Looking forward

Now that we have all reviewed 2006 with all of those top 10 lists, it is time to look forward. Some believe that markets are the best way to predict the future. Intrade is an exchange to trade (speculate on) events that directly affect your life, like politics, entertainment, financial indicators, weather, current events and legal affairs. These are known as "prediction markets." Traders buy and sell contracts based on what they predict for the future. Take a look to see what the predictions are for NYC snowfall or the 2008 Presidential candidates.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

The Elements of Style Online

Good legal writing begins with good ordinary writing, and few better or more time-tested guides to fine writing exist than William Strunk, Jr.'s concise masterwork, The Elements of Style. The freely available online version offers the pre-E.B White 1918 edition of the book. While a few fusty recommendations remain, this work offers timeless tips on concise, forcible writing, as well as a guide to usage, and lists of troublesome expressions and commonly misspelled words. Consult it often!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Supreme Court Annual Report

It’s time for year-end reports and for setting new--and renewed--goals for the future. The Supreme Court of the United States weighed in this week when Chief Justice John Roberts released his 2006 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary. As always, this annual report included a useful summary of the federal courts’ caseload during the past year. But its focus was the seriously lagging compensation of federal judges, a result of Congressional failure to enact a judicial salary increase over many years and a situation now at crisis level, according to the Chief Justice. The most recent Year-End Reports (2000 – 2006) are available on the Supreme Court web site. More information about the Chief Justice’s Year-End Report and about how to find earlier reports is provided by the Supreme Court Historical Society.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Happy New Year!

Did you make New Year's resolutions? Many of us have good intentions, but somehow never follow through on our resolutions. Here is a list of the 10 most popular New Year's Resolutions complete with tips on how to implement. Your resolutions not on the lists? Well, write down your plan for carrying out each resolution. Knowing how you're going to do something can help you get started and carry out your plans. Good luck and may 2007 be the best year ever!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

YOU MADE IT!!!!!!!!

With only a few more hours to go, you will have conquered either your first, or another semester.

I am now going to take a much needed and earned nap. The purring you hear over break will be from me. I will return to my prowlings and postings when the Library re-opens on January 2nd.

Enjoy the holidays and break and have a very Happy New Year!!!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

2006 Year-End Google Zeitgeist

The end of a year, not just a semester, is upon us. How better to recap the global collective consciousness of 2006 than by posting the "top ten" lists of popular search terms typed into Google this year by millions of searchers? Google, Inc. has provided us with this knowledge on their 2006 Year-End Google Zeitgeist site. After you’ve checked out a few of the most frequently Googled terms reflecting the spirit of the times, learn about something new (or how well your interests are represented) by clicking on the tabs for “What’s Hot,” “Current Events,” “Sports” and “Entertainment”.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

What American accent do you have?

This is one of the quizzes found at GoToQuiz. GoToQuiz is a site created by and for the visitors. They give you the tools to make really good quizzes, rank the top quizzes and track visitor ratings as well. The quiz in the title is one of the most popular and is accurate. Ok, you've been taking exams for the past week and don't want to take a quiz. But, this are fun, easy to take and you can't fail! And, you can make your own. What about a law quiz that YOU made?

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

You are Time Person of the Year

Or at least all of us that contribute to the Internet are. The Internet has changed over the years, and more and more it is regular people like us that control it. Through websites like MySpace, YouTube, Wikipedia and countless blogs and podcasts, anybody and everybody can write, speak or create something for the world to see. For more, read the cover story of this week's edition of Time at Time.com

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Library Hours after Exams

I know many of you still have more studying to do in the next week, but for those of you who are thinking about after exams, here is the Library's schedule for the holidays and Intersession:

Friday, December 22 - January 1, 2007
LIBRARY CLOSED

Tuesday, January 2– Monday, January 15
Sunday Noon - 8:00 P.M.
Monday - Thursday 8:00A.M - 8:00 P.M.
Friday 8:00A.M.- 6:00 P.M.
Saturday 10:00A.M.- 6:00 P.M.

EXCEPTIONS:
Monday, January 15 (MLK Day) LIBRARY CLOSED

Tuesday, January 16 - the Library's Regular Hours resume.

Best of luck with the rest of your exams.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Law School Academic Support Blog

A member of the Law Professor Blogs Network, the Law School Academic Support Blog offers advice for the student regarding various aspects of studying law. While it is not the most prolific or frequently updated of blogs, certain articles on the blog’s front page that contain suggestions about outlining, test anxiety, and even getting enough rest seem especially pertinent at this time of year.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat