Stealth Surfing

Patrick Foto/Getty Images

If you want to prowl online with out leaving paw-prints, check out 5 Ways to go Totally Incognito on the Web .

Tips include how to keep Google from knowing everything about you and the latest on configuring your social media settings to maximize your privacy.

Hat-tip to Social News at About.com .

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Pluto (Re)Visited

Years ago, we lamented Pluto’s demotion from a full planet to a so-called “dwarf planet”. Now, fast forward to 2015, when NASA’s New Horizons mission has recently approached Pluto, and determined that it is somewhat larger than was previously thought. Perhaps there is now slim cause to hope for Pluto’s reinstatement as a full planet?

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The History of British Slavery

The Guardian has a recent article "The history of British slave ownership has been buried, now its scale can be revealed."  It is a fascinating overview of the extent and depth of slaves and the slave trade in Great Britain. There were the widows who inherited a slave and rented out their slaves in work-gangs.  The highest rates of  slave ownership was in Scotland.  The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 formally freed 800,000 Africans. What is less well known is that the same act contained a provision for the financial compensation of the owners of those slaves, by the British taxpayer, for the loss of their “property”.

Much more is revealed.

The articles provides links to the Legacies of British Slave Ownership and which has a free online database of British slave holders.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Tips for Lawyers Blog

Looking for a good blog that provides tips for lawyers?  Try the The Tips for Lawyers blog, it provides discussions on career moves, marketing; social media issues, coping with colleagues/clients and more.  To access the blog click here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Mobile Member Guide App for the 114th Congress

“The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) has released the Mobile Member Guide App for the 114th Congress. The mobile Web app provides the public with quick, easy access to information on Members of the 114th Congress; the features include their picture, party affiliation, hometown, home state, and length of service. The app allows users to browse for Members of Congress by last name, state, chamber, or party. The public can take advantage of this free mobile Web app on major mobile device platforms.”



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Newsday

Summer is a good time to become familiar with a database that may be useful for legislative history or other research in the future, but can also be explored just for fun or personal browsing. Through Axinn Library, all Hofstra law students have access to ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Newsday, with coverage from 1940 to 1986.  Here you can search for full-text PDF articles, with images, from the Newsday archive with its unique Long Island perspective on local, regional, and national events.  For example, these years include the beginnings of Hofstra Law School and its first students and faculty in the 1970's.  If your relatives lived in the Long Island area anytime during the 20th century, you might also want to do an "Obituaries" search for family names, or search the name of a town or school during a particular time period.

To access this database, begin at the Hofstra Libraries web page, click on "Databases," and select "Newspapers" from the subject category menu.  You will need to log in to the Hofstra portal to continue to the list of Newspaper databases, including "Newsday Archive."    

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

NASA Science

Summer is a great time to star watch.  One can lay on the beach, searching the sky at night and not get frostbitten.  NASA Science will keep you up-to-date on celestial events as well as a source for scientific information regarding our planet and the solar system.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Did Benjamin Franklin Really Say That?

As Independence Day approaches, we can reliably expect to see quotations throughout the various media from that most quotable of the Founders, Benjamin Franklin. But did Benjamin Franklin really say that?

Click here to find out.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New York Freedom Trail

Fourth of July weekend is almost here.  Many of us will be heading into Manhattan, Brooklyn, or elsewhere in New York City to take advantage of the fun and festivities. While you're taking a much needed break from work or bar exam outlines, don't miss the Revolutionary War history right on your path to that museum, restaurant, or family gathering.  New York Freedom Trail is a quick virtual tour of 19 New York City Revolutionary War sites, with photos, a simple map, and public transit directions for each one. There's enough information to make each site interesting while keeping to the essentials.  So before you head out, be sure to take a look at New York Freedom Trail online, or take along the Kindle version available from Amazon.com.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

10 Mobile Apps to Simplify Life for Lawyers

This is another apps list from Law Technology Today, 10 Mobile Apps to Simplify Life for Lawyers.  Some apps are strictly for lawyers - Fastcase - while others are general - Workshare - but meet a lawyer's need.

So review the apps and use the ones that suit your needs.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat