tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167447672024-02-07T01:31:33.161-05:00Pragmatic Computingpragmatic (prag mat’ik) adj. Concerned with causes and effects
or with needs and results rather than with ideas or theories; practical.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-30046978543046964112009-10-21T13:20:00.001-05:002009-10-21T13:21:21.782-05:00WE HAVE MOVED!<span style="font-weight:bold;">As of October 2009, our new address is: <a href="http://pragmaticcomputing.wordpress.com/">http://pragmaticcomputing.wordpress.com/</a></span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">And visit our home page at: <a href="www.pragmaticcom.com">www.pragmaticcom.com</a>!</span>Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-50661654789536432992008-09-25T11:39:00.023-05:002008-09-25T12:46:49.871-05:00html linksEver want to post a link to a web page but don't want it to look like a bunch of code?<br />Maybe you don't understand the code in the first place. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I won't tell.</span>)<br /><br />Let's say you want to post the following link:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFLs9RI8mSA</span><br /><br />Not attractive. And, depending on where you paste it, sometimes it won't even function as a link.<br /><br />What if you could create a link that looks like this:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFLs9RI8mSA">Small is Tall</a><br /><br />And, more importantly, when someone clicked, it actually worked as a link?<br /><br />Let's keep it extremely simple. Type or copy the text below:<br /><br /><textarea name=mytextarea cols=75 rows=3><a href="page.html">Label Text</a></textarea><br /><br />Then replace <span style="font-weight: bold;">page.html</span> with the URL of the destination web page.<br /><br />Also replace <span style="font-weight: bold;">Label Text</span> with whatever text you want the reader to see instead of the actual link.<br /></span><br />In this example, the link would look like this:<br /><br /><textarea name=mytextarea cols=75 rows=3><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFLs9RI8mSA">Small is Tall</a></textarea><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /><br />That's it!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(Keep in mind, some websites, forums and blogs restrict the use of html code. For instance, <span style="font-weight:bold;">wordpress.com allows this html link code in comments</span>, but blogger only allows simple html code, like bold and italics.)</span>Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-77652834026246017642008-04-14T12:55:00.016-05:002008-04-18T15:15:24.049-05:00@randbetween(1,100)Rolling dice, flipping coins, drawing cards or straws, drawing slips of paper out of a hat. All methods to generate random results. Here's one more:<br /><br /><strong>@randbetween(<i>x</i><span style="font-style: italic;">,</span><i>y</i>)</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">To Create a Random Number</span>: In a blank cell of any spreadsheet program, type <strong>@randbetween(<i>x</i>,<i>y</i>) </strong>where <i>x</i> equals the smallest number you want to use and <i>y</i> equals the largest. In other words, typing the function <strong>@randbetween(1,100)</strong> will generate a number between 1 and 100.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqyqIL59Ix8HKYJX3yogPgrHcC_Ie_0WfMsQTF8H3cejyID2tkN-1Zzj3kFEEHaa48hiVfyXKETXb4B0YNBFtI1GF8IAxa2rxNcH94oPBlWZAiV3ao8LXJByinNjrwGvK5RcL/s1600-h/at+randbetween.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqyqIL59Ix8HKYJX3yogPgrHcC_Ie_0WfMsQTF8H3cejyID2tkN-1Zzj3kFEEHaa48hiVfyXKETXb4B0YNBFtI1GF8IAxa2rxNcH94oPBlWZAiV3ao8LXJByinNjrwGvK5RcL/s400/at+randbetween.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189249898773148882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recalculate the Number</span>: Press the "F9" key to generate a new number.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Change a Random Number to a Value</span>: Note that <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> time you make a change to <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> cell in your spreadsheet, the program recalculates <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> the formulas on the sheet. That means the random number will recalculate every time a change is made to the spreadsheet. If you want to make your random value permanent, move to the cell with your @RANDBETWEEN function and press F2 (EDIT), then F9 (CALC).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Compatibility</span>: This formula will work in Excel, Quattro Pro and Lotus 123. Have a different spreadsheet program? Give it a shot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Microsoft Purists</span>: Some of you may be thinking that Excel formulas begin with an equal sign, so the formula should be: "=randbetween(1,100)" True enough. Go ahead. But I've been using spreadsheet software for a long time (Lotus 123). We old timers know that spreadsheet formulas are "supposed" to begin with "@" and we also know that formulas beginning with an equal sign won't work in Quattro Pro and Lotus. Because Microsoft is special.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-7901312727847361092008-03-21T11:14:00.006-05:002008-04-18T19:30:06.177-05:00i can see clearly nowWhen you read text on your computer monitor, do the fonts seem . . . grainy? Do the edges of the letters appear ragged? <span style="font-style: italic;">Especially italicized text?</span><br /><br />Try this:<br />Click the "Start" button (<span style="font-style: italic;">on the task bar at the bottom left of your screen</span>).<br />Hover over "Settings" and click "Control Panel"<br />Double Click "Display"<br />Click the "Appearance" Tab (the fourth tabbed page)<br />Click "Effects . . . " (<span style="font-style: italic;">at the bottom right of the menu</span>)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Under the second check mark, labeled: </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">“Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts:” </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Click the drop down arrow and select “ClearType” instead of "Standard"</span><br /><br />Click "OK" (<span style="font-style: italic;">NOT cancel or the red "X" in the top right corner</span>)<br />Click "Apply" (<span style="font-style: italic;">at the bottom right of the menu</span>)<br /><br />beautiful!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">VISTA USERS: Clear Type is enabled by default on Windows Vista.</span><br /><br />To Find the Option:<br />Right Click Anywhere on Your Desktop (away from any icons)<br />Click "Personalize" on the menu when it appears.<br />Click "Windows Color and Appearance"<br />Click "open classic appearance properties for more color"<br />Click the "Effects" button<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Under "use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts" Click the Arrow to the Right of the Box and Select Either "standard" or "cleartype"</span><br /><br />Click OK, then OK again and then Close the personalization windowJulie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-18858279491551528502008-01-30T13:38:00.000-05:002008-01-30T13:40:23.254-05:00I can't save autotext!Do you create autotext entries or buttons in Microsoft Word 2002, 2003 or XP but can't seem to find them later? <br /><br />If you also have Adobe Acrobat Professional or Standard loaded on your computer, you're not imagining things or doing anything wrong! There's a conflict between Word and Acrobat 7.0 which prevents autotext, macros, preferences and custom setting (like buttons) from saving in MS Word. For those of you who care or understand - Word 's “normal.dot” can't save changes. <br /><br />The good news is that Adobe knows about this problem and has issued an update! For detailed info and the download link, <a href="http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=331259&sliceId=1">CLICK HERE</a> to visit the “Tech Note” in the Adobe Knowledgebase.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-11024546344299261032007-09-14T11:18:00.000-05:002007-09-14T11:20:35.683-05:00WordPerfect Auto Numbering Made Even Easier!<span style="font-family: arial;">Let's break this up into three parts, shall we?<br /><br />1. How to use a custom outline/auto paragraph numbering macro I may have written for you.<br />2. Tips for working with the WordPerfect auto numbering/outline feature.<br />3. Issues with using auto numbering when allowing MS Word users to edit your document.<br />__________<br /><br />Part 1: Using Pragmatic Macros<br /><br />To format any document with a custom auto numbering style using a WordPerfect macro written by me:<br /><br />1. Place the cursor where you want the numbering to begin or at the top of the document. (I always put it at the top of the document so it's easy to find later.)<br /><br />2. Play the macro. Depending on your preferences, I've either given you a shortcut key (ALT+O) or placed a button on your toolbar which shows a I.A.1. descending top left to bottom right of the button. So either type your shortcut key or click your button. The screen will flash a few times and insert the first number at the location of the cursor. If you don't need a number in that exact spot (like at the top of the doc), turn it off with "CTRL+H"<br /><br />3. Once the macro has been played in a document and the document has been saved, the macro never needs to be run in that document again. (Unless you accidentally delete it - another reason I place it at the top of the document instead of placing it at the first numbered paragraph).<br />__________<br /><br />Part 2: TIPS for Working with Auto Paragraph Numbering:<br /><br />1. Toggle auto numbering on and off with the keystroke shortcut "CTRL+H"<br /><br />2. To move forward one paragraph level, press "TAB" and to move back one paragraph level, press "SHIFT+TAB"<br /><br />3. When inserting a new paragraph in a document containing auto numbering, place the cursor at the END of the PREVIOUS numbered paragraph and press ENTER. Use TAB or SHIFT+TAB to change the new paragraph to the desired level.<br /><br />4. To insert a real TAB into a document when in auto paragraph mode, use "CTRL+TAB" instead of TAB.<br />__________<br /><br />Part 3: Issues with MS Word<br /><br />You may be better off using manual numbering when you know MS Word users will edit the document. A simple explanation: While auto paragraph numbering in WordPerfect is document specific (the numbering style is saved in the document), auto paragraph numbering in MS Word is desktop specific (the numbering style is saved in MS Word from desk to desk).<br /><br />A not so simple (but still not too technical) explanation: Regardless of a whether a document was created/edited in MS Word or WordPerfect, auto numbering appears to the MS Word user in the preferred style saved in that particular installation of MS Word. In other words, it changes all by itself. In my experience, there are two situations when this doesn't happen:<br /><br />First, when only one person edits a document using MS Word, this isn't a problem because the document adopts the single preferred style of that same person every time it's edited.<br /><br />Second, when MS Word custom templates and styles are created and used, this problem can be overcome, but many, many, many firms don't use custom templates and/or styles. Even when templates are used, I've never seen a firm share their template with another firm. In addition, most people wouldn't know how to attach a template even if it was given to them by another firm. So the changes continue.<br /><br />Yet another reason to use WordPerfect for lengthy, complex documents.</span>Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-49542415375167708182007-03-21T10:31:00.000-05:002007-03-21T09:47:36.044-05:00Sweeet New Corel Product for Collaboration!<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Corel WordPerfect Lightning! </span><br /><br />I'm still exploring this new software to discover everything it can do, but one of the sweetest things is this:<br /><br />It opens any PDF, Word or WordPerfect document for viewing, printing and . . . copying into a note - which can be easily <span style="font-style: italic;">edited</span> and then <span style="font-style: italic;">automatically</span> inserted into an email. <br /><br />So . . . You can create a legal document using your current word processor, and email it to your client in PDF. They open it using the (FREE) Lightning viewer, review it, copy any text they want to edit to a Lightning Note and then Lightning can automatically insert the note's contents into the body of an email! You receive the email and copy/paste the text into the original document - and you guessed it - you maintain control of the editing process!<br /><br />If clients edit their legal documents in Lightning, they can't use track changes! You can either edit the original or create a 2nd version for the creation of a redline copy using your word processor's COMPARE feature (or CompareRite or Deltaview) instead of Track Changes! (Combining Track Changes and Compare doesn't always turn out so well.) I'm still checking, but I'm thinking NO METADATA! And it's FREE. And EASY!<br /><br />I downloaded the (free) beta this morning. Supposedly it will continue to be free, like Adobe Acrobat Reader.<br /><br />For more robust editing and markup, Adobe Acrobat Reader is still a better choice, but for a clean, simple editing option, this is . . . Sweeeet!<br /><br />I'll keep learning and update this post as I go!<br /><br />Want to try out the FREE beta version? Go ahead, it won't hurt. Or just learn more about Lightning here:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1171405162003">http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1171405162003</a>Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-22354234471096787372007-02-21T22:52:00.002-05:002007-07-25T13:36:22.383-05:00Converting Between WordPerfect and Word.<span style="font-weight: bold;">Want to edit a Word document using WordPerfect? </span><br />If you have the latest version of WordPerfect, just open the Word document and WordPerfect will convert it automatically, no matter what version of MS Word was used to save it.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote>Don't have the latest version of WordPerfect (WP13 aka WPx3)? Then you need "The Know How." Keep reading (or scroll down to skip the explanation and get right to it.)<br /></blockquote></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Want to edit a WordPerfect document using MS Word? </span><br />Just open the WordPerfect document in any version of MS Word. Since WordPerfect's document format has remained the same from version 6 through 13, this method should always work when opening <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> WordPerfect file in <span style="font-style: italic;">any version of MS Word.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why can't </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">any</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> version of WordPerfect open </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">any</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Word file? </span><br />Nearly every version of MS Word produces a <span style="font-style: italic;">unique</span> document format, so attempting to open a Word document in a previously released version of WordPerfect produces the message “Unknown File Format.”<br /><blockquote>(<span style="font-style: italic;">That's okay, some previously released versions of MS Word had/have trouble opening newly released MS Word file formats - without a patch.</span>)</blockquote>Each version of WordPerfect produces the <span style="font-style: italic;">same</span> document format - so MS Word has been able to read it since Word 6.0. Did WordPerfect just get it right the first time? Novell and Corel think so.<br /><br />Let me give you an example: Let's say WordPerfect 9 (WP9) is currently installed at your firm. WP9 was released a few months before Word 2000 (Word XP). Since Word XP didn’t exist when WP9 was released, WP9’s conversion utility isn’t capable of converting Word XP files.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote>(Do you need to read that again? I did.)</blockquote></span>WP10, on the other hand, <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> convert Word XP files because Word XP <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> exist when WP10 was released. The versions continued to leapfrog each other and today we have WP13 (WPx3) released just months before Word 2007. If you've been playing along, you get that WPx3 can't read Word 2007 files.<br /><blockquote>(<span style="font-style: italic;">That's okay, Word 2003 [and earlier] can't read them either - not without the<br /><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displaylang=en">Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack</a>.</span>)<br /><br /></blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't have the latest WordPerfect? Here's The Know How</span>:<br />By following the steps below, a document saved in any version of MS Word can be successfully converted to an earlier version of WordPerfect - <span style="font-style: italic;">most of the time</span>.<br /><br />1. Open the file in Word.<br /><br /><br />2. Select File, Save As from the menu.<br /><br /><br />3. At the bottom of the “Save As” dialog box, at the end of the “Save as type” line, click the drop down arrow, scroll down and select:<br /><br />“Word 6.0/95" <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do NOT select “Word 97-2002</span>.<br /><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">(Although grouped together, each version was unique.)</span> </blockquote></span><br />4. Save the document with a new name to preserve the integrity of original.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote>(NEVER manually change a file extension from .doc to .wpd! The software will do that.)</blockquote></span></span><br />5. Close the document.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote>(If warned of a possible loss of formatting, select okay. You still have the original.) </blockquote></span></span><br />6. Open the 6.0/95 version (with .doc) of the file in WordPerfect, allowing WordPerfect to convert it.<br /><br /><br />7. Revise the document as needed and when you save it, WordPerfect will remind you that it was converted and prompt you to select a format. Choose WordPerfect.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Need to Provide the WordPerfect File to Someone Using Word?</span><br />1. Work on the file as normal in WordPerfect and save it as a WordPerfect file. <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><blockquote>(No need to choose a version. WordPerfect’s file format is the same for versions 6-13)</blockquote></span></span>2. Open the WordPerfect file in MS Word, allowing MS Word to convert the document.<br /><br />Now you've got The Know How.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-42994223701366286392007-01-10T01:03:00.000-05:002007-01-28T20:26:27.342-05:00Amortization Schedules in a FLASH!Check out Quattro Pro, Corel’s spreadsheet program! And yes. Excel has amortization templates and maybe I will blog about them - but not it is not this day! (I just watched Return of the King) With Quattro, this is WAY too easy! Check it out!<br /><br />(In Quattro 9, 10, 11 and 12) From the menu, select Tools, Numeric Tools, and then Analysis Tools. The second item is Amortization Schedule. Select it and a dialog box will be displayed:<br /><br />Output Cells: This automatically fills in, so leave it & see if it works for you before you modify it.<br /><br />Interest Rate: you know what to do.<br /><br />Term: (years): yet again, you are smart - go for it.<br /><br />Original: Enter the original loan amount.<br /><br />Ending Balance: what? I’m thinking zero?<br /><br />Last Year: Enter last year you need to see.<br /><br />Choose “Finish” and in a FLASH, you see your results!<br /><br />cool beans.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-21041024471527503692006-11-14T10:06:00.000-05:002007-03-21T00:47:16.568-05:00Should your firm switch from WordPerfect to Word?Be warned, if you want a yes or no answer, you won’t find any bobble heads here. Rather than say “Yes! Switch!” and ride the gravy train through your conversion, I’m going to suggest you take a step back and objectively think this through with me.<br /><br />Let’s start with your goals. What are you trying to accomplish by converting to MS Word? What do you want/need to do that you can’t do now? Why can’t you do it? Are you having trouble with document formatting? Is it that you just don't know how to successfully convert your documents from Word to WordPerfect and back? When is the last time you had computer training? What version of WordPerfect are you currently using? Do you need to upgrade your software to WP13?<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><blockquote>(If you switched to MS Word, it wouldn't be to Word 97, Word XP or Word 2002, so why expect an outdated version of WordPerfect to work "perfectly" with the newer versions of MS Word your clients may be using?)</blockquote></span>Why does any “WordPerfect Firm” consider switching to Word? Time and time again, the reason has been the same: To allow clients to revise their documents and . . . “everybody uses Word.” If that’s your answer, I have two responses:<br /><br />1. <span style="font-style: italic;">If you regularly update your software</span>, you have always had the ability to successfully convert documents from Word to WordPerfect and back.<br /><br />Even if you have an outdated version of WordPerfect, there is a "trick" you can employ. For more information, see my post entitled "<a href="http://pragmaticcomputing.blogspot.com/2007/03/want-to-edit-word-document-using.html">Converting Between WordPerfect and Word</a>"<br /><br />2. If you currently grant your clients the right to edit their own legal documents, consider a change in methodology to eliminate the risks associated with doing so, while eliminating extra work at the same time.<br /><br />What do I mean by "a change in methodology?" Collaborate on document content instead of sharing editing rights. When I say that out loud, I’m often asked to explain the difference, so let me say it another way: Just because you collaborate on document content, doesn’t mean the document must be edited by all the collaborators. Doing so exposes you to risk.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-style: italic;">(Risks? What risks? Sharing document revision with clients and outside attorneys puts law firms at risk. To better understand the risks, read my posts entitled, "<a href="http://pragmaticcomputing.blogspot.com/2007/03/metadata-shmetadata-it-wont-happen-to.html">Metadata, Shmetadata. It won't happen to me.</a>" and "<a href="http://pragmaticcomputing.blogspot.com/2005/03/just-because-we-can-doesnt-mean-we.html">Just because we can, doesn't mean we should</a>.")</span><br /></blockquote>The following alternative should be considered:<br /><br />If you are already a "WordPerfect Firm," continue to harness the power of WordPerfect to create and edit complex legal documents. If you are a "Word Firm" continue to use Word (hopefully maximizing results with styles and templates). Incorporate the use of the latest Adobe Acrobat as outlined below. Provide documents to clients in MS Word format only when the client <span style="font-style: italic;">demands</span> editing rights.<br /><br />Offering the production of legal documents as a value added service will be much easier with new clients. Established clients will need to be convinced this upgrade in service will better protect their interests. The successful implementation of the following methodology is the best evidence.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Providing Documents to Clients</span>: Since 2004, with the release of Adobe Acrobat 7 (and now v8), the FREE Adobe Reader provides on screen commenting, markup and text edits (if they are enabled by the sender of the document). The process is VERY easy for both the sender and the reviewer. The Adobe Reader even recognizes this comment enabled document and walks the reviewer through the process. Reviewing in Adobe Acrobat Reader allows for document collaboration, but it does not allow the reviewer to actually <span style="font-style: italic;">modify</span> the original document. Revisions can then be done in house, protecting the integrity of the document content and eliminating that risk I mentioned before. For additional information, check out the link below. The "Collaboration" section in the Legal Professional White Paper is very compelling.<br /><a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/solutions/legal/"><br />http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/solutions/legal</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Receiving Documents from Clients</span>: If you decide to accept revised documents in MS Word, simply upgrade the latest version of WordPerfect (v13, also called x3). Documents received in MS Word format can easily be opened with WPx3.<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">(Use the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack to enable Word 2007 documents to be opened in previous versions of MS Word.)</blockquote>Before dismissing all this and continuing to allow clients to edit their legal documents in MS Word, an understanding of the risks mentioned above and in the Adobe White Paper is critical. After gaining a full understanding of the risks, ask yourself, "Who is ultimately responsible for the content of the document?" <span style="font-style: italic;">Who will the client say is ultimately responsible? </span>If, after considering the risks, a decision is made to continue to allow others to edit legal documents, converting them between MS Word and WordPerfect is seamless with WordPerfect x3.<br /><br />My professional recommendation is for law firms to offer clients the value added service of legal document creation and production. (Remember when we used to do that?) Take back ownership of the editing process. Provide documents to clients for review only, in PDF format. Incorporate those changes in house - with whatever word processing software your firm currently uses.<br /><br />Allowing others to edit documents for which your firm is ultimately responsible exposes you to risk. More and more, documents are being provided in PDF for review. Even the courts require documents be submitted PDF.<br /><br />So before asking the question “Should our firm switch from WordPerfect to Word?” ask the question, “Should our firm provide documents to clients in PDF for review and comment only, maintaining editing rights to guarantee the integrity of our documents and eliminate our risk?” I know it’s a long question, but you’re attorneys, you can handle it.<br /><br />Where’s that bobble head when you need it?Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-63217864044452249062006-09-18T08:15:00.000-05:002007-03-28T10:00:50.331-05:00Hey WordPerfect! Where is "Advanced Find" in the Open Menu?<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Short Answer</span>: You probably have a version of WordPerfect which doesn't include the QuickFinder. Those versions are: OEM, Home, Family Pack, Productivity Pack or any WordPerfect product that came free with your computer.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Work Arounds</span>:<br />1. Use the “Search” feature in Microsoft Windows Explorer. It is not nearly as robust as the QuickFinder, but it's a fairly good second choice.<br />2. Purchase or download free search software. Check out some cnet reviews:<br /><br /><a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3684_7-5536376-1.html">http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3684_7-5536376-1.html</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Note: these are desktop search programs and may not work to search for files on a network. </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Details, Details, Details</span>: If your Open dialog box doesn't display a "Find Now" or "Advanced Find" command button, the QuickFinder search utilitity either isn't installed or turned on. Because the default setting for QuickFinder is "On" it probably isn't installed.<br /><br />On the slight chance the feature is turned off, you can enable QuickFinder by following these steps:<br /><br />1. Launch WordPerfect<br />2. Click Tools, Settings, File<br />3. On the Document Tab, enable the option: “Use enhanced file dialogs”<br />4. Click OK<br />5. Click Close Now when you go to File, Open you should see: Find Now, Advanced, New Search.<br />If you still don't see these command buttons, the QuickFinder is not installed. At this point, there are two possibilities:<br /><br />1. You own a version of WordPerfect which comes with the QuickFinder search utility and can install it. Again, because the default settings for installation include the QuickFinder installation, this is probably not the case. However, if you own the Standard, Professional or Small Business version, you can install the QuickFinder and can find the direction for each release of WordPerfect in the knowledgebase on www.corel.com. The links sometimes change, so I hesitate to provide it here. Go to www.corel.com and click "Support" from the navigation bar along the top. Select the option to search the knowledgebase. Under "Products and Services" select "WordPerfect Office" and then, in the submenu, select your release of WordPerfect. I selected "WordPerfect X3" to get the latest information. In the "Search Text" box, I typed "OEM QuickFinder" because I suspected the OEM version was the reason my QuickFinder didn't appear. I was right.<br /><br />2. The second, and most probable possibility is that you do NOT own a version of WordPerfect which comes with the QuickFinder. As I've already mentioned, the QuickFinder search utility is NOT available in the OEM, Family Pack, WordPerfect Home Edition and Productivity Pack versions of WordPerfect®. This also includes any version of WordPerfect which were bundled with other software, or came with your computer.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-41587392272353693782006-05-18T08:24:00.000-05:002007-03-28T10:27:48.011-05:00Multi-Tasking with Alt+TabThis little gem is another one of those keystroke combinations I use EVERY day!<br /><br />If you currently click on open programs in your task bar to display them, “Alt+Tab” is a great keyboard shortcut for you! <br /><br />“Alt+Tab” is the is the more common name for Windows “Task Switcher” which is used to switch (or toggle) between open programs without using the mouse. Here are two ways you can use “Alt+Tab” to help you when working with multiple programs: <br /><br />1. Pressing and releasing the “Alt+Tab” keyboard combination will alternate between the two most recently used (and currently open) programs. <br /><br />2. Pressing and holding the “Alt” key, while continuously (and slowly) tapping the “Tab” key will display a floating menu showing all open programs. The tasks are displayed showing the most recently used programs at the front of the list. <br /><br />Each tap of the tab key will advance the selection to the next program in the menu. When the “Alt” and “Tab” keys are released, Windows will display the program selected at the time the keys were released. <br /><br />A more advanced version of this functionality, named Windows Flip, is built into Windows Vista.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-45320073260943675962006-03-28T09:55:00.000-05:002007-03-28T10:03:32.909-05:00Show Desktop [Windows+D] and Minimize All [Windows+M]Show Desktop [Windows+D] and Minimize All [Windows+M]<br /><br />What do these handy little keystrokes do? Well, if you press either one of them right now, the window you are reading right now will be minimized and . . .<br /><br />Did you minimize the screen and have to open this window again? Welcome Back!<br /><br />Maybe you stayed with me all along, mumbling, “Windows+D? What’s that?”<br /><br />Either way, I’m referring to the “Windows” key, usually located on the bottom left of your keyboard, between the “Ctrl” and “Alt” keys. It looks like a little flying window. It often appears on the bottom right of your keyboard as well.<br /><br />[Windows+M] is "Minimize All" and it minimizes all the windows which support the "Minimize" command. You can minimize a window by:<br /><br />1. Clicking the system menu of any software program (usually the program’s icon, to the left or above “File” in it’s menu) and selecting “Minimize.”<br /><br />2. Click the “Minimize” button on the right side of a program’s title bar. (It looks like an underscore and is usually the third from the right. The X is the farthest to the right. Hover the mouse over the buttons and you may see a “tool tip” indicating what each one does.)<br /><br />So, the [Windows+M] keyboard combination "Minimize All” is the same as going to each open window and clicking the Minimize button.<br /><br />Note: If a window doesn't have a Minimize button, then it is still displayed. Minimize All won’t minimize windows like dialog boxes, some Control Panel windows or an application which has an open dialog box.<br /><br />However, "Show Desktop" manages to get a few more windows out of your way than "Minimize All." Enter [Windows+D] when you want to minimize <span style="font-style: italic;">everything</span> on screen, even Control Panel and Properties dialog boxes. This shortcut leaves nothing but the desktop showing.<br /><br />There's one more difference between the two shortcuts: Like the Show Desktop icon, [Windows+D] serves as a toggle. Press it once to minimize everything, then press it again to restore everything as it was.<br /><br />Check them out! Press and hold the “Windows” key and tap the “D” key. (Don’t forget to tap it again to come back!)Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-26691843515469426062006-01-09T13:52:00.000-05:002007-01-09T02:00:59.632-05:00[TAB] [TAB] [TAB] [TAB] [TAB]Default tabs are set at half inch increments, and while most people <span style="font-style: italic;">know </span>they can change the tab settings in a document, there are countless people all over the world pressing:<br /><br />[TAB] [TAB] [TAB] [TAB] [TAB] <br /><br />to move their cursor and text to the desired spot on a page.<br /><br />please stop. Tabs are EASY! Let’s change a few, shall we?<br /><br />Before we begin, let’s review some Tab Rules:<br /><blockquote>1. Make sure your ruler is displayed (View, Ruler).<br /> Setting tabs via the menu and dialog box is WAY too much work.<br /><br />2. When you make a mistake, UNDO [CTRL+Z].<br /> Trust me. Do not waste time trying to fix a tab. UNDO and try again.<br /><br />3. Place your cursor where you want the new tab settings to take effect.<br /> See the Blogs on WordPerfect Codes to understand why.<br /></blockquote>TO REMOVE A TAB, click and drag the little triangle down and off of the ruler bar. When you see the little garbage can, lift your finger off the mouse button.<br /><br />TO SET A TAB, click the ruler bar, below the numbered line, EXACTLY where you want the tab to be set. If you make a mistake? UNDO and try again.<br /><br />TO MOVE A TAB, click on the tab you want to move and drag it to another location on the ruler bar. Beware of the garbage can, if you see it, the tab will be deleted if you lift your finger off the mouse button. If you miss clicking on the tab and accidently set another one, right next to it? UNDO and try again.<br /><br />Congratulations, you are now free from the drudgery of [TAB] [TAB] [TAB] [TAB] [TAB]Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-80201742429600772842005-09-17T17:25:00.000-05:002007-03-20T22:45:28.588-05:00Reveal Codes, Simplified.Overwhelmed when you Reveal Codes in your WordPerfect document? Sure, there are a lot of codes, but for the most part, they fall into two categories: “open” codes and “paired” codes. Let’s look at some visual characteristics and functional differences:<br /><br />“OPEN” codes appear in Reveal Codes enclosed in a rectangle. When used, they take effect at the location of the cursor and continue to the end of the document OR until they are changed. For instance: Consider an open code which designates that double spacing should begin at a certain place in the document. The text will be double spaced from the starting point (the location of the cursor when the code was changed) to the end of the document OR until a single space code is inserted. Some other examples of open codes? Font, Tab Sets, Date, Headers and Footers and Paper Size designations.<br /><br />“PAIRED” codes are just that - a pair. There’s a beginning code and an end code. My favorite description of the appearance of paired codes are “little price tags.” The beginning code has a rectangular left side and a pointed right side, while the end code shows a rectangular right side and a pointed left side. They do like little price tags. Some simple examples would be bold, italic and underline. For instance: When you reveal codes to view a bolded word, you will see a beginning code preceding the word and an end code following the word. Whatever lies <span style="font-style: italic;">between</span> the codes is <span style="font-style: italic;">controlled</span> by the codes. One important thing about paired codes - they are a pair. That means that they are inserted together and deleted <span style="font-style: italic;">together</span>. You can’t just delete one. When you do, the other disappears as well.<br /><br />Admittedly, there’s more to it than that. But it’s a strong start.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-38836155586669069002005-07-09T01:28:00.000-05:002007-01-09T01:31:35.608-05:00Keep Text Together on the Same LineEver type a date and have the year wrap to the next line? July 4,<br />2005.<br /><br />What about typing a series of numbers and spaces, only to have the text word wrap - separating the numbers and making them difficult to read at a glance?<br /><br />And what about the name of a person or company? How do you prevent a person’s middle initial from wrapping to the next line? How do you force the “Inc.” to STAY with the company name?<br /><br />Instead of pressing the space bar, try inserting a “Hard Space” by pressing <span style="font-weight: bold;">[CTRL+Spacebar]</span> to <span style="font-style: italic;">connect</span> the letters or words.<br /><br />When you reveal the codes, you will see a rectangle with the letters “HSpace” inside. A HSpace code keeps the text together. Use it anytime you need to keep words or letters together on the same line. It’s like typing a hidden character which tricks the computer into thinking two words are really one.<br /><br />But PLEASE. Don’t use it to replace tabs. If you promise not to use hard spaces instead of tabs, I promise to provide information on tabs and how to set them.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-69139930767999185292005-05-13T10:42:00.000-05:002006-09-14T10:47:17.921-05:00Is Outlook Filling In the Wrong Email Addressess?You begin typing an email address and Outlook automatically fills it in for you. <br />You think, cool. How did it know that?<br /><br />This handy feature is called AutoComplete (also referred to as the cache). <br /><br />Outlook stores the email addresses to which you've sent email before. You may have typed the address in manually or you may have used the “Reply” button to send an email. Either way, Outlook remembers. Very nice.<br /><br />Except:<br />when it remembers incorrect or invalid email addresses<br />when it fills in email addresses you don't use anymore<br />when you want to send to an alternate email address for a particular contact. <br /><br />You can't stop Outlook from saving to the cache unless you completely turn it off or max it out (1,000 entries). Luckily, turning off the cache isn't necessary if you know how to delete the unwanted entries. <br /><br /><br />1. Start a new email message and type the first few letters of the name you want to delete.<br />2. Outlook will display the list of matching entries, <br />3. Press the down arrow (no clicking!) to the entry you want to remove.<br />4. Press the Delete key on the keyboard. <br /><br />Follow the same instructions to delete all your unwanted cache entries!Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-3006685153736867162005-03-11T22:15:00.000-05:002007-03-20T22:35:32.943-05:00Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.The fastest increasing quantity on this planet is the <a href="http://www2.sims.berkeley.edu/research/projects/how-much-info-2003/">amount of information we are generating</a>. It is (and has been) expanding faster than anything else we create or can measure over the scale of decades. Information moves faster too. Sometimes instantaneously. In our struggle to keep up, we sometimes adopt new technology without considering the unintended consequences.<br /><br />So are you ready to click away from here, thinking, “What is she talking about?”<br /><br />I’m talking about the technology driven methodology we’ve adopted to create and revise legal documents. Providing clients with the ability to edit their own legal documents seemed harmless in the beginning. In the beginning, we talked to the client about every single change. We still proofed our documents, revision by revision. Some of us used boxes of red felt tip markers to check off each completed revision. We didn’t worry about the content of the documents because we always read them when they came back to us.<br /><br />Then we discovered metadata. We discovered our clients computing skills were . . . different than ours. Rather than discuss every single revision, we spent time comparing the content of the returned document with our version of it. Then we spent additional time cleaning up the format of those returned documents. When we did read an entire document, we sometimes discovered the content wasn’t “right.” If only word processing software came with a “content” checker along with a spell and grammar checker.<br /><br />Some firms have tackled the problems head on. They’ve researched and implemented proactive solutions, whether they be software purchases and upgrades, staff training, methodology changes, or a combination of the three. Good for you!<br /><br />Many firms have dismissed the risks and continue to allow clients to edit their own documents without implementing procedures to effectively and safely manage the process. Not so good for you.<br /><br />How Did This Happen? The impetus for change was that the client wanted editing rights to their own legal documents. Feeling the pressure from clients to adopt MS Word as a primary word processor, many law firms converted. Other firms adopted a “dual platform environment” whereby they continued to harness the power of WordPerfect to edit their documents and converted them to Word when sending them to clients.<br /><br />With more recent advancements in technology, the issue isn't whether your firm uses Word or WordPerfect. What matters is that you protect yourself, your client’s interests and the integrity of the documents for which you are responsible. Admittedly, you have choices as to how that can be done.<br /><br />Option 1. You can continue to allow clients to edit their own documents. But because you have no control over the document while it is out of your possession, you should strongly consider having a revision by revision dialog with them, always reading (not just proofing revisions) those documents. Purchase metadata cleaning software, train all your employees to use it correctly and mandate that each and every document be cleaned each and every time it is sent out electronically. Decide whether the time spent managing metadata is billable and if so, track it and bill it.<br /><br />Option 2. (Here she goes again.) Offer your clients the value added service of legal document production by providing documents in PDF for review. By employing the (very slick) reviewing features of Adobe Acrobat’s latest FREE reader, they mark up the document, indicating revisions, additions, deletions, and comments. They return the marked up PDF document to you and the original document is revised in house by you and/or your staff as you confirm each edit. No more cleaning up the formatting. Just edit content. Bill for legal services, not for format cleanup and metadata management.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-1126761641252653782005-01-07T10:44:00.000-05:002006-05-16T22:49:07.683-05:00I won't tell you what to do.I mentioned before that some clients like things simple. Simple is good.<br /><br />However, when clients are motivated to learn more, I work <span style="font-style:italic;">with</span> them to define solutions for their needs which are at a technological level they are comfortable with. Then I train and empower them so they can be self-sufficient.<br /><br />So, regardless of an individual's technical aptitude, I believe the best way to provide tools the user will benefit from is to watch their work process and learn about the documents they need to produce. Asking someone what they want to learn about software - when they don't know the software - is a waste of time and money. <br /><br />I ask clients what they need to accomplish, what documents they need to produce, and what materials they already have. Then I help them achieve their goals more quickly and easily, taking into account their resources, work habits and needs, not just the features of the software and/or the capabilities of the computer support personnel (or consultants).Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-7948455121338308232004-11-09T09:25:00.000-05:002007-03-20T22:50:27.749-05:00Metadata, Shmetadata. "It won't happen to me."What is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Metadata</span> and why do you care?<br /><br />Simply? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Metadata</span> is information about information. In Microsoft Word documents, it includes information about how and when a document was edited as well as the edits themselves. The edits themselves? Yes.<br /><br />As you create and revise documents, your edits (document revisions, document versions, hidden text, comments, file property and summary information, non-visible portions of embedded objects) are saved, along with information about you (your name, initials, firm name, the names of previous document authors, the name of your computer, network server name, template information).<br /><br />Why? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Metadata</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">isn</span>’t a mistake or a recently discovered computer “bug.” It’s included in Microsoft Word by design. Computer programmers work in a collaborative environment and they need to document changes to program code. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Metadata</span> allows programmers to “see” who developed the code, when those developments occurred, and how those developments are manifested in the application. Unfortunately, programmers don't practice law, so while <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Metadata</span> makes logical sense from a programmer’s view of the world, it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">doesn</span>’t work well in the rigorous, document-centric world of law firms.<br /><br />For law firms, a big reveal comes with the use of the Track Changes feature. If Track Changes are used, but not accepted, all tracked changes are saved with the document. (Switching the display view from “Final Showing Markup” to “Final” <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">isn</span>’t the same as accepting the changes.) And even if the software is used correctly, look what I found:<br /><br />Excerpt from the Microsoft Word Legal Users Guide<br />for Word 97 and Word <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">XP</span> (2000) (<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">LOTS of people are still using Word <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">XP</span></span>)<br />Microsoft's warning regarding the use of its Compare Documents Feature<br /><br />"IMPORTANT NOTE: Microsoft recommends that most law firms use a third party solution for document comparison, such as Lexis-Nexis' <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">CompareRite</span>, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Workshare's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Deltaview</span>. See the chapter on third party solutions for more information about these products. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Microsoft Word's compare documents features works on relatively simple documents that do not contain too much complex formatting. Because of the complex nature of most legal documents, Word's compare documents feature does not produce as good a result </span>as the third party products mentioned above. Microsoft is currently working to address this shortcoming, but in the meantime the third party solutions are recommended." (emphasis added)<br /><br />“As good as a result.”<br /><br />What does that mean? In my experience, it means that when you accept changes, maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. You need to proofread the document to be sure your intended changes actually appear before you send it to anyone for review. But here’s the kicker. Others who revise the document must do the same. Will they? What version of MS Word are they using?<br /><br />Follow me here:<br />A document leaves your office. It is edited by your client using the track changes feature. The client “accepts” the changes in the document. One (or more) of the changes they made to the document <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">isn</span>’t accepted and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">doesn</span>’t appear. Assuming the software performed as requested, the client <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">doesn</span>’t proofread the document before he/she sends it back to you. You get the document and run a “compare” on it. The revised language <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">wasn</span>’t there when the document left you. It <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">isn</span>’t there when you get it back. Comparing the documents will not pick this up. Who is responsible for the missing or (UN)revised language?<br /><br />Who will the client say is responsible?<br /><br />The answer? Offer the client the value added service of legal document creation and revision. Furnish the client with the document in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">PFD</span> for review. Accept all document revisions via a separate document or within the content of an email. Protect yourself, your client and the integrity of the document. Eliminate your risk.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16744767.post-1126739697159084582004-09-01T06:14:00.000-05:002007-01-08T19:15:40.441-05:00If a client doesn't need me anymore, I've done a good job.Don't get me wrong - I like my clients, but I don't need to see (or talk to) them everyday. I don't keep any secrets in an effort to make clients need me. My goal is that they maintain the software tools I've created or set up for them - all on their own. <br /><br />So, for those who prefer to keep things simple, I operate by this rule:<br /><br />"The best, most efficient, advanced methods are worth nothing if the people who are supposed to use them - don't."<br /><br />Creating technological solutions for document production which are beyond the capabilities of the user and staff requires constant computer support. Many firm's computer support staff are already overloaded taking care of their network, time and billing software, firm internet services and other highly technical and time consuming projects. My goal is to help staff and attorneys use their computers more efficiently, without the need for frequent troubleshooting.Julie Stiles Millshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08842038740260433370noreply@blogger.com0