INTERNET LEGAL
RESEARCH WEEKLY
January 18, 2004
Tom
Mighell
Welcome to Issue #141 of the Internet Legal Research Weekly, a newsletter that delivers relevant and timely legal research information, and other fun stuff, to your inbox every Sunday. If you like what you read, please forward this newsletter to anyone you think might be interested, and encourage him or her to do the same! To subscribe, all you have to do is visit Inter Alia and fill out the subscription form -- it's free!
Whew! It has been a busy couple of weekends. I am still busy, but enough time to send you an abbreviated version of the newsletter, that's heavy on the news. Thanks for your patience!
And away we go…..
I can't believe this still happens
It seems that "Cyber-blackmail" is on the rise -- this usually occurs when the victims receive an e-mail from someone threatening to delete computer files or install p*rn on their computers unless they pay up. I know most who read the newsletter and blog already know better, but maybe you know someone who doesn't, so pass this on. If you ever get an e-mail like this, pass it along to your IT department. If you receive this at home, make sure your computer is secured against outside attack, by following the tips frequently mentioned by me here.Toolbars, toolbars, everywhere.....
Thinking of using one of the many toolbars now available from most of the major search sites? Read Toolbars: Trash or Treasures? first.Closing the search books on 2003
Catch up with the Search Engine Milestones for December 2003 over at Search Engine Watch.A story on ID theft
It looks like 2004 is shaping up to be a year where identity theft takes center stage, judging by the number of stories already appearing in the news. The Boston Globe reports that for $475, it was able to obtain a person's bank account information, including account number, six month average balance, and current balance. This isn't a matter of people not protecting their identities online -- this is a problem our banks need to address, and now.Another damaging web scam
Here's another example of people being fooled by the bad guys. Individuals have been receiving e-mails purporting to come from the FBI, which installed malware on their computer when they opened the attachment. When you read this article, notice how poorly worded the message is. If the FBI ever were to send you an e-mail (and it won't -- when you do something to justify FBI attention, it will not occur by e-mail), it would certainly do better with the grammar.Search by Numbers
Google has introduced even more cool number searches:
Eye of a hawk, organization of a teenager
Check out Watching Google Like a Hawk, which despite its name claims to offer "The Good, The Bad, and the Indifferent" about Google. There are lots of headlines here about Google. This could be an even better site if they would organize the headlines chronologically -- I can't tell which stories are new and which stories were there yesterday. Even better, an RSS feed would help us information junkies who visit every day!Searching closer to home
One of the big things to watch for in the search world this year is the concept of "local search" -- the ability of search engines to deliver relevant results for your geographical area. Greg Sterling answers the why local? question with an obvious answer: revenue. Chris Sherman has a review of a new local search tool Metrobot, which provides information on businesses in twelve U.S. cities. The interface is very simple -- just enter a business name or type for a particular city, and you'll get a listing of matching businesses. One of the cool features is the Map layout -- instead of just showing you a map with a star on it, Metrobot's map is laid out like a street, and it has a listing of other businesses around it. I hope Metrobot doesn't just stop with 12 cities.The year ahead in law technology
Dennis Kennedy has posted his 2004 Legal Technology Trends, which as always is a must-read. Pay attention to these trends, and you'll keep ahead of the technology curve in 2004.Thinking outside the browser
Following Google's new Deskbar, Microsoft, Yahoo!, and Earthlink, are racing to design desktop search functionality. You know, I just don't find the Google Deskbar all that useful. I installed it to check it out, but I just never use it. Not because I don't want to use it -- I just never think about it. I always have a browser open, and can easily search with the Google Toolbar if I need to look for something. Anybody find it useful?Blawgs of the Week
It has been awhile since I've discussed the new law-related weblogs I have come across. Here are a few: Lawyers Don't Get It is a new blawg from a New York lawyer, who believes (quite rightly) the practice of law would greatly benefit from the intelligent application of information technology. At word of blog, Debbi Mack compiles "legal news and resources for writers, editors, musicians, artists, and other communicators." From up north comes Canadian Privacy Law, where lawyer David Fraser publishes developments in privacy law and information related to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Susan Bird has been practicing environmental law with the Department of Defense since 1989. She shares her experiences along with news for federal agency environmental lawyers over at Cumulative Impacts.You probably know that Internet Explorer stores web pages that you have visited in its "cache," which allows IE to help them load faster when you revisit them. Maybe you don't like the idea of all those pages building up in your cache, or maybe you are pressed for space on your PC -- you can configure IE to automatically delete these cached files every time you shut the program down.
Just select Tools, then Internet Options. Click on the Advanced tab, and scroll down to the Security section. Check the box marked Empty Temporary Internet Files Folder When Browser is Closed, then click okay. That's all there is to it.
Do you have a question about searching the Internet or your computer in general? Drop me an e-mail at tom(at)inter-alia(dot)net – I’ll post your question (don’t worry, I won’t use your real name) and try to get an answer for you!
Legally Relevant – Sites on the Internet
National Environmental Directory
We all have moments when we ask, What is the Oyster Creek Nuclear Watch up to these days. No? Well, with the National Environmental Directory you could if you wanted to -- this site features over 13,000 organizations associated with environmental issues and education. You can search the entire directory, or by geographical region; the search function allows you to search by zip code, organization name, or by environmental topic. For each organization you'll find basic contact info, as well as a notes section to which anyone can make a contribution. If you'd rather keep the entire directory on your computer, it's yours for $350.U.S. Government Spanish Website Resources
The Oklahoma Department of Libraries offers this useful resource for anyone wanting to access a U.S. government website for spanish-speaking individuals. That's all you'll find here -- a list of links to those sites -- there are over thirty sites from which to choose.WebJunction
This is not a legal research site, but perhaps it will be of interest to the librarians in the audience. WebJunction is an online community of libraries and other agencies sharing knowledge and experience to provide the broadest public access to information technology. The main sections of this site are found across the top of the page. Policies and Practices provides libraries with guidance on establishing proper policies. There are also links to Technology Resources, a Buying Guide for technology, a Learning Center with online courses and training tips, and a Community Center to discuss relevant issues.PrivacyInfo.ca
Maintained by the prolific Professor Michael Geist of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, the site features summaries of all of the Canadian Privacy Commissioner's decisions under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). In addition to decisions, you'll also find publications and other privacy resources, as well as federal and provincial privacy legislation. Combined with the Canadian Privacy Law blog above, you're all set.Bureau of Labor Statistics
An oldie but a goodie, the BLS is the fountainhead of all things labor-related. The front page is just chock full of links to stats on consumer spending, wages, benefits, productivity, safety and health, international issues, occupations, BLS Information offices, and that's just the left side of the page! Make this a part of your employment law favorites folder.
Finally some fun and useful sites to start your week:
If you use Outlook Express, you might want to take a look at Inside Outlook Express, a source of technical information and tips on the e-mail client:
Survive Office Space by avoiding the boss, collecting folders, and eating donuts until vacation time:
Well, that’s it for Issue #141 – I hope you liked it! If you did, pass this along to anyone you think might be interested, and encourage him or her to subscribe. Also, feel free to drop me an e-mail any time if you have questions, or if you have websites or other topics you want included in a future issue.
Tom Mighell
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