With Mr. Hart’s permission, here is the text of his post, with minor editing:

Let me explain how I use Macs and give you my thoughts about the Hardware and Software from Apple.

I am an active litigator using Macs (plaintiff’s work, complex trials across the country). I switched from PCs a couple of years ago because I was tired of the virus, spam and other similar problems. I am mostly paperless and I keep tons of files on my computer and on associated drives. I have set up networks and been the “computer guy” at a few firms. I have run Exchange Server and still use it on a web-hosted server.

For Hardware, I believe Apple is producing the right products for attorneys. I have purchased 3 MacBooks for my kids in college (one insisted on continuing with her PC), a used G4 for my son, a MacBook for my wife, 4 iMacs for office and home office use.

I bought a 15″ MBP in 2006 for my daily computer. It travels w/ me 100,000+ miles a year and is on in front of me 10-14 hours a day. One hard drive failed (I had a back up) and a few dents and scrapes have occurred. AppleCare replaced the hard drive and fixed some of the dents. It is an outstanding laptop.

I haven’t seen the need for a Mac Pro in a law setting unless someone is doing A LOT of video editing or to use as a server in a large office. I’d probably buy one if I could convince myself there is a need but my iMacs seem to be doing fine so far.

Hardware Suggestion #1:
Allow larger upgrades to RAM and Hard Drives in laptops. I have maxed out the RAM on my 2.33 MHz MBP at 3 GB and I would like to have 4 or 6 GB.

I ran out of room quickly with my 160 GB hard drive and an easier replacement path would be appreciated. I am not afraid to open the case do it myself but replacing a hard drive is not exactly “Plug and Play”. Even if larger drives are not available when the laptops are originally sold, they will be available later so please make the upgrade path easier.

As to software, I am gradually moving to Apple programs because I like their design, for the most part. In my day-to-day use, I most frequently use (in approximate order of frequency): E-mail, Calendar, Browser, Word Processor, PDF manager, To Do list, Presentation Software, photo editing, Spread Sheets, Deposition Transcript viewer, FTP client, iTunes and iChat.

I love CoverFlow and QuickView in Leopard. They are worth the upgrade alone for me.

Software Request # 1:
Keep producing these types of innovations. For example, make CoverFlow and QuickView usable in any product for searching and viewing, e.g., do a Spotlight search of e-mails, and QuickView the results. [Editor’s Note: The new Leopard Edition of HoudahSpot appears to provide a Quickview of search results.]

Software Request # 2.
I use Entourage because it combines and synchs E-Mail, Calendaring, To Do lists and basic case management (plus it works with my Exchange Server). I would like to get away from Entourage. I believe Apple could accomplish most of these by creating a shell that integrates iCal and Mail and connects to an Exchange Server.

Software Request # 3.
Keep juicing up Pages for Word Processing. I like its approach to Outlining, which I use a lot in trial prep. I find that I still need to go to Word for merging and other more complex tasks. Pages could be upgraded to do merging, envelopes, etc.

Software Request # 4.
Produce a sophisticated PDF manager that is not as bloated as Adobe Pro. I use version 8.0 and it sucks my MBP’s resources.

I use Camino rather than Safari but they are pretty similar in capabilities. I used FireFox extensively in my PC days but I tend to stick to Camino now.

For me, Keynote is the signature Apple product for lawyers. Keynote has replaced PowerPoint for me and I use it extensively. I love the results I get and the relative ease of use, especially the drag and drop video insertions. Keep improving Keynote while preserving the ease of use.

Software Request # 5:
Make a good photo editor part of iLife or iWork. I find iPhoto geared to basic photo collecting and it seems to have little editing capabilities. I need to crop, copy, delete. I need to be able to access many different photo formats. I need to preview photos from my Finder without first importing them into iPhoto (I don’t like the way iPhoto stores the photos, I prefer them in folders viewable in Finder). I use ImageWell for most things and PhotoShop when I need to.

Software Request #6:
Give software developers inducements to make Apple-compatible software. American Express encourages users to send them the names and addresses of companies that do not accept Amex so they can twist their arm with inducements; Apple could do the same with software developers. I need to read PTX files (deposition transcripts) because it is the de facto standard in my practice. It is not an Apple issue (unless Apple can entice RealLegal to make their Viewer Tiger and Leopard compatible). I use CrossOver to view files with the Windows viewer.

The basic FTP in Leopard and its components is weak; it should be beefed up.

Getting away from legal issues, iTunes works great but it could get away from a proprietary format. IChat works for me.

Hope you can find something helpful from the description of how one lawyer uses his Apple products and how he wishes he could use them.

Tom Hart

Thomas H. Hart III
Attorney at Law
Law Offices of Thomas H. Hart III
A Professional Corporation
2212 Queen Cross Street
Christiansted, VI 00820
340-719-9530 (voice)
340-719-9531 (fax)
www.thhpc.com

As in May 2006, the seminar is again being hosted by Kern Lewis’s firm–Foreman, Lewis & Hutchison. Here is Kern’s announcement:

Date: Friday, February 29 at 1 pm to Saturday March 1, 2008 at 5 pm (The group will socialize Saturday night so please try to stay until Sunday morning)

Location: Embassy Suites Outdoor World At DFW Hotel - Grapevine Texas (5 minutes from DFW airport) 2401 Bass Pro Drive, Grapevine Texas 76051. The hotel adjoins the Bass Pro Outdoor World in case you want to buy a gun, tent or boat while you are here! Hotel is walking distance to the Grapevine Mills Outlet Mall.

Travel: Recommend that you fly into Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport if possible. Dallas Love field is approx twenty minutes away if you want to rent a car or pay for a cab.

Cost: $150 for the Seminar/Meals (Covers a per person charge for use of meeting rooms at hotel, refreshment breaks, Dinner Friday evening (speaker presentation during dinner), lunch Saturday (presentation during lunch), and high speed internet connection in the seminar meeting room). [I know we originally said no cost for the seminar, but based on interest it appears we have far outgrown my conference room and require seminar space from the hotel. There is still no charge for the information/seminar.]

Accommodations: Attendees are eligible for a discounted suite at the rate of $124 per night for Friday and Saturday night. Thursday night accommodations are not subject to the discounted rate and should be shopped for the lowest available rate through the hotel or outside sources such as expedia or hotels.com. Reservations can be made online or by calling 972-724-2600 and asking for the MacLaw rate. Accommodations include a breakfast buffet and a cocktail reception. In-room internet is an additional charge. The Hotel has a complementary airport shuttle.

DEADLINE: The discount rate for hotel rooms will remain available until Midnight February 8th. After that date rate may increase based on availability. The hotel may sell out of guestrooms at any time.

I am requesting that the $150 seminar fee be sent to my office by February 8 so we can adjust the seminar facilities to larger space if needed. Please send a check to Foreman, Lewis & Hutchison 611 S Main, Ste 700 Grapevine, Texas 76051 or call 817-336-5533 and ask for Kristy to pay by credit card.

Seminar Topics:

The seminar is directed to the use of Macintosh computers in a trial-focused litigation practice. Some of the topics will be applicable to general law office use of Macs. A favorite portion of the seminar last year was an open discussion / sharing of specific practice based problems and solutions. The seminar should be a wonderful tool for both advanced users and those new to or considering a conversion to a Mac-based practice. The use of all programs will be demonstrated in a step-by-step form - bring your MacBook and work along with the speaker - Topics will include:

The Electronic Trial Notebook / File Organization - Circus Ponies Notebook. [Jason Adams - creator of Circus Ponies is planning to attend! - Worth the trip by itself!]

Adobe Acrobat the less paper practice (there is no such thing as paperless) , scanning, pdf files, bookmarks and annotations, etc.

TrialSmart and DepoSmart - trial presentation of exhibits and depositions [John Callis creator of TrialSmart and DepoSmart will present.]

Recording your own video depositions in Quicktime, iMovie and iDVD and presenting video at trial.

Keynote/Powerpoint presentations - use bulletpoints to bore your jury at your own risk; use anchor images to help tell your story.

Case Management using Daylite and alternatives -

Technical Tips every litigator should know: internet via cellphone; wireless networking with co-counsel; portable printers and scanners; projectors, image and video file conversions, dealing with a windows-based court staff, and lots of other things to make you look like a techno-nerd.

Continuing Legal Education Credits: the seminar received approval for CLE credit last year from the State Bar of Texas (with reciprocity available in other states per their rules). Similar accreditation will be applied for this year.

WILL THE SEMINAR BE VIDEOTAPED? I don¹t know yet. Even if it is, the CDs would not be available for a while so don’t take the chance. COME!

ANY QUESTIONS?? Reply to Lewis at seeyouincourt.com or call me at 817-336-5533.

The First of the First Principles
The core software programs are integrated.
Integration means that (1) there should be as little duplication of data entry as possible and (2) there should be a seamless means of accessing that data across programs. If we enter a client’s name, address, telephone number, social security number, etc. in our case management software, that data (or some subset of it) should be accessible to our e-mail program, our word processor and our billing and trust accounting programs. And if we send or receive facsimiles and e-mail, they should be easily associated with the proper client or contact. Integration reduces data entry errors and speeds the flow of work.

The Second First Principle
Case management software facilitates integration.
That means that the most important program on your computer is your case management program. Case management software manages contacts, cases, calendars, documents, e-mail and faxes. It handles the merging of client and contact data with all kinds of documents as well as the transfer of data to billing and trust account programs. It does these things seamlessly and without requiring eight keystrokes to get a particular task done. It has the flexibility to store large amounts of unique data on a particular client or case, through the use of customizable fields.

Good case management software facilitates integration. Bad case management software makes you want to throw your computer out the window.

The Third First Principle
The data stored in your case management program is easily merged into letters, pleadings and briefs.
Lawyers produce tons of documents. An efficient law office merges client, case and contact data into all kinds of word processing documents. Merging is the sine qua non of a good case management program. Without the ability to merge data into sophisticated documents, law firms can still function . . . in the same way that a 737 can fly with one engine out. But it’s not the ideal.

The Fourth First Principle
The software you use needs to look good and work intuitively.
One of the most attractive features of the Mac is that its features are attractive. If you ever get a chance to browse Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, you’ll find out why. In about 900 pages, it covers the philosophy and psychology of computer use from an Apple perspective. It’s a fascinating read. (Not that I’ve read it–I just gave it a really thorough skimming.)

The point is, there are good reasons why the Mac interface is clean, uncluttered and bright. A cheerful interface means a cheerful staff. Form (if supported with good substance under the hood) can drive better function. And that has all kinds of positive implications for your practice. Apple understands that. So Apple encourages independent developers to design products following its human interface guidelines.

The Fifth First Principle
When you hit a key or click a button, stuff happens.
The software and the OS on which it runs should produce fast, reliable responses to user input. Poorly designed software is a big drag on productivity. If your case management program, like Marley’s ghost, is bound by a ponderous coil of chain, your staff will not be happy. On our network, for example, it is not uncommon to wait 7-15 seconds to go from one client record to another client record in TimeMatters. (Could this have been one of the catalysts that led me to buy a Mac? Hmmm.) Anyway, after trying everything we could think of and consulting with the experts, we simply live with it. Well-designed software runs fast and reliably over a network.

The Sixth and Final First Principle
All all relevant data is easily accessible and all reports are easily generated.
It doesn’t do us much good getting data into a program when we have to struggle to retrieve it. Good case management software makes it easy to get data in and get data out, in lots of different forms, including merged documents, reports and syncs with PDAs.

So that’s a set of First Principles by which to judge a law office setup. I’m sure there are additional Principles and maybe a few corollaries or caveats I haven’t thought about. If I think about them, I’ll revise the list. For now, this should give me enough to (1) judge my existing setup and (2) determine if the Mac will make it better. So in the next post, I’ll spend some time comparing the Ideal law office to my own Reality.