The Essential Palm Computing Software List For Lawyers, Version 1.0

Originally published in Issue #10 of the Legal Technology Strategies Newsletter (http://www.nettechinc.com/lts.htm), June 1, 1999 (last updated: June 1, 1999)

THE ESSENTIAL PALM COMPUTING SOFTWARE LIST FOR LAWYERS, VERSION 1.0 - By Dennis Kennedy (dennisk@nettechinc.com)

At NetTech, we've been sampling a great number of Palm programs and are working toward a recommended "standard" configuration for attorneys who use Palm devices. While much testing remains, we've seen enough to put together version 1.0 of "The Essential Palm Computing Software List for Lawyers." We'll continue to update and improve the list and keep it at the NetTech web site (http://www.nettechinc.com/palm.htm). Your input into this list is welcomed.

We are currently convinced that the Palm IIIx is the Palm device of choice for lawyers. The current price point (under $300 street price) and the standard 4 megabytes of memory give it the nod for us.

One of the things that it is important to realize about Palm Computing is that while the Palm IIIx is quite functional out of the box, expect to spend another several hundred dollars getting it into the configuration that's best for you.

At least 4,000 programs have been written for the Palm devices. It's not so much the case that the preloaded programs are inadequate but that there are better versions of many of the standard programs. The Palm is a productivity device and one that can be programmed in ways that reflect the ways you work best. Most of the "I wish I could . . ." thoughts you will have can be resolved by a program already in existence.

Another key point to keep in mind always is that the Palm is an "extender" of your desktop and notebook computer, not a "replacement" for them. Keep that firmly in mind and you will not be disappointed with a Palm, but will begin to revel in its power.

Here is a list of essential Palm programs:

• Desktop to Go (http://www.dataviz.com) - You absolutely want to be able to synchronize your desktop e-mail and calendaring packages (Outlook, Notes, GroupWise, et al.) with your Palm device. Desktop to Go ($49.95) allowed me to make a few choices and then ported over 500 contacts and personal and public calendar information from Outlook to my Palm IIIx and took additional info from the Palm and placed it in Outlook. Because of the power and utility of this type of synchronization, you want to have a powerful program that will handle the task. I simply would not leave this operation to the Palm's built-in functionality. There are also other products in this category, like Puma's Intellisync (http://www.pumatech.com) ($69.95), that have been well-reviewed.

• SynCalc or RPN - The built-in Palm calculator is a bit toy-like. You'll want to replace with one that gives you more functionality and, most likely, financial functions. SynCalc ($17.95) is popular, as Alan indicated. If you are a Hewlett Packard user, as I am, RPN ($15 shareware) with the HP "reverse Polish notation" (you either love it or you hate it) is a must.

• A Doc Reader - Doc readers turn your Palm into an electronic book. Many books and other documents are available in Doc format (conceptually, it's like PDF files, read-only). You'll need a Doc reader to read them (conceptually, they're like the Adobe Acrobat reader). I like AportisDoc Mobile Edition 2.1 (http://www.aportis.com) ($30). TealDoc (http://www.tealpoint.com) ($16.95) is another excellent example of the category. I'm in the middle of testing the widely-praised Documents to Go ($39.95), from Dataviz (http://www.dataviz.com), which enables you to transfer your own word processing documents and spreadsheets to your Palm device. I've liked what I've seen and heard about Documents to Go.

• AvantGo - Simply put, AvantGo allows you to grab information from the Internet and pull it down to your Palm device whenever you hot sync. In essence, you can get news updates from the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and a variety of other "channel providers." You received stripped down info (no graphics). Very handy for grabbing news, sports scores and stock info. Free. (http://www.avantgo.com)

• Hackmaster - Hackmaster is the building block for a variety of "hacks," which are programs that work on the underlying Palm system and change a variety of features. Hacks can change screen highlighting, save battery life and do many, many other things. Hackmaster, free, is essential for any of the hacks.

• BrainForest - I review BrainForest in more detail later in this issue. BrainForest is the best program in the "outliner" category. Outliners really reflect the way most lawyers work. This may be the one program that convinces lawyers of the utility of the Palm devices. $39. (http://www.aportis.com)

• BackupBuddyNG - I concur with Alan Steinberg's review of Backup Buddy in this issue. I feel much better with Backup Buddy on the job. $20. (http://www.backupbuddy.com)

• Lefty - In essence, a hack to optimize the Palm for left-handed people. I can't really point to anything that it has enhanced for me, but we lefties loved to have our uniqueness considered. (http://www.strout.net)

Close to Essential.

You are likely to find that one or more of the built-in Palm apps will disappoint you in some way. You might want more calendar views. You might want to show to-dos on the same page as your calendar. You might want to be able to add drawings to your memos. You may have difficulty with the Graffiti handwriting recognition software. Here are some of the replacements to consider:

• Action Names - A calendar program that gives you a number of helpful views (weekly, etc.) and places to-dos on the same page as your calendar appointments. This program has won the NetTech contest as best calendar replacement. (http://www.iambic.com) ($19.95)

• SuperNames - I like the graphic file folder metaphor, so SuperNames is a welcome replacement for the address book. Each letter of the alphabet has a separate file folder and it's much easier to navigate your contacts. If you are importing hundreds or thousands of contacts, ease of navigation can be important. (http://www.standalone.com) ($34.95)

• Jot - I really like Graffiti, the built-in handwriting recognition system. What some people see as its limitations, I see as benefits. This, by the way, is typical for Palm users and the beauty of Palm is that you can configure to work in the way that you work best. Jot is the most popular replacement for Graffiti. The key points: with Jot, you can write on the entire screen and you can write your letters more "naturally." (http://www.cic.com) ($40)

• Launcher III - The standard Palm home screen is adequate. Launcher III replaces it with a more friendly, to me, graphic file metaphor and shows time, battery and memory information in a helpful way. Freeware.

• Checkit - A surprisingly useful application. Occasionally, you have checklists that you use over and over. You want to check items off, but still see the whole list, then blank the checkboxes and reuse the checklist. That's what Checkit does. Very nice app. $8. (http://www.aho.ch/checkit)

• Games - Sometimes you have time to kill and don't want to be productive. Your needs will vary. I like PocketChess, although it's humbling to find that it is a Palm IIIx, rather than IBM's Big Blue program, that can beat me consistently. Free (http://www.eskimo.com/~scottlu).

Still Testing:

• We have not yet been able to find a timekeeping app that we really like.

• Memo replacers - My sense is that it is useful to be able to add drawings to memos. I'm currently looking at TealDraw as a drawing program and at some of the memo replacers.

• Password programs - One useful feature of a Palm would be to hold your passwords, PIN numbers, credit card numbers, et al., in a secure fashion. I'm looking at a program or two that may fit the bill.

As you might have guessed, almost all Palm software is available in demo or evaluation formats. There are lots of shareware and freeware programs. You will normally be downloading programs from the Internet.

Bonus:

Keyboards - Bill Coplin and I have been evaluating the GoType keyboard. Insert your Palm into the keyboard and your can type away on a small keyboard. Our experience so far has been pretty positive. About $80. (http://www.landware.com)

Cases - It's comical how much time can be spent talking about the "right" case for a Palm device. It's a personal choice and a personal statement. For me, I am convinced that the Palm becomes most useful when it can be with you at all times. I decided that this meant that I needed a case to wear on my belt on casual days and non-work days when I am wearing a shirt without a pocket. I went with the Rhino Pak 1000, which gives you a kind of contemporary, outdoorsy, utilitarian feel with just a dash of youthful zest. Or so I want to believe. $19.95 (http://www.rhinoskin.com).

Dennis Kennedy (dennisk@nettechinc.com) is the Director of Legal Technology of NetTech, Inc., a technology consulting firm focusing on law firms (http://www.nettechinc.com). Dennis writes legal technology columns for Lawyers Weekly USA and the Indiana Lawyer, and is a frequent author and speaker on legal technology and Internet topics.