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May 2010
Improve Productivity with Multiple Monitors
Affinity University Classes in May
Events in May
Microsoft Word 2007 Tip of the Month - Protect Your Documents
Internet Tip of the Month - Choose the Right Browser
Amicus Accounting Tip of the Month - Give a Courtesy Discount
Amicus Attorney 2010 Upgrade Discounts
This Month's Promotions
Lexis Nexis Practice Management Conference
Green Corner - How Much Power Does Your Computer Use?
Current Versions of Law Office Software
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This month's feature article gives you the "what, why, and how" of using multiple computer monitors in your law practice.  We start with a description of multiple monitor setups, then quickly move on to the reasons for doubling or tripling your display count.  Next, we show you how to implement multi-monitors at your office.  Finally, we suggest an alternative for those who don't want the added expense, complexity, or who simply lack the space for a dual or triple monitor arrangement.

This month's Green Corner directs you to a study on energy usage of different types of computers and peripherals common in most law offices.  Also noted is an inexpensive portable electric meter that lets you determine exactly how much juice your devices are drinking, and how much it is costing you. 

We also bring you our regular newsletter features this month.  Included are software tips for MS Word, Amicus Accounting, and the Internet.  Don't miss our announcement of huge Amicus Attorney upgrade discounts and a free pdfDocs webinar.  You will also find our complete Affinity University Schedule and other events for May.  We conclude with a comprehensive listing of the Current Versions of law office software we support.
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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.
Multiple MonitorsImproving Productivity With Multiple Monitors
No, it won't double your productivity, but it will make working with your office or home computer faster and easier.  This month's feature article will examine the why and how of adding a second (or third) monitor to your computer.  This upgrade works equally well for your support staff, many of whom multitask all day long and benefit greatly from the extra screen space.   

Read this month's feature article.
Affinity University Logo Affinity University
Classes in May
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.  View all of this month's classes here.

This month only:  Enroll in any Affinity University PCLaw training class offered in May and receive 40% off the cost of the class.  Use the promo code cv8yq2 when you register.  This offer expires May 31, 2010.

5/11 - Microsoft Outlook - Contacts, Calendars and Tasks
5/12 - Microsoft Outlook - Email Management
5/13 - Dragon NaturallySpeaking Basics
5/18 - PCLaw - Time, Fees and Costs
5/18 - PCLaw - Trust Accounting
5/18 - Worldox Basics
5/19 - Worldox Productivity
5/19 - Microsoft Excel for the Law Office
5/20 - PCLaw - Front Office
5/20 - PCLaw - Advanced Billing
5/20 - Microsoft Word for the Law Office
5/21 -
Microsoft Word - Introduction to Styles
Events in May
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.

5/07
Paul J. Unger presents Legal Technology Tips, Tricks, Gadgets & Web Sites, Featuring OSBA's Casemaker, Ohio State Bar Association Convention and Annual Meeting, Dayton, OH

5/07: Barron K. Henley presents Paper Reduction & Electronic File Management, West Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting, Greenbrier, White Sulfur Springs, WV

5/7:  Barron K. Henley presents Champagne Technology on a Beer Budget, West Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting, Greenbrier, White Sulfur Springs, WV

5/18:  Free Webinar - pdfDocs for Worldox:  Easier, Faster and More Efficient 

5/27: Barron K. Henley presents Do It Yourself Document Assembly with HotDocs, Michigan ICLE, Plymouth, MI

5/27: Barron K. Henley presents Advanced Microsoft Word 2007:  Templates, Styles & Macros, Michigan ICLE, Plymouth, MI
MS Word Tip MS Word Tip of the Month - Protect Your Documents
Sending an unprotected Word document to a client or opposing counsel can be unwise.  In our continuing focus on Microsoft Word, this month we show you how to protect documents you distribute to clients, co-counsel, or opposing counsel for review, editing, and comment. 

Read the MS Word Tip of the Month.
Internet TipInternet Tip of the Month - Choosing the Right Browser and Extensions
Choosing the right browser for the web is very important to your productivity. There are several choices and the right one can really boost your navigational speed and depending on the right browser with the right add-ons can automate many of the things you do during the day when it comes to the web.  Let us help you choose the right web browser and then configure it with extensions to boost productivity.

Read the Internet Tip of the Month.
Amicus Accounting Amicus Accounting Tip of the Month -
Give a Courtesy Discount
Capturing and billing for all of our time is a worthy goal.  Yet there will be times we want to give a courtesy discount to a client.  This month's Amicus Accounting 2010 tip will demonstrate how to give a courtesy discount on a bill.

Read the Amicus Accounting 2010 Tip of the Month.
Amicus Attorney Amicus Attorney Upgrade Discounts
After June 30, 2010, Gavel & Gown Software will no longer support  Amicus Attorney 7 (launched March 2006) and Amicus Small Firm (launched August 2006).  In conjunction with this change, Amicus 7 and Small Firm users will receive substantial discounts to upgrade to Amicus Attorney 10 during May 2010:
  • 30% off Amicus 2010 upgrade licenses
  • 40% off Amicus 2010 upgrade licenses with the purchase of an Annual Technical Support Plan
  • 50% off Amicus 2010 upgrade licenses with the purchase of an Amicus Maintenance Plan
Gavel & Gown is also offering a competitive upgrade discount during May 2010 for Time Matters users interesting in switching to Amicus Attorney 10:
  • 50% off Amicus 2010 licenses
  • Gavel & Gown will convert Time Matters data for $995 (extra charges may apply if unusual services are needed)
Both of these promotions expire May 31, 2010.  Contact your Affinity Consulting Group office for details.
This Month's Promotions
DocsCorp - Until June 30, receive an "end of fiscal year" discount on pdfDocs licenses.  The savings are substantial.  Contact your Affinity Consulting Group partner company for details.  Remember to register for the free pdfDocs for Worldox webinar.  The webinar will be hosted by Bill Lipner of of DocsCorp.  Read Bill's blog on the use of PDF documents in law practice.

Affinity University/PCLaw - Enroll in any Affinity University PCLaw training class and receive 40% off the cost of the class.  Use the promo code cv8yq2.  This offer expires May 31, 2010.
PMC LexisNexis� 2010 Practice Management Annual Client Conference - Sept. 15 & 16
Discover innovative new applications. Get cost- and time-cutting tips and techniques. And find out how you can use them to transform your practice. This conference offers a wide range of training and best practice presentations for any skill level.  This year's conference takes place at the Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.  Recent purchasers of LexisNexis software qualify for a special reduced registration fee of $250 (vs. the $495 standard rate). Use PROMO CODE NEWIN10 to receive your discount.

Visit the registration site.
Green Corner:  How Much Power Does Your Computer Use?Kill a Watt Meter
Energy is not getting any cheaper.  Many of us carefully review fuel economy ratings before buying a new vehicle.  We also look closely at efficiency ratings of major appliances before making a purchase.  But few of us take energy usage into account when buying a computer.  For an interesting comparison of energy used by different types of computer and peripherals, visit the Pays to Live Green web site. 

We rarely know how much electricity our tech gear consumes.  Now there is an inexpensive gadget that can tell you how much electricity is used by any device.  Insert a Kill A Watt meter between your device and the wall outlet.  The meter will display consumption by the kilowatt-hour, same as your local utility.  Kill A Watt meters are widely available on the Web and locally for $20 and up, depending on features.

Current Versions Current Versions of Law Office Software
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.