1: What is currently the best technology for remotely accessing a local area network via the Internet?
A: Citrix MetaFrame provides remote access to critical information and critical applications via the Internet. Because of its performance and reliability, MetaFrame is currently the hottest available technology in its category, providing the optimal solution for attorneys, paralegals, etc. who need to work from home, or while they are traveling. Remote users are able to connect to the local area network through a standard connection to their Internet service provider.

The most important capability provided by MetaFrame is the ability to remotely run applications. MetaFrame not only allows remote users access to data stored on a local area network, it also allows the user to run applications remotely in a manner virtually identical to running the applications directly on the LAN. Time and billing, case management, word processing, e-mail, legal research or any other legal support programs can be launched and run remotely in the Citrix MetaFrame environment, as if working in the office.

The key to the speed of the MetaFrame application is that only screen images and keystrokes are transmitted over the connection, creating a very efficient method of remote access. Security is also built into the MetaFrame application, allowing control over which users have remote access to which program.

Citrix MetaFrame requires a dedicated file server running on a specially configured, robust PC. Citrix recommends 32MB of RAM on the server for each simultaneous user accessing MetaFrame, an important design consideration when establishing the server. From a technical standpoint, MetaFrame runs as an enhancement to Microsoft Terminal Server, so Microsoft Windows NT Server, Terminal Server Edition is required as the server operating system.

A well-configured Metaframe can revolutionize the 'office away from the office', allowing lawyers and other legal personnel to access the desktop with which they are familiar, and which contains their critical work product, on a straightforward, easy and secure basis.

2. Is speech recognition software a viable alternative to the keyboard? How powerful a computer do you need?
A: Speech recognition is an increasingly valuable tool. By allowing the user to speak into a headset and microphone connected to a computer's soundcard, a good speech recognition program can take a load off a keyboard and mouse. Features included in speech recognition programs include word processor integration, editing by voice, formatting text by voice, navigation and selection of text by voice, correction by voice, and program control by voice.

To be effective, a speech recognition program must be fast and accurate. Two factors impact the accuracy of speech recognition systems, the quality of the speaker's voice, and the "active" vocabulary of the speech recognition program. The first factor, the speaker's voice and speech patterns, is refined during the setup process of the program. This process involves spending about 1 hour reading various texts into the program. This exercise is valuable in that it allows the program to "learn" the users voice. This factor is further refined as the product is used over time. The second factor, the program's "active" vocabulary, involves the comparison of spoken words to the words found in the program's vocabulary. During use, any word not found in the program's "active" vocabulary is replaced with some other like-sounding word. Most programs allow the addition of words to the "active" vocabulary during correction of the incorrect word. This factor is enhanced with legal specific speech recognition programs such as Dragon Naturally Speaking Legal Suite, and IBM Via Voice with Legal Vocabulary, which are pre-loaded with thousands of legal terms.

System requirements for speech recognition programs include a higher-end Pentium II or Pentium III processor, 64MB of RAM (although you will see marked improvement with 128MB of RAM), and a 16-Bit sound card. Also, performance is improved with a higher-end headset and microphone. With speech recognition, as with many programs, the more computing power you have the greater performance you will achieve.

The bottom line is that 100% accuracy from speech recognition programs is not feasible. Because of this, speech recognition may never completely replace traditional dictation equipment. However, with patience and continued use of the product, many attorneys will find speech recognition a valuable legal automation tool.

3: What is a network document management system? How can it improve the operation of my practice?
A: A well-implemented networked document management system can be an indispensable tool for any law firm. The basis for all document management systems is their ability to turn large document databases into structured, searchable document libraries. Document management programs create profiles when the document is created and saved. These profiles include, but are not limited to, such information as a document number, author's name, client information, matter information, document type, and a long document description. Documents are accessed by searching for profiled information, or by performing a full text search.

Valuable document management tools include archiving documents, deletion of older documents, tracking the document history, providing document security, and allowing remote access to documents via the Internet. In short, a networked document management system can be a valuable tool for saving, retrieving, and managing documents, as well as the language and ideas these documents contain. The most important benefit of document management may be the potential savings in time previously spent searching for documents.