Effective Use of Technology and Communication Tools in the Legal Services World

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 Bonebrakedavid@lsntap.org