Digital Samurai

Apple iPhone 4.0 Software Revealed

There are many problems with the iPhone, too many to go into much detail. But by now, you should be familiar with the lack of security the iPhone provides to protect your data. We still recommend that lawyers avoid using this device until Apple properly secures it.

One of the other major complaints with the iPhone has been that users cannot run more than one third-party application at a time. The idea of multi-tasking or running programs concurrently was somehow missed during the last 3 generations of the iPhone. Finally, the new software update coming this summer will enable users to run third-party applications concurrently, with programs minimized continuing to run in the background.

Even with this update, almost 3 years after the inception of the iPhone, you still won’t catch us using one. There’s way too many evidence-rich iPhones in our lab. Great phone. Lousy security. No wonder so many law firms and corporation are mandating “BlackBerrys only.”

- John and Mike
(703) 359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com

Office 2010 Technology Guarantee

Still haven’t upgraded to Office 2007? Not to worry. Microsoft is now offering the Office 2010 Technology Guarantee program, which allows those who purchase and activate Office 2007 between now and September 30, 2010 the ability to download Office 2010 for no additional cost when available. Microsoft says Office 2010 will be available in June. This is all you will need to take advantage of the program:

• Purchase Office 2007, or a new PC with Office 2007, and activate it between March 5, 2010 and September 30, 2010
• Have or create a Windows Live ID
• Redeem your Tech Guarantee before October 31, 2010 by visiting www.office.com/techg

- John and Mike

(703) 359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com

The Future of Novell

Those that are a little older remember the battle involving video tapes. Would the winner be VHS or Betamax? History tells us that VHS won, but it is universally agreed that Betamax was technically superior. Novell used to be king of the server OS market only to be dethroned by Microsoft. Those of us that have been around the IT scene recall that you rarely had to reboot a Novell server. They just run. It is not uncommon to have a Novell server with an uptime of several years.

It may be that the final nail is ready to be driven into Novell’s coffin. Network World reports that a New York hedge fund has submitted a $2 billion unsolicited takeover bid for Novell. Financially, Novell has been in trouble for a long time. If you’re still running GroupWise, perhaps now is a good time to convert.

- John and Mike

(703) 359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com

The 2010 Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide Has Arrived From the ABA

The 2010 edition of our annual legal technology guide is finally here. This year’s version includes updated hardware and software recommendations for Windows and Mac-based systems, case management and billing software, security applications, document management systems and much more.

To look at or purchase our latest book, visit the book’s product page on the ABA’s web site at http://www.abanet.org/abastore/productpage/5110701.

To listen to Sharon and John discuss the latest edition of our legal technology book, you can listen to the latest edition of the ABA Book Briefs Podcast Series at: http://new.abanet.org/publishing/bookbriefsblog/Pages/Podcasts.aspx.

- John and Mike

(703)359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com

Lexis and Microsoft are Friends - Today

What’s that new tab on your Office 2007 and 2010 ribbon? Why it’s Lexis research.

Lexis and Microsoft have announced a partnership that has the legal world watching. Lexis has been working on integration with the Office products for over a year now. It demonstrated the new “Lexis for Microsoft Office” product at LegalTech New York the beginning of February. Essentially, the add-on puts the Lexis research tools (including Shepardizing) right where you would find other functions in Word or Outlook. Lawyers spend most of their time in Word or Outlook so it makes sense to have a Lexis tab on the ribbon.

Some folks are less than enamored by the announcement and don’t see it as monumental. Others think the two gorillas will take over the legal research market with this tool. Time will tell. We’re always cautious when we speak of Lexis since they’ve been known to “eat their young,” although we don’t think they’ll acquire Microsoft in the near term.

- John and Mike

(703) 359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com

Marketing with Social Media Technology

Should you jump into the social media scene and experiment a little in an attempt to get more clients? Perhaps, but don’t jump too fast. Our friend and colleague, Rob Robinson of Applied Discovery, has written an excellent article titled Leveraging Social Media for High-Impact Marketing. Essentially, Rob takes you through a Marketing 101 class with a 2010 technology twist.

As usual, Rob does an excellent job of explaining the “4 P’s” and what it takes to change behavior over time. Using social media and other online tools are relatively inexpensive ways to reach out and “touch” your potential clients. Great job Rob!

- John and Mike

(703) 359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com

Microsoft Office For Macs – The Next Version Right Around The Corner

Finally, Microsoft has announced detailed plans for their next version of Microsoft Office for Mac 2011, nearly three years since the last version was released in 2008.

Some of the major enhancements and features to be part of the new version include renewed support for Visual Basic (why was support ever dropped?), Microsoft Outlook for Mac which replaces Entourage as Office's e-mail client, and additional support for collaboration and cross-platform compatibility across operating systems.

Microsoft Outlook for Mac will support PST file import, allowing for a user to migrate easily e-mail messages from a Windows environment to a Mac environment for the first time. The new e-mail software fully integrates with Time Machine and Spotlight for backups and realtime searching.

It's been reported that Microsoft Office for Mac 2011 will be available for purchase by this upcoming holiday season.

- John and Mike
(703)359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com

There’s an App for That

Some phrases just stay with you forever. Thanks to the marketing folks for Apple who gave us the famous line we used to title this post. Now there really is an app for that. If you own an iPhone (we won’t get on our iPhone insecurity bandwagon for now) you are well aware of the variety of applications available from cooking to beer drinking simulators. Now there’s an app from Fastcase that lets you have free legal research on your iPhone. You can search cases and statutes from all federal and state courts.

We are very familiar with the reputation of Fastcase. Fastcase has been providing free legal research (via an Internet browser) to Virginia attorneys as a Virginia State Bar benefit since 2006. And now there’s an app for that.

- John and Mike

(703) 359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com

How Vulnerable Is Your Computer System?

Ever wondered just how exposed your computer system is to the most common vulnerabilities? Now there is any easy and free way to find out.

Secunia, a great online security resource, now offers an Online Software Inspector (OSI) that quickly scans your PC for the most common programs and vulnerabilities. The scanner supports the inspection of about 100 or so programs including Adobe Acrobat Reader, all the major web-browsers, Microsoft operating systems and commonly found media players. This basic scan is certainly not complete, but will still give you a good overview of your computer’s security.

Once the scan has finished, if any insecure versions of software or vulnerabilities are found, the results window contains instructions and download links to fix the problems.

You can have your computer scanned by Secunia’s OSI by visiting their web site here: http://secunia.com/vulnerability_scanning/online/.

- John and Mike

(703)359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com 

Is a Tablet Device Apple’s Next Big Idea?

If you have been online in the past few weeks, then undoubtedly you’ve come across a story regarding Apple’s next big device, rumored to be a tablet/e-reader device.

Now we aren’t ones to speculate on what Apple may or may not announce during tomorrow’s Apple event, but many industry insiders believe the tablet will be Apple’s next big device. Is there room for another tablet device with the Kindle and Nook already available? Only time will tell.

We all know just how much Sharon loves her Kindle, so don’t expect her to buy one.

For those Apple fan boys that just can’t wait for the daily news cycle, live streamed coverage of the event can be found online at: http://live.twit.tv and http://livetechevents.com starting tomorrow at 1 PM EST.

We know that we won’t be watching.
 
- John and Mike

(793)359-0700
digitalsamurai@senseient.com
www.senseient.com