Blog

5/15 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201220): Google Drive - Introduction

In part 1 of a 2-part Tip of the Week, we'll take a look at the new Google Drive. We'll upload a file and see how it's instantly searchable. We'll also see how Google Drive on the Web syncs with your Google Drive folder on your PC.

5/8 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201219): Legal Books Online

Both Amazon.com and Google Books let you view up to 20% of copyrighted books online. Jenkins members can download the full text of more than 250 books by Nolo Press, containing thousands of legal forms.

5/1 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201218): RECAP Archive

There's a searchable archive of PACER documents gathered by the RECAP Firefox browser extension. You won't find every document that you need, but it's a good place to start your legal research. (RECAP was developed at Princeton University.)

4/24 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201217): Secure Browsing with https

Last year Google went to a full encrypted connection for Web search to foil online snoops. Many Websites are going that route, using https. The EFF has produced a browser extension called HTTPS Everywhere which automatically puts you in encrypted mode.

4/19 2012

New Resource Guide Available: Pennsylvania Constitution

Check out our new Pennsylvania Constitution Resource Guide.

4/18 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201216): Adblock Plus

Adblock Plus is an essential free browser add-on that zaps annoying Website banner ads.

4/10 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201215): Cited References in Google Scholar

You can easily see a list of cases, law review articles and books that have cited a particular case you've retrieved in Google Scholar. You can search within the citing documents to see which ones also cite another case you're interested in.

4/3 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201214): Serendipity Through Subject Headings

You'll experience serendipity when you browse the library stacks because similar books will be shelved together. Can you recreate the same experience online? Certainly! Use the subject headings assigned to each record in the Jenkins online catalog.

3/29 2012

New PA Family Law Form Book

The Legal Intelligencer has a new book out: Library of Pennsylvania Family Law Forms by Joseph S. Britton.

3/27 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201213): Using Google Image Search to "Background Check" a Site

You can use Google's "search by image" feature to double-check the source of images on a Website. In this video Tip of the Week, we investigate the provenance of some of the attorney pictures on a Website offering free legal advice.

3/19 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201212): Local Climate Data

You're not limited to paper reports anymore when you need local climatological data. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration now offers 70+ years' worth of data online for free. Search tool Wolfram | Alpha also provides detailed climate data.

3/13 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201211): Sample Forms and Pleadings

Jenkins Law Library offers its members 3 great sources for sample forms and pleadings: PA Legal Forms, Nolo Press, and the National Consumer Law Center.

3/6 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201210): PACER Test Site

Are you interested in learning to use PACER but are intimidated about getting dinged $.08 per page as you figure out how it works? We've got a deal for you! The US Courts have set up a free PACER test site.

2/29 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201209): Where's the Cache and Why Should I Care?

Google (and Bing) has moved the link for the cached copy of indexed pages. This video shows where the cached link has gotten to and also reviews why you should use the cached copy.

2/21 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201208): Creating a Strong Password

How strong are your online passwords? If your passwords are short (6-9 characters) and easy to guess (something like "PH1LL13Z"), they're not strong. Try using a passphrase: 3 or more words separated by spaces ("angry docile fossils").

2/14 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201207): Sorting Results

Sorting (or reordering) the results page often gives you a different slice of hits to view. Learn your sorting options for databases such as Fastcase, HeinOnline and NewsBank.

2/7 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201206): Ctrl-F / Command-F

The one keyboard shortcut you'll use the most is Ctrl-F (or Command-F on the Mac), which lets you search within the text of Web pages, MS Office docs, Adobe Acrobat PDFs, and more.

1/31 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201205): Combining Legal Search Tools

Channel your inner MacGyver and learn how to combine several free or low-cost search tools in order to perform effective legal research.

1/27 2012

New Resource Guide Available: PA Family Law

Need a place to get started with your Pennsylvania family law research? Check out our new resource guide.

1/25 2012

Tip of the Week (Episode 201204): Incognito/Private Browsing

Web browsers capture a lot of information about you. Go Incognito (Google Chrome) or enter Private Browsing (Firefox) to ensure that your cache, cookies, download list entries, history, and stuff you type into the Omnibox or Awesome Bar are not saved.

1/18 2012

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