The Windows Mobile Missionary: How A Techno-Geek Lawyer Harasses His Old-School Colleagues
I’m a geek. Well, at least according to my lawyer friends, who tend to be a little bit, shall we say, “old school.” While things seem to be changing, I’d estimate that about 3/4 of all of my lawyer friends still use paper daybooks and dumb-phones.
I try to change this. I really do. But, I must admit that I have not been very successful.
In court or at lunch, I’ll show-off my latest gadget. I’ll pull up Google and answer a quick question, read some RSS newsfeeds, even watch a little bit of Finding Nemo or Hunt for Red October with my Sprint Mogul. Despite eliciting a couple “cools” or “that’s pretty neat,” it doesn’t seem to have much affect. My friends remain wedded to their paper, pens and notebooks.
What gives?
I’m convinced that the root of this is aversion to change. While not a unique quality of many attorneys, it certainly seems to be common among that community. That can’t be the only reason, though.
For some, perhaps cost is a factor. That would have been understandable a few years ago, but today, there are so many great subsidized deals when you renew or begin a contract, that most could afford a smart device if they wanted one.
Are there exceptions? Of course, but they are the exceptions.
Consider this site. Doug and I are both lawyers who love this stuff. And, I have a number of friends who carry Palm OS Treos (usually a 650 model, which is about three generations behind–typical among my colleagues.) And, there are others.
Some carry Blackberrys. I hate them–the devices, not the people, although I must admit I really don’t have a good reason for feeling this way. I just think they’re so “corporate.” Dull, standard-issue, along with being a bit of an undeserved status symbol. And, they don’t seem to offer much else besides the core messaging functions. Functional. Practical. Dull.
A couple even have iPhones, but I hate those even more than I hate Blackberrys. More about that in another post.
Are there any Windows Mobile people among my colleagues? A few. A couple carry old Pocket PCs–Dell Axims and iPaqs. A couple have old Palm PDAs. But, all of these devices are essentially old and unexciting mobile calendars.
There are a few who carry Motorola Qs and Samsung Blackjacks, and a couple even have a Tilts, Moguls or XV6800. Pretty high-end powerful machines.
But the vast majority still use Franklin Planners and those notebook sized paper books available at a drug store. Ugh!!
You know it’s a little Alice in Wonderland when I look around the courthouse and see the criminal defense clients carrying more advanced phones than their lawyers.
How do I cope this this intolerable situation? (Well it’s not really intolerable, but I’m trying to add some drama to this post.)
What reaction do I get when I try to do my best convincing? People will almost always start off by replying that the paper book they use does a fine job of keeping their calendar and contact information. This is almost always followed up by a quick, “and besides, what are you going to do if you lose your device?” Explaining that I’m actually in better shape than they are, as I’m a habitual sync-er and backup-er, their eyes begin to glaze over. I keep on it, but usually to no avail.
I’ll admit that it’s an adjustment to go from pen to stylus. Or, tiny slide-out or front-facing thumb keyboard. Or, even an onscreen touchpad. But, it’s not as hard as many fear.
I actually do most of my data-entry via the PC. I’ll add future appointments and court hearings directly on my device (via Pocket Informant, using a template I’ve created), and, I’ll often respond to an email or text message from the device itself. But, my heavy-data entry is done with a full-sized keyboard and then synced to the device.
For me, always accessible data and always on communication, combined with a vast store of updated and legible, material is really the most valuable benefit of my Windows Mobile devices.
But, back to my efforts at bringing my colleagues into the semi-modern technological age.
The funny thing is, when I finally am able to convince someone to take the plunge and try a new smartphone, I am often frustrated all over again.
Quite often, these daring techno-newbies will buy, set up, and begin to use their device regularly. (Their paper calendar is still carried, but now as a backup–or more accurately, a Linus-like security blanket.) They’re quite pleased with themselves.
But, when I congratulate them and ask to look at how they’re using the device, I’m horrified to see a completely “stock” setup. Sprint, Verizon, or AT&T wallpaper, all the carrier plugins displayed on their screen. No interesting themes, third-party programs, and certainly no today screen that a real enthusiast would proudly post in a “Let’s see your today screen” thread. Do they realize what their missing? It’s like a big tease.
As hard as it is to help to push them to try these new devices, actually getting them to consider demoing, downloading, installing and learning new software is a real challenge. Sometimes I’ll carry my Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine in my briefcase, and show them some beautiful screenshots and vendor ads. At times I’ve even created a list of enthusiast sites, developer sites, and shopping sites just to give them a sense of what’s out there and what they can really do with their new gadget.
I also find that applications like the HTC Home Plugin, and Spb Mobile Shell, are good introductions into how a user can make their device much more usable and generally more fun.
I’m hopeful that this site will become a popular one among my colleagues. I’ll be sure to refer them to it. Hopefully, it will help in my efforts to spread the technology gospel. In any case, I’d better do my part here, or else I’ll be hearing about it during my day job.
How about you? Is my field unique in the slow evolution towards modern communications equipment?
Have you had similar experiences? Any tips that you can give me to help in my mission?
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I’m just a bit confused as to who wrote the article…it says Doug as author, but it sayd “Doug and I” in the body of the text as well…did Doug split into two?!
In any case, great subject. I see the exact same thing in most univeristy students who have a WM device. Plain calendar, plan messaging, plain boring. You try to show them a few things and they get a little excited, but it’s almost like shepherding people. It’s a lot harder to discover Windows Mobile’s true power unless you’re told where to look. Aximsite was my portal with my Axim, so let’s hope sites like this can help new users figure things out.
Doh…Ragart. Nice catch. This was actually xdalaw’s submission. I just forgot to change the name.
Doing that now to avoid further confusion.
Doug
Well I know if one Law school student who also got the Wizard in the same week as I did, and got the TyTn II in the same month as I did.
Getting the Wizard at the same time was a coincidence, but he got the TyTn II because of my recommendation.
I do see a bit more PPC’s popping up, a few students at school, some people at the train, but not really a lot. I did get my girlfriend to the point that she also wanted to play the games that I did, so she now has a Touch!
Which is a great device for her, ladies don’t often have pockets that can contain a Kaiser in a leather case…
Other people around me do like the device but simply think that it’s too difficult for them. But that’s rubbish, they also say “I just want a device to call with and send SMS messages”, but when they get to the store it also has to have a camera, mp3 player, etc etc etc… They just need to get more familiar with Windows Mobile, so let’s see those TV ads in every country!
I agree, SPM. My wife was terrified of using a Windows Mobile device (she was the type of person who kept her phone at the bottom of her purse turned off). But now, she can’t live without her Treo and loves checking email from it.
Doug
Good article Doug, I must agree with the frustration of convincing others of the usefulness of our uber-cool communication devices. I was in a Sprint store the last Wednesday and showed the rep Spb Mobile Shell and he was flabbergasted! He thought only the iPhone could be this neat. I gave him my card and he has called me several times for web-sites so he can mod his phone. Imagine his greater surprise when I started up “Independence Day” using TCPMP. I have emailed him the link to your blog, so he can read information as you post. I also told him to be sure to mention the site to his other customers. Sprint should pay me to be a consultant!