Have you ever visited a Web site where the page will not load into your browser, or loads only partially, then stops? This is a common problem with legal research Web sites and sites operated by local governments and courts. Not clearing your Web browser's file cache is the most common cause of this problem.

What are cache files? Cache files are temporary files which are stored on your computer by your Web browser. These files are copies of what you see in your browser when you visit a Web page.

Cache files are useful because they allow Web pages to load more quickly. Let's say your browser downloads a copy of a picture on a web page that is 500k. Depending on the speed of your Internet connection, that picture could take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes to download and display in your browser. If you later came back to that same page, your browser would have to download the same file again, even if it didn't change! By using cache files, the browser can load the file from your local computer instead of downloading the file again, which takes mere fractions of a second instead of several seconds or minutes.

Why should you periodically clear your Web browser's cache? As your visit more and more web pages, the size of your cache will continue to increase (to a certain point specified as the maximum size in your browser's settings). Sometimes the browser can have trouble loading some web pages because it is trying to load the web page from cache files, and those files could be corrupted. This is the most common cause of pages partially loading or not loading at all, even though it looks like they are still trying to load. Clearing your cache is an easy way to remedy the problem.

Most of you use Internet Explorer as your Web browser. To clear your cache in Internet Explorer, open your browser, go to Tools>Internet Options and click on the General tab. In the middle of the dialog box is an option to Delete Files. Click that button and then check the box that says "Delete all offline content" and click OK. It may take a few minutes, but when the process is done, your cache will be empty.

Google Desktop Search is a free search utility from the makers of the world's leading Internet search engine. It allows you to "google" the contents of your computer instead of the Internet. Google Desktop Search provides full text search over your email, computer files, chats, and the web pages you've viewed. Unlike traditional computer search software that updates once a day, Google Desktop Search updates continually for most file types, so that when you receive a new email in Outlook, for example, you can search for it within seconds. For security reasons, the index of searchable information created by Desktop Search is stored on your own computer. Click here to download the Google Desktop Search software

Lookout is a search engine designed to work primarily with Microsoft Outlook to help you find email messages, but it can be configured to search all of the files on your computer just like Google Desktop Search. Built on top of a powerful search engine, Lookout is the only personal search utility that can search all of your email from directly within Outlook. You can use Lookout to search your Outlook email messages, contacts, calendar, notes, tasks, etc. Just enter your search and press enter. Microsoft was so impressed with Lookout that it bought the company. Download Lookout here

Use a centralized contact management program

Many firms have networked their computers, but the only benefits they derive from networking are a shared Internet connection and shared access to firm and client documents. That is good, but stopping there is a failure to maximize the investment in networking.

Unless you are using practice management software, chances are each user has his or her own contact list or database consisting in large part of contacts who also appear in the individual lists used by others in the firm. These could be clients, vendors, court personnel, experts, opposing and co-counsel, etc. Chances are also good that when a client or someone else on a staff member's contact list notifies the staff member of a change in address or telephone number, that change is made only on that staff member's computer, leaving everyone else with outdated information. Consistent with Murphy's Law, the most critical and time sensitive mailing to that person will go to the outdated address, causing not only embarrassment, but also potential legal or professional liability problems.

Practice management software such as Amicus Attorney and PCLaw allow a firm to keep a single centralized contact database which is shared over the firm's network. When information is updated or a new contact added, it is available instantly for every attorney and staff member in the firm. You no longer have to worry about misdirected telephone calls, mail, or email.

Add a Palm OS based PDA (handheld computer) to the practice management mix, and your centralized database becomes portable. If you are constantly calling the office for a phone number or email address, having access to your firm's entire contact database on a simple and intuitive handheld device can be a huge time saver. A Palm OS PDA is ideal for lawyer’s frequently in court or otherwise away from the office who need to remain in contact with clients, witnesses, and others.

For information on implementing practice management software, including a centralized contact database and Palm PDA synchronization, call Cooperative Network Integrators at (513) 312-8381.

Many lawyers now have high speed Internet connections at home as well as the office. There are many advantages to having high speed Internet at home, including the ability to do research from home, check your email, and remotely connect to the office to check your calendar, run programs, or retrieve needed files.

However, there are also security risks. Many Internet Service Providers (ISP's) come to your home, install the cable or DSL modem, then connect that modem directly to the network port on your computer. Unless you take the time to install and properly configure firewall software, your computer and everything on it could be exposed to intruders on the Internet. Software firewalls can be difficult to configure, and often users end up with less protection than they need or accidentally disable their ability to browse the web, run programs, or receive email.

The best solution for home or a small law office with just a few computers on a peer-to-peer network is a broadband router. This device acts as a simple but effective firewall that prevents others from being able to hack into your computer. No firewall is 100% foolproof. But a modern router, especially a new model with both Network Address Translation (NAT) and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) protection, should be all you need. A router also gives you the added ability to share your high speed Internet connection with other computers in your home or small office.

We recommend routers from Linksys for their reasonable price, ease of use, and reliability.

Special Pricing from Amicus for SmartDraw

From now until the end of 2005 ($297.00 for each license download and $309.95 for each license shipped with media).