Tips on Technology

And Who Said You Can't Take It With You?

by Richard K. Herrmann, Esquire

Of course, I am referring to your laptop. Soon you will be able to access your office or do electronic research in the New Castle County Justice Center with your laptop - wirelessly. Isn't technology wonderful?

I understand that the Administrative Office of the Courts is making arrangements to have a subscription wireless network installed in the new Courthouse within the next several weeks. This network will be for the lawyers and the public; it will be completely separate from the Court's own network for obvious security reasons.

How does this all work? The vendor will install several gizmos on each floor, which send and receive signals from subscriber's laptops. This is accomplished by means of a wireless network card provided by the vendor. Once the gizmo and the laptop recognize each other, a path is opened to the Internet; and there you are.

What will you be able to do? Just about anything if your office has remote access capability. You can send and review mail; work on documents and tap into your time and billing system. If you have your Lexis or Westlaw account number handy, you will have high-speed access to electronic research as well. Of course, you say, "that may be all very nice, but what good is the research if I can't print?" Well, the Court has thought of that. Wireless printers will also be available throughout the Courthouse to subscribers.

What other things can you do? If you learn to think outside of the box, you can do anything. If you want to arrange for a client to have instant access to a Real Time transcript during trial, this can be arranged. If you have all of your discovery imaged and available in Summation, you will have access to it. Should you want to collaborate with a colleague or expert during trial, not a problem.

How much will it cost for a subscription? That is currently being negotiated. By the time you read the next column, [unless it is dedicated to the Annual Digital Camera Review] the terms should be in place and the plans solidified so that we can discuss price as well as provide you with more information regarding the vendor.

Once the network for the Courthouse is in place, don't be surprised if you find that you can take the same laptop to the Bar Association Office during your lunch break and continue to work "wirelessly."
Of course, please don't go to extremes, and remember to practice safe computing. I want to see all laptops closed while you are driving and I want both hands on the wheel.

Happy Computing and have a Wonderful Holiday.

Return to December 2002 Table of Contents.