Category Archives: Guest Posts

Guest Post :: 3 Great Podcasts for Attorneys Wanting to Keep up With Changes in the Field

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The following Guest Post is from Donna Reish:

Are you an attorney who is always on the go? After reading and writing all day at the office, the last thing you want to do is read updates and briefs at home! Do not fear, you can download podcasts onto your Mac computer or iPhone to save yourself from ignorance (being too blissful). The best part: you can listen to these from the comfort of your own home!

Here are the 3 best podcasts I would say are particularly useful for attorneys. I like to listen to these on my evening jog after work or even right before I go to bed. By listening to them on a regular basis, you can help you keep you with the latest updates in the legal field as well as other areas which may affect your work.

  • Law Technology Now is a podcast hosted by Monica Bay, the editor-in-chief of Law Technology News. She often interviews people involved working in the field of legal technology. She discusses a wide range of important topics such as green law programs, e-network communities, and graphics that could be used in the courtroom! With new technology issues and policy affecting a wealth of our work, I find this to be a very useful podcast!
  • Berkman Center Audio Fishbowl is a podcast hosted by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University. The podcast contains discussions with a range of policy makers and legal activists dealing with the intersections between democracy, law, and technology.
  • CPR: International Dispute Resolution is a great podcast for attorneys interested in keeping up with international law disputes. The host of the podcast is Michael McIlwrath, who serves as senior counsel for General Electric infrastructure (oil and gas). He works out of the Florence, Italy headquarters, and deals with a wealth of international legal issues.

News Podcasts are MANDATORY: Whether you are left leaning or right, you can find a podcast which keeps you updated with economic, legal, and political changes. Because policy changes often affect us, you should try to listen to at least a front page podcast or an economic podcast from a journal. Here are a few good podcasts (from both left leaning and right leaning media sources, all who claim to be impartial):

About the Author:  Donna Reish, a freelancer who blogs about best universities, contributed this guest post.  She loves to write education, career, frugal living, finance, health, parenting relating articles. She can be reached via email at donna.reish13@gmail.com.

Guest Post :: Whole Disk Encryption & OS X Lion

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With all the discussion about encryption and security, I asked Mac consultant (and MILO member), Matthew Bookspan, to write the following Guest Post, which I hope my readers enjoy and find helpful:

Whole Disk Encryption & OS X Lion

First, this is an exciting feature of OS X Lion for business users. I have opined about this feature before in a previous post. However, let’s state the facts: whole disk encryption ensures business users that their data is more secure than in previous releases of the operating system.

Second, let’s get an understanding of what whole disk encryption means for everyone. Security always sounds great, although it has lots of uncertainty. We’ll use the definition from Wikipedia:

Disk encryption uses disk encryption software or hardware to encrypt every bit of data that goes on a disk or disk volume. Disk encryption prevents unauthorized access to data storage. The term “full disk encryption” (or whole disk encryption) is often used to signify that everything on a disk is encrypted, including the programs that can encrypt bootable operating system partitions.

Setting up whole disk encryption (FileVault 2) in OS X Lion

Originally, we had planned to write a “how-to.” However, Apple has done a better job in articulating the setup steps in this knowledge base article. Further, in the Ars Technica review of OS X Lion, there is another great example of how to enable this feature.

Instead, we are going to focus on how you will use whole disk encryption in your daily tasks.

Before we articulate the usage, there is a key missing item from Apple’s article: time to setup. Yes, it takes time (a lot of it) to enable this feature within OS X Lion.

Let’s articulate the time in detail:

  • Initial setup (not migrating from FileVault v1): about 10-15mins
  • Encryption time: on a brand-new install of OS X Lion, with no additional applications installed, it took just over two hours to enable whole disk encryption on a three year old iMac. This time could decrease or increase based upon your system.

Using FileVault 2: Performance impacts

Once you have Filevault 2 enabled, you will not notice any performance changes. Whether it is real or a matter of perception, your files feel like they open just as fast. Your apps launch without any additional delay. Your backups via Time Machine work the same, etc.

Upon system boot, you will be prompted to login, as you must authenticate with your username and password, even if you previously did not enable this authentication.

Using FileVault 2: Security Benefits

By enabling whole disk encryption, you are adding a new level of security to your Mac. All of your data is now secured using XTS-AES 128 encryption. To translate from technical gobbledygook – this is pretty darn secure.

Utilizing whole disk encryption via FileVault 2 will ensure that if your computer is lost or stolen, your data will not be retrievable. For those with sensitive client data (or business data), utilizing this feature is fundamental to your business security.

Summary

We didn’t spend any time talking about migrating from FileVault v1 to v2 because that is handled in Apple’s Support article mentioned above. Nevertheless, the significant security and performance improvements provided with this whole disk encryption feature is essentially a complete win-win for business users.

If there are any gotchas – there are two:

  1. DO NOT LOSE YOUR SECURITY KEY.
  2. DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSWORD.

Sorry for the yelling, although we wanted to make sure that you received the message loud and clear. 🙂

Of course, if you want to learn more about FileVault 2/whole disk encryption and security, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Blacktip.

About the Author:  Matthew Bookspan is the Chief Shark at Blacktip IT Services, an Apple Consulting firm based in Orlando, FL. He’s written this post to to help us learn more about OS X Lion Security and has not recieved compensation for it.

(Note:  This article was updated on July 27, 2011, after it’s original publication on July 25, 2011.)

Guest Post :: Fall 2011 an Early Christmas for Apple Followers?

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Barely a day passes at the moment without something of a flurry of new Apple rumors from ‘credible’ sources and so-called industry ‘experts’ across the board, with regard to weird and wonderful launches set to take place in the not so distant future. Indeed, the sheer volume of such speculative reports alone results in the requirement to take them all with a pinch of salt transcending to a level of numb passiveness, as to believe each and every one would see a new device landing in our laps or pockets practically every day. So, a rather common approach has come to be that of ignorance – burying heads in the sand, if you will, while awaiting something factual. That being said, with a fair degree of logic and common sense, it is certainly possible to sift through what we know, or what we think we know, in order to establish exactly what seems most feasible in relation to each and every one of the currently fictitious creations.

iPhone 5

Of course, nothing is generating more buzz the world over right now than the ever-elusive iPhone 5, which has achieved staggering levels of popularity made even more impressive by that fact that it may or may not yet exist. The ‘what’ to expect in relation to the iPhone 5 has prompted some truly imaginative and optimistic guesswork which, following the habits of Apple as a whole, all seem at least modestly realistic. It doesn’t take a genius to assume that iPhone 5 will feature improved processing power, smoother user-interface, longer battery life and a whole army of bells and whistles by way of software tweaks – as such has always been the Apple way launch after launch. Instead, it hints toward NFC technology, bigger screen and improved capacity that have captured the most imagination, though again, there is as much evidence to the contrary as there is in favor.

So, all we know so far is that we don’t know anything…so when will we be finding out? The unveiling of the full-fat, full-sugar iOS 5 at the recent WWDC in San Francisco caused quite a stir, largely due to the glaring absence of any appropriate hardware to actually use the software to its full potential. One would have to assume that Apple would not produce software for a device that doesn’t exist, therefore logic would state that the iPhone 5 is indeed out there waiting to be shipped. Indeed, with iOS 5 due for official release in September, such could indeed also signal the arrival of the next iPhone.

iPhone 4S

Rumor has it that either alongside or as something of a prequel to the iPhone 5 release, an entry-level or ‘baby’ iPhone by the name of the 4S is also just around the corner. While it would be optimistic to call details even ‘sketchy’ at present, there is something of a global industry consensus that Apple has the developing markets of the world squarely within its sites. Indeed, 1.5 billion consumers equates to 1.5 billion potential new customers – which is certainly an appealing prospect for any manufacturer. In order to tap into this market, expectations about for a stripped down iPhone for around $350, which will come contract-free and sport the vast majority of the features of the iPhone 4…if to a slightly lesser extent.

An ideal accompaniment to the iPhone 5 or worthy of an independent launch in its own right? Again, all eyes are focused on September.

iPad 3…..D?

With the dust having barely settled from the somewhat questionably managed launch of iPad 2, the attention of millions the world over has already been turned to the possibility of an iPad 3 before the holiday season. Of course, there are huge questions to be asked regarding the merit of releasing a new tablet PC right on the heels of another, but if there is one thing we are beginning to learn from Apple it is to expect the unexpected. With regard to whether or not the iPad 3 would have the desired impact, talk of a screen with 400% increased resolution and perhaps 3D capabilities have whetted many a whistle to say the least. Furthermore, there really isn’t an Apple product out there that could suffer even the most remote failure to launch if timed to coincide with the holiday season…as we all know very well indeed!

iPod

What has been notably lacking from discussion throughout the entirety of 2011 so far is that of the iPod and iPod touch range. Such products seem to have been completely overshadowed by other Apple products to the point where their usual September upgrade cycle is neither expected nor particularly highly anticipated. It seems on the other hand that is their usual September spotlight is handed over to a new iPhone or iPad, the move would be a forgivable one in the eyes of most.

About the Author:  Susan Black lives in Brooklyn and is a self-confessed iPad fanatic. She’s written this guide to the latest Apple rumours on behalf of sofasandsectionals.com and has not received compensation for it.

Guest Post :: 5 Apps That Help You Save Time and Multiply Productivity

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Being a loyal Mac person since the time they were over the top expensive – I think I paid over $6,000.00 for my first Macintosh II – and there were about 2 stores in the entire Los Angeles area that offered them for sale – I’ve had some experience with some great applications and some not so great, but I’ve also been privy to the fantastic growth in the Apple Mac world.   The dazzling transformation Apple has made over the years is brilliant- especially when finding software that was previously Windows exclusive –to be superior in the Mac version, makes me jump for joy, literally.  Of course the fact that Mac’s now have the capability to interact with PC– is an occurrence that I waited years to have happen.  Hallelujah!

Word for Mac:

Shopping for a Mac program, even 15 years ago was embarrassing, and the clerks in the stores such as Staples and Office Depot – looked at you like you were speaking Greek when asking for Mac software.  I recall trying to find a decent word processing program – the choices were nil other than Apple works, and/or MacWrite, which were minimal word processing programs – Word wasn’t even available for Mac until 1995.  And when it first came out, reading between Mac and Windows was non-existent without a converter of some kind.  Not a single PC person could read my work, produced on Word.

Now, the almighty Apple has one of the best Word programs I’ve ever used.  The newest, 2011 Microsoft Office is fantastic, and it includes a killer PowerPoint presentation program that is easier to use than the previous Mac versions, by a mile – as well as Excel – and it offers so much more than the previous version, it’s fantastic.  Being a writer and author, this version has given me wings, literally.  The best part is that the docs don’t need any conversion, or separate extensions.  They can be read perfectly between Windows and Mac with no problem and I can’t tell you what a thrill that is for me.

QuarkXPress:

One of the best desk publishing programs I’ve had the opportunity to work with on my Mac is QuarkXPress – this amazing program can be compared to Adobe iDesign, but with much more muscle, and ease of use, which is typical of Mac software.

It took a bit of reading to learn how to use it, not the typical poking around I generally do because of the lack of time, or the ease of Mac- however, it saved me hundreds when publishing my own newsletter for my home town, among other things – PR sheets and even the layout for a web page I was designing.  It offers so much and even though it’s a little pricey – it will save you cash in the long run and time and energy.

RapidWeaver:

You know, I have heard conflicting opinions on this program for web design, and I realize it is simple in its design and capabilities however I loved it.  It helped me create a web page, including the ease of uploading it to the web, and becoming live within days of creation, that I have to give it thumbs up.  

It doesn’t offer a ton of design patterns, backgrounds or other ‘high-end’ web design capabilities, as other programs do, but you can get more of a selection for a little extra through Rapid Weaver – and the ease in which this program is designed to create your own website is awesome.  Even a non-technical simpleton, such as I, created a killer website.  

Things:

This is a great task management application, or at least it works great for my purposes –and for anyone who sets appointments, needs a great calendar with to-do-lists, and to store notes and other linked information.  It has the capability to sync with your iPhone and iCal, which keeps your tasks in the palm of your hand, for ease of setting appointments, and adding information from wherever you are. 

I love that it allows me to schedule things in advance, and gives a reminder when the date is coming close so you can prepare.  It’s totally powerful enough to keep track of your entire work or home life, and keep you sane because it’s easy to use.  

WinZip:

WinZip used to be exclusively Windows – however a new version came out for Mac, and since I am in college, and continually dealing with the zipped files that come from academic presentations and lessons that I need to print and study is never ending.  I really dislike having to unzip all of these files manually, find where I should put them, rename them, and sometimes even find them after down loading a few files at once – because they come in such crazy file names.  

WinZip has been a real time saver in these situations; especially when I’m cramming for a test, or just plain do not feel like dealing with all of the steps for zip files.   Not only does it unzip easily and efficiently, it gives you options for other types of compressed files, making this a one stop app for all compressed files – and allowing you to zip files as well, such as videos and photos when sending in email, or sending to colleagues or friends.  

The fact that Apple Macintosh has come up in the world, to say the least – surpassing all the others is more like it, with so many great software, and hardware options it is highly encouraging – and a confirmation that I made the right choice in the desktop computer I chose, when they were undiscovered treasures.

About the Author:  Krisca C. Te is part of the team that manages www.australiancreditcards.com.au, a blog about credit cards and personal finance based in Sydney, Australia. Before she joined ACC, she was an Associate in Deutsche Bank Group under Market and Instruments Control Services. 

Guest Post :: “Must Have” Apps & Other Tips for Working While Traveling Abroad

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When traveling abroad, busy professionals often do not have time to craft a detailed, comprehensive itinerary, and the stress induced by planning (or the failure to carefully plan) your international journey may be eclipsed by the anxiety that comes from being away from the office. Regardless of whether you are traveling abroad for business or pleasure, the following applications for your iPhone, iPod or iPad can help make your trip a more pleasurable experience

Applications to Help You Adjust to Your New Surroundings

These applications can assist the international traveler and take some of the stress out of your global excursion.

Google Maps :: If navigation is not your thing, let your Mac gadget do the work for you. With all major international regions covered on the app from Google Maps, directions to your destination are at your fingertips.

XE Currency :: Who knew that one U.S. dollar is the equivalent of 4,712 Zambian kwachas, 1.34407 Bosnian convertible markas, 1.49802 Ghanaian cedis, 3,047 Belarusian rubles, and 2.85 Turkmenistani manats? Even if the homes to these currencies are not high on your list of places to visit, this app appears to have the capacity to calculate the conversion of nearly every currency on the planet.

iTranslate :: Speak like the locals with this app that can translate words, phrases and even entire sentences in 50 languages. In addition, the newest version boasts a voice recognition component for easy use.

TravelMD :: Getting sick while abroad can be a nuisance, particularly if you are away on business. Trying to find the right physician and get prescriptions filled can be stressful when you are ill, even if you are in familiar surroundings. Add to that equation a foreign language and an unfamiliar healthcare system, and the situation could become particularly overwhelming. This app can help you locate healthcare professionals in several foreign countries, and destinations where this app is available appears to be growing.

Sutro Media :: Don’t have the attention span to read the 200+ page travel guide your friend gave you? Traveling on business and don’t have the time to thoroughly research your itinerary? If you want to bypass the long narrative common in most guide books, Sutro Media may be able to help. This is not a single application; rather, it is a company that produces numerous apps geared toward traveling. Every international destination is not represented, but the list is growing.

SitOrSquat :: Getting the urge to go when you’re in unfamiliar surroundings can be stressful, particularly if a language barrier makes asking where the nearest restroom is difficult or impossible. This app identifies the locations of public toilets across the globe. Users can add toilets to the database, and you can even review ratings of public restrooms, hence the app’s name.

APPLICATIONS TO HELP YOU STAY CONNECTED TO HOME

These apps can help globetrotting professionals stay connected back home with friends, family and the office.

iChat :: Whether you need the ability to instantly communicate with colleagues and clients while abroad, or whether you just want to be able to let that special someone know that you’re thinking about them thousands of miles away, iChat makes it simple to connect, regardless of where you are in the world.

Skype :: Skype is widely regarded as a software application that allows friends and loved ones to communicate in real time while seeing each other onscreen. However, business professionals often find that conferencing via Skype adds a much more personal touch than your average business call. Trying to make a connection with a client who is thousands of miles away can be difficult, but the intimate environment possible with your iPhone’s Skype app can help bridge the gap, even if an ocean separates you from the person on the other line.

Facebook :: Sure, the Facebook app is probably geared more toward social networking, but nowadays the lines are often blurred between social networking and professional networking. So, whether you want to post photos of the amazing sites from your international adventure, or whether you need to message a coworker on the other side of the globe, Facebook can be very handy.

Twitter :: Be the envy of your friends and colleagues back home with your tweets about your trip. Or, use your Twitter app to conduct business abroad.

Insanely Simple Country Codes for International Calling :: This app is exactly what the name implies. Get easy access to what can often be confusing country codes to help dial anywhere around the world.

The World Clock :: Use this app to help yourself remember the time difference between your current location and your family, friends and colleagues back home. That way, you can avoid annoying, middle-of-the-night phone calls and won’t expect immediate responses to emails sent at certain times of the day.

About the Author:  Ripley Daniels is an editor at Without The Stress, a passport, travel visa, and immigration advisory firm located in Los Angeles.

Guest Post :: How to Run Firefox From a USB Drive

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Firefox has quickly and rightfully become one of the most used and most loved Internet browsers in existence. Its fast speed, great customizable interface, and strong security measures make it the best option for most computer users when it comes to web browsing. 

From an attorney’s perspective (or anyone within an information-sensitive industry), the benefits of having a USB preloaded with Firefox is clear because the very nature of their business means the information they are browsing is sensitive. When using a public or shared computer such as a library or an internet cafe, one can ensure information is saved and served from their USB and not from the computer ís hard disc, and let us not forget that all of your favorite websites and credentials can be saved within your new portable version of Firefox.

Here is a simple tutorial on how to take Firefox with you anywhere, ready to use on computers that do not have it installed already:

  1. Insert a USB thumb drive into your computer :: The USB thumb drive is the key to this whole process. Without it, there would be no reason for this little tutorial. So before doing anything, take your favorite USB drive, plug it into your computer, and make sure it is properly mounted and ready to have files installed on it.
  2. Download Firefox Portable :: Firefox Portable is a USB Drive app specifically made in order to allow users to run Firefox from any USB Drive. PortableApps.com has taken all of the complexity and frustration of making Firefox mobile, and compiled the process needed into a simple installer program. The proper program can easily be found by typing in "Firefox Portable" into you favorite search engine. Download Firefox portable and you will be ready for the next step.
  3. Install Firefox Portable :: Once Firefox Portable has been downloaded, an installer file should appear where you specified. Run this program to begin installing Firefox portable. During the install, the program will ask you where you want to install the program. Choose the device name or destination code of the USB Drive you want to run Firefox on, then click OK. The program will then take the time to make the necessary changes in your USB drive in order to allow Firefox to run from it.
  4. Using Your USB Drive to Run Firefox :: Once the install is finished, you should be able to run Firefox from any computer that can detect you USB drive properly. To do this, first safely eject the USB drive from the current computer. Next, find a computer you would like to run Firefox on, and plug the USB drive into it, making sure it is mounted properly. Once connected, find your USB Drive’s root directory folder, which should show up in the My Computer area of the device it is connected to. Inside your USB drive, you should see FirefoxPortable. Just run this program and Firefox should start up as normal on any device using your USB Drive.

There you have it. If you followed these easy steps, you should now have the ability to carry Firefox around in your pocket, ready to be called to action anywhere and at any time.

About the Author:  Forte Promo specializes in promotional products for all of your business needs, look to Forte Promo for any new custom flash drives.

Guest Post :: Protect Your Data with Proper Backups

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We live in the age of computers and information technology. Almost everything these days is done with the help of a computer: writing letters, sharing pictures and documents, doing homework, filing taxes, and so much more. While using computers can certainly speed up our work, it also makes us more prone to data loss and a host of other new problems.

When all your important information is stored in only one virtual location, a computer crash can be enough to cause serious damage to your work, your finances, maybe even your entire life. Admittedly, the computers today are considerably more reliable than they were a couple of decades ago but the risk of data loss remains. This is precisely the reason you should make a habit out of backing up your computer data, especially the important ones. The good news is that there are several tools you can use to create proper backups: flash disks, DVDs, external hard drives, online storage, and so on. There really is no excuse for not having a backup of your computer data.

Do a Backup of Your Data Regularly

Most people already know that backing up data is extremely important but few realize that it has to be done not only once or twice, but frequently. This is particularly true if you use the computer a lot for work or personal reasons. Ideally, you should do a backup your most important files at the end of each day. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing your photos, articles, music, and other files in case something happens to your computer or your hard drive.

Use Online Backup Services

Consider using online backup services such as iDrive, MozyHome, Carbonite, and CrashPlan. iDrive and MozyHome have a free plan and you can store up to 5GB and 2GB of data, respectively. Carbonite and CrashPlan both offer free trials. For about $55 a year, Carbonite provides unlimited online data storage. For less than $25 a year, CrashPlan provides up to 10GB of online data storage.

Perform a Complete Hard Drive Backup

This is your best protection in case of a computer crash or disk failure. It’s not a good feeling to see all your hard work gone in just a flash. Even if you have to spend money on an extra hard drive and backup software like Acronis, make the purchase because they are worthy investments. They will make your life so much easier. The recommended frequency of doing a complete hard drive backup is once a week. However, if you are very busy (it can take hours to back up an entire hard drive), you can do it monthly. 

Frequently Save Your Work

Save your work as you go along. Have you ever experienced a power failure right in the middle of typing your term paper or an important report for work? This can be very frustrating, especially when you are almost finished when the power goes out, leaving you no choice but to start all over again. Save yourself the trouble and stress by making it a habit to click on the save button or pressing CTRL-S every now and then, perhaps at the end of each paragraph, or whenever you finish a page. Before long, clicking on the save button or pressing CTRL-S will become second nature to you and you won’t even notice that you are doing it. You can also configure your word processor to auto-save your work every minute or two.

About the Author: Rob Boirun maintains the website www.burnworld.com which is a tech site around DVD, Blu-Ray Burning and Video Converting.

Five SEO Tips for Lawyers

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The following Guest Post is from Lior Levin:

Most lawyers and law firms are aware of the need to have a website. It gives them an Internet presence and makes it easier for potential new clients to find them. Unfortunately, the vast majority of lawyers don’t quite grasp the importance of search engine optimization, or SEO, and how it can affect your site’s visibility.

Think about when you type something into a search engine. You want to see results that match your search term, so you check out the sites shown to you on that front page of the results.

How many times have you actually clicked onto the second or third page of results to find what you’re looking for? Chances are you probably ended up typing a more refined search phrase into the search engine and tried again.

Now think about where your website appears in those search engine results for your own keywords and phrases. If clients are searching for a lawyer, are they going to find your website or your competitor’s site?

Understanding Keywords
Before you rush off to a convenient search engine to check where your site appears, do you even know what keywords a visitor needs to search for in order to find you?

Most visitors won’t begin a search using your firm’s name. It’s more likely they’ll begin by searching for a specific type of lawyer in their area. For example, they might type in “estate planning lawyer in Los Angeles” or “divorce lawyer in Salt Lake City”. Or they might look for a specific service like E2 visa in our case.

If you can get your website to rank well in the search engines for terms that match your firm’s specialty and location, imagine the number of free leads you could end up with.

Start a Blog

A blog isn’t exactly the professionally designed website you’d expect to see for a lawyer or a law firm. However, it’s not intended to replace your professional business website.

Rather, it’s intended to help boost your search engine rankings. Blogs tend to rank very well on Google and blogging platforms like WordPress usually take care of most SEO work behind the scenes for you.

Your blog needs to contain content that includes and relates to the keywords you want to rank for. Each post you add to the blog should contain a link back to your firm’s business website to encourage visitors to the blog to seek more information about the firm. 

Continue reading→

Random House Finally Jumps on the Apple iBookstore Bandwagon

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The following Guest Post is from Katheryn Rivas:

We’ve all heard the cliches of the publishing industry heaving its final breaths before collapsing on a grave of paper, mail subscriptions, and these odd, now-obsolete technologies called “books.” Of course, the book will be here to stay indefinitely, if only in its reincarnated eBook form. While there have been many eBook platforms, the Kindle and the iPad being the most significant, not all publishers have embraced the new pricing models that Apple requires. Until now, that is.

Back in 2010, five of the six major book publishers Penguin, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Macmillan, and Hatchett had enthusiastically signed on to Apple’s iBookstore, using the agency model, in which publishers set the retail price instead of retailers. Traditionally, book publishers have used the wholesale model, in which publishers sell their books to retailers, who then set their own prices on their books. Using the agency model, publishers decide on book prices, and then retailers, in this case Apple, get 30 percent of the profits. Random House hesitated to join the big five, worried that its profits would drop. On the consumer side, some complain that the agency model that Apple requires can set e-book prices high, and gives no incentive for sellers to offer consumers discounts.

At the same time however, proponents of the agency model have argued that even though consumers are stuck with prices that are higher than they are used to, authors don’t end up getting the short end of the stick, effectively encouraging up-and-coming young talent. And when talent is nurtured, the consuming public gets higher-quality books. The agency model also allows retailers to make profit, which, under the wholesale ebook pricing that Amazon used but eventually abandoned, was only possible if you sold enough units.

Random House noted that with its physical books, it would keep the wholesale model. While some smaller ebook sellers have bemoaned RH’s decision, saying it will make operating at a profit very difficult now that Apple takes all the 30% cut, other small retailers lauded the decision, as evidenced by American Bookseller Association’s strong support of the agency model, saying it provides a “level playing field for all resellers.”

So what does Random House’s decision mean for us iPad users? If you’re an avid iBookstore user like I am, the final publisher of the “big 6” being added to the mix means we’ll have access to 17,000 more titles, many of which were extremely popular books like Steig Larsson’s bestselling trilogy. Before, Random House’s offerings were inconveniently available only through the iPad’s Kindle app. In my book, RH’s titles are a welcome addition to the iPad reading experience.

About the Author: This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, she regularly writes for online universities.  She can be contacted at: katherynrivas87@gmail.com.

What the iPad 2 Means for Lawyers

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If you haven’t heard yet, Apple announced the iPad 2 on March 2, 2011.  The iPad was a revolutionary product when it was first announced, and the iPad 2 continues on with some revolutionary changes of its own.  Apple’s little iPad is growing up.

There are two major upgrades that make this iPad a much more effective and useful tool for attorneys and paralegals in virtually every aspect of the legal field.

The Cameras :: The new iPad 2 has dual cameras, just like the iPhone 4. This opens up a lot of possibilities with Apple’s Face Time software. For example:

  1. Impromptu Video Conferences – Speaking with your expert witness is no longer an abstract conversation. Instead, you can see each other face to face from around the globe. You can get a feel for them as a witness and develop a rapport using more than just your voices.
  2. Tell AND Show – How many times have you tried to explain something over the phone, only to confirm by saying “See what I mean?” With dual cameras, you can communicate face to face, demonstrate complex ideas, or even use the back-facing camera and show some video of a document, diagram, or demonstrative while it is being marked up.
  3. Site Walkthroughs – How many times have you walked through the site of a loss only to leave with a few photographs? Don’t get me wrong, photographs are invaluable, but being able to take video adds temporal/spatial context to the photos. If a picture is worth 1000 words, then video is worth 30000 words… per second.

The HDMI Adapter :: Finally! HDMI monitors and projects are becoming the norm in conference rooms across the world, and now you can interface with those displays very easily. Here are some of the important changes and why they are so darn beneficial:

  1. You can charge your iPad while presenting – The new 30-pin to HDMI adapter allows for a standard 30-pin connection for power and video out via HDMI. No more worrying about your iPad’s battery dying. Turn off the sleep function and turn up the brightness!
  2. HDMI carries audio and video 
    – One connector makes all of the magic happen. Sharing multimedia presentations is easy because you just need to worry about one cable.
  3. 1080p and 720p 
    – You’re not limited to 1024×768 anymore. All of your presentations, photos, and videos get the big screen treatment so you and your audience see every little detail.
  4. Video Mirroring 
    – What you see on your iPad screen is what you get on the big screen. Apps, presentations, videos, everything.

If the success and features of the first iPad are any indication, the iPad 2 will definitely bring on some great innovation. The addition of the cameras and the HDMI adapter are huge, but this doesn’t even take into account the faster processors. But, I’m curious, how and why will the iPad 2 change your practice?

Source:  Jason Wietholter is the Technology Director at Opveon, a litigation support and consulting firm. Jason and the team at Opveon are making litigation more efficient and effective through the use of technology.