There is an App for That Friday (Coronavirus/COVID-19 Edition): Use your Computer and Printer to Print your USPS Postage at Home.

Although many of us are sheltering in place due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19, it does mean that business stops.  Phone calls and e-mails are easy to make from home.  But we still have to mail documents through the United States Post Office.  Instead of going to the post office, you can print your postage from your computer!

Websites like USPS, Stamps.com*, and Pitney Bowes allow you to print stamps on individual blank stamps (which will enable you to vary the value of each stamp), to print stamps and addresses on envelopes and to print postage including Priority Mail and Express Mail directly on mailing labels.  This will help limit the number of times you need to go to the post office (and possibly expose yourself).  You can print your differing postage values on prepaid stamps, on envelopes directly, and labels for packages.

I have been using Stamps.com for over ten years.  I can tell you that printing postage from your office will save you time in dealing with the post office, give a sharp, professional look to your mailings and make it a snap when you have to get a receipt for Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and Certified and Return Receipt Mail at your post office postage on prepaid stamps.

Extra Tip:  You can print FedEx and UPS labels off your computer from their respective websites.  Stamps.com allows you to incorporate your UPS account into its service and Pitney Bowes does the same for FedEx.

Embedding Web Browser links into your Word documents with only Several Key Strokes!

With today’s technology, embedding a web browser link (or, more popularly, “hyperlinking”) is a necessary skill. It may sound tedious to the unfamiliar drafter, but hyperlinking is a process that doesn’t have to take longer than 30 seconds. 

What is hyperlinking? The best way is to demonstrate. If you click here, you will be redirected to the Federal Register. Or, check out Congress’s archive of public laws. As you can see, hyperlinking attaches a link to whatever words you choose in your document.

This makes it convenient for the reader, e.g., the judge who is reading your brief. The reader can easily see what you are referencing by merely clicking on the link. 

The link will then open a browser (security settings may require your permission to do this) and show the reader what you referenced through the hyperlink!

You can hyperlink any word or phrase using the following commands these quick steps:

1. Open the webpage you want to attach in your document.

2. Highlight the link to the webpage [Ctrl+L: Highlight the link in your web browser].

3. Copy the link [Ctrl+C: Copy the link in your web browser].

4. Open your Microsoft Word document.

5. Highlight the word or phrase you would like to attach the link to.

6. Summon the hyperlink function [Ctrl+K]. 

7. Paste the link into the box [Ctrl+V].

8. Click Enter.

VOILA! YOU HAVE NOW SUCCESSFULLY EMBEDDED A HYPERLINK INTO YOUR DOCUMENT!

Finally, always check to make sure your link works. If you plan to produce your final document in another format, such as a PDF, be sure to check the link when you save it in that format. 

A few final tips: Don’t go crazy with the hyperlinking. Hyperlinking is useful and convenient when directing the reader to a source that is otherwise inconvenient, hard or time-consuming to find. That doesn’t mean you should hyperlink search engines like Google, social media sites like Facebook, etc., unless you are linking something specific. Additionally, be aware that if your link is password-protected, i.e., you had to sign in to access it, the webpage may not be accessible to others who click on your hyperlink. 

See below for a visual demonstration.

Step 1: Open the webpage you want to attach to your document.

Steps 2 & 3: Highlight the link to the webpage [Ctrl+L], and copy [Ctrl+C]the link.

Steps 4 & 5: Open your Microsoft Word document, and with your cursor highlight the word or phrase you would like to attach the link to.

Step 6: Summon the hyperlink function [Ctrl+K].

Step 7: Paste the link into the box [Ctrl+V].

Step 8: Click Enter and Voila, you have embedded a hyperlink into your word document!

Coronavirus/COVID-19: How to clean your Laptop?

More and more people are working from home due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 Issue. Judges, attorneys, and others in the legal profession who are not used to routinely working from HOME are understandably concerned about using their work tools free of contamination. Let’s not all panic, not accidentally break our laptops, and remember to use items best suited for your electronics.

Always good to wash your hand!

Coronavirus/COVID-19 or not!

Microfiber cloths are probably the best material to use to wipe down your laptop (especially your screen!).

You can slightly dampen your cloth with 

• Tap water,

• Iodized water (a better pH balanced form of water that is less acidic. It is also alcohol-free. This may make it a better cleaner that just pure tap water); or

• Liquid soap and water to wipe down your laptop and screen. 

• Remember, if your cloth is "dripping", you have too much water in the cloth!

Apple (and as it appears other laptop manufactures) are moving away from not using certain alcohol cleaners on their devices. Apple released the following statement:

"Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces."

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172

Meanwhile, be careful about using compressed air. Blowing air into a laptop may remove some particles. Still, it may also blow them into your laptop and into the circuit board. That could lead to a broken laptop.

Stay safe, stay home if you are exposed, and stay productive!

There is an App for that Friday: Take your National Sports, Local and National News and Local Radio Stations with you Anywhere.

I know there are a lot of sport’s fans, news’ junkies (like myself), and those who prefer to listen to their favorite local radio station or type of music but may not be able to do so while on the road.  TuneIn Radio App scratches that itch. There a lot of sport’s channels to choose from - including league stations and some ESPN channels. Plenty of news’ channels, including CNN, Fox News Talk, and MSNBC and podcasts of your favorite evening news shows! The list of local stations is limited, but it does offer a variety of genres of music.  Given everything I listen to, the free app is perfect!

I think for most users, you will find the free app just fine. The Premium service removes a lot of their commercials and gives access to more sport’s status. Download the app for free on your Google Android or iTunes enabled device and start listening anywhere you have an internet connection. It’s the perfect companion at home, work, or on travels!

Enjoy! 

BOLO - If you are using Luna VPN, Adblock Focus or Mobile Data, you may be putting your data at risk!

I was disturbed to read in Buzzfeed that some VPNs and ad blockers are harvesting our data. Recall, VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Recall last April, I had blogged about the importance of using a VPN when using public Wi-Fi, e.g., a court’s public Wi-Fi, Starbucks, an airport, etc. A reputable VPN will help ensure prying eyes are unable to see into our internet activity or gain access to our computer. This should never come at a cost to the user’s information. Ad blockers are used to prevent “ads” from popping up when we surf on the internet through our web browser.

The company Sensor Tower has made several VPN applications for the iPhone and Android operating systems. But their apps may be doing more than just providing a VPN: “Once installed, Sensor Tower’s apps prompt users to install a root certificate, a small file that lets its issuer access all traffic and data passing through a phone. The company told BuzzFeed News it only collects anonymized usage and analytics data, which is integrated into its products. Sensor Tower’s app intelligence platform is used by developers, venture capitalists, publishers, and others to track the popularity, usage trends, and revenue of apps.” But when you give access like this, you are putting your information and maybe your clients’ confidential information “at significant risk” of exposure to others.

I’d stay away from this developer’s programs. 

And remember, just because it may be “free” does not mean it may come without a price later - a bar complaint for exposing confidential client information!

Let’s be safe out there!

First Day Thoughts at ABA Techshow 2020

I'm attending my second ABA Techshow this year!

Its great being around people interested in better-utilizing technology in their practice. On my first day, I attended several sessions on some core concepts using pdfs, automating workflows, and better marketing online. 

These sessions have been perfect for the new and moderate tech users. As a more advanced computer user, I would have appreciated a more granular (step-by-step) approach. But, I can confidently say that from each session, I have learned at least one new thing that will individually enhance my practice. I have a feeling that regardless of your technology skills are you can learn something - perhaps at ABA Techshow 2021!

FTC Refunds for Scam Tech Support

Some sites are not what they say they are - do a deeper dive!

Lawyers would like to think they are all savvy enough not to fall for a scam - the Nigerian lottery?  But, we know people who have fallen for it.  Some who have paid for the Click4Support scheme and other similar unnecessary and unofficial “tech support” may be able to get a (partial?) refund from the FTC!

Remember, thoroughly vet the source of any ad you click online.  Read the source URL carefully - misspellings in company names are a common trick scammers use.  If you or someone you know has fallen pray to such a thief, run your anti-virus, check your back ups and see if the FTC can help you!

Let’s be careful out there!

The only way to clean your mobile devices…

Don’t over think cleaning your cell phones and tablets!

Katie Corner, over at C-Net, wrote an article about how to clean the screens of your mobile devices. It pretty much comes down to the simple task of only using a micro-fiber cloth. “Maybe,” you might slightly dampen the fabric. But, you never use an industrial cleaner, e.g., Windex, as it may erode the “anti-fingerprint” coating or other special coatings that puts the extra shine on your smartphone or tablet.

Also, be wary of sticking things or even blowing air into the ports and openings (speakers & power ports) of your mobile device. You may end up pushing gunk into the devices instead of removing it.

There are devices out there that will irradiate germs on your devices. I have no opinion on these devices themselves. But, they don’t kill viruses.

I think, in the end, the best way to keep your devices clean to wash your hands regularly!