Historic Computer Experiences

Those studying for the Bar exam need a break, and it's summer for everyone, so enjoy this slide show revealing the dramatic changes in web design since nine of the most popular websites--including Google, Facebook, and the New York Times--were first introduced.  Brought to you by Mashable.com, "What the World's Biggest Websites Looked Like at Launch" also has some brief information about each home page's initial design.

And, long before they were mobile, Lexis and Westlaw were truly stationary--usable only at the dedicated computer terminals of the 1980's in law libraries and offices. Experience a brief close encounter with the first computer-assisted legal research terminal, introduced by Lexis-Nexis in 1980 and now on display in the Computer History Museum, Mountain View, California.  

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

A Judge Passes Judgment In Rhyme

Earlier this week, we brought you U.S. Supreme Court decisions encapsulated in haiku.

This week, a judge renders judgment on a dog-napper in verse. Read more here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New CRS Report: Unaccompanied Alien Children: An Overview

There has been a large increase in the number of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) apprehended along the Southwest boarder.  Lisa Seghetti, Alison Siskin, and Ruth Ellen Wasem discuss the issue in their new CRS report, Unaccompanied Alien Children: An Overview.  Also, check Lisa Seghetti’s flow chart for an understanding of the complex process.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

ABA's Teaching the Technology of Practice: The 10 Top Schools

Hofstra University's Maurice A. Deane School of Law takes the #6 place on the ABA's list of top 10 schools for teaching the technology of practice. The article notes that while most law schools have paid a lot of attention to the law of technology, only a few lead the way in teaching the technology of law.  

One such standout is Hofstra Law's Law, Logic & Technology Research Laboratory.  "The Lab has a research program that has resulted in work products and related tools that make legal decision-making more accurate and more efficient."

Read the article here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Supreme Court Haiku - the law of the land in 17 syllables

The Supreme Court Haiku Reporter renders the rulings of U.S. Supreme Court decisions as Haiku.  The results tend to be pointed and concise.  For example:

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

Schools for black and white
Separate is not equal
Desegragation

For more recent decisions a link to the opinion is provided and older opinions are linked to a Wikipedia discussion of the opinions and its' impact.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat