J. A. Powell, Jr.
"Jed Move Away From There"
I am amazed at the power of the press. In the last column I mentioned the new Dictaphone system we put in. The Dictaphone salesman for Macon, Glen Grossman, got a copy and sent it to his home office. Last January, I received a call from their ad agency wanting to know if we would appear in one of their brochures. They sent a high priced photographer down here from Atlanta with more cameras than Princess Di's paparazzi. He photographed us trying to look natural with the system. For some reason, he snapped a couple of shots of Miguel and me and took about 18 rolls of Melinda, Kim and Carmella. I noticed that when he went to photograph Miguel, he did not put any film in the camera. When he finished he made us sign a model release and paid us each a whole dollar! After signing the release, I began to worry that I might appear as the "Before" shot in a health club ad. We will try to free a few moments from our busy schedules to sign autographs when the brochure is published.
Since my last column, I hired a new assistant, Carmella. I was about to purchase a new computer for her when I read that computer prices were about to drop like a stone. So I hit on the idea to give her my computer and to use my laptop at my desk as my main computer until the great price drop. At first, I was not happy with the laptop setup but after using it for the last two months, I have grown to like it. The big difference is the lack of clutter. I don't have a box with a Gordian knot of cables coming out of the back. I don't have a huge monitor dominating my desk.
I have learned to like the setup so much that I purchased a docking station for the laptop. Now when I want to take my computer with me, I flip one lever and my computer is detached from all the cables that connect it to the network, power, etc.
O.K. I know everyone is getting sick of me preaching about the Internet, but I can't help it. Everyday, I find a new use for it. For instance, did you know that the Georgia Code is on the Internet? How about the codes for nearly every other state and for the United States? Would you like to look up used car prices so that you can find out the value of your client's wrecked car? How about finding the address and phone number of a person that has moved with no forwarding address? Or would you like a map showing you how to get to Hicksville, Alabama? Would a map of Hicksville help you find your way around? How about a map showing you exactly where 123 Main Street, Hicksville, AL is located? All of this is available on the Web, and it is all for free!
I know that you're now saying: "Jay, you are right as usual but how do we possibly get connected to the Internet." Well, I am glad you asked. I have found four ways that the average law firm can access the Internet. All of them connect using an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as RediNet, Mindspring, or AOL. The four are:
• Individual Modems. Equip each of your computers with a modem and buy an account for each from an ISP. This is the simplest way to connect. The problem is that if many people in your firm need to access the Internet then this system is expensive and cumbersome.
• Install a modem sharing system. A computer is equipped with one or more modems and modem sharing software. As a user in your firm needs to access the Web, his computer contacts the modem sharing computer through your network and, using the shared modem, dials out to the Internet. You only need as many modems as the maximum number of users that will access the Web at one time. The problem with this set up is that if more users than modems try to access the Web, one or more of the users will not be able to get a modem. Also, this type of software requires more maintenance than it should. In other words, it is buggy.
• Install a dial up router. We use a device called WebRamp. This gadget is attached to our network and modems are attached to it. It dials up the ISP as needed and connects our whole network to the Internet. Our users merely start up their web browser and it automatically connects to the Web. Everyone can access the Internet at the same time. The problem is that as more people access it, the speed slows.
• Install a full time connection. This is the way to go if you have the need and the money. Install a router to your network and attach the router to a T1 line. A T1 line is a digital telephone line that is about 28 times faster than the fastest analog modem. It does not dial out to the ISP but stays connected at all times. Response time is nearly instantaneous. The down side is that it is expensive. The phone line costs several hundred dollars. The ISP will also charge several hundred dollars per month. If you have dozens of users to connect, you may want to consider this option.
Federal Courts Home Page www.uscourts.gov
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals www.ca11.uscourts.gov
Middle District Bankruptcy Court www.gamb.uscourts.gov
Georgia Bar www.gabar.org
Secretary of State Corporation Search
www.sos.state.ga.us/corporations
Car Point (Car Prices) http://carpoint.msn.com
Yahoo (Maps and People Search) www.yahoo.com
Beanie Babies Check List www.ty.com