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April 2010
Ten "Must Do" Security and Backup Tasks
Affinity University April Classes
Events in April
Microsoft Word Tip of the Month
Tip of the Month - PowerPoint
Avoid PCLaw and Time Matters AMP Reinstatement Fees
Green Corner
Current Versions of Law Office Software
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Greetings!
Spring is officially here.  It is a time for renewal.  A time for fresh thinking.  A time to get out of old ruts and move forward.  Even our clocks have "sprung forward" with the change to Daylight Savings Time in most parts of the country.  Although it may be darker when we leave for the office each morning, we now have a decent chance of getting home after work with a little daylight left to enjoy. 

This month we will add a little daylight to the sometimes dark dilemma of securing and backing up your law office hardware and data.  Last month's look at securing your portable devices and data was just a small part of what you need to do.  Most of your investment in equipment and the bulk of your confidential data resides at your office.  Our feature article lists ten "must do" protection steps from Dan Thomas, Network Consultant at Affinity Columbus.

We also bring you our regular newsletter features this month.  Included are software tips for MS Word and PowerPoint, our Affinity University Schedule and other events, Green Corner, and Current Versions of law office software we support.
Visit the Affinity Consulting Group Law Office Technology Blog
Blog IconThe Affinity Consulting Group Law Office Technology Blog has up-to-date information on hardware, software, and tips for using technology in your practice. Click on the icon to your right to visit now.
Computer SecurityTen "Must Do" Steps to Protect Your Firm's Computers and Data
There are dozens of steps you could take to protect your law firm's computers, network, and data.  Affinity Columbus network consultant Dan Thomas lists ten of the most important things you must do to provide necessary security and backup. 

Read this month's feature article.
Affinity University Logo Affinity University
Classes in April
Affinity University is the leading source for web based training sessions for the legal community.  All of our classes are one hour, making it easy and affordable for lawyers, paralegals and support staff to take time from their day to improve their efficiency and productivity.  No software is required and sign up is simple.

This month we have classes for to help you with a wide variety of law office software:

4/06 - Amicus Accounting Basics
4/06 - Amicus Accounting Productivity
4/08 - PracticeMaster Basics
4/08 - PracticeMaster Productivity
4/13 - Microsoft Word - Introduction to Styles
4/14 - PCLaw - Front Office
4/14 - PCLaw - Advanced Billing
4/14 - Amicus Attorney Premium Edition Basics
4/14 - Amicus Attorney Premium Edition Productivity
4/15 - Time Matters Basics
4/21 - Document Automation for the Law Office - FREE WEBINAR
4/22 - Microsoft Excel for the Law Office
4/23 - Tabs3 - Billing
4/23 - Tabs3 - Reporting
4/26 - Microsoft Word for the Law Office
4/27 - Time Matters Productivity
4/29 - Amicus Attorney Small Firm Edition Basics
4/29 - Amicus Attorney Small Firm Edition Productivity
4/29 - PCLaw Template Editor

Events in April
4/01: Legal Technology & Management for Lawyers (Day 2) - New Hampshire (Paul Unger)

4/02: Help! My Outlook Inbox is Exploding! /Leveraging the Internet for Your Law Practice  - Perrysburg, OH (Paul Unger)

4/08:  Dragon NaturallySpeaking for the Legal Profession - Free Webinar

4/16: Help! My Outlook Inbox is Exploding! /Leveraging the Internet for Your Law Practice  - Akron (Paul Unger)

4/22:  Dragon NaturallySpeaking for the Legal Profession - Free Webinar

4/21-23:  Several Affinity consultants will attend two days of comprehensive educational programs at the annual Amicus Attorney Certified Consultants Conference in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

4/23: Help! My Outlook Inbox is Exploding! /Leveraging the Internet for Your Law Practice  - Cleveland (Paul Unger)

4/26-27: Leg@lIT 4.0 - Montreal, Quebec (Paul Unger)

4/29-5/1:  Affinity Tampa will be an exhibitor at the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Florida Chapter 32nd Annual Institute in Orlando. 

5/3-6:  Affinity will have a booth at the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) annual conference and exposition in Boston.  Representatives from all five Affinity offices will be in attendance.
MS Word Tip MS Word Tip of the Month
In our continuing focus on Microsoft Word, this month we demonstrate one of Word's most useful features to help you get document formatting just right - the Format Painter.

Read the MS Word Tip of the Month.
PowerPointPowerPoint Tip of the Month
This month learn how to quickly jump to a different slide within a PowerPoint presentation.

Read the PowerPoint tip of the month.
Avoid Reinstatement Fee - Renew PCLaw and Time Matters Annual Maintenance Plan (AMP) Now.
As reported in our February and March newsletters, users of the LexisNexis products PCLaw™, Time Matters® and Billing Matters ® will be required to purchase or reinstate their Annual Maintenance Plan (AMP) by May 1, 2010.  LexisNexis is waving all AMP reinstatement fees for non-AMP customers who rejoin the AMP program only through April 30th, 2010.  Starting May 1, reinstatement fees will be charged.
Green Corner:  Eco-Friendly Flash DriveEco-Friendly Flash Drive
Few gadgets come in handier than the USB flash drive.  Flash drives are great for transporting documents or files from office to home and back.  They can also be used for smaller backup jobs or filled with PC troubleshooting or recovery utilities to bring an ailing computer back to health. 

Like many tech devices, USB flash drives contain small levels of potentially toxic materials such as lead, mercury, or cadmium.  If you want to make a "green" statement with your technology, you can opt for a USB flash drive that not only omits these materials, but also decomposes more quickly once its useful life is over.  It comes packaged in recycled material to complete the eco-friendly theme.  Although priced a bit higher than traditional USB flash drives, the premium may be worth it for the environmentally conscious lawyer.   
Current Versions Current Versions
Check out our list of the current versions of important law office software we support.  Staying current is an important way to protect your data and documents.

Read the complete Current Versions list.