging is EZ using iChat on an Apple or AIM on PC (and they talk to each other too!)

Instant messaging (text, audio, or visual) is not something I have really gotten into, especially when I heard all the stories about chat room disarray.

However, I did buy a "Snowball" microphone for my Mac machines (there is also a "Snowflake" for portables/laptops) to use for eventual pod-casting.  Note, there are a host of other microphones out there, but the Snowflake was USB and under $100. It also works with MACs and PCs.

With a cheap set of $10 headsets (to avoid feedback through the speakers which I disconnected to use the headset/earphone jack) hooked up to the audio jack in the back and the Snowball to the USB port, I was able to have a great iChat with Finis Price, "the" TechnoEsq.com guy, without a cell phone, a land-line etc.

Note that I added him to my buddy list and we did instant messaging through Mac at home and AOL at work at a drop of the hat, or rather a click of the mouse.  I had the messaging program running, hit a click that marked my availability, and if somebody wanted to get my attention they knocked on my door.  I could answer if I wanted, engage in text only, or invite them in for an audio chat.  Due to web cam compatibility issues, have not gone visual (and I am not particular enthused with that idea either).

Please note, I tried the audio/visual the first time using an old web cam (that was not very compatible with my Mac) at first.  The visual locked up, but the audio microphone did.  However, there was "feedback" in my speakers so I used a headset. 

Since I had a great USB microphone in the Blue Snowball, I decided to try it tonight.  Worked flawlessly.

Will you do this with clients?  Not hardly,   But for those working on a project with other attorneys etc.  it offers a unique option of instant messaging or audio or visual (as opposed to email delay or "twitter's" text limitations.  Plus on the Mac machines, you can allow the trusted interloper (person on the other end) to share your screen and collaboratively solve your problem or explore your solutions. 

Just a "geek" moment for those out there wondering about this new tech stuff.

This does not mean the other services providing instant messaging service are not good or as good, it just means I figured out how to use my little niche of the computer world, and by golly that's good enough for me.

Of course, you can also buy you a cheap set of earphones with the built in microphone too!  Check out any computer or audio store in town, plus an office supply store. 

And if you already have the headset or a desk mic or a combination headset/mic, then you are already there with just a small loss in audio qaulity.

TECH: TechnoEsq, iPhone 3G, and All is Calm at the Summit.... In-line and on-line.

The lines are forming at the ATT Store in the Summit for the new Apple iPhone 3G.

And our "cub" reporter, Finis Price with www.TechnoEsq.com is not only in-line to get the first 3G, he is on-line reporting from his Apple MacBook Pro.

You can find his "real time" posting at IPhone 3G Coverage from Louisville at his web site.

We went into a little tech mode, and 'iChated' about various issues. 

It came to mind that sometime soon in a computer not so far away, that this type of technology will revolutionize reporting on court news, arguments, hearings etc. for those events that will be truly memorable.

Our Supreme Court has live video web-casting of their arguments, the Court of Appeals is now videoing some of their arguments (a t least in Jefferson County), and soon, counsel will be able to obtain these arguments for preparation and learning.  Kinda like a digital mentor via the computer.  {Suggestion, request, and plea - take a few bucks with you, $15 or so, and ask for a copy of your argument the next you appear at SCOKY or COAKY so that you can learn from your own efforts; and sharing with others to post might be nice but hard on the ego, I'm sure.}

Wouldn't you like to have heard a John W. Davis or a Daniel Webster make their pitch to the Supremes, or see John Marshall look down from the bench and level a question at counsel to see if there was a flinch, or better yet WATCH IT.  A time when rhetoric ruled, and advocacy advanced.

Well, we may not be able to re-create those, but somewhere down the road, others will be able to watch and hear YOU!

Now, there's an idea.  What if we could get some of the classic arguments in Kentucky on those real biggy cases?  Any suggestions on a dream list?  Please comment.

Some of mine would include the Hilen v. Hays on apportionment/comparative negligence, or even more recently the cases involving the denial of pre-impact fear and denial of the loss of chance damages in medical negligence.

Tell us your "wish list".  Don't be shy and don't be limited by time, the era, or the issue; suggest names of attorneys and their cases who would be good to learn from by watching.

Meanwhile, back to the iPhone story.  I could not help but post a comment from Finis' wife, Heather.  Hey Finis,  no rest for the wicked, eh?  And, if you don't get Heather an iPhone of her own soon, then I don't want to hear another rant for me to switch!  ;)

Hi Finis,

Thank you for spending the night out there so you will be first to get your iPhone G3…and finally allowing me to have your old iPhone and have one of my own! I’m sure your readers would be disappointed to hear you had not already gotten your wife the iPhone. Better late than never…right??? ../

Love,
Heather

UPDATED: 

At 7:15 a.m., I stopped by the AT&T store to witness the long wait followed by the long march.  I brought donuts in hand for those hardy souls who were standing on even hardier soles.  But, a dozen donuts was not enough for the nearly 150+ standing in line!

TECH: Acrobat for Legal Professionals has on-line free one-hour seminars on new update

Acrobat 9 eSeminars: See the new stuff!

You can see Acrobat 9 and never leave your office . . .  Sign up for one of our free 1-hour eSeminars where I'll show off the latest legal-specific features of Adobe Acrobat 9.

TRIAL PRACTICE TECH: Want a taste of what a trial presentation can do for you? Check TechnoEsq Presentations for a video sample

I can't tell you the number of times I hear that video presentations for trials and mediations are no longer an option but a necessity today.  However, words alone can never explain adequately the look, feel, and impact that a solid video show can do.

Nothing can convey the perspiration behind the inspiration, the practice behind the process, and raw nerves exposed when it's "show time!"

However, TechnoEsq presentations will give you a chance to see examples of their product, a sneak preview into what they can do for you and allow you a chance up front to figure out if its worth it.

[TechnoEsq's] experienced legal professionals work closely with you to develop much more than a collection of images and documents displayed on a screen, [they] build your case one frame at a time.

Well, enough of the words.  Take a look at their sample presentation by CLICKING HERE.

Remember, TechnoEsq has a lawyer behind their work which combines the artistry of digital graphics and presentations with the practicalities of a courtroom presentation within the confines of the law of evidence. 

Idea Festival 2008: It's in Louisville again. Mark your calendar for Sept. 25-27, 2008

Idea Fest.  A good idea for good ideas and forward thinkers.  I missed last years, but I am planning to catch some this year.  Your participation and support in this event helps keep this petri dish for ponderers promenading to Louisville.

Diana Skaggs, local lawyer, blogger, and all around nice person attended last year's event and enjoyed it immensely.  That's good enuff for me.

Here's a link to the web site for speaker, agenda, and other information: http://www.ideafestival.com/

Here's the CJ story:

Top thinkers to converge on Kentucky

What if someone brought several dozen of the world's smartest, most innovative people to Kentucky?

And what if you could spend three days listening to them talk about ideas that may change the world?

Sound unlikely? It's not.

It has happened five times since 2000, and it will happen again Sept. 25-27, when the Idea Festival returns to downtown Louisville.

Scott Jones, the man who invented voicemail, will be there. So will J. Richard Gott, a Princeton University astrophysicist.

TRIAL PRACTICE and TECH: On line videos of Kentucy's 2007 Million Dollar Openings/Closings Continue

Finis Price (www.TechnoEsq.com and TechnoEsqPresentations.com) and myself (Michael Stevens) have collaborated and are obtaining and posting openings and closings from "Million Dollar Verdicts" in Kentucky for 2007.

In the days with fewer trials and more and more ADR (not to mention less opportunity AND time to learn by watching in court), these will hopefully provide a source of learning for members of the bar.

Here's Finis' post, and note the last paragraph that if you have been involved (or have a tape or CD of good closings and openings), then get 'em to us.  We can convert, digitize and compress (or should I say Finis can!).

*Update* Online Trial Videos
As previously announced, TechnoEsq has collaborated with Kentucky Law Review, to make available the trial videos of numerous newsworthy and interesting trials from across Kentucky.

The closing arguments of our first case, Louise Ogborn v. McDonald’s Corporation, et.al.are now available by clicking on the “Trial Videos” link in the banner of the site, or directly here.

We have had a delay in fully launching this portion of TechnoEsq do to the creation of TechnoEsq Presentations, but we have digitized four more trials which we will be posting soon. Additionally, we are testing a new delivery system to allow users the ability to search by deponent, case name, or attorney.

Finally, if you have been involved in a noteworthy case or know of a case you would like to see, drop us an email and we will get it for everyone to enjoy.

UofL Law: "IT in Legal Education: Computer Assisted Legal Research" by William Hilyerd

"IT in Legal Education: Computer Assisted Legal Research"

Kentucky Bench & Bar, Vol. 71, No. 4, July 2007
University of Louisville School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series No. 2008-21 

WILLIAM A. HILYERD, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville

Information technology's rapid change profoundly impacts legal education and legal practice. This article discusses the five key research skills that are the focus of our computer assisted legal research instruction.

TECH: Should Lawyer's Use Facebook?

Should Lawyer's Use Facebook? from S.C. Trial Lawyers Blog

TECH: Acrobat 9 with New Features for Lawyers

Acrobat 9 with New Features for Lawyers from Finis Price at www. TechnoEsq.com.