Ten years ago this month, I began writing this column for New Jersey Lawyer. It began as a question-and-answer format and evolved into its cur-rent discussion of topics based on is-sues I see as a consultant dealing with law firms or read in a variety of technology related publications.

It’s easy to take the current state of technology for granted, but it’s sometimes helpful to put it into perspective. When I began this column in March 1994, firms were just beginning a painful transition from DOS to Windows. While it was not yet clear, we also were watching the beginning of the end of WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS - even though there still are some firms relying on it as their primary word processor!

It’s interesting to look at my first column and realize my basic advice hasn’t changed. The first question I answered was: “How do I get started automating my small law office?”

Among my tidbits of advice then: In getting started with computers, take it one step at a time. Ask yourself, “What is the biggest bottleneck in our office?” Matching the right computer components and software to your office’s shouldn’t be an impulsive decision. Typically, it’s the nuances of a practice that will make a specific program a poor fit although it works for the lawyer next door. In addressing hardware needs, again, it’s important to understand what problems you’re attempting to fix. Before making purchases, take time to learn about the trends that will affect the value of the equipment you are selecting today.

Ten years is a lifetime in terms of hardware specifications. In 1994, we measured processor speeds in megahertz (MHz); today we talk about gigahertz (GHz). Hard drives were sold by the megabyte (MB); now we purchase gigabytes (GB) for workstations and terabytes for large servers. RAM memory has jumped from 4 MB to 512 MB or higher, with many computers now purchased with 1 GB of RAM memory.

In March 1994, the optimal desktop computer was a 486 chip (25 MHz) with 4 MB RAM. CD-ROM drives were not yet a factor so these PCs came with 3½-inch floppy drives with hard drives of 80 to 120 MB (not GB as is currently the standard). The cost for this dinosaur and a small color monitor then was about $2,200. Network cards were extra and could cost more than $100; today they’re included with a new computer. Compare that to an entry level computer today with a Pentium 4 chip processing data at a speed of 3 GHz, 512 MB RAM memory, a hard drive of 80 GB instead of 80 megabytes, a 17-inch flat screen monitor, a high speed CD-ROM drive that can record data and music on CDs — all for about $1,500.

To put things into perspective, consider that those little USB hard drives (sometimes called memory keys) hold 128 MB of data and cost $30 to $50, depending on whether they’re purchased with a new computer. Imagine being able to carry more storage on a key chain than in your 10yearold computer! Even the cost of most software is lower while more products and functions are bundled into office suites.

Networks

Networking in 1994 was still dominated by Novell’s Netware. Smaller firms were either setting up peer-to-peer networks using Windows 3.0 or Artisoft’s Lantastic. Networks and computers suffered from crashes. In fact, around this time, one of my clients referred to its new, very expensive network as the “notwork.”

In 1994, people were still worried about archiving old computer files since storage space — while it had increased over the previous decade from floppy diskettes to hard drives — was still expensive and not enough for most word processing files, on top of storing program files for the firm’s basic applications.

Ten years ago, dialup fax modems were still the way to transmit files and information. While the internet was commonly used among academics, it was just beginning to hit the business radar. In 1994, I already had been relying on e-mail for 10 years, having one of the early Compuserve accounts. However, I was an exception, particularly among lawyers. The biography accompanying my first columns asked readers to reply to my Compuserve or ABAnet accounts. By 1994, Compuserve was already beginning to fade and America Online was the rising star.

I recall attending a bar association meeting in the early 1990s where Professors Peter Martin and Thomas Bruce of Cornell University School of Law demonstrated their Legal Information Institute website, the first legal website. They used Cello, the first web browser developed for Microsoft Windows written by Bruce to look up U.S. Supreme Court opinions on their site. The combination of Cello and their website allowed practitioners to search recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions without paying Lexis or Westlaw.

Communication

The prevalence of e-mail has transformed communication with our colleagues, adversaries, courts and potential clients. Ten years ago, lawyers involved in projects or cases with a national scope or hobbyists were the few who had regular access to e-mail. Over the decade, it has gone from being a curiosity to a necessity. There are few, if any, lawyers who don’t have at least an e-mail address for their firm. Most lawyers have business e-mail and check it regularly.

While we’re still far from reaching a paperless environment, e-mail is impacting the quantity of paper generated and stored. For many years, my consulting firm produced a quarterly newsletter that was printed and bulk mailed to clients and potential clients. Writing the text, formatting it and taking it to the printer were the easy parts. Printing the labels, affixing them to hundreds of newsletters and sorting them by zip code for bulk mail rates were dreaded quarterly tasks. Ten years ago, only a few of my clients had e-mail.

Today, though, I can quickly and easily send targeted e-mail to specific clients or contacts. I select specific contacts using a practice management tool like Time Matters. Even most of the billing programs have added the ability to create a bill that can be easily e-mailed as an attachment.

Software

In 1994, earlier versions of many of the leading legal software programs already were available. However, they were primitive compared to today’s. Some vendors had not yet released a Windows version of their product. Some of the leading programs for managing contacts and case information have been discontinued and replaced by others. At the time, there were few programs specifically addressing lawyers’ needs. While Time Matters, Abacus and Amicus already were available, they barely made a dent in the market share of law firms.

Faxing was the more common way to transmit documents. Fax modems allowed technically oriented lawyers to send and receive faxes directly to their PC. While documents still are faxed, the majority is transmitted by e-mail.

In 1994, being able to carry my critical information in something lighter, less expensive and more accessible than my 8pound laptop was still a fantasy. Today, a Palm Pilot, which even a few years ago cost several hundred dollars, costs around $100 and holds contacts, to-do’s and a calendar. The functions of the Palm and the other portable digital assistants (PDAs) like the Blackberry and Pocket PC devices come close to being that dream device that allows one to carry critical information. Combining these with cell phones that add the option of e-mail and web access, it’s easy to imagine that in the next few years, we’ll have a handheld device to allow us to work as effectively outside the office as at our desk.

Envisioning what technology marvels there will be in another 10 years tests our imagination. When I was growing up, my mother discouraged me from learning to touch type. Little did she know how important keyboarding skills would become during my working years. Trying to picture what technology skills my daughter and son will need in their jobs is beyond my comprehension!

Carol L. Schlein is president of Law Office Systems in Montclair, a training and consulting firm specializing in law firm automation. Copies of previous columns are on her company website, www.losinc.com. For information about her quarterly meetings for Time Matters users, check the website or e-mail info@losinc.com. Schlein formerly chaired the Computer and Technology Division of the ABA Law Practice Management Section.

Questions for Carol L. Schlein on law office technology may be faxed to New Jersey Lawyer at (732) 650-7010, e-mailed to news@njlnews.com or mailed to “Law Technology Questions,” New Jersey Lawyer, Edison Square, 2035 Lincoln Highway, Suite 3005, Edison, N.J. 08817.