Unfortunately, most new computers come preloaded with a tons of junk software you don’t really want or need. These can be trial versions of various programs, including widely used programs, toolbars, utilities, games and other programs you have never heard of (and will probably never use).
And if you have an older computer, odds are there are programs on it that you also don’t want, need or use.
Nice to have a chance to try some of these programs out on a newer computer, but in the long run you just don’t want these extra programs on your machine. Why? …

♫ Hey Jude, don’t make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her under your skin
Then you’ll begin to make it better…♫

Lyrics and music by Lennon & McCartney.

This column was written shortly after attending a wine tasting session.  One of the themes of that session was how adding different types of grapes to a wine increases the complexities and the structure of a wine and, done right, this blending makes the wine more enjoyable and interesting. During that session (I have to admit that part of my mind was still thinking …

I don’t know about you, but I have a zillion (only a slight exaggeration) passwords.  There have been some great tips on the technology side of this blog and at Slaw.ca for using password generators and technology assisted password management.

Today’s Tip: use the same userid and password formula for both Westlaw and Quicklaw. It is not your banking information [don’t use your banking password for anything else], you aren’t going to change it frequently, and if you do change one, change both. Keep it simple

As a side, I keep a private Outlook contact with my research and social …

Most of us have lost a phone at some point, even if only temporarily at home (between the couch cushions or in another room). Always frustrating when that happens, especially if you are rushing out the door or have absolutely no clue where your phone is.
Finally (as of just yesterday) Android users now have what iPhone (Find My iPhone) and Blackberry users (Blackberry Protect) have had for years: an app that will help you find your lost phone, and wipe the data remotely if necessary.
If you lost your phone in the couch cushions or …

As coincidences go, it’s probably not such a big deal.

It turns out that both my PracticeTips partner, David Bilinsky, and I happen to be immersed in home reno projects of some note this August.

Convergence or not, I enjoy the coast to (almost) coast symmetry.

Now when it comes to home renovations, well, that’s often one of the things summer is for.  Relaxing, catching a few rays, and spending every other waking moment addressing a cacophony of questions about materials, labour, colours, patterns, high-ends and low-ends, creative decisions, intra-home negotiations, extras, costings, and the occasional legal document or two, …

Survey results are converging in my world as useful sources of information. In looking at some information for an upcoming presentation, Google informed me about some published surveys that contained excellent background information.  For an example of survey results that you might find interesting, check out Green Target’s 2012 In-House Counsel New Media Engagement Survey.

Survey data can tell you what people in groups think or believe. Survey results can be qualitative or quantitative. Survey results can help to illustrate themes. Survey data can provide a benchmark.

Survey questions can give you ideas as well. The Canadian Association of …

Take a moment to consider the many ways we use the internet and other telecommunications tools in our daily work as legal professionals. Phone calls, scheduling and calendaring, legal research, online filings, our omnipresent emails, and more generically, “Googling” for everything from court addresses to legislation to the phone number of that pizza place that feeds us on a late night deadline-driven drafting marathon.

We’ve all read articles (and perhaps even attended at conferences) focusing on security in the cloud.  We’ve all been warned about the perils of the guy who might be peering over your shoulder or …

A couple of years ago I shared a tip for putting the Rules of Court on a mobile device. A couple of days ago there was a notice about an amendment to the Alberta Rules of Court – the rules linked in the example post.

Thanks to persistent URLs, the links in my 2011 post are still relevant. Because adding content to mobile devices is usually managed by an individual, I am using Today’s Tip to remind you that legislation (including Rules – which are really regulations) changes.

Archive or delete that old copy and update the legislation on …

Jack Welch has been often quoted in terms of leadership and management for good reason.

“Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do. Because then they will act.” Jack Welch 

How many of us work in environments where instilling self-confidence in others is seen by some managers as threatening?

Management at times and in certain people’s eyes,  is seen to be equivalent to control.  Perhaps in some organizations and in some situations this is necessary.  But I think that in the vast majority of institutions, and I count law firms and other professional service …

The best legal research output comments on how to apply the law to the facts and reaches a conclusion on how the client should be advised to move forward. Today’s Tip is a reminder to read about clients in order to wrap your legal research in the context of the present day story.

Events that require intervention by lawyers do not take place in a vacuum. They are point in time, point in history, point in geography, point in life issues. Better advice is provided with context.  Where can you find this context?

• A client’s social media channels
• Industry news