Digital Samurai

WINSCRIBE: DIGITAL DICTATION FOR THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Transcribing from dictation? No fun. But most lawyers wouldn’t know because someone else does it. The process goes something like this…listen, type…listen, type…listen, type. Very exciting. Not. There has to be a better way.

Winscribe, a leading developer of dictation software, has a made a product specifically for the legal profession that allows dictations to be automatically transcribed, converting recorded words to text. Automating the process saves both time and money, increasing the efficiency of your employees. End of the listen . . . type era.  Now your employees can spend their time doing something more productive and billable. Winscribe can even integrate with existing applications, such as your document management system, streamlining your workflow process.

Another innovative feature of this software is that it supports a wide range of input from recordings made on telephones, PCs and laptops, digital handheld devices, PDAs and even BlackBerrys. The days of carrying around a digital recorder may be over. Now you can install mobile software on your smartphone to record dictations and transfer the files wirelessly to your firm network. As always, client confidentiality is an extremely important issue. Winscribe protects dictations through the encryption of the files and through the implementation of a secure file transfer process. Winscribe has been vetted by the experts and found worthy. If you give it a try, drop us a line and let us know what you think. It might go on our holiday “wish list” too.

For pricing, you will have to contact the vendor directly. To learn more about the Winscribe product, visit their web site at www.winscribe.com.

- John and Mike

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

SMARTPEN – THE REMEDY FOR FORGETFULNESS?

There are people who remember everything and then there are those who don’t. Um, like us. People who are forgetful constantly need to jot down every communication, note and reminder. Is it age? Being blonde? Absent-mindedness? Among our staff, we’ve heard all these reasons and more. We’ve found a device that just might help…

The Livescribe Pulse Smartpen is a device that can record a user’s written notes along with the accompanying audio. The Smartpen can transmit the data to a computer via USB cable, allowing a user to view their digitalized notes and recorded audio. The pen has an infrared camera that records 72 images per second to track the spatial movement of the device on the provided sheets of dot-paper, the required use of which is one of the only downsides of the product. There are plans in the works to allow users to print their own dot paper, which would be a much needed convenience.

Using the bundled Livescribe Desktop software, users can manage written notes and recordings, but cannot convert notes to text because the software lacks OCR capabilities. The Smartpen, just like a computer, can be updated with new firmware and software, and is currently offered with 1 or 2 GB of storage capacity. The Smartpen is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP SP2 and Vista, but currently not Macs. A pretty slick tech toy, even for those who are aren’t absentminded. Now what were we about to do?

To learn more about the Livescribe Pulse Smartpen visit www.livescribe.com.

- John and Mike

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

BILL4TIME: IS MOBILE BILLING THE RIGHT CHOICE?

Billing – many attorneys shudder when they hear the word. Most despise it but it is their bread and butter. And as we all know, billing takes up a lot of valuable time. For mobile attorneys, finding time for billing can be difficult. Would it be easier if you could enter time directly from your phone? Of course. Enter Bill4Time.

Bill4Time is a web-based time billing system that provides real time access from your mobile device. The software requires no ongoing maintenance costs and provides “worry-free” backups of your data. Software upgrades and support are included in the annual cost (starting at $39.99 per user). What sets this product apart from the competition is the ability to enter time and manage billing from a web browser or mobile phone.  Data entered on your phone is wirelessly uploaded in real-time.

However, here’s the kicker that gives us pause. Unlike Timeslips, Tabs3 and most other billing software, Bill4Time stores your company data on their systems, instead of on your own.  A very risky proposition, indeed.

We have long opposed storing your firm’s data, including billing and client information with a third-party, no matter how secure they claim their services to be. Confidential client data is too important to be in the control of others. The benefits that might come from having real time access to billing from your mobile phone does not compare to what could happen if your data was lost, misused or stolen while in the hands of a service provider. Not even close. Here at Sensei, we will continue to dread the next billing cycle - 3 weeks to go and counting, but at least we know our data is safe.

- John and Mike

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

WINDOWS SBS 2008: VISTA ALL OVER AGAIN?

Go ahead and mark your calendars. Microsoft has officially announced the release date of Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 for November 12, 2008. We’re excited about this release. Hopefully, it’s not Vista reincarnated.

Following the SBS tradition, there are two editions to choose from: Standard and Premium Edition. The Standard Edition comes with the Windows 2008 standard technologies, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Standard Edition, SharePoint Services 3.0 and other basic features. Premium Edition includes all technologies that the Standard Edition has, plus Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard Edition.  According to Microsoft’s web site, the Premium Edition will require two separate hardware servers, one for Windows 2008 standard technologies including Exchange and a separate one for SQL server. We can only imagine how many firms will be upset about the required increase in hardware investment to run SQL server, which many legal specific applications use. Also still uncertain is the upgrade process. Are clients that run SBS 2003 Premium Edition going to be required to purchase an additional server in order to upgrade to 2008?  This is going to be a problem.

On a positive note, Microsoft has finally changed the way Client Access Licenses (CALs) are purchased for SBS. In earlier editions, CALs could only be purchased in groups of 5/10/20 licenses, but not any more. CALs for SBS 2008 can now be purchased individually. Finally, Redmond got something right.

To learn more about SBS 2008, visit Microsoft’s web sit at www.microsoft.com/windowsserver/essential/sbs/default.mspx.

- John and Mike

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

VIRTUAL SURFING: “SCOTTY, DEFLECTOR SHIELDS UP NOW!”

As IT professionals, spyware is the bane of our existence. It infects computers, cripples networks, and can even bring down the ability to send external e-mail. Trust us, we’ve seen it all too frequently. Usually, click-happy Internet surfers are the ones to blame. If only you could protect the user from themselves. Well, now you can.

This week, the “good guys” may have gotten the best prevention tool yet to add to our anti-spyware arsenal. It’s called ForceField. The Star Trek fans here love the name. ZoneAlarm ForceField allows a user to browse the web virtually serving as a protective barrier between the Internet browser and computer, like the force field, or for you true trekkies, the “deflector shields” that the Starship Enterprise would employ to protect its crew from incoming Romulan photon torpedoes.

The virtual browser secures your computer system from browser exploits, spyware, keyloggers and other malicious threats that await the unsuspecting browsing victim, deleting all history, temp files and other traces upon closing of the virtual session. According to their web site, ForceField can be installed on any Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista (32-bit) platforms and is compatible with both Internet Explorer (6/7) and FireFox (2). The web site didn’t state that FireFox 3 was supported but we were able to install and use the software with the newest release, FireFox 3.0.1. Guess they should update their web site.

To check out ZoneAlarm ForceField visit www.zonealarm.com.

- John and Mike

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

CROCODILE DUNDEE: OUT FOR A WALKABOUT

New York is a wonderful city to visit and one of the few places you have to look straight up at noon to see if it is day or night. If you’re in the mood for adventure, there are the famous and often frightening NYC taxi rides, a trip on the subway or hoofing it along on massive amounts of concrete. This past week we were in NYC for the Annual ABA meeting. There were all kinds of scheduled events and we both had meetings and dinner arrangements to attend. All too often, we didn’t have a clue where the restaurants or social gatherings were in relation to our hotel. We didn’t want to feel like Crocodile Dundee and aimlessly wander the streets of New York City.

Enter Google Maps (maps.google.com). You can now get walking directions in addition to the traditional “by car” routes. This was particularly helpful for our several trips between the various hotels and dining locations. We didn’t even look like a typical NYC tourist as we exited the hotel and actually headed the right way on 7th Avenue. The nice part about walking directions is that you’ll walk along a one way street while the autos head the opposite direction. We don’t recommend saying “G’day mate” to the natives, but if you feel reckless, go for it.

Google’s walking directions is a real winner for those of us traveling to unfamiliar cities.

- John and Mike

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

WIKIPEDIA KILLER? A/K/A THE KNOL

Will Wikipedia continue to reign supreme as the largest and most widely used encyclopedia on the web? For now, yes. But the ever-ambitious Google has other plans. Let us introduce you to “knols.” And no were not talking about a small rounded hill, but rather an authoritative article about a specific topic, a/k/a a unit of knowledge.

Google has unveiled its latest web site, called Knol, whose goal is to encourage people that are knowledgeable on a particular subject to write about it and share their expertise. Sounds like Wikipedia, right? With one clear distinction. Each and every knol includes biographical information about the author to help increase the credibility of the information that is provided. This is a far cry from the anonymous contributors that provide content for Wikipedia, whose information is often regarded as credible on pure faith. To provide you with an example from the front page of the Knol web site, would you rather read a knol containing information regarding “Infectious Mononucleosis” from Dr. Paul Auweaerter, a doctor at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, or the corresponding Wiki article last edited by somebody nicknamed ‘Sea Bass’, a high school drop out, posting from his couch who actually believes he is a doctor? The credibility factor cannot be underestimated.

Google is planning to rank each of the knols by a combination of user reviews, popularity and page views. This system will help to differentiate and rank knols on the same subject matter. While Wikipedia’s focus is on subjects, knols will focus on individual authors or groups of authors. Viewers may not directly edit the content of a knol, but may post suggested edits to the author, who always retains control over whether to accept or reject the changes before they are published. This prevents viewers from directly adding their color commentary to the content, keeping the spam out and the information as credible as the author.

There are some major concerns over how knols will rank in Google’s search results, especially as they become more popular. It is to be hoped that Google will not give its knols preferential treatment. However, this is Google we are talking about, so a little cynicism may be entirely in order.

Google’s Knol web site can be found at knol.google.com.

- John and Mike

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

CUIL OR COOL?

It’s never easy launching a new search engine. It’s even harder when users need to call tech support just to figure out how to pronounce its name. Is it cool? Or kewl?  The ex-Google employees who created Cuil hope that you’ll pronounce it “hot” – as in hot enough to topple the 800-pound gorilla, Google itself.

Cuil claims to provide a more comprehensive way to search the Internet, with a search index that spans 120 billion web pages, estimated at three times the size of Google’s current index. Cuil’s index doesn’t rank the quantity and quality of links to web sites, but rather analyzes the actual content of a page to provide more accurate search results. Anna Patterson, President and Founder of Cuil, was the architect of Google’s large search index, TeraGoogle, which launched in early 2006. In deference to her skill set, the IT gurus seem willing to give her a fair shot, though no honeymoon lasts long in the IT world.

It’s easy to use, even if it’s hard to pronounce. The search engine has a very simplistic interface, with fewer options than Google. No Images, Maps, News, Gmail or other links to worry about. To some, not being able to search these categories is going to be a problem. A search for the term “Sensei Enterprises” was performed, and the first difference that was immediately noticed was the layout of the results. Much different than Google, the search results are laid out horizontally rather than vertically, a nice change. The accuracy of the results that appeared on the first page was comparable to Google, with more than double the amount of total hits found. One problem encountered – it took longer for the results to be displayed. Hopefully we can scratch that up to a few “first week” bugs that still need to be worked out, as opposed to having to search a much larger index.

Another major difference between the two – privacy. Cuil doesn’t retain any personal information regarding users’ search histories, surfing habits or IP addresses, unlike Google. For you privacy hawks out there, this should brighten your day, as you can now search “anonymously”. Or so they say. But for now, Google will continue to dominate the search engine market – unless Cuil can put a freeze on the competition.

To try it out yourself, visit Cuil at www.cuil.com.

- John and Mike

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