effective use of technology and communication tools in the legal services world david bonebrake,...
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Effective Use of Effective Use of Technology and Technology and Communication Tools in Communication Tools in the Legal Services Worldthe Legal Services World
David Bonebrake, J.D.October 02, 2008
Who We AreWho We AreLSNTAP provides technology
support to the poverty law community through trainings, direct support, and development coordination
Circuit riding support to statewide legal aid websites
For TodayFor TodayOnline Project Management
SystemsWikisLaw BlogsRSSSocial Networking Sites
Online Project Management Online Project Management ToolsTools
Online Project Online Project ManagementManagementAllows you to organize all aspects
of your project using an online system, including deadlines, drafts, communications and more
Supplements other applications you already use. Many project management tools integrate with other programs, including email
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Why use a PM Tool? Why use a PM Tool? Many poverty law staffers are involved withmore than casework:
◦ Courts on self-help initiatives◦ Working with social service agencies on
outreach projects◦ Working with other offices on hotline
development◦ Sitting on various state task forces◦ Working on staff or website committees◦ Attending statewide or regional conferences◦ Implementing some new procedure or
technology...and more.
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Project Management Tools Project Management Tools LSNTAP Case Study
◦Basecamp
Other Project Management Solutions ◦Microsoft SharePoint◦Central Desktop ◦Google Sites
LSNTAP’s ExperienceLSNTAP’s ExperienceFully virtual organization with
employees spread across the USWork on several large projects
that require collaborationManage grants with substantial
reporting requirementsWork closely with partners –
vendors, consultants, and legal aid offices
Basecamp Basecamp
Project Pages Project Pages
Project MilestonesProject Milestones
Add To-Do ListAdd To-Do List
File SharingFile Sharing
Collaborate Outside Your Collaborate Outside Your Organization Organization
Microsoft SharePoint Microsoft SharePoint Server Server Document sharing Can create wikis and other
intranet sites Integrates with Microsoft Project
and rest of Office Suite; MS Project handles time tracking and project supervision functions
Software and licenses available on TechSoup
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Central DesktopCentral DesktopTool similar to BasecampAllows users to “check out” a
documenthttp://www.centraldesktop.com/Pricing similar to Basecamp
Google SitesGoogle SitesWiki-intranetProject management Traditional web contentDemos:
http://www.google.com/sites/overview.html
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WIKISWIKIS
Introduction: What is a Introduction: What is a Wiki? Wiki? A website Is easily edited by multiple usersProvides a logical and highly
navigable platform for storing and retrieving information
A cost-effective, paper-free tool
Wikis as Tool for Sharing Wikis as Tool for Sharing Community Knowledge Community Knowledge Massachusetts Post Foreclosure
WikiGeorgia Legal Services Program
Food Stamp Fraud Advocacy Wiki Michigan Reentry Law Wiki
http://reentry.mplp.org/reentry/index.php/Main_Page
FEMA Answers Wiki http://femaanswers.org/index.php/Main_Page
Elder Law https://mwiki.mplp.org/erc/index.php/Main_Page
Options for WikisOptions for WikisVisit http://www.wikimatrix.org/You can pay for hosting or host it on
your own server depending on the software
Which way should you go? Depends on:◦ Technical expertise and available technical
support ◦ Privacy controls your program needs
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Popular Wiki OptionsPopular Wiki Options
Proprietary ◦Wikispaces
$5/mo for unlimited users/pages and 2 GB file storage
◦PB Wiki Price negotiable;, depends on number of
users typically 20% nonprofit discount
Free For Nonprofits ◦Google Sites
Free and Open Source◦MediaWiki 22
LAW BLOGS LAW BLOGS (“BLAWGS”) AND (“BLAWGS”) AND RSSRSS
ABA Journal Blawg ABA Journal Blawg DirectoryDirectory
WHAT IS RSS?WHAT IS RSS?
What is RSS?What is RSS?RSS stands for
Really Simple Syndication
RSS allows websites to syndicate content to other websites and other applications such RSS feed readers, and web browsers
Traditional Web BrowsingTraditional Web Browsing
Web Browsing NowWeb Browsing Now
Different Uses of RSS Different Uses of RSS Stay updated on your fieldImmerse yourself in a new areaMonitor what others are saying
about your organization
RSS ReadersRSS ReadersWeb Based Readers
◦ Google Reader◦ Bloglines◦ iGoogle◦ MyYahoo
Software Based RSS Readers◦ Feed Demon◦ Net News Wire◦ FeedReader
RSS-supporting Web Browsers◦ Internet Explorer 7◦ Firefox
Subscribing to RSS FeedsSubscribing to RSS FeedsLook for the RSS logo:Both Google Reader & MyYahoo
have built-in feed searches
SOCIAL NETWORKING SOCIAL NETWORKING SITESSITES
Social NetworkingSocial NetworkingWebsites and Legal AidWebsites and Legal AidWith the growth of social networking
websites more organizations are considering whether to have a presence in those networks.◦More than half (55%) of all online
American youths ages 12-17 use* online social networking sites, according to a new national survey of teenagers conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/198/report_display.asp
◦20% of online adults have profiles.
Should Your Organization Should Your Organization UseUseSocial Networking Sites?Social Networking Sites?
◦Nonprofits have had mixed results using social networking sites for fundraising and outreach.
◦Tech Soup: http://www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/internet/page7935.cfm
◦A presence on online social networks may be useful depending on what your organization is trying to accomplish.
◦When a social networking presence might not work: Your target audiences aren't using social
networking tools You don't have time to experiment with
something that might not work.
LinkedinLinkedin
Questions or Comments? Questions or Comments? Thanks for attending! Contact information: David [email protected]