Friday, June 3, 2011
We Moved!
Thanks for following the Monroe Infoblog! The blog has moved due to some technical difficulties. Please continue to follow us at http://monroeinfoblog.typepad.com
Monday, April 27, 2009
Legislative History Research Guides by State
Tracing the development of state law just became a bit easier. The Law Library at Maurer School of Law has compiled research guides and legislative history source guides for most U.S. states. Both paper and online research are discussed. Some states even offer “step-by-step” guides. For states without available research guides, a link is provided to the state legislative branch’s website.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Read it later...
Sometimes the little things make my life so much easier! "I need to read this" is helping me create my own, customized reading list.
How many times have you run across an article or blogpost that you really find interesting, but you simply do not have time to read it right away? I have tried bookmarking these sites, making a list of interesting urls, emailing the url to myself...every attempt to save the item for later always ends in it being forgotten or lost.
Well, now I don't have to worry about that! I just signed up for "I need to read this". The site is extremely simple. Just create a username and password, add the two bookmarklets to your favorites (IE) or bookmarks (other browsers). Then, when you see an article you want to read later, click the bookmarklet "I need to read this". When you find yourself with a free moment on your hands, go to the "Read an article" bookmarklet and see what you have saved.
So simple, yet truly genius! Now, I would be interested in the idea of sharing these reading lists with my friends and colleagues. I wonder if that will be an option in the future.
How many times have you run across an article or blogpost that you really find interesting, but you simply do not have time to read it right away? I have tried bookmarking these sites, making a list of interesting urls, emailing the url to myself...every attempt to save the item for later always ends in it being forgotten or lost.
Well, now I don't have to worry about that! I just signed up for "I need to read this". The site is extremely simple. Just create a username and password, add the two bookmarklets to your favorites (IE) or bookmarks (other browsers). Then, when you see an article you want to read later, click the bookmarklet "I need to read this". When you find yourself with a free moment on your hands, go to the "Read an article" bookmarklet and see what you have saved.
So simple, yet truly genius! Now, I would be interested in the idea of sharing these reading lists with my friends and colleagues. I wonder if that will be an option in the future.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Choosing a URL Shortening Service
In a world where communication needs to fit into the confines of a text message or a tweet, it can be important to keep things as short as possible. This is why most of us have employed the use of a URL shortening service. I believe tinyurl was the first service I encountered and that was probably 5 or 6 years ago. Now, there are numerous options for URL shortening services and just as many criteria to consider when choosing between them.
Search Engine Land published this detailed look at each of the most popular services and how to make a choice that will work best for you.
Search Engine Land published this detailed look at each of the most popular services and how to make a choice that will work best for you.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Free Legal Research Sources
UCLA has published a new research guide called "Beyond LexisNexis & Westlaw".
We are all looking for ways to cut costs. We clip coupons for groceries, telecommute to save on gas and opt to "stay-cation" instead of vacation. Even the law firm giants are feeling the crunch as they shed support staff and associates quicker than my dog is shedding her winter coat.
However, there are still cases to be argued and battles to be won. Legal research still needs to be done. In a world where LexisNexis and Westlaw have always been our first stops, it is essential to employ a more cost-effective method of finding the answers we need. Beyond LexisNexis & Westlaw provides a directory of resources organized by categories such as: Federal Legislative Branch Resources, Federal Courts & Caselaw, Legal Forms, Legal News and Local Government . Many, if not most, of the resources listed are free. It may take a few minutes to learn a new resource, but the savings should be worth it!
We are all looking for ways to cut costs. We clip coupons for groceries, telecommute to save on gas and opt to "stay-cation" instead of vacation. Even the law firm giants are feeling the crunch as they shed support staff and associates quicker than my dog is shedding her winter coat.
However, there are still cases to be argued and battles to be won. Legal research still needs to be done. In a world where LexisNexis and Westlaw have always been our first stops, it is essential to employ a more cost-effective method of finding the answers we need. Beyond LexisNexis & Westlaw provides a directory of resources organized by categories such as: Federal Legislative Branch Resources, Federal Courts & Caselaw, Legal Forms, Legal News and Local Government . Many, if not most, of the resources listed are free. It may take a few minutes to learn a new resource, but the savings should be worth it!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Multi-Source Patent Research
Patent searching just got a little easier! PriorSmart offers a helpful solution to finding and searching multiple patent sites by allowing the user to search six different patent sources (3 U.S. sources, 3 worldwide sources) from one central site. Currently, it seems there is no way to search all sources at one time. However, searching six sources from one site is easier than searching six sources from six different sites. We have become instant gratification junkies and anything that saves this many clicks has to be good!
In addition, PriorSmart offers the option to search specific patent sources in more than 50 other countries. If you do a great deal of patent searching, definitely check out this resource.
In addition, PriorSmart offers the option to search specific patent sources in more than 50 other countries. If you do a great deal of patent searching, definitely check out this resource.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
In their own words...
When we are this close to a major election, you cannot go out your front door without encountering an opinionated neighbor, chatty co-worker or distraught cab driver who feels the need to pour out their political opinions on you. With so many opinions bombarding you at every turn, it is hard to make up your own mind. Did Obama REALLY say that? Does McCain REALLY oppose that issue? How are you to know?
Well, Google Inquotes provides you with a tool to look into what the candidates are actually saying. Here is how it works:
1. Go to http://labs.google.com/inquotes/
2. Click on the candidate of interest to you or choose two candidates if you wish to compare.
3. The resulting screen will give you a list of that candidates quotes arranged by issue.
4. You can see ALL quotes by that candidate (archives go back 5 years) by clicking on the link under the candidate's picture.
5. On the "All Quotes" screen, you are able to search by keyword and order by date.
So, if you want to see what Obama was saying about the Iraq War 3 years ago, this site will show you. If you want to read what Sarah Palin said about that notorious bridge back in 2007, you can read that on her page. If you want to see how many times McCain has claimed to support President Bush, get a calculator and start going through his page. It really is a liberating way to read what the candidates have said and decide for yourself who you would like the next president to be.
Well, Google Inquotes provides you with a tool to look into what the candidates are actually saying. Here is how it works:
1. Go to http://labs.google.com/inquotes/
2. Click on the candidate of interest to you or choose two candidates if you wish to compare.
3. The resulting screen will give you a list of that candidates quotes arranged by issue.
4. You can see ALL quotes by that candidate (archives go back 5 years) by clicking on the link under the candidate's picture.
5. On the "All Quotes" screen, you are able to search by keyword and order by date.
So, if you want to see what Obama was saying about the Iraq War 3 years ago, this site will show you. If you want to read what Sarah Palin said about that notorious bridge back in 2007, you can read that on her page. If you want to see how many times McCain has claimed to support President Bush, get a calculator and start going through his page. It really is a liberating way to read what the candidates have said and decide for yourself who you would like the next president to be.
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