Re: Lexis training for 1Ls - Web or software?
I agree with the general dissatisfaction with the web version of Lexis, at
least as compared to the classic session software. However, from what I
understand, Lexis no longer wants to pay traditional programmers to
upgrade, distribute and support the session software, and has made a
corporate decision to phase out the session software as soon as possible.
The first phase of this strategy (which may play out over a couple years)
is to begin with law students. It involves more than training--Lexis is
also no longer distributing free software and has discontinued all
literature that doesn't feature the web interface.
I seems to me that once Lexis commits to hiring (or contracting) the HTML
and Java programmers necessary to make this web interface work, business
sense dictates that they not spend a comparable amount (or more) on
supporting a separate programming and technical support operation for the
session software. (Especially given the labor shortage in the computing
profession, and the cost of training frontline support people on multiple
platforms). If that's the case, then it is likely that when this year's
1Ls begin to practice, the web interface may be all that's available.
Like all revolutions, the information revolution has a tendancy to eat its
young. (See DIALOG's recent history for but one example). Unfortunately,
I think that separate session software for electronic databases will prove
to be one more tasty morsel along the way.
KXM
At 08:31 AM 9/24/98 -0700, you wrote:
>Janet (and law-lib-ers):
>
>Thank you for raising this issue, which I've been wanting to post to
>law-lib. We've been told that Westlaw will train 1l's on both, but Lexis
>plans to train on Web only. I think this is a very very bad idea, and not
>at all helpful to the future (and present) employers of these law
>students.
>
>We have opened discussion with our rep, but as with many of these big
>publisher problems, it might be a matter of divided we fall but together
>we prevail! Our reps may need our voices to support them.
>
>Laura
>
>Laura Orr
>Visiting Reference Librarian
>Willamette Law Library
>
****************************************************
Kurt X. Metzmeier, J.D. M.L.S.
Coordinator of Information Systems Services
College Technology Coordinator
Reference\Systems Librarian
University of Kentucky College of Law
Lexington KY 40506-0048
PH 606.257.1359 FAX 606.323.4906
email: kmetz1@pop.uky.edu
www: http://www.uky.edu/Law/CISS
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