Goodman Firm Blawg

Those darned kids

Ever thought you have been around kids with cellphones and they look at you like you just don't "get it"? Well, according to this NY Times article, you may not be paranoid....the kids may actually be pulling a fast one (or at least inaudible one)over you.

Are You Being "Piggybacked?"

You may be if you use a wireless internet (Wi-Fi) connection. As noted in this NY Times article, "piggybacking" occurs when an unauthorized person uses another person's wi-fi connection. If this is a concern to you, make sure you encrypt your wi-fi and use passwords to protect your internet connection. I will admit that finding wi-fi zones has come in handy when I have been out of the office. I have found (before and after doctor depos) most hospitals have wide open wi-fi access... this seems a little odd given all the privacy issues facing hospitals these days.

Ever Heard of "Keylogging"?

You are probably familiar with "key-logging" if you are the parent of a teenager and you have purchased a security program to monitor the computer activity and chatting of your teen. The program basically records all key strokes made on the computer's keyboard. The bad news is that hackers may be secretly planting these programs in your computer and learning all your passwords and codes without you having the slightest clue... just something else to add to concerns over computer viruses, etc.

Online Tutoring

This article outlines the recent trend of some educational entities that have started using online tutoring for students. The article caught my eye since my lovely wife, Susan, is a special education major who tutors early elementary students from our home.

I certainly do not see online tutoring replacing standard teaching our personal tutoring. It reminds me of the education system's cry for more money to "put a computer in each classroom." Don't get me wrong; computer skills are needed, but if you visit most schools, you will see a computer lab crammed with computers and very little use of the computers by the students.

Great Blog on Computer Security Issues

Here is a great blog that has many articles and links pertaining to computer security issues. It also sings the praises of Apple's Mac OS compared to the security threats encountered by WinTel applications. More fuel for the Apple v. Microsoft debate?

First Viruses, Now This!

Hackers have now started getting into computers, encrypting files and then charging ransom from the computer user to unlock the files. That would be a horrible feeling, especially if a hacker locked up an important document just before a pending deadline.

PDF Electronic filing

Since electronic filing of documents is mandatory in Federal Courts, it is obvious it will soon be commonplace in all courts. As a solo lawyer, I am looking for ways to cheaply move into the PDF world while also gaining some technological control over my paperwork. Here is a good article singing the praises of a free PDF program that was installed over a firm's network. I would be very interested to hear any real world stories from other lawyers/solos who are PDF savy.

Great, Something New For lawyers to Worry About

With the increasing use of electronic filing, you knew it would have to happen. This article outlines one lawyer's dilemma created by his firm's spam blocker. The program apparently worked too well and  actually blocked hearing notices from the court.

12 Ways Technology Can Make You a Better Trial Lawyer

Ran across this post on Evan Schaeffer's blawg. It is a good post from a very good blawg!