PC-Economist '98 - Apr/May '98

PC-Economist '98

In 1975, I took the only available computer science course in college; I supposedly learned to program. Since then I'd like to think I've become fairly proficient in using application software including spreadsheets and databases. I have designed and implemented many a database and spreadsheet. Consequently, when I look at a program that might employ template-type spreadsheet and database elements, my first thought is that I could probably design the same thing myself and save the money instead of buying the program. This view was fostered primarily by the early (up to the late 1980s) tax program offerings.

Then there is Advocate Software's PC-Economist '98. This analytical software bundle is a highly useful tool to evaluate your personal injury, wrongful termination and wrongful death cases. A fourth module for structured settlements is in beta testing, scheduled for release in early April 1998, and was not reviewed. First published for economists, this program will provide you with data to value your case without having to hire economists.

Installation on Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 Workstations is easy, quick and straightforward. There are no glitches or confusing choices with which to contend. The installation program handled installation to non-default local and network disks and directories with aplomb. After activating the programs with a purchase number obtained by calling an 800 telephone number, you can launch any of the three programs from a central menu. All of the programs employ the same procedure. You open a case with certain basic information like the age of the plaintiff, the date of the injury and the anticipated trial or settlement date. Navigation through the various data screens is accomplished by clicking color-coded tabs. You fill in the requested relevant information concerning the past and future employment and earning capacity of the plaintiff. Data entry can be accomplished with the ever-more-popular "wizard" method. You can then print out the raw data or reports. The layout is well-thought-out and consistent, making the program easy to use. The interface includes a pop-up calculator, and even a timer that will tell how long you have been working in the program. The interface also includes a notebook to keep track of notes on your calculations.

In the first screen, after identifying the plaintiff, case number, date of birth, and the date of the injury, etc., the program can calculate life and work-life expectancy of the plaintiff, and past and future lost earnings, including the value of fringe benefits and household services. The program will similarly evaluate past and future medical costs and other damages. Values can be adjusted for the state, sex and age of the plaintiff, and the mean can be adjusted to include all statistics or those for men, women, minimum or maximum. Data is taken from such places as the Bureau of the Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can, of course, use your own data from your own sources but it is doubtful that you will need to in many cases. Each program module collects information appropriate to its function. The latest documentation was still at the printers and could not be reviewed, but documentation for the previous version was good. There is also an online tutorial.

Because the program does not list the last four files opened on the file menu (as has become somewhat of a custom for modern Windows programs), it is important to implement a consistent descriptive file-naming convention, and to store your data files in one directory. Data should be saved during entry since the program contains no auto-save feature.

There is no mouse-wheel or right mouse button functionality, but this is barely even a minor inconvenience as there are not many places these abilities would add to the functionality of the program. Although the program could function at every screen resolution I could throw at it, the program will only display correctly using small fonts. Unless you have some reason to use the program at a resolution over 1,152 by 864 dpi (no reasons come to mind), this will not be a problem. In one screen, pressing the tab key, annoyingly, will not take you to the next expected data field. However, as noted above, it does take you to somewhere you should visit on a regular basis--the save button. There is also no context-sensitive help. Invoking the help system takes you
to the help contents screen. However, as noted previously, the program is so easy to use, you will rarely need help. The help button on the fringe benefits screen does nothing; obviously a bug.

Free support is available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST. The support you get with this program, at least from a conceptual standpoint, is phenomenal. For 60 days you get free economics support from an economist. This service can be continued for $100 per year or $25 per incident. Technical support is free forever, according to the company.

You can purchase the individual programs or the suite. The suite costs $598. The individual modules which comprise the suite are priced as follows: Personal Injury Economist is $299; Wrongful Termination Econ-omist is $245; Wrongful Death Economist is $299. The Structured Settlement Economist is projected to cost $119 when released. Additional licenses are priced per professional, not per machine, so that you can maintain a copy of the program on your notebook computer and allow your paralegal and secretary to use the program on the same license. The statistical database can be updated annually along with software patches for $35. Call the company for details.

Advocate Software
(800) 800-1393
www.advocatesoftware.com
Windows 95, NT

$598

Reviewed by Steve Schmidt, attorney, Singer, Smith & Williams, Albuquerque, N.M.

Apr/May '98 Issue