The compact convenience of the Palm-Connected product line from Palm Computing/3Com has not been missed by attorneys. This light, handheld wonder has transformed the contact management and calendars of many poor saps, who, like me, just loathed carrying around those bulky day planners. And it keeps getting better. Thankfully, software engineers recognize the needs in the legal market and continually produce nifty if not invaluable tools for the Palm platform.

Have you ever found a pleasant way to keep track of your billing? It probably won't happen. However, now you can use your Palm handheld to help keep track of those lost minutes and hours. There are a number of time keeping programs now available for the Palm platform (Palm Pilot, Palm III, Palm V, Palm VII, and the Handspring Visor) that will address your penchant for billing accurately.

Time Tracker 49 kb -- Inertron Software, http://www.inertron.com/palm ($20.00)

	Time Tracker

Don't let the low price fool you. If you're not sure you want to fiddle with a Palm product to keep time, this is a program to test your prejudices. While it doesn't have a complimentary program for your desktop computer, it does have a feature that allows you to export the billing data to your Palm's notepad in a standard database format. This allows you to open the file in Excel or even transfer it to Timeslips or TABS III. I wouldn't get too excited with this application for larger firms but it is a useful tool that does a good job of keeping track of your time.

Time Reporter 179 kb - Iambic Software, http://www.iambic.com ($149.95)

	Time Reporter

Time Reporter is a full-featured desktop and Palm device timekeeping program. If you are already a user of Timeslips, you can get a special version of TimeReporter designed to synchronize directly with Timeslips. If you are not already a Timeslips user, you may find Time Reporter 2000 a valuable application. The desktop version of the software has a clean look but with plenty of features that would satisfy most lawyers (and their accountants). Not only does it track time but also expenses across a broad range of categories. Full compatibility with Microsoft Excel, Quicken, Quickbooks and Microsoft Access are among the many strong features that make Time Reporter a great timekeeping solution for your handheld device.TimeReporter for Carpe Diem is also available.

	Time Logger

Time Logger 60 kb -- Responsive Software, http://www.responsivesoftware.com/ ($89.00)

Time Logger is, like Time Reporter, a PC desktop application complimenting a Palm application. The desktop version is a relatively simple program with a decent data import feature allowing communication with other standard database applications if you decide to share data with or convert from another program. The application on the Palm side is also simple and straightforward with clear instructions on how to name your activity as well as a lengthy note field for a fuller explanation.

All of the above applications have free demonstration packages available for download from their websites and all will work on any Palm device from the Palm Professional on up. All three offer online purchasing through their web sites with the exception of Inertron's Time Tracker. Inertron resells through PalmGear H.Q. which has a link on the Inertron site.

Of the three, my favorite is Iambic's Time Reporter. While the most expensive, it has the slickest look and certainly the most features on the Palm side as well as the desktop side. It was also the easiest to install and synchronize data between desktop and Palm. This is not to say that the other two applications are not worthy. Time Logger is certainly a good program with a solid set of timekeeping features both on the desktop and Palm. Time Tracker, while inexpensive, should be considered a very usable timekeeper. If you are in the crowd that doesn't care to be confused with silly options and filters - Time Tracker is for you.

The only caveat in all this is to be careful. If your handheld already has a lot of memory in use by other applications, you may find you don't have room for one more application. Most notably, Time Reporter, which is three times the size of Time Logger, can bring your system to a standstill if you don't have the requisite room to install and use it.

So, grab your Palm handheld, get a nifty program, and don't forget to check the time.

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