Don't Let Your Clients Sit in Traffic
Google Maps now offers real-time traffic conditions via a Traffic text button. This button may be found in the upper right-hand corner of the map where the other buttons are located for alternating between the Map, Satellite and Hybrid views.
Here's the secret algorithm for decoding the colors:
- Green: more than 50 miles per hour
- Yellow: 25 - 50 miles per hour
- Red: less than 25 miles per hour
- Gray: no data currently available
Previously, I looked up traffic conditions at 511.org. While 511.org does provide more detailed accident information, I found the site to be slow. Do I really need to see an animated "retrieving data" image to remind me how poky the site was? Also, after Google introduced draggable maps, the click to re-center the map interface just seemed downright primitive. And, sites that adhered to that interface were telling me that they had stopped innovating.
Glad to see Google add another welcome feature to an already solid product. If you want your clients to be able to check out traffic conditions before they head out the door to your office, consider adding a link to your law firm from Google Maps. It just might save them some time.
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Federal Court Case Filings - Dockets.Justia.com
Hi Friends,
We put up a Website with the new civil case filings in the US District Courts with links into Pacer for the full docket and filing information and News, Finance, Web and Blog Internet resources. The URL is: http://dockets.justia.com
It allows you to search and track when new cases are filed by State, Court, Lawsuit Type (eg Patent Law) or Party name... or any combination. We are updating this daily (but note the courts often post the filings a day or two after they are received).
RSS FEEDS
One feature we like is the RSS feeds. You can subscribe to an RSS feed of all of the new cases for a State, Court or Lawsuit Type, or you can do a search and subscribe to an RSS feed of the search results (which you can add to your MyGoogle or MyYahoo! page). The RSS feed is nice because you can track the new cases without redoing your search everyday.
For example you could track all of the Federal Court Patent cases or all of the Federal Court cases filed against Microsoft with an RSS feed, or just those Microsoft cases that are filed in Washington State. Whatever the search criteria, you can track new cases with an RSS feed.
LINKS TO PACER, BLOG, NEWS, FINANCE & WEB INFO
Each case has an individual page with a link to the Pacer info page (you do need a subscription to access these documents at 8 cents per page - easily worth the costs for a case you care about) as well as Blog, News, Finance and Web searches on the party names. Depending on the particular case, you can often get some good background information on the parties. For example the page on Cisco Systems, Inc. v. Apple Inc. iPhone trademark dispute.
LAW FIRM MARKETING VALUE - CLIENTS/COMPANY TRACKING
The value of the database could be seen as a tracking mechanism for:
- tracking client - you may know when they get sued before they do,
- tracking companies - eg Apple, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo!
- finding new clients/cases - eg if you were a Palo Alto patent lawyer, you could track Patent cases filed in California Northern District Federal Court or all of California or the entire USA.
DAILY UPDATES
There are over 300,000 case titles since January 1, 2006, and we are updating it daily.
We are still making some user interface changes, and just added subscribe buttons for MyGoogle, MyYahoo!, Bloglines etc... yesterday, and we are going to add more functionality and editorial groupings of parties in the future. We are always looking for ideas, so if you want any additions or changes, feel free to let us know.
You can check the Justia Federal Court Filings Site out at http://dockets.justia.com/, and Happy Valentines Day.
Peace,
Tim
Peace - Tim
:: Wish You Were Here, Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd
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Polishing Your Online Portrait
Earlier this week, the New York Times reported on the use of digital photos by realtors on real estate websites:
When selling properties online, agents and Web designers say that the pictures buyers see of houses and apartments for sale are often the first — and sometimes the only — chance for a seller to make a good impression. Less-than-flattering pictures can turn buyers off and lead to lonely open houses.
The same may hold true for lawyers seeking to market their legal services online as well, as we had discussed in an earlier post. (See Say Cheese.) Make sure the photos you use on your website convey the professionalism and attention to detail that you demonstrate in your daily practice.
Clean the Clutter. To convey the spaciousness of a room for photos or open houses, realtors often tell their clients to clean up the clutter. The same holds true for photos of lawyers and law offices. If you choose not to hire a professional photographer to keep an eye on such details for you, then you will have to do it yourself. Keep a clean desk and do not include in the photo all the files, folders and boxes you keep within arm's reach.
Timing is Everything. If you are fortunate enough to have an office with windows, you are probably aware that the quality of light changes throughout the day. At sunrise and sunset, natural light exudes a warmer tone. During the middle of the day, the sunlight is stronger and harsher. Take photos at various points of the day and see if you notice any difference.
Portrait or Landscape. If you are not sure how the photos will be placed on your website, take both portraits (vertical) and landscapes (horizontal). This will give your web design team the most options when deciding which photos to use and where to place them on your law firm web site..
The Right Perspective. Experiment with different camera placements and poses. Just because the police take a headshot at eye level against a white wall, it doesn't mean you have to.
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Top Ten Questions to Ask Your Future Blog Provider
Are you thinking about launching your own blog? Maybe you came across the idea from reading or hearing about it in the media, or when you encountered another attorney's blog. Well, if you call up some blog providers, or if they call you up, here are some questions you may wish to ask them.
- Why should I pay for a blog when I can get one for free?
Blogging doesn't have to be an expensive proposition. In fact, Blogger and WordPress provide free blogs. Jottings by an Employer's Lawyer is an example of an employment law blog running on the Blogger platform. Ask what added value, features or services that your future blog provider can offer. - What blogging software will you be using to manage my blog?
Six Apart and WordPress are two highly customizable blogging solutions. The people that work on the software really focus on upgrading and improving their product. Is it possible that a blog provider has an in-house product that is more reliable, feature-rich and scalable than WordPress or Six Apart's TypePad or MovableType Publishing Platform? - How does your blogging software compare to Six Apart's TypePad or MovableType?
If your blog provider is offering an in-house blogging solution, ask them to compare the feature set against TypePad or MovableType. Maybe your blog provider has never heard of MovableType. Or, maybe they are looking up MovableType right after they read this blog post. - Does your blogging software automatically generate RSS feeds?
Although people can view your blog using their standard web browser, many prefer to subscribe to a blog's RSS feed so that they do not have to visit a blog constantly to check for updates. Instead, the blog reader will periodically check all the blogs that the user has subscribed to and notify the user whenever a blog has been updated. The practical implication is that instead of manually checking a few blogs a day, someone can subscribe to fifty or more blogs and just view those that have been updated. - Can I tag my blog posts?
Tagging means associating a blog post with one or more categories. If you are fortunate to have hundreds of posts on your blog, a reader may want to focus on posts of a particular topic. For example, tagging lets them read just the posts that discuss will contests on an estate planning blog. - Can you show me some blogs that your company has designed?
Two things to look for. Do their clients post regularly? Do they write in a style that is appealing to you? See what types of training and feedback the blog provider offers its clients. - Does anyone in your company blog?
When you ask this question, you shouldn't hear an awkward silence coming from the other end of the telephone. The response will tell you whether the provider itself has adopted blogs as a marketing and knowledge management tool or whether this is really just another product for them to sell. - Can I read a blog by one of your company's executives?
If the response to the prior question was awkward, this one may be a real conversation stopper. Blogging is all about sharing knowledge, opinions and insights with others. Some readers may be clients. Some may become clients. And, some will not. But, in the mean time, you are developing your online expertise in your particular niche and enriching the community at large. If blogging carries all the great benefits that the salesperson is telling you, why aren't the executives themselves blogging? By the way, Tim Stanley of Justia, Kevin O'Keefe of LexBlog, and Matt Mullenweg of WordPress all blog. - What blogging software do they use?
It would be pretty awkward if a blog provider uses one blogging solution for their internal blogs, but sells another solution to outsiders. The other way to ask the question is, "Do you eat your own cooking?" - How do i know if a blog is appropriate for me?
Not everone has time to blog. Not everyone possesses the writing skills to blog. Not everyone enjoys blogging. Blogging takes time. Time that you can spend working on a paying case. Time that you can spend with family and friends. If someone is selling you a blog, ask them what makes a successful blogger, and see if you meet their criteria.
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Does Your Blawg Have a Pick-Up Line?
Blogs are fascinating windows into the personalities of their authors. Some carry matter-of-fact names, such as the Antitrust & Competition Policy Blog. No big mystery what will be discussed on that blog. And, not surprisingly, many Law Professor Blogs follow that line of nomenclature.
However, other law bloggers are wittier or more adventurous. Try to guess what topics the following blawgs cover.
- Build on This
- Death and Taxes
- Discourse.net
- Engaging Conflicts
- Friable Thoughts
- How Appealing
- Legal Juice
- Meeting the Sin Laws
- Mouse Print
- Reasonable Basis
Of course, opting for a catchier blawg name has its pitfalls. People who stumble upon your law blog may not "get it." That's your chance to make or break their first impression. A short pick-up line explaining your blog will let your guest know that they are indeed at the right place. Let them know they are welcome and what matters of interest they should expect to find on your blog.
The Justia BlawgSearch is a great way to introduce your law blog to new readers. If we haven't already included your blawg, please suggest it to us.
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