Deposition Reporters Association Fall Seminar
This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the DRA's (Deposition Reporters Association) Fall Seminar and earn some ceu credits. As of this writing, there is still time for you to sign up to attend the second session which will be held in Walnut Creek, CA:
SATURDAY - OCTOBER 11, 2008
During my session I was lucky enough to sit next to Lois Ludwig of Ludwig Klein Reporters. This was the fist time I was able to get acquainted with her and she was so helpful and friendly. You can read about my first having seen Lois in action at a DRA seminar earlier this year: The DRA's Core Curriculum Class Module I.
There was a lot of information presented at this seminar. Many nuggets and things to add to your tool belt:
A Quick Recap of the Agenda
WINDOWS FOR REPORTERS
This segment taught how to optimize the most commonly used operating system.
WORD FOR WINDOWS
Word is a powerful tool that too many reporters dismiss as unnecessary or ignore because they don't know how to use it, but after this seminar, many were wondering why they waited so long!
A CSR'S GUIDE TO THE BEST TECH GADGETS
This segment demonstrated all about the best backup systems for reporters, the ideal laptop configuration for optimum audio recording, virus protection, internet security, wireless cards and more.
SERRANO VS. COAST COURT REPORTERS: STATUS OF APPEAL AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
DRA lobbyist Ed Howard gave us the complete background of this possibly precedent-setting case and the enormous ramifications it could have in store for all California reporters.
WORD FOR WINDOWS
Word is a powerful tool that too many reporters dismiss as unnecessary or ignore because they don't know how to use it, but after this seminar, many were wondering why they waited so long!
A CSR'S GUIDE TO THE BEST TECH GADGETS
This segment demonstrated all about the best backup systems for reporters, the ideal laptop configuration for optimum audio recording, virus protection, internet security, wireless cards and more.
SERRANO VS. COAST COURT REPORTERS: STATUS OF APPEAL AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU
DRA lobbyist Ed Howard gave us the complete background of this possibly precedent-setting case and the enormous ramifications it could have in store for all California reporters.
Some Of My Thoughts And Take-Aways From The Seminar
- Windows Vista, while much maligned in the media, is really not that bad or that different than Windows XP
- The DRA puts on a great seminar. The hotel and food and organization were all in place and it was much appreciated by the 200+ (my estimate) in attendance
- You can buy a 4GIG flash drive for your Windows Vista laptop and use it in Ready Boost mode to boost your RAM
- I thought of a good idea to put my TO&A logo on a keyboard shortcuts card as a give-away for clients. It's useful and good marketing!
- Lobbyist Ed Howard was a powerful speaker and I'm certainly glad he's on our side of this Serrano v. Coast Court Reporters issue
- DRA is very generous with their drink tickets. I was give two of them ($7.00 value each!) but had to pass since I've got a two-week old at home with a stressed mommy
- There is a cool new Realtime-viewing software called Bridge which is a FREE alternative to LiveNote.
- I was not the only guy in the room. I counted at least five or six others! Now I know how it feels to be Smurfette, however. :)
- There is a cool site called www.FolderShare.com which allows two computers to share folders. I haven't tried it but it sounds interesting.
- Want a way to discover and share briefs? Check out www.briefpedia.com
- Can't quite figure out what the teenagers are saying? Check out www.OnlineSlangDictionary.com
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
