- Skip Winters
- partner
- Telephone: 503-243-1022
- Fax: 503-243-2019
- E-mail: winters@bodyfeltmount.com
Eric “Skip” Winters is a native Oregonian, raised in the Willamette Valley. In his spare time, he and his family take part in all of the outdoor activities Oregon has to offer. In spite of his “offensive lineman” build, Skip is an avid cyclist and has participated in the week-long Cycle Oregon rides and the two-day Seattle to Portland ride many times (much to the delight of cyclists who draft in his wake.)
- Skip joined the firm in 1995 as an associate and became a partner in 2002. Skip practices general civil litigation, with an emphasis on products liability, commercial disputes, and construction defect. Over the last ten years, the majority of his cases have involved defending clients in construction defect representing every party, from developers to design professionals, general contractors and subcontractors in these complex cases.
- Skip has tried multiple week trials involving dram shop, commercial, and contract actions. He has also defended clients from developers to subcontractors in construction defect binding arbitrations.
- Oregon
Washington
U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- J.D., Willamette University College of Law, 1994
B.A. (History), University of Washington, 1991
Professional & Community Activities
- American Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
Multnomah Bar Association
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel
- Skip has held positions in various professional activities including Chair of Oregon State Bar's Law Practice Management Committee (2008-2009), the Oregon State Bar President’s Advisory Committee on Future Issues (2002-2004). He was the Chair (2002-2003), Chair-Elect (2002) and Treasurer (1999-2001) of the Oregon State Bar-New Lawyers’ Division. He served on the NLD Executive Committee for several years (1997-2003). Skip was also the Co-Chair of the OSB/NLD Legislative Leadership Mentoring Program in 2000.
- Skip has been an Appellate Moot Court Judge and Moot Trial Judge for Lewis & Clark College and Willamette University. He has acted as a mediator. Some of his speaking opportunities have been for the CLE Bootcamp (2002), the Institute for Paralegal Education (2002), the Oregon Professional Liability Fund (1999-2002), the Oregon Law Institute (2000).
- Telephone: 503-243-1022
- Fax: 503-243-2019
- E-mail: winters@bodyfeltmount.com
On this tab, you will find information about converting to the iPad in general and a long list of my favorite applications below.
First a short disclaimer:
I'm a self-avowed and pretty reliable "first-adopter" of new technology. As an active trial lawyer, however, I don't have nearly the time available that I'd like to try and test new technology and software. Therefore, any opinions expressed below are only related to my interactions with the iPad (and iPhone.) I'm sure there are very wide swaths of applications and add-ons that I haven't seen and am not trying to exclude - I just haven't gotten around to them yet!
Over the years, I've fielded dozens of questions about the iPhone and now the iPad. Instead of continually sending out emails, I've tried to compile the information here so everyone can have access.
Why the iPad?
As a firm, we decided to go with the Apple iPad mostly because many of us already had iPhones and enjoyed them. There are many new tablets on the market. I wouldn't know how they stack up against the iPad because I haven't tested anything else. I come at our technology like any consumer; mostly through iTunes and the internet. There is a fantastic almost-daily blog, "iPhone J.D." that I highly recommend. [I can't imagine where he finds the time.]
What kind of iPad should I buy?
First off, if given a choice between the iPad and the new iPad 2 - buy the iPad2. This won't be a choice for much longer as they have stopped iPad production. The iPad2 is lighter, much faster and has dual cameras allowing for videoconferencing.
There are basically six flavors of iPad - 16, 32 or 64GB with Wifi only; or 16, 32, or 64GB with WiFi and 3G. The 3G versions cost $130 more than the Wifi only version - and are worth it. Currently, the Wi-Fi model is priced at $499, $599, and $699 for the 16, 32 and 64GB models. The 3G bumps the price up to $629, $729, and $829 respectively. At the time of purchase, you will need to choose which carrier you want to use - AT&T or Verizon as the chipset for each is different.
The GB (gigabyte) differences deal with memory space. I have the 32GB size with 3G. Generally, however, your basic user will be just fine with 16GB which is still a lot of space unless you're downloading full movies or massive iTunes collections. In my view, the need for entertainment downloading is cut greatly with the instant watch feature available with Netflix. (If you don't have Netflix - get a minimum $8 per-month subscription. I promise you won't regret it.)
We bought the 16GB version for the firm, and nobody has complained about running out of room.
Why get 3G?
The real decision is between WiFi only and 3G. 3G is the wireless service provided through either AT&T or Verizon. Nicely, the service is month-to-month, so if you don't like it, you can drop it easily. The basic plan costs $15 a month, and if you can get the $15 plan but are a heavy user when not on WiFi, the iPad will tell you when you are running out and it will offer to bump you to the $25 plan.
Both carriers are also rolling out a new "post-paid" plan that allows you to pay at the end of the month based on usage.
Without the wireless 3G option, you might as well buy a desktop computer. You will rapidly find that there are a lot of applications and features that you'll want to use on the move. I've never talked to anyone who regretted getting the 3G version of the iPad, whereas I know several people who returned their WiFi only versions to upgrade to 3G.
It is also spectacular to be able to travel with only the iPad (as most of us now do.)
Are there additional costs?
Yes. In addition to the wireless service, you will be buying applications to get the most out of your iPad (see below). There are also a few items that I strongly recommend to enhance your iPad.
First, to protect your new investment, you will probably want a cover. We have tested a few around here and found that the best cover is made by Apple. It is thin and easy to grip. http://www.apple.com/ipad/smart-cover/
I have also purchased a Bluetooth keyboard (also from Apple): http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC184LL/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY Having a keyboard really makes the iPad a very good replacement for laptop computers - at about a third the cost.
Finally, if you want to use the iPad for presentations - or hook it to your TV at home, you will need a iPad VGA connector - which you can also pick up at the Apple store. The adaptor will allow you to mirror whatever is on your iPad onto a connected screen with HDMI quality. http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/mirroring.html
Which Applications do you recommend?
Let's get to the real fun and functionality behind the iPad or iPhone - the applications.
I've spent a lot time testing applications and weeding through all the chaff out there. I've attempted over the last couple of years to cut my list down to the "must have" applications that, at minimum, have some value and enhance my use of these devices as tools for work (and entertainment.)
I've shared the list with lots of folks for the iPhone. Not every application makes it to the iPad, but there is some overlap, so I've split the list up for both devices.
Many of the applications are free, but some - especially the core work applications - cost money. New applications are coming out, literally every day. I will try to update this list as often as I can. The current lists are as of mid-March, 2011.
Skip's Favorite iPad Apps
Work-Related:- Numbers - Apple's version of Excel
- Pages - Apple's version of Word
- Keynote - Apple's version of PowerPoint
- Dragon Dictation - A fairly good (free) transcriber. [Incidentally, your iPad has a microphone located by the jack for the headphones.]
- Evernote - Evernote enables you take and transfer notes simultaneously between all devices. [Mine updates my work computer, iPad and iPhone automatically. I don't suggest getting the "premium" service unless you really rely on Word documents.]
- Drop Box - With Drop Box, you can easily move large amounts of data between your computer and the iPad. [We have found, however, that there is a 2GB storage limit, so don't get too crazy with large files.]
- GoodReader - This program the best and most useful pdf reader
- Fastcase - Free online caselaw - a must for lawyers
- Calculator 4 - Remember to turns the iPad sideways for more complicated functions
- WinAdmin - This program lets you "see" your computer desktop (through your work server), allowing you to navigate around and pull documents that you may have left behind at the office.
- Jump - Jump is another remote VPN program. I am currently trying it out as an alternative to WinAdmin, and, so far, have found it terrific. It was easier to set-up and, so far, has been much faster than WinAdmin.
- iDisplay - This is a very recent addition that allows you to use the iPad as a second (or third) display with a PC or Mac. I haven't figured out how to use this in a practical way (but love the look on peoples faces when they see that I have three screens up.)
- Netflix - Another must. If you have the bare-minimum Netflix account, you can watch anything on the Netflix "instant watch" list for free all the time. If you don't have a bare-minimum Netflix account, get one. (Maybe later, I'll give you a list of my favorite Science Fiction TV series to watch as well.)
- Pandora - Free internet radio
- Flixster - For movie times, trailers, ratings etc.
- Huffington Post
- The New York Times
- BBC News
- Fox Business for iPad
- 60 Minutes for iPad
- USA Today
- EW's Must List
- Sports Illustrated
- ESPN the Magazine
- The Score
- Sportacular
- ESPN Score Center XL
- NCAA March Madness On Demand
Book Readers:
I've used and enjoyed reading books on each reader. Downloading is a breeze and it is much cheaper (and lighter) than carrying paper. The screen does take some getting used to though. You can usually download a preview chapter of the book, which is also a nice feature - and should allow you to test out your tolerance to the reader.
- Amazon Kindle
- Nook
- iBooks
- Night Stand - A decent alarm clock
- BigOven - A huge online recipe book
- Angry Birds - The very fun catapult game - really popular and really fun
- Emerald Observatory - A great, and beautiful astronomical clock
- Virtuoso - A free piano player
- AccuWeather - My favorite weather forecaster
- Scrabble - Just like the board game, this game is a fun distraction for the whole family when on the road or waiting for a table somewhere.
- Xfinity - if you have Comcast cable, you can control your DVR from afar (e.g. when you are away from the house and think "oh, man, the game is about to start!"). There is also programming available to watch just like Netflix.
Skip's Favorite iPhone Apps
News/Sports:- Reuters News Pro
- NPR News
- NBA Gametime lite
- Slacker - While Pandora is the best internet-based radio station (see iPad apps), this one is a close second.
- Last FM
- Wolfgang's Concert Vault - Recordings of live concerts
- ESPN Radio
- iheartradio - This program lets you listen to radio stations in local towns
- urban spoon - A restaurant guide
- Yelp - Another restaurant guide, with community-based reviews. Really nice when travelling.
- Open Table - Make reservations at places nearby
- Motion X Poker - Very fun dice game to show off the physics of the iPhone
- FlightControl
- Peggle
- Crush the Castle - Nothing says fun like a catapult
- Infinity Blade - Nothing says fun like sword fighting. This game also has an absolutely amazing physics and animation engine. Really pretty.
- Flashlight - WAY, way more practical than you may think - I use this app literally every night as I negotiate around the house. It may be my favorite practical application.
- iHandy Level - Neat little "bubble" level
- 9-Toolbox - Several useful tools
- Battery LED - This application lets you know, exactly, how much time you have left to talk, play games, watch shows, etc.
- My AT&T Wireless - Keep track of minutes, payments, etc.
- Opera Mini - A slightly better internet browser than the Safari that comes on the phone
- Google - A great browser that now has voice recognition software and a very cool photo recognition software trick
- Shazam - This application recognizes songs that you hear - even in crowded rooms. It's close to performing a magic trick. This App recently moved to "pay after 5 songs per month," which is kind of a bummer.
- Skype - Excellent for international calling without using AT&T as long as you on wifi - and if you don't have FaceTime which is available on the iPhone 4 and, undoubtedly, will appear on the iPad 2.
- Weatherbug - More detailed weather, maps, etc than the app that comes with the phone
- Zippo - Dumb, fun
- Gate Guru - This application allows you to find food and services at different airports worldwide. It is surprisingly useful.
That is all I have for now. If you've tried out a great application that is missing from the list, I'd love to hear about it. Feel free to email me at winters@bodyfeltmount.com with your suggestions!