Nov. 7, 2012 – Being technically savvy with the software that’s already on your computer can save you time and money. In this video, Nerino Petro State Bar practice management advisor, talks with Ross Kodner, Microlaw Inc., who picks his top three software tools. Kodner recommends exploring what your current software can do before investing in new software.

Kodner says, “An easy way for Microsoft Word users to begin is to click on the ribbons. Open three or four a day and see what they can do. Experiment, explore, and use that help button.”

Kodner and Petro presented Ten More Things You Did Not Know You Can Do With the Software You Already Have at the State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE^® 2012 Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm Conference (WSSFC) last month. Here are Kodner’s top three software function picks:

• The Snipping Tool in Windows – Sometimes the easiest way to save a copy of something is to simply take a snapshot of your screen. Snipping Tool captures a screen shot of anything on your desktop, like a picture or a section of webpage. Snip a whole window, a rectangular section of the screen, or draw a freehand outline with your mouse or tablet pen (or your finger, if you're using a PC with a touchscreen). Then you can annotate, save, or email the image using buttons right in the Snipping Tool window. Snipping Tool is available only in the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions of Windows 7.

• Bookmarks in Adobe – Bookmarks make PDF files easier to navigate – boosting the interactive and usefulness factors. Create a table of contents so the reader can go to a specific section of text, a page number, a graphic on a page, or an Internet link or email address. The bookmark instantly adds value for the reader, and they are very easy to set up.

• Quick Parts in Word– The Quick Part, a modern replacement of the old auto text function, allows you to create, store, and find reusable pieces of content. After you save a selection to the Quick Part Gallery, you can reuse the selection to literally snap together a document with text you use frequently. You can build a library and arrange it by category

Watch the accompanying video for more information about accessing these three features.

Select sessions from the WSSFC will be available as webcasts later this year. All conference attendees can attend for free.