For several months, I have been using the IPad during my mediations and I thought I would report the results of how it is going. I must say that the IPad has and will continue to revolutionize the way that we as mediators and lawyers work.
I have been on a quest to try and make myself completely paperless and with the IPad I have achieved that goal. The reality is that the IPad can be used in many ways and can be customized to your specific needs. Here’s how I have been using it.
Synchronization
First, I use Dropbox. Dropbox is a cloud data service that is free (up to 2 gb of storage) that allows you to synchronize data. I loaded Dropbox onto my office hard drive, my assistant’s hard drive, my Ipad, my laptop, and other computers. Then I simply drag and drop files into the Dropbox directory just as if I was moving or copying them on to any other directory. Once that is done, then I can access those same files on any computer loaded with Dropbox. If I make any changes to the file and save it back to the Dropbox folder, then the changes will be saved on all computers.
My assistant loads the briefs that I receive into my dropbox folder and I have instant access to the files. For attorneys, this could mean that you could load the entire contents of the necessary files for deposition, hearing, or meeting on to the dropbox and not have to carry those files around.
Document Viewing and Reading
I use two programs for reading, marking up, and reviewing documents. The first is Iannotate. This program allows me to read any pdf document; to mark it up; to highlight it; to make comments; to place electronic post it notes; to quickly access a specific page or annotation that I have created. It is very simple to use and easily integrates on the Ipad. I can also then email the new annotated document back to someone else or my staff should I desire to do so.
A nice feature of this program allows you to take the highlighted annotations, and create a summary of the document automatically. As a mediator, this is effective in allowing me to write notes of what the case was about in moments. This helps to refresh my memory.
Another program I use is Goodreader. This program does not allow annotations and is simply a pdf, and other document format reader. As such, it can read formats such as word documents and excel documents.
Document Generation
I like the free application of Dragon Dictation for the Ipad. This App comes for both the Iphone and the IPad. It is very simple to use and very accurate in accepting dictation. The keys to this App are to enunciate clearly and be in a quite room. I use this App for dictating my summary of the events that occurred in mediation. It is also good for dictating short emails or summaries. As an attorney, it can be used after a hearing to dictate a summary of a hearing for a notice of ruling or for a quick correspondence to the client. Out of the many times that I have demonstrated the Ipad to attorneys, this features seems to be a hit with everyone.
Note Taking
During the mediation, I use the program Notetaker HD, which allows me to write in handwriting directly onto the IPad my notes of the mediation. I then email those notes to my assistant for storage in my computer file after the mediation.
Printing
I use an application called Print N. Share. It does a pretty good job of allowing me to print wirelessly to any wifi printer or with some limited installation of software, to most other computers. This program is not perfect, but it is not bad.
With these programs in hand, you will have a very easy way to go paperless and maintain good organization of your files.
12 comments
Comments feed for this article
September 30, 2010 at 5:50 pm
Jason Dykstra
Thanks Steve! I’ve been telling my wife I need to get one…lol. The Dragon Dictation really does work great for the Iphone, and thanks for sharing some of the apps you find useful! Welcome back to the blogging world!
September 30, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Ann Begler
Steve, I’d been holding out on the IPad as I saw my friend’s HP tablet that had writing recognition and it was wonderful. However, a couple of months ago the creator of the writing recognition AP did one for IPad. So, now, with the AP, you can handwrite on the IPad and it will convert to type face. IPad, here I come.
Great blog and have missed seeing you other places on line.
September 30, 2010 at 9:24 pm
stevemehta
Ann,
what was the app that your friend tried. I can try to see if I can test it.
Jason, you will love it.
October 11, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Gabriel Lockwood
I believe the best handwriting recognition app for the iPad is called WritePad for iPad. It costs $9.99 and works quite well, especially if you read all the instructions while you experiment with the features. It’s best to set aside an hour or two to get the hang of the app if you really want to use it to its full potential. In addition to the note-taking app mentioned in this post, I would also recommend Soundnote. It allows you to simultaneously record audio of a meeting while taking notes and drawings that are linked to the audio. When you replay the recording, you will be able to jump to any part in the audio by tapping on any written word, note or drawing. Very useful for seminars, lectures, etc.
October 11, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Gabriel Lockwood
GoodReader now supports annotations and highlighting for only $1.99. It also has folders for organizing your documents, which I believe iAnnotate lacks. That said, I don’t have iAnnotate, so I can’t compare their respective ease-of-use.
October 11, 2010 at 8:34 pm
stevemehta
Gabriel,
your comments are great. I have goodreader too and just recently downloaded the annotation update. At the time that I started with the IPAD, goodreader’s drawback was the lack of annotation. I will investigate it further and report back.
Also, I have writepad also and it is good handwriting recognition — but not great. It does take a long time to train it. I have tried training for about an hour and it is still lacking. I am concerned that it may go the way of the older versions of Dragon dictation — good if it works perfectly, but too time consuming to get it to work perfectly.
Your comments have made me think about writing a post comparing the various notetaking apps. I have downloaded a great number and will start a comparison in short order. Thanks for the great thoughts.
November 19, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Gabriel Lockwood
Hey, my pleasure! I finally broke down recently and bought iAnnotate. It’s a solid app that has allowed me to be very productive with nothing but my iPad. I also recently added two new note-taking apps to my collection: Noteshelf and Notes Plus. Noteshelf is a beautiful app à la Delicious Library. It let’s you create visually pleasing notebooks in many different styles, like legal pad and composition book. It doesn’t let you type, however. I haven’t had time to play with Notes Plus yet, but it looks very complete and is on sale now for a limited time at $1.99. Let me know what you think. G.
November 19, 2010 at 10:07 pm
stevemehta
I will check them out. Thanks
Sent from my iPad by Steve Mehta. I apologize for the brevity of the message and any typos.
March 27, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Janet L. Falk
Steve,
Have you updated Note Taker HD 5.0?
Looking forward to your feedback.
Janet
March 29, 2011 at 8:42 am
stevemehta
no. I haven’t yet. I will see if I can update today after mediation. thanks for the info. I will let you know.
April 3, 2011 at 10:34 am
Janet L. Falk
Steve,
Note Taker HD 5.1 release is now available.
Looking forward to your feedback.
Janet
April 14, 2011 at 5:48 pm
stevemehta
I am looking at this program and appreciate you pointing it out to me Janet. I will blog about it soon. thanks, steve