CHAMPAGNE TECHNOLOGY ON A BEER BUDGET CLE Credit: 1.0 Friday, June 20, 2014 10:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. Ballroom B Northern Kentucky Convention Center Covington, Kentucky A NOTE CONCERNING THE PROGRAM MATERIALS The materials included in this Kentucky Bar Association Continuing Legal Education handbook are intended to provide current and accurate information about the subject matter covered. No representation or warranty is made concerning the application of the legal or other principles discussed by the instructors to any specific fact situation, nor is any prediction made concerning how any particular judge or jury will interpret or apply such principles. The proper interpretation or application of the principles discussed is a matter for the considered judgment of the individual legal practitioner. The faculty and staff of this Kentucky Bar Association CLE program disclaim liability therefore. Attorneys using these materials, or information otherwise conveyed during the program, in dealing with a specific legal matter have a duty to research original and current sources of authority. Printed by: Evolution Creative Solutions 7107 Shona Drive Cincinnati, Ohio 45237 Kentucky Bar Association TABLE OF CONTENTS The Presenter .................................................................................................................. i I. BUILDING YOUR BUDGET ................................................................................ 1 II. HOW TO FIND THE BEST DEALS ON LEGAL TECHNOLOGY ........................ 1 A. Strategy for Getting the Best Deals .......................................................... 1 1. Identify the Players ....................................................................... 1 2. Use Manufacturer Websites as a Starting Point ............................ 2 3. Read What the Critics Are Saying................................................. 2 4. Use a Google Trick for Searching a Particular Site ....................... 2 5. Use the Product Part Number to Find the Best Prices .................. 3 a. U.S. Price Comparison Services ....................................... 3 b. Canadian Price Comparison Services ............................... 3 6. Always Consider Shipping Costs .................................................. 4 7. Pay Attention to Vendor Ratings ................................................... 4 8. Due Diligence with Unfamiliar Vendors ......................................... 4 9. It Is Essential that You Read Return Policies ................................ 4 10. Stock Indicators Are Important ...................................................... 5 11. Note the Condition ........................................................................ 5 12. Skip the Extended Warranty ......................................................... 5 13. Create an Account upon Checkout ............................................... 5 14. Always Check for Discount Codes ................................................ 5 15. Get a Separate Email Address for Buying Items Online ................ 6 B. Contact the Manufacturer for Recommended Consultants ....................... 6 C. Legal-Specific Email Lists or List Servs .................................................... 6 D. Law Technology News ............................................................................. 6 E. Technolawyer ........................................................................................... 6 F. Get a Price Online, Then Call and Ask for a Discount .............................. 6 G. Look for Previous Versions of Software or Hardware ............................... 7 H. Look for Non Manufacturer Parts ............................................................. 7 I. EBAY Is a Great Source ........................................................................... 7 J. Look for Download Software .................................................................... 7 K. Do Not Limit Your Search for Computer or Tech Help to Your Local Area ........... 7 1. Find an Expert .............................................................................. 8 2. Less Expensive ............................................................................ 8 3. Higher Quality Help ...................................................................... 8 III. PAYING FOR IT .................................................................................................. 9 A. Financing Legal Technology .................................................................... 9 B. Technology Leasing for Lawyers – A Primer .......................................... 10 1. Deduct Payments as an Operating Expense .............................. 10 2. Disposal...................................................................................... 10 3. Leasing Pros and Cons .............................................................. 10 IV. COMPUTER CONSIDERATIONS ..................................................................... 11 A. Why Lawyers Should Buy Notebook PCs Instead of Desktop PCs ......... 11 1. Prices Are Very Close between Notebooks and Desktops .......... 11 2. Work Anywhere .......................................................................... 11 3. Docking Stations Make a Notebook Feel like a Desktop ............. 11 4. Take Your Files with You ............................................................ 12 5. Access Your Office from Anywhere ............................................ 12 B. Have Only One Computer ...................................................................... 12 C. Can I Run My Practice on an iPad?........................................................ 12 D. Save Money by Avoiding Apple .............................................................. 12 1. Notebook Computing Configuration ............................................ 12 a. Windows Computing Advantages .................................... 13 b. Mac Computer Advantages ............................................. 13 2. Desktop Computer Configurations .............................................. 14 3. Limited Support with Apple ......................................................... 14 a. Network Support ............................................................. 14 b. Computer Support ........................................................... 14 4. Most Legal Specific Programs Will Not Run on the Apple Operating System ....................................................................... 14 E. Get the Software You Need Included with the New PC .......................... 15 F. Don't Be Afraid of a PC with an AMD CPU ............................................. 15 G. Never Buy the Fastest CPU ................................................................... 15 H. How to Save Money ............................................................................... 16 1. Bar Association Discounts .......................................................... 16 2. Upgrade RAM Yourself ............................................................... 16 3. Desktop PCs Are Cheaper than Notebooks ................................ 16 4. Consider a "Budget" Notebook PC ............................................. 16 5. Warehouse Clubs ....................................................................... 16 6. Consider "Refurbished" Systems from the Dell Outlet ................. 16 7. Cut Back on Things You Can Easily Upgrade Later .................... 17 V. RENTING TECHNOLOGY ................................................................................ 17 A. Online Case Management Options ........................................................ 17 1. AdvologixPM .............................................................................. 17 2. Amicus Attorney Cloud Edition ................................................... 17 3. Clio ............................................................................................. 17 4. MyCase ...................................................................................... 17 5. LawRD ....................................................................................... 17 6. Credenza .................................................................................... 18 7. Houdini Esq ................................................................................ 18 8. Rocket Matter ............................................................................. 18 9. ActionStep .................................................................................. 18 10. Total Attorneys ........................................................................... 18 B. Legal Accounting Options ...................................................................... 18 1. QuickBooks Online ..................................................................... 18 2. ActionStep .................................................................................. 18 3. Bill4Time ..................................................................................... 18 4. Legal Billing ................................................................................ 18 5. Toggl .......................................................................................... 18 6. FreshBooks ................................................................................ 18 7. TimeSolv Legal ........................................................................... 18 8. Case Management additional features ....................................... 18 C. Time Tracking .......................................................................................