Soapbox – Basha Blog

Guest Feature: The Ultimate Paralegal

November 13, 2016April 1, 2016 by Rose Rowland

As we all know, paralegals are an essential component of the legal profession today. But, there is a drawback – aren’t they just a little bit too “human”.

Still in R&D but very exciting – The Paralegal of the 21st Century from Japan Industries. 21Para, as the prototype is called is more than a robot – it is a completely actualized and optimized Paralegal. Using a simple in-office procedure, a computer chip is inserted into your Paralegal’s brain. The chip will allow your Paralegals to bypass the necessity for physical computer and keyboard by becoming computers themselves.

Life is not a struggle. It’s a wiggle

October 23, 2016March 28, 2016 by Seth Rowland

Wisdom can come from anywhere if you are open to it. For me, wisdom came from a trip to the Waffle House on Airline Drive in New Orleans. We have just returned from a mini-vacation in New Orleans, with the family. Yes, we took the “family” to New Orleans … probably should have left them behind (Bourbon Street isn’t exactly kid-friendly). And so we found ourselves driving to the airport on Easter Sunday … and nothing was open but the Waffle House. And so, we found ourselves drinking french roast and downing a double hash-browns with cheese and tops, with grits and chocolate pecan waffles.

Practice Management in the Cloud and on the Desktop

November 7, 2016March 17, 2016 by Seth Rowland

It has been five years since I first started exploring cloud options for lawyers. In that time there has been much progress, but actually less than I expected. I have seen a proliferation of new products for lawyers, but found that most of them lack the maturity of the client/server desktop solutions. At the same time, I have seen a stagnation in the desktop solutions, a failure to embrace change, a failure to innovate.

I don’t intend to identify specific products, but rather to address the trends that I am seeing. The desktop solutions have mostly shifted to maintenance mode. This is reflected in their pricing models which emphasize annual maintenance and support plans. There is less emphasis on new marketing initiatives, and more on “insurance”. If you want support on your current system, keep current on your payments. This shift to annualized revenue, in my mind, is very healthy. It shifts the incentives to making sure the product is stable and dependable. It rewards incremental improvements, over splashy remakes. It keeps the company in regular contact with its client base.

Sea squirts eat their own brain; should you? [Updated]

February 29, 2016April 21, 2014 by Seth Rowland

Sea squirts are unusual creatures. In their larval phase they swim about vigorously and intelligently searching for the perfect rock to make their permanent home. Once established in its new home, the sea squirt proceeds to eat its own tail, absorb its own eyes and then swallow its brain. Fascinating creatures.

Surviving the Cold Snap

November 13, 2016January 7, 2014 by Seth Rowland

There are times when it gets REALLY cold. Today was one such day. It seems as if my office overlooking a frozen lake was like the place on left. The funny thing is that while humans don’t like the cold, computers do, so long as they are not in a moist environment. The “cool air” is far preferable to the amount of heat generated by CPU processors, graphic processors, and memory cards.

Some CHEAP Gift Ideas

May 28, 2015December 1, 2013 by Seth Rowland

For the past six months, I have been making extensive use of my JAMBOX. This little “electronic box” connects via Bluetooth to my iPad, iPhone or Android, and even my laptop, and gives room-filling, high fidelity sound. It does require periodic recharging. And setting it up for Bluetooth connection can be shaky after six months of use.

Further, at over $150 price tag on Amazon for the small version, and $250 for the larger version, it can be a large ticket item.

Ever Wondered Who BASHA Was?

May 28, 2015June 18, 2012 by Seth Rowland

If you have ever wondered who Basha was, there is a story to tell. In 1996, when I was packing up my office then at Kalkines, Arky & Bernstein LLP, and leaving for the “great unknown”, I knew I wanted to do something with “software”. I didn’t know what. And so I wanted a name that met two criteria: (1) Flexibility, and (2) Near the top of the Alphabet, but not so obvious. I also wanted something unique.

Practice Management in the Clouds; How About a Meal?

June 5, 2015June 6, 2012 by Seth Rowland

Would you believe this; someone wanted to dine in the clouds. If you really want to, there is a restaurant that caters to this. Check out Yahoo!!.

Law Firm Practice Management in the Cloud is certainly a goal. For that, there are programs like Advologix, FirmManager, ActionStep, Houdini, Clio and Rockmatter, and coming soon Amicus Cloud. If you are moving your servers to the cloud, why not move yourself and have a good meal while you are at it.

Bon Appetit!!

TotalAttorneys – Cloud Based Practice Management for $1

May 28, 2015May 16, 2012 by Seth Rowland

Total Attorneys advertised practice management in the cloud for $1/month per user. I recently came across Josh Campman’s review (Choosing Practice Management Software Part 1.5 of 2) and checked out their website (TotalAttorneys.com). I have not had a chance to review the offering, but plan to in the future. For now though, I wish to note that price-points are not what they seem.

How Stupid Companies Treat Customers

May 28, 2015May 11, 2012 by Seth Rowland

Every once in a while you come across an interesting tech article that gets to the HEART of what distinguishes successful well-run companies from their competition. Often, what is said is common sense, but put in a particularly pithy manner. In the Baseline.com article How Stupid Companies Treat Customers, Dennis McCafferty makes a few key points that are often forgotten.