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PRACTICETIPS Knowledge Really IS Power Behold the Power of the Internet by Patricia J. Gustin, CLA, CFEI Test Your Internet Knowledge 1. What was the original name of the Internet? 2. What entity created the Internet? 3. When was the Internet first implemented? 4. Which entity(ies) were the initial, primary users? 5. How far-reaching was the Internet in its initial phases? (Answers are at the end of this article.) Oh, the power of the Internet! It’s efficient, practical, all-encompassing, infinite in wisdom, and so easily accessible. What a wonderful tool to have at our fingertips. Too bad we didn’t have it until only a dozen years ago. Look at all the time we could have saved had we known about it sooner. Well, it’s here today, so let’s take advantage of it. Most, if not all, legal assistants use the Internet as a primary means of finding information and conducting legal research. It is awesome what you can find with a few key words, a Web site URL, or the click of a mouse. If it exists, it likely can be found on the Internet. Accessing the Internet is easy, but what you need quickly and on target with your research can be tricky. A major obstacle to using the Internet as a legal research tool is finding the information of interest. Strategies you may find useful include the following: 1. Narrow the search. Have a good idea of the topic, subject, or issue you are going to search. You can start by using the Internet Service Provider’s search directory to find links to Web sites that may be useful. Learn to use “advanced” as well as “simple” search options. 2. Use search engines and general Web sites to begin your search. Plug in the key word(s) or phrase(s). The search engine will search an array of databases and then return the results to you. Note that no single search engine is capable of searching the entire Internet. 3. Bookmark (aka:“ Favorites”) the Web sites you like. Bookmarking will create shortcuts for future searches. Create folders to better organize your bookmarks, including search engines. For Internet Explorer, click on Favorites, then click on “Organize Favorites” from the menu bar. Click the “Move” button, then click the folder you wish to store, then click “OK.” For Navigator, click on the selected folder and hold the mouse button down, drag the bookmark to the folder, and release. 4. Delete unwanted bookmarks or favorites. Periodically clean out unwanted or no longer useful Web sites to avoid confusion and information overload. For Internet Explorer, choose “Favorites,” then choose “Organize Favorites.” Click on the folder you want to delete, and then click “Delete.” For Navigator, click on “Bookmarks,” then click on “Edit Bookmark.” Select the file you want to delete, then press “Delete.” More Tips 1. When downloading, check the Web site for what download software is used. Many Web sites use Acrobat PDF format, but there could be exceptions where other types of software are used. Web sites often direct you to links where you can download software. Be sure to check if this download is free or is offered at a price. 2. Check the Web site for terms and conditions of use before downloading. Many, but not all, Web sites that can be accessed on the Internet for legal research are free of charge, but be sure to read the fine print. 3. Use file compression software to compact files for uploading, downloading and transferring files or folders to disk. WinZIP is the most widely used file compression software, and you can access an evaluation download version at http://www.winzip.com. 4. Verify your research. Check for the date in which the particular Web site was updated. If you find that it has not been recently updated, verify your findings through other methods. Here is a sampling to get you on your way to conducting the next legal research project. Search Engines and Web Directories Starting points for search engines and web directories include 42 FACTS & FINDINGS / AUGUST 2003
www.thefrontpage.com/search/welcome.html. www.searchengineguide.com www.searchenginewatch.com. http://dpxml.webcrawler.com. Specific Search Engines www.AltaVista.com www.Excite.com www.Infoseek.com www.Yahoo.com www.AskJeeves.com www.HotBot.com www.Google.com www.Lycos.com www.GoTo.com Legal Subject/Research Sites Starting point: alllaw.com, or www.findlaw.com, or www.law.cornell.edu. All of these sites provide extensive information on federal and state laws and regulations, along with the courts’ “law about” links, and other valuable links. Not all legal opinions or court decisions are available. Also try these Web sites that offer a wealth of information and links: www.lib.uchicago.edu/~llou/lawlists/info.html (This is Law List, the most comprehensive of legal list servers.) www.lawguru.com Catalaw.com hg.org (HierosGamos) www.lawsource.com fastcase.com www.laws.com Federal Statutes www.uscode.house.gov (U.S. Code) www.house.gov (U.S. House of Representatives) www.Senate.gov (U.S. Senate) www.Thomas.loc.gov. (Comprehensive legislative information) Federal Courts Starting Point: www.uscourts.gov www.law.emory.edu/FEDCTS/ (Federal courts finder, including the U.S. Supreme Court) To find a particular U.S. District Court, try: www.(applicable district).uscourts.gov To find a particular U.S. Bankruptcy Court, try: www.(applicable district).uscourts.gov www.uscourts.gov/courts of appeal.html (for the 12 regional Circuit Courts of Appeal) www.ustaxcourt.gov (U.S. Tax Court) Federal Agencies Starting Point: http:www/governmentguide.com (easy access in finding government agencies, services, programs and other government related information and developments) www.usdoj.gov (U.S. Department of Justice) www.nlrb.gov (U.S. National Labor Relations Board) www.irs.gov (U.S. Internal Revenue Service) www.cpsc.gov (U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission) www.ssa.gov (U.S. Social Security Administration) www.hhs.gov (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) www.doc.gov (U.S. Department of Commerce) www.uspto.gov (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) www.copyright.gov (U.S. Copyright Office) www.sba.gov (U.S. Small Business Administration) www.cdc.gov (U.S. Centers for Disease Control) www.noish.gov (National Organization of Industrial Safety and Health) www.fda.gov (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) State Agencies Particular state agency home pages can usually be accessed at www.state.(two-letter abbreviation).us. If you aren’t sure where to start, begin at the state home page and link on to the list of departments, agencies and commissions. Finding Verdicts www.KnowX.com Legal Dictionaries/Library Catalogs Starting Point: law.house.gov/114.htm (law library links) www.Duhaime.org (plain language legal dictionary www.lectlaw.com/d-a.htm (‘Lectric Law Library legal terms Case Citation Guide: www.law.cornell.edu/citation/citation.table.html continued on page 44 FACTS & FINDINGS / AUGUST 2003 43
Page 2 and 3: Departments President’s Message -
Page 4 and 5: Call for Proposals 2004 Convention
Page 6 and 7: Anatomyofa Construction Paralegals
Page 8 and 9: Anatomy of a Construction Defect Ca
Page 10 and 11: Resources & Opportunities Reviewed
Page 12 and 13: Automotive Product Liability contin
Page 14 and 15: Po Windows er Can by Robert M.N. Pa
Page 16 and 17: Estimated Number of Persons Injured
Page 18 and 19: The Digital Millennium Copyright Ac
Page 20 and 21: Get ‘Wired’ for Savings by Robe
Page 22 and 23: Get ‘Wired’ for Savings continu
Page 24 and 25: y Ann Marie Verity Paris may be the
Page 26 and 27: An American Paralegal in Paris cont
Page 28 and 29: CONVENTIONSNAPSHOTS July 9-12, 2003
Page 30 and 31: CONVENTIONSNAPSHOTS NALA Board and
Page 32 and 33: Experts on the Internet continued f
Page 34 and 35: Experts on the Internet continued f
Page 36 and 37: EDUCATION A Road Worth Traveling Th
Page 38 and 39: TECHNOBITS Use the Technology Elect
Page 42 and 43: Practice Tips: Behold the Power of
Page 44 and 45: members demonstrates the importance
Page 46 and 47: y the United States Bankruptcy Cour
Page 48 and 49: AFFILIATESCOLUMN Making the Most of
Page 50 and 51: ility of course content and materia
Page 52 and 53: & NEWS INFORMATION Phyllis L. Dunha
Page 54 and 55: & NEWS INFORMATION NORTH DAKOTA Red
Page 56 and 57: & NEWS INFORMATION Alicia L. Castil

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