How do I do it? Let me show you. When you install the Dropbox application on your computer or other device, it creates a Dropbox folder. You place your files that you want access to from other computers/devices in the Dropbox folder. Any files that you wish to share with others, you place in the Public folder inside the Dropbox folder. Right click on the file that you wish to share with others. One option you will see is “Copy Public Link.” Take this link and paste it into the email for the recipient. If you want to stop access to the file at a later date then just move the file out of your Public folder.

You can also do this using Dropbox’s web interface at dropbox.com.

Go to your Public folder, open it, and click on the triangle to the right of the file that you want to share. From there, choose “Copy Public Link”. Paste the link in the email you are sending. The recipient clicks on the link and downloads the file. Beautiful! You can also share entire folders with friends or colleagues.

Besides making email more efficient, Dropbox gives you access to your files from any other computer or device. I can access my files from my ipad or iphone or other computers. If a computer does not have the Dropbox application installed, I can just use the web interface at Dropbox.com. Dropbox gives me the freedom to do work away from the office.

Dropbox also serves as a great way to backup your files. Dropbox automatically syncs files among computers and devices and all of your files also are found in the cloud via Dropbox’s web interface. If your laptop is stolen, your files are still safe in the cloud. If you get a new computer, you can easily transfer files to it via Dropbox.

I am still learning about Dropbox but these are just some of the many benefits that it offers. If you are interested, sign up for Dropbox today and start experiencing the freedom it gives. It’s free if you stay within the two gigabyte limit!

How did I find out that PN Ventures Group was stealing my content? They had linked back to my site, and I received a pingback notification through this blog’s dashboard. From there I went to whois.com and typed in their domain to see who owned it.

What can I do now that I’ve found the stolen content? Here’s a great article that takes you through the entire process. One thing I like to do is simply post an article on who is stealing my content. Oftentimes, the thief will have completely automated the theft so that when I add something new to the blog, it automatically goes up on the thief’s site. This article may appear there shortly.

Other stolen content:

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They said it couldn’t be done but here’s my triple display Imac. That’s right, 3 monitors all controlled by one keyboard and one mouse.

I have more ways to answer her discovery than she probably has bytes on that floppy disk. It’s amazing how large law firms can be so behind the times.

Of my myriad ways to deal with her printed discovery, I chose to use Adobe Acrobat to avoid retyping the document. First I scanned the discovery into pdf format with my Scansnap scanner. I opened the resulting file in Adobe Acrobat and proceeded to insert text fields into the document with the text field tool. To insert a text field, I simply drew a box with the cursor. After I have drawn the box, Acrobat provides me with several options concerning the text field. I generally check the option for multi-line (allows for a multiple line response in the text field) and the option for scrolling long text (automatically scrolls the line to the next line when you reach the right margin).

I inserted a text field in the response area of each request for admission and made text fields for my signature bloc and for the certificate of service. In a few minutes, I was done.

Blue regions are the text fields that I inserted right into the discovery document; however, the blue regions do not show up as blue regions on the printed final version – only your inserted text shows up there.

We used to keep a typewriter at the office for functions like this but no more.

Adobe Acrobat Professional to the rescue. Next!

You may ask yourself: Why do I need a new monitor stand? My monitor came with a stand.

The story began when my OkiData B4350 indicated that it needed its drum unit replaced. I initially did some searching for a new drum unit but eventually decided to go with a new printer after realizing that it had been three years since my last printer purchase. After reading some reviews in pcmagazine.com, I settled on the Brother HL-5370DW.

I couldn’t believe the features you get for $239. Wireless networking and ethernet networking are built-in! The Brother HL-5370DW printer also boasts 32 pages per minute printing speed as opposed to the 23 pages per minute that the Okidata pushed out. Resolution is greater – 1200×1200 as opposed to 1200×600 and paper capacity is 50 sheets more at 300 pages with the standard paper tray.

And let me tell you, duplex printing rocks! However, to perform duplex printing the Brother first prints on one side of the page and then pulls the paper back into the printer and then prints out the second side and then spits out the finished product. I wonder how this feature will hold up over time as it requires a bit of extra work on the part of the printer.

In terms of paper savings, duplex printing is the bomb. So far, I haven’t found any courts that refuse to accept filings that are printed on both sides of the page. Duplex printing also cuts down on your mailing costs. By printing in duplex, you’ve reduced your mailing weight by about half. Your postage costs are reduced and you generally don’t have to buy the larger mailing envelopes to accommodate dozens of pages more.

My only complaint is that the Brother HL-5370DW printer is hard on lightweight envelopes. It generally seals them shut as you are printing addresses on them. I ended up buying a new drum unit for the Okidata printer mainly for the purpose of printing envelopes. It also provides backup in case the Brother HL-5370DW printer goes down. I imagine higher quality envelopes may work better with the Brother HL-5370DW printer but I’m not sure if I want the added expense.

Want to make pdf document creation a breeze? Click on the “pages” button in your open pdf document.

From here you can quickly make several changes to your document. Like . . .

Re-order pages,
Delete pages,
Add other pdf documents to your current document.

You can accomplish all this by dragging and dropping with your mouse.

However, you’re worried that email poses some security risks so you want to protect yourself and your client. You come up with the idea to password protect your PDF document. How do you go about doing it?

We open up our document in Adobe Acrobat Pro, proceed to the File menu and select – Properties.

From here, we select – Security.

We select – Password Security to protect our document with a password.

Finally we set our security options and we’re good to go. Just don’t let your client know the password via the same email that contains the document.

I couldn’t function without my Fujitsu ScanSnap. It does exactly what the name claims and more. It will scan your paper documents and instantly turn them into PDF files. Not only that, it will turn them into searchable PDF files. In a profession which requires the handling of so many paper documents on a day to day basis, the auto-feed scanner with instant pdf conversion is indispensable.

If you can’t begin to imagine the possibilities that this tool allows then let me help you.

1. Eliminate your file storage room(s).
2. Eliminate the mess on your desk.
3. Find documents instantly.
4. Notify your clients immediately of case events.
5. Slash your mailing expenses.
6. Make discovery searchable. Make any paper document searchable.
7. Get rid of your copier?
8. Cut your paper costs.
9. Significantly reduce typing.
10. Clean out your basement.

Comes with full version of Adobe Acrobat Professional 9. Available for the Mac as well.

Do you absolutely have to have the latest news and information on the Family and Medical Leave Act? Or how about on Title VII jury verdicts? Or maybe on Judge Taylor? Or maybe even monitor yourself for newsworthiness?

You can do that and more with Google Alerts.

Here’s an example of a google alert alerting me about the latest on FMLA law delivered right to my mailbox. It’s that easy.