Aug 31 2007
Here is a great video on the wonderful features of MS Paint.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxx2KcPWWZg&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Egoogle%2Ecom%2Freader%2Fview%2F[/youtube]
Hat tip to Good Experience Blog for pointing this out.
Aug 31 2007
Aug 30 2007
The 3rd Annual ISBA Solo and Small Firm Conference starts next week on September 6. For the last two years, this conference was really good. I expect this year’s conference to be just as good.
The conference has three tracks of programming: 21st Century Law, Effective & Ethical Practice, and Substantive Law. This is a great opportunity to pick up some information (and MCLE credit) at a very reasonable price.
I hope to see you there.
Aug 30 2007
Welcome to Todd Flaming who has started the cleverly titled Todd Flaming’s Blog. Todd’s technology articles in the Illinois State Bar Association’s Bar News were some of my first sources of legal technology information. It’s great to see him join the blogosphere (although, according to one of his earlier posts, Todd may have been blogging before anyone else).
Aug 30 2007
This is part four of a four-part series on formating a Microsoft Word Document. In part 1 of this series, we tackled the problem of keeping Word from automatically formatting our numbered paragraphs. In part 2, we created a style that we can now build from to create numbered paragraphs. In part 3, we created a style for automatic paragraph numbering. As I noted before, I am using Word 2003. These tips may or may not work with other versions.
In this part of the series, we will use the two styles we created to create the substantive part of a pleading. Begin by opening Word and creating a new document. We will pretend that we already have a caption at the top (I will address, in a later post, easy ways to create captions by using tables).
You can just start typing without worrying about formating at this time. Below the break, I have included some language that you can simply cut and paste into your document.
You now have no reason not to use automatic numbering when creating pleadings.
Continue Reading »
Aug 29 2007
This is the third part in a series on formating a Microsoft Word document. In part 1 of this series, we tackled the problem of keeping Word from automatically formatting our numbered paragraphs. In part 2, we created a style that we can now build from to create numbered paragraphs. As I noted before, I am using Word 2003. These tips may or may not work with other versions.
To create a style using numbered paragraphs, we will build upon the style we created in part 2, our Normal Paragraph.
These next set of instructions may seem like they are complicated. However, if you just follow along step by step, you will do fine.
You now have a style that allows you to create numbered paragraphs. Just as with the style yesterday, you can apply the style simply by clicking within the paragraph and selecting Pleading Paragraph.
In part 4 of the series, we will use a combination of the styles we have created to draft part of a pleading.
Aug 28 2007
In part 1 of this series, we tackled the problem of keeping Word from automatically formatting our numbered paragraphs. In this installment, we create a style that we can build from to create numbered paragraphs.
Step one of using styles is to have them accessible. If you know how to modify your toolbar, do so to include style on your active toolbar. If you are not sure how to modify your toolbar, just enable the Formating toolbar. It has the style selection on it.
You enable the Formatting toolbar by right clicking on your toolbar and choosing formatting. The style section is the drop down box that currently reads “Normal.”
By default, Word documents format paragraphs using the Normal style. This really does not work for most legal writing. Thus, I create a style I use for my documents that reflects the characteristics that I like. This includes formatting options such as full justification and double spacing.
You can modify the Normal style if you wish to do so. I do not recommend it however. Most of the other built-in styles are based upon it.
Before we create our numbered paragraph style, let’s first create our normal style.
You now have a style named Normal Paragraph. To apply this style, simply click anywhere within a paragraph and select the style name. That paragraph will automatically be formatted as you set forth.
Tomorrow in part 3 of this series, we will use the Normal Paragraph to create a numbered paragraph for our pleadings.
Aug 27 2007
All too often I receive a pleading from someone that has numbered paragraphs that have all of the text indented. I am pretty sure that the person creating the document does not really want it this way. However, is the default manner in which Word formats numbered paragraphs.
Don’t let Microsoft hold your documents hostage. Seize control and format the documents the way that you want.
The first thing that you should do is Open Word then select Tools > AutoCorrect Options. Select the Tab labeled AutoFormat As You Type. That tab has three sections to it: Replace as you type, Apply as you type, and Automatically as you type. Select or deselect whatever features you want in the first section (Replace as you type) according to your personal preferences.
In the other two sections (Apply as you type and Automatically as you type) make sure that none of the boxes have check marks in them. Then select the tab titled AutoFormat. In the Apply section, make sure that there is no check mark beside Built-in Heading styles, List styles, or Automatic Bulleted Lists. After doing so, click OK.
Making sure that the above items are deselected, should keep Word from automatically formating your numbered paragraphs.
Now that we have dispensed with Word trying to screw things up, we now have to make it possible for you to create numbered paragraphs. We do that by using styles. Don’t panic. Styles are not difficult to master. We will do that in part 2 of this series.
Please note that for this series I am using Word 2003. Other versions may or may not work in the same manner.
Aug 24 2007
I think I have seen just about every episode of this show (given that it runs all of the time, this is not a particularly remarkable feat). The Cranking Widgets Blog has shared with us the Law & Order Drinking Game.
My two favorites from the list:
If you are a Law & Order fan, you will likely the find the entire list quite entertaining. I was disappointed only by the fact that there were no entries for the police portion of the show.
Aug 24 2007
How many of us have had cases that are just a little to similar to this?
