Rocket Matter beat me to the punch - I’ve had this web-based PM system idea for a while now, but didn’t have the time or resources to put it together.

First and foremost - it appears that the Rocket Matter team is off to a great start. I haven’t yet tried it myself but I’ve seen Grant’s review and Aaron’s review Still got a few questions myself that neither has answered and the blog has not yet addressed.

How do we transition to Rocket Matter?

I’m a PCLaw user. I’ve got two license for myself and my assistant. I use the front office AND backoffice features. PCLaw has been annoying at times and it has an ugly interface, but it’s level of detail has been very helpful. (This post will not become a rant on PCLaw - I don’t have the time - I still use it because it’s cheap and reliable).

When I moved from Quickbooks to PCLaw, I thought it would be easy. PCLaw was really trying to “steal” the Quickbooks client base by promoting its automatic transition feature. Problem was, my QB version was too new! So I had to do it manually and it was painful. The thought of transitioning again to a new system just sounds like too much of a pain in the butt. If I was just starting my practice, I would be all over RM, period. But PCLaw has a firm grasp on me for the moment. Does RM have an import/export system?

Will there be a backoffice/accounting system?

My #1 reason for hesitating on Rocket Matter is that it doesn’t appear to have a backoffice/accounting system and alternatively, has not yet boasted about any way to export data for a backoffice system. Pull the Freshbooks API including a 2 way sync and Rocket Matter will turn some serious heads! I don’t use Freshbooks yet, but I’ve been dying to do so… then again, still can’t figure out how to transition just the backoffice portion of PCLaw either.

What about a message and comment system?

I thought I saw a way to add notes to a case, but a conversational messaging and commenting system would get the attention of us Basecamp users. Add the ability to invite clients to view their case progress and you’ll win over the lawyers who use basecamp in a heartbeat.

Document Management OR Document Automation

I say “or” because I haven’t seen a solid web based document management system yet, so I won’t demand the same from Rocket Matter. However, PCLaw’s “Qdocs” document automation feature is good - buggy - but good. Again, this isn’t a must from a web based system, but if you figure this out, you won’t be able to buy extra server space fast enough!

I’m sure they’ve thought of all of these ideas. Maybe they’ve got it under wraps for beta testing. Whatever the case may be… Rocket Matter has the potential to put the “big boy” practice management systems out of business!

Still, I’d like to see a few more features before I’m sold.

Rocket Matter….what say you?

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One of the major missing items was web access which Google made so easy.

But Evernote is working on a new version, currently “Evernote Beta” which is really exciting.

Major advantages include text searching in images and handwritten notes! Imagine taking a snapshot of your airplane ticket, and then searching for it later by entering keywords such as “southwest ticket” or “flight march 15″. It’s essentially OCR without having to actually manually process any OCR.

Check out the video and be blown away! (high def version here)

You can try to get a beta invitation to try Evernote, or just wait till it comes out. (I’m not waiting)

Once I get invited, I’ll post my testing here.

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Searching for the right tab after they’ve run off the right side of my screen is a pain.

But I just found the solution. It does many things, but I’ve only explored the first of its 6 foot rap sheet of features . . . SCROLLING THROUGH TABS!

All you have to do is point your cursor on the tab bar and start scrolling with your mouse wheel! It smoothly rolls through each page you have. You can go forwards OR backwards!!!

You must check it out if you’re a Firefox user. If you’re not using Firefox right now, you’ll have to do a google search (try “firefox vs. internet explorer”) to convince yourself.

But if you’re a tabbed browsing fool like me, TabMix is truly one of the coolest Firefox Addons to date.

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For you road warriors who love RemembertheMilk.com, a new offline feature has been developed which allows you to work with your task lists OFFLINE.

Neat stuff.

Check it out here.

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Rememberthemilk.com is a task or to-do list which can help you organize your neverending list of things to do!

It is part of the ever growing Web 2.0 generation of websites and web offerings and uses Ajax technology for an enjoyable user experience.

Check it out!

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(Caveat: it’s NOT VOIP)

GrandCentral.com allows you to pick a phone number in most area codes, and have it forwarded to your cell phone, home phone or business phone. They promote the idea that you can have “One Number for Life!”

Say you wanted easy access to potential clients in the Miami area (area code: 305). Pick a 305 number, slap it on your business card and no matter what your cell phone number is, they’ll reach you by calling the 305 number. Sure, it’s not the most unique idea, but for you savvy bloggers or website do-it-yourselfers out there, here’s the cool part!

You can put a “Web Button” on your site which allows site visitors to enter in their Name and Phone Number, click “Call Me” and instantly, your site visitor’s phone will ring almost instantly and connect them to your phone (cell, home of whatever you choose). It’s kind of hard to explain, so you’ll have to try out the sample web button at http://www.grandcentral.com.

Or if you want to see it implemented on my blog, go to http://WeProbateFlorida.com/blog (but please don’t call me unless you really have a Florida probate question … gotta keep the phone lines open for prospective clients!)

You can customize greetings for voicemail, play an MP3 instead of a traditional ring, listen in on calls as your callers leave voicemail (and interrupt them too if you like), record calls, even filter out SPAM/Solicitation callers!

Summary: FREE phone number which can be forwarded to any phone you currently use, with features you hadn’t even considered! Web button feature to encourage immediate TOLL FREE calling.

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