My career spans the demise of carbon paper, the introduction of mass copy capability,  memory typewriters, pocket calculators, computerization, voice transcription, fax machines, and cell phones. The ABA Journal has an article about Apple Computer's new iPad. The question posed is whether this technology will replace "old yeller," the omnipresent lawyer tool, the legal pad, or L-Pad. I've always admired the ability of some attorneys to keep organized notes on legal pads. I'm more of a back of envelop/post it note type of guy. But I see the iPad as unlimited envelopes and post it notes, with a search function and much, much more. Will it replace the L-pad, no, not at least until "paperless" is the legal gold standard. But I want me some iPad.

At Kelsey & Trask, P.C. we recognize that the state-of-the-art technology affects not just the positive aspects of our lives but also the negative. For example, constant access to e-mail, facebook, twitter and similar services provides us with both ways to connect and ways to be distracted (as described further in this NPR article about cell phones interfering with marriages).

It is important therefore to make effective use of technology to help you in your divorce case and also to recognize how the use of technology could hurt your case. These new technologies can also be used to help us learn more about the statistics of divorce (as described in this article about the break-up trends displayed in Facebook posts). Below you can find some resources on our blog and website that deal with both the positive and negative impact of technology on divorce.

We have written many times on this site about the many ways in which Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites are being used in Divorce cases:

- Facebook & Twitter causing Divorces?

- When a Tweet is a Threat

- Protecting your Privacy in a Divorce. Who has access to your mail, e-mail, etc.?

- 5 Worst Divorce Mistakes - Mistake #3: Telling the World your Side of the Story.

- When a Facebook Friend Request is Against the Law

We also use new technologies and social media to assist our clients (and other lawyers) in dealing with and helping to settle divorce cases:

- Waiting in line for the new iPhone? There's no wait (and no cost) to download our Apps!

- Latest iPhone App now available in the App Store: Alimony Calculator

- What is the Stevenson-Kelsey Spousal Support Calculator (now known as The Divorce Spousal Support Calculator)?

- Attorney's Kelsey & Trask on Twitter

- The Kelsey & Trask, P.C. Facebook Fan Page

- The Kelsey & Trask, P.C. Website Resources for Divorce & Mediation

We hope that our clients use these resources to make the divorce experience less traumatic but also take our advice on how to protect themselves when using these resources.

At Kelsey & Trask, P.C. we try to use the latest technology to stay current on the newest laws, to help our clients communicate with us more efficiently and to stay connected with our friends, other professionals and our clients. You probably already know how to find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, and to download our iPhone Apps.

And now we've added two more ways to connect with us faster: QR Codes and a Tumblr page.

QR Codes:

A QR Code is a two-dimensional barcode readable on any smart phone with a camera. Just download a QR Code Reader (I use Neo Reader, which is free) and you can use the camera in your phone to read the Code. For example, if you scan the Code to the right you would be taken to our mobile News & Media webpage.

We've also incorporated QR Codes into our latest business cards (pictured below). If you scan the Codes on our business card you will be taken to our mobile contact page. From there you can get directions to our office, call us, or download our contact information straight to your phone's contacts (via VCard downloadable on most phones).


For some other examples of how business are integrating QR Codes into their business cards check out dzineblog's 20 QR Code Business Cards Design Inspiration. To generate your own QR Codes for free online we use delivr's QR Code Generator.

Tumblr:
Tumblr is the latest in sharing online, allowing users to share blog posts, photos, videos, and links quickly and easily. You can follow other Tubmlrs and repost their content, just like on Twitter, but unlike Twitter you can share more than 140 characters.

To follow us on Tumblr visit kelseytrask.tumblr.com. If you have a tumblr login then click on follow in the upper right hand corner to have our content streamed right to your tumblr dashboard.