A standard of one's own.

One of the more formidable obstacles you may face when switching from pens to computers is understanding that there is no "right" way to automate your law office.

Still, lawyers like standards. Following standards will make the task at hand easier. You just car a few of your friends to find out what computer equipment they are using and - voila - you have determined what the standards are. Then, you purchase your products based on that information.

But let's take a look at the real world when it comes to embarking on this quest for standards for automating a law office.

A "standard" in the context of computer technology in the law office might be defined as "computer hardware or software that is commonly used and generally accepted as the best of its kind in a given classification, as in the operating system, hardware, networking environment, and software."

Operating Systems 

Among operating systems, you have many choices. MS-DOS has been around since IBM introduced the personal computer in 1981. But now, Windows, with its point-and-click mouse that takes commands from pictures rather than words, is clearly dominant in the IBM-type computer world. However, IBM itself just came out with its latest version of OS/2 WARP, which, like Windows, has a graphical user interface (GUI). This new version has received uniformly good reviews.

But what about Apple Computer's System 7 operating system for Macintosh? And, of course, there is still our old friend Unix, getting ready to do battle with Microsoft's "NT" operating system. Which system is the best for you? The choice is not clear since there are at least as many options to pick from as operating systems.

Hardware

The choice is no easier when it comes to selecting computer hardware. Choose from IBM, Compaq, Packard Bell, Hewlett Packard, NEC, Toshiba, AST, and many other clone manufacturers - or should you use the Macintosh? And then you need to select the manufacturer of your monitor, hard-disk drive, CD-ROM reader, and modem. In each category there are many competitors.

Networking Environments

If you just want to tap away at your computer, pushing out briefs and motions from your desk to the printer, you won't need a network. But then, your office won't be fully automated either. You'll want to be able to pass" your work along to others so they can edit your documents or add whole sections of information to them.

Networks allow you to connect your computer with others in the office. Novell is the market leader, but Lantastic and Windows for Workgroups are less expensive. And one of the advantages of using the Mac hardware is that it comes "network ready" - just use the standard telephone connectors and wire to link the computers. You could stop here and see that there are no clear winners. But more choices await.

Software Programs

* Wordprocessing. Many of us grew up on Wordstar and still find it useful. WordPerfect acquired by Novell in 1994) has dominated law offices in the MS-DOS arena. Yet, for software that uses the GUI style popularized by Windows, Wordperfect is fighting a tough battle with Microsoft's word-processing program called Word and Lotus Development Corp.'s AmiPro.

Also, many fine shareware and public domain software products provide adequate, inexpensive ASCII - or universal - text that can be imported into popular commercial products. If you use the Mac, you can choose from Word, WordPerfect, and other word-processing programs created specifically for the Mac. Which one will you choose?

* Office suites. Each major software vendor - Novell, Microsoft, and Lotus Development Corp. - has wonderful "suites," or products that typically combine word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphics programs into one package.

All three vendors are working with other companies, like LEXIS/NEXIS, WESTLAW, and CapSoft, to provide even greater power and integration of products for the law office. Which suite will become the dominant product in the upcoming years and, therefore, set the standard?

* Calendaring and docketing. For sole practitioners and lawyers in small firms, nothing is more important than your calendar and schedules and your ability to track critical dates once court document preparation is completed. Here, the number of available programs is overwhelming whether you use MS-DOS, Windows, or Macintosh operating systems.

All three offer good choices. What does your crystal ball tell you about which program will become the one for you to own?

* Caseload management. In my January 1994 feature article in TRIAL, I provided the questions to ask about case-management software and listed a number of vendors. There are just as many software choices to help you with litigation support. Each product, in its own way, has value and can do the job. Which one will be the standard-setter for all the rest?

To be sure, there are other classes of software and hardware that are not considered above. Which of them is best? Ask the same question about every type of software and hardware product, and you will get the same answer: There are simply no easy answers for what the standards arc in law office technology. Now what?

You must set your own standards. Then, for the most part, put on blinders and forge ahead. Here's how to do it:

* Be realistic. Accept the fact that the world of law practice has changed forever. just as you must use a telephone, photocopier, and fax machine, so too must you use a computer If you are not already doing so, start using a computer now. If you are already doing so, broaden your horizons and know that you can do even more with the computer you have.

* Do your homework. You must invest some time and money to learn about computer technology and to catch up on what your fellow attorneys are doing in this area. Read everything you can get your hands on - and there's a lot out there. Learn how to tap into the ATLA Bulletin Board System (BBS) and ask fellow members questions about the products they are using and why Attend computer exhibitions at ATLA conventions.

Take a course in typing. Then, take a course in the computer operating system of your choice and another course in your chosen word-processing program. Once you have done this, you are on your way.

* Choose the operating system. Some like the Mac, others adore Windows, and still others like OS/2. It will be helpful to be up on current literature so you can make your own bets on the success of OS/2 and whether or not the Mac will make it for the long haul.

The important thing is to experiment with these systems so you can see which is most suited to your personality. If you have children at home or grandchildren, some of whom are likely to be deep into computers, you might ask them what system they use. Then, if you get the same system, they not only get to use it at your house, but they will also help you. learn how to use your computer. Never has a better or lower-cost consulting resource existed.

Choose the system that you believe is best for your needs, and don't look back for the next two or three years. Indeed, computers are so reasonably priced right now that no matter what the standards may be in five years or so, you will most likely be able to convert your system to whatever 'standard" exists then.

* Choose the hardware. The major brands are all winners because the components that make up the hardware are common commodities. However, some people are partial to the Mac, IBM, or other major brand names. Others go with "no-name" clones and save a few dollars. Be sure that the hardware is adequate for your needs in terms of memory, harddisk storage, and modem speed. If you choose the Mac, your search for additional equipment will be a fast one since, at this writing, only Apple Computer makes the Macintosh.

* Choose the network. Each networking environment has its benefits. For law offices of two or three people, Windows for Work Groups may be the best choice. Offices that are a bit larger may do better with the more powerful resources and flexibility of Novell. In any event, hooking your computers, printers, modems, and CD-ROMs into a network is essential in today's business world.

* Choose the software. The fact is that the three major suites - those from Novell, Miccrosoft, and Lotus - are all wonderful and very reasonably priced. You can't go wrong with any of them.

Once you select your program or suite, start learning how to use it. And keep learning, day-in and day-out, year-in and year-out. Lawyers in smaller firms will quickly adapt the great powers of these programs to their own practices. By becoming an expert on a program, you set your own standard.

* Don't stop here. If you've come this far with your office automation, don't slack off now. Consider a computer for home use so you can experiment. When it comes to computer technology in the law office, more is better. There is no end to the varied and versatile software products you will use in your practice.

Recommendations

Make educated choices within reasonable time periods, and pay your dues by investing time and money in learning and using your newly won power in your law practice. Then, keep going - don't look back.

We all hope that, eventually, standards will emerge. Perhaps they will. But don't bet on it happening right away. lawyers can and should help set the standards for our own profession. We can't, though, if we're standing on the sidelines, waiting for the emergence of the "right" way to automate our offices. You can be an important part of the process.