TechnoLawyer: Technology Industry/Legal Profession

In Fat Friday, we recently discussed devices banned by courts around the country. Regarding the reasoning behind these bans, TechnoLawyer member Jon Calhoun posits: "I think the cell phone ban is addressed not so much to deter carrying in explosives, but to prevent a cell phone from being used as a remote triggering device to set off explosives. I know this sounds like something out of Mission Impossible, but I believe cell phones were used as triggering devices in the bombings in Spain recently."

About Quips
A Quip is a brief member contribution for which we don't have room in our Answers to Questions or Fat Friday newsletters. Instead, Quips appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

Martin Dean's complaint about legal technology in a recent Fat Friday newsletter continues to spark debate. TechnoLawyer member Michael Hanlon writes: "Martin Dean got it right. Most of us are practicing law, our chosen profession. Technology is supposed to be a tool to more efficiently and effectively practice law. It is not an end unto itself, as many who have taken technology as their full time profession or avocation seem to believe."

About Quips
A Quip is a brief member contribution for which we don't have room in our Answers to Questions or Fat Friday newsletters. Instead, Quips appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

In a recent issue of Fat Friday, TechnoLawyer member Martin Dean argued that well-designed software can eliminate the need for formal training. TechnoLawyer member George Manos agrees with Martin, writing: "On the point of intuitive software, and whether there can be such a thing, I don't know anyone who needed training on how to use a browser. I agree with Mr. Dean: software publishers are getting away with murder." I'm all for intuitive software, but I believe that most people need training — some more than others. Plus, I do know people who needed training on how to use a browser.

About Quips
A Quip is a brief member contribution for which we don't have room in our Answers to Questions or Fat Friday newsletters. Instead, Quips appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

Last week at the LegalTech trade show in New York, I had the good fortune to attend a blawger dinner on January 31st and a blawger luncheon on February 1st. Needless to say, I had a great time and learned a lot.

Dennis Kennedy (look for his first TechnoFeature of 2005 later today) and Matt Homann organized the dinner with help from Bruce MacEwen who chose the restaurant (Ruby Foos). Also in attendance were blawgers Arnie Herz, Josh Fruchter, Marty Schwimmer, and Johnnie Moore.  Debbie Ausburn also joined us (look for her TechnoFeature on digital briefs this spring). Of the many dishes we sampled, I most enjoyed the Kung Pao Chicken (at least, that's what I think it was).

Robert Ambrogi and Monica Bay organized the luncheon at the Marketplace restaurant in the Hilton. Dennis Kennedy, Matt Homann, and Bruce MacEwen were in attendance as well as blawgers Larry Bodine, Carolyn Elefant, Tom Mighell, and Ron Friedmann. Also in attendance were Stacey Artandi and Jennifer Collins, Lisa Solomon, Russ Curtis, and a few others whom I didn't have a chance to meet. Bob Ambrogi documented the event. You can also find headshots here thanks to Monica Bay and Russ Curtis.

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

J.D. Lasica, who wrote the excellent TechnoFeature, RSS and Other Alternatives to Web Browsing, needs your help. He writes: "A new nonprofit media project called ourmedia is looking for pro bono legal counsel from an individual or firm that is versed in how intellectual property law affects grassroots media. Launched in July as the Open Media Project, ourmedia is an effort to foster, preserve, and advance works of grassroots media -- everything from digital stories and amateur films to music videos, student projects, political ads, animations, and oral histories. Brewster Kahle, founder of the well-regarded Internet Archive, is providing free storage and free bandwidth for content creators. Creative Commons is also supporting the effort whose goal is to create the world's largest repository of home-brew media. The group's most pressing needs involve the review of a few brief draft documents, but some fascinating legal issues lie just ahead. Those interested, or with questions, should contact me at www.newmediamusings.com."

About Quips
A Quip is a brief member contribution for which we don't have room in our Answers to Questions or Fat Friday newsletters. Instead, Quips appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

A recent TechnoLawyer advertisement for DiscoveryResources.org contained the following statistic: "For example, did you know: Computer power is now 8,000 times less expensive than it was 30 years ago. If the same were true for automobiles, you could buy a Lexus for about $2.00." Poking fun at this statistic, TechnoLawyer member Brad Jensen writes that this $2 car would "crash into trees every three blocks while a teenage art student in a MacVespa put-puts by sticking his tongue out at you."

About Quips
A Quip is a brief member contribution for which we don't have room in our Answers to Questions or Fat Friday newsletters. Instead, Quips appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

Regarding the recent debate in our Fat Friday newsletter regarding Microsoft's non-compete agreements, TechnoLawyer member Ed Dodds writes: "If Microsoft truly has its IP established, there is no need for a non-compete -- Microsoft can simply sue to recover damages. If Microsoft cannot recover damages, what's the point of being concerned about IP in the first place?"

About Quips
A Quip is a brief member contribution for which we don't have room in our Answers to Questions or Fat Friday newsletters. Instead, Quips appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.

In today's edition of AnchorDesk, Rafe Needleman discusses why new software products are often inferior to their predecessors.  The article mentions bygone products such as Ecco Pro and Grandview, two favorites of TechnoLawyer old-timers.

About TechnoEditorials
A TechnoEditorial is the vehicle through which we opine and provide tips of interest to managing partners, law firm administrators, and others in the legal profession. TechnoEditorials appear first in TechnoGuide, and later here in TechnoLawyer Blog. TechnoGuide, which is free, also contains exclusive content. You can subscribe here.