The Google News service just turned 10. I know, it seems like a baby, and compared to the Globe and Mail, or the Edmonton Journal, or the Guardian, it is. But, as the post on Google’s blog points out “It’s undeniable that the online news landscape has changed immensely. ”

In the last ten years, Google News has grown to 72 editions in 30 languages, and now draws from more than 50,000 news sources. The technology also powers Google’s news search. Together, they connect 1 billion unique users a week to news content.

I use Google News mostly from …

It is difficult to see trends or patterns when you are presented with a table full of rows and columns of numbers. A graph – like a picture – can be worth a thousand words when it comes to visually representing data, but creating a graph takes time.
Sparklines come to the rescue. They are a new feature in Microsoft Excel 2010.
Sparklines 101
A sparkline is nothing more than a tiny graph in a worksheet cell. With a few clicks, sparklines enable you to easily and almost instantly create visual representations of data in rows or columns of a …

Adopt dual monitors to increase satisfaction in moving to a paperless office system.

Today’s Tip is about looking at the original source of something. I had two good reminders of why this is important just this week.

1. Lancaster House Online databases are now call First Response

Somehow, in just linking to the database from the various (very well written) publications that we subscribe to, I missed the news that Lancaster House launched a new website and rebranded their online search tool. My fault entirely for not going to the source of the information to see how it was presented.

2. Law21

Jordan Furlong’s excellent Law21 blog has a nwe look and feel. Thankfully, Jordan

…

The staff and lawyers in most law offices use a fraction of the functions and features in the programs on their computers. This is because most law firms don’t follow through on the one critical step necessary for people to learn and do more with the technology on their desk: formal training.
But, while not a replacement for training, cheat sheets or quick reference guide that list features, settings and keyboard shortcuts can help people do more. These guides typically cost $10-15.
However, the people at Custom Guide Online Learning have more than 100 quick reference guides available for free …

If you have to go to court, you want to make sure that you are being the most effective advocate possible. There are many ways to persuade the trier of fact – but you can shine by bringing a picture (or graphics) which, as they say, are worth a thousand words. So think about how you can make your next case sparkle (and hopefully win the battle) by bringing persuasive technology with you to court, to a mediation or to your next arbitration.

What can you use? Here is a selection of alternatives:

• Use (PC or Mac), Keynote (Mac) or

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I was reminded to look at public consultations by Gilbert Van Nes, General Counsel and Settlement Officer for the Environmental Appeals Board in Alberta some time ago when we both had an opportunity to present at a Legal Education Society of Alberta seminar. Alberta has a public consultations portal on the government website, which is a handy, and probably under used, research space. The portal includes completed consultations as well – highly useful.

The Government of Canada also offers a Consulting with Canadians portal.

Is there a public consultations portal on your provincial government website?…

As we all know too well, the basic Windows clipboard holds only one item. This can be a pain when you have multiple items to copy and paste. Some people resort to installing third-party apps for greater clipboard functionality. However, if you have Office 2010 installed on your computer, remember to use the Office Clipboard. It can hold up to 24 items at a time – amazing!
Unfortunately, you need to dig a bit for the Office clipboard. Click on the Home tab. On the lower left edge of the Ribbon you will see a “Clipboard” in a light grey …

In manufacturing, there is a metric known as “Cost of Goods Sold”.  When it comes to legal services, the equivalent metric would be the “Cost of Services Rendered” (CoSR).

Do you know what it costs you to render an hour’s worth of legal services?

This metric looks at what you expect an hour’s worth of each lawyer’s legal time to cost your firm, on average.  For a solo lawyer, it is straightforward – the total forecast expenses for the firm (including the lawyer’s draws) divided by his or her billable time expectation.

For example, if a lawyer expects that his …

Today’s Tip is not about noting up cases and legislation found in the footnotes of a text, encyclopedia or journal article, though from the title, it could be. It is about using social tools to find and use the best sources and products that will help with legal work.

The Attorney At Work blog offers an excellent article today on the top iPhone and iPad Apps for Lawyers. This list is a great example of using references to assist in decision making. The post offers 10 apps and there is a longer downloadable list available with an email registration. …