Google Docs has introduced a three-level system of privacy for documents stored in its cloud. Sensibly, the default level is “private,” which means only the account holder can get access to the document.

The next level is “anyone with a link.” This is the novelty, allowing you to share your Google document by sending a link; the system it replaced required you to email formal invitations to particular recipients. Now, as the label indicates, anyone who knows the link can see your document. Google analogizes this to an unlisted phone number, which relies on secrecy for security. Here is where . . . [more]

I am standing at a terminal in the Alberta Law Libraries Legal Research and Training Centre in the Edmonton Courthouse, listening as 40 articling students are given a tour of the facility. They are fresh faced and eager to begin their legal career, even after sitting through lectures on legislation this morning.

The lesson from this year’s Head Start program is that it is good to have a contingency plan.

The first activated contingency plan took place yesterday when we were bumped from the courtroom that we traditionally use was scooped up by the trial coordinator. Imagine, using a courtroom . . . [more]

Monday’s release of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in Canberra splendidly elevates Graham Greenleaf to membership in the Order of Australia (General Division). See the Commonwealth Gazette No. S 84, Monday, 14 June 2010

The official announcement cites that it is: “For service to the law through the development of free electronic access to legal information, and as a leader in the protection of privacy.”

Since we neglected to recognize Austlii’s first place showing in the Australia and New Zealand Internet Best Practice Awards, sponsored by auDA and InternetNZ, the Internet domain name administrators for Australia and New . . . [more]

Iceland’s venerable parliament, the Althing, has just passed a law that Wikileaks helped craft. The law creates the Modern Media Initiative and alters a whole set of legal duties and rights in order to encourage freedom of the press, transparency in government and corporate dealings, and reward with a prize akin to the Nobel Prize

. . . those who, through their actions in the past 12 months have most advanced humanity through courageous acts of free expression. It is envisaged that the prize would primarily be awarded to journalists, whistleblowers, human rights activists and publishers.

The aim is . . . [more]

It’s not always easy to collect moneys owing from individuals. If the person doesn’t respond to attempts at communication, or if you simply can’t find the debtor, few options might remain.

The economic sustainability of small communities and rural areas in Canada is of serious concern to those working in government, the private sector and the general public alike. In recent years small communities have undergone significant changes that threaten their future viability, including considerable job loss due to the decline of primary industries and migratory patterns that see increasing numbers of young rural Canadians relocating to urban centres. While public attention tends to focus on employment issues facing industries such as forestry, mining and agriculture, small communities across Canada are also facing serious challenges in regards to the attraction and . . . [more]

It was more than 28 years ago but here is something for those of you who might have been wondering where he went.

. . . [more]

The Quebec Bar Association has revamped its website.

The Association conducted a survey of the general population and opted for clearer language and for a simplified presentation of information, both for lawyers and the general public.

The website also has a virtual tour guide Isabelle, who appears on different pages to help the public understand the services the Bar has to offer. As part of its outreach efforts, the Bar is also active on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and co-produces a TV series Le Droit de savoir with the educational broadcaster Télé-Québec. . . . [more]

Google TV brings the internet to the box. Surely work will follow.

There are some reasons that contain passages that judges should not have to write. For example

Grandmothers of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan and Nipissing First Nation v. Ontario (Natural Resources), 2010 ONCA 439 contains this:

[2] While the notice of appeal raises a wide range of issues,  some of which fall outside the ambit of the jurisdiction of any court, the arguments advanced in the factum and in oral argument are somewhat more focussed and may be summarized as follows …

[3] In our view, application judge did not err in refusing the writ of prohibition on these

. . . [more]

Microsoft has just formally launched a new gesture based controller for the Xbox called Kinect (formerly known as Natal) to go on sale November 4. And a new, more compact version of the X-box.

So what has this got to do with the office?

For now, this device can only be used with an Xbox – but there is no reason that the same technology could not be used with a PC for a Minority Report like interface. Indeed, there is evidence that Microsoft has this in mind.

For now, here are some ideas for how business might use the . . . [more]

Sad news from St John’s, and some truly shocking footage here, of the destruction by fire of Roebothan McKay and Marshall the law firm that was the pre-political home of Premier Danny Williams. The building has now been demolished.

And the hopeful news that their servers were fully backed up on Friday and that the firm will be operating out of temporary premises and reopening soon.

Think that disaster planning is just for big firms? Think that fire – or flood – or earthquake couldn’t happen to you?

Here are resources to start your own plan, or to dust off, . . . [more]