Technology for the Solo, Home or Mobile Office: Mobile Computing
1. Introduction
The mobile computing hardware used in law firms runs the gamut from full size notebook computers to the recently discontinued Xircom (Intel) Rex, which is about the size of a credit card, but somewhat thicker. The largest segment of this market is the handheld computer; devices powered by the Palm® operating system and by Microsoft Windows® CE operating system, which is a version of Windows designed specifically for handheld computers.
Most of my experience is with a Palm operating system device because our firm uses Amicus Attorney, which is able to synchronize data with Palm operating system computers. The version of Amicus Attorney that we use does not advertise that it has the ability to communicate in this way with Windows CE computers, but it appears that Amicus V does have this capability. At our 2001 Annual meeting, I won a Windows CE device from Dye & Durham. This good luck has given me an opportunity to try the two major competitors head to head.
2. Selecting a Device
Handheld computers are available with monochrome and colour displays. There are wired and wireless modems, keyboards and MP3 players (which play music files), among other things, available to add to these computers, depending on which manufacturer’s computer you pick. All of these computers have a number of built-in programs, which typically include an expense account tracker, an address book, "to do" list, notepad and calendar. Other software may come with the computer, depending on the manufacturer and model that you select.
3. Desktop Software
These handheld computers all come with software to install on your desktop computer, including a conduit which allows you to synchronize data between the two. You can use this software or programs like Amicus Attorney and Microsoft Outlook to synchronize the address book, "to do" list, notepad and calendar information, on your handheld computer with data on your desktop computer.
4. Additional Software
There are literally thousands of programs available for the two handheld computer operating systems. There are substitutes for the address book, "to do" list, notepad and calendar which come with the computer. There are e-mail programs, Web browsers, spreadsheets, and word processors. Sites like tucows.com and PalmGear.com have some of the software available.
I use the following programs, among others, on my Palm operating system computer:
AvantGo - synchronizes Web pages that I have selected onto the computer;
Checklist - organizes checklists – I mostly use it for shopping lists and to organize my "to do" list;
ClockPro - includes a three time zone clock, with timers and alarms;
Quicksheet - a spreadsheet that has many of the features of Microsoft Excel, which I use for calculating damages, and pre-judgment interest;
TealMeal - a specialized database program to keep track of restaurant expenses;
TealAuto - to track automobile expenses.
On my Windows CE computer, I haven’t had to add clock, e-mail, spreadsheet and word processing software because the computer came with these programs. I have installed AvantGo on my Windows CE computer as well. I have not found similar programs to TealMeal and TealAuto which I have liked enough to keep, but Ilium Software’s Listpro (which runs on both Windows CE handhelds and full-size computers) is an excellent alternative. It’s available at www.iliumsoft.com.
5. Making a Choice
It’s hard to say which of the two handheld computers I’ve used is the “best”. They both have their strengths. My Palm OS device synchronizes my calendar and address book well with Amicus Attorney, which makes it a useful alternative to a paper organizer. However, I have found the Windows CE device is far superior for e-mail, word processing and spreadsheet functions. For my present needs, I have decided after five years of using a Palm OS device, that the Windows CE device fits my handheld computing needs best; principally because I can use it to receive e-mail away from the office without having to take my notebook, and because I find the spreadsheet software easier to use.
I can only suggest that you think out what you want to use a handheld computer for and poll your colleagues who use them, to help you decide which one is right for you.
6. Conclusion
The ability to take information away from your desktop in a useable and portable form is the real strength of handheld computers. I am very rarely without mine.
I maintain registration records for my son’s Cub pack on it. I have loaded the Newfoundland Civil Procedure Rules and a collection of statutes that I refer to frequently in my practice. I keep my expense account — both for trips and for all those expenses I track for my tax return — on this computer. I keep track of my father’s Carry On movie collection, so I can buy tapes to add to it when I see them. I download news from the CBC Newsworld Web site and I also download practice marketing tips from www.lawmarketing.com. For one recent family vacation I loaded Peter Rabbit to read to my children when we were stuck in lineups — it was a lifesaver while we were waiting for our turn at customs and to board the ferry to return to Newfoundland. And, yes, I have a couple of games loaded too.
Whatever you want to do with these computers, you can almost certainly find the software and the data source to do it.
Christopher Pike, Benson · Myles, St. John’s, Newfoundland
Neither the author nor the CBA should be construed as endorsing any product or website listed in this article. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CBA.
In this document, any reference to "jurist" or "lawyer" includes, where appropriate, "Québec notary". |
