Young Lawyers Division 2000-2001
American Bar Association
Affiliates Online
Surfing the Net
Monique Branscomb
In my last article, I attempted to convince all affiliates to use the Internet to serve members and the public. An affiliate website can provide information regarding upcoming programs, events, and meetings, and handle requests for volunteer help. It can also be used to advertise YLD programs to the public. Additionally, an affiliate could develop a website as a program. For instance, rather than publish a pamphlet on consumer rights, an affiliate could produce a website on the topic. The general public could access the information free of charge, compliments of the local young lawyer association. For a fraction of usual publication costs, an affiliate could provide important information to thousands of Internet surfers.The Big Wave
In this article I want to eliminate your fear of the Internet! Perhaps many of you are Internet pros. But I know some young lawyers, like me, have not been surfing the net. I really did not know how the Internet worked until a few months ago. Although I had been working on a computer for years and using a modem and fax machine, I was overwhelmed by this Internet thing. How did it work? Was there a big computer somewhere connected to other computers all over the world? Who input the data? Fortunately, I met an expert who explained it to me.Robert Erdman, owner of Precision Systems of Arizona (PSI), has built seven websites. A website is one or more pages of information in HTML (Hyper Text Mark Up Language). HTML language was developed so that all computers could decode the information. That's why anybody with a computer and a modem can access the web.
Waxing Your Board
To access the net, one must subscribe to an Internet provider. There are many different providers that offer flat and hourly rates. A server is a host computer that is hooked up to the Internet twenty-four hours a day. The actual Internet is linked by wire, cable, and satellite. It's called the "web" because the conglomeration of wire, etc., calls a spider's web to mind. The information or websites are located in at least 1.6 million web servers all over the world, and as we all know, just about everyone has a webpage.To search on the net, start at a "search engine," like Yahoo or AltaVista , and use a keyword that describes what your are looking for. On most webpages you will find hotlinks. By clicking on the hotlink, a user can jump to other related websites for information ad infinitum. It is exactly like using computerized legal research.
A "hit" can be the number of documents or websites your keyword search finds or it can be the number of users who log onto a particular website. For website hits, this indicates how many people have viewed the site, which is useful for advertisers because exposure can be determined by the number of hits displayed. Erdman explained that some websites log several million hits per day.
Hangin' Ten
The White House has a website; Congress has a website; and, of course, the ABA has a website. It was so exciting to see the ABA YLD page! There are "personal" web sites, for those of you looking for that special someone, and there are web sites that advertise services. There are even employment websites for those of you looking for a new job. Many lawyers have their own personal webpages outlining their education, experience, and special skills.As Erdman demonstrated the wonders of surfing the net, he also cautioned me. He explained that everything is on the net. That's right, everything. Parents should be careful to monitor a child on the Internet. It's possible that they could stumble across x-rated or very violent information. Remember the Internet has moving pictures and sound.
Once again, I encourage all affiliates to use the net to enhance their service to members and the public. Start surfing the net today and visit the homepages of affiliates across the nation. It's easy! It's fun! It's the wave of the future. Hang ten!
