Videoconferencing: Do I need an external webcam? Probably not!

Videoconferencing has become essential given the COVID-19 pandemic.  It has allowed us to remain in contact as a society.  Moreover, it is becoming a necessary utility for lawyers.  We use videoconferencing programs (listed below) to conduct meetings, depositions, and hearings.  With this accelerated use, businesses, including lawyers, are finding that videoconferencing is a more economically efficient means of conducting work.  Simply put, it saves money, time, and effort to travel, whether it be in town or long-distance.  But, the question remains, do I need an external webcam?  Probably not.

I have a Logitech Webcam that I had purchased over 15 years ago - it works great - even at 720 dpi ("dots per square inch" - I'll do a post on webcam resolution in a future post). But, when I purchased it, videocamming from our electronic devices was still not a "thing."  As social media pushed forward, so did the desire to communicate via video and with it, accessibility to video from our personal electronic devices.

Webcams are provided internally in almost all of our laptops, tablets, and smartphones.  For the most part, they work quite well (and in some cases better than my old webcam and even the video cam built into my iMac).  And in all of those devices, which I find it unlikely that any attorney does not have at least one of the three listed, videocasting programs can be downloaded and utilized with ease.

Granted, most desktop computers do not have a webcam built in, although some external monitors do have them embedded.  But if you have a laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a cam, why waste the money for an external webcam.  Unless you are getting into video casting or are appearing on the news for interviews, you simply don't need a fancy, expensive webcam.  Meanwhile, you won't have to worry about draining your computer's resources while camming.

A LIST OF POPULAR VIDEOCASTING PLATFORMS FOR BUSINESSES FOR YOUR REFERENCE

• Adobe Connect

• Cisco WebEx Meetings

• Google Hangouts Meet

• GoToMeeting

• join.me

• Microsoft Teams

• Skype

• Zoom

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! 

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!

iPads still not the Laptop Killer ... yet ...

In recent years, I think many attorneys have been hoping to have the iPad replace their laptops. Laptops can be heavy and burden to lug around. iPads tend to be a bit lighter and bring more joy (at least to me and many who I speak with). The overall ease of use is great; but there is still one major issue - files!

Apple held its World Wide Developers Conference last Monday. It came out with its annual update to its various operating systems - MacOS and ideviceOSes (Now the iPhone/iTouch have a slightly different iOS than the iPad). Part of the announcement included an update to how files are managed on the iPads. Problem remains, searching through your folders for that one special file.

Sure, if you know where your file is then it’s not too troubling to move through your file tree. But if you have misfiled or not sure the exact name of the document, you will likely have a problem. On the computer, you can search folders, files and the contents within the files easily. But when you want to use the find function to look for just not the name but perhaps the details within the file (this is where OCRing your documents comes in handy - see my April 30, 2019, post), it’s not a simple effort. And I usually give up and get on the computer either remotely or onsite.

I’m not convinced the new update is going to adequately address the legal professionals’ concern about file management on the iPad. I can’t in good faith tell anyone that an iPad is (or will be in the near future with the release of iOS13) a laptop replacement for work.

You are better off with a laptop, either Windows or Macs. My iPad is primarily media consumption. But, I do experiment from time-to-time to see how or even if I can use it as a laptop replacement. So, for right now, the answer is “no”. As for the future, only time will tell.