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Alabama Trial Lawyers Computer Lab

The Alabama Trial Lawyers Computer Lab contains Gateway, Dell, and Macintosh computers and laser printers. The lab's network currently provides law students with E-mail access, Netscape, and the Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI) programs and lessons.

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Word Processing software

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Every computer in the lab is loaded with the following software: WordPerfect, Word 97/2000, Netscape, Internet Explorer, Westlaw, Lexis-Nexis and the Dr. Solomon's Anti-virus software. Additional packages are available on certain machines; one computer has a CD-RW drive that can write CD-Roms for use on a home computer.

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Printing from the
personal computers.

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Two different types of printers are available in the lab for personal computer print jobs: network printers and attached printers. Network printers are faster and more reliable; you must be signed onto the network in order to use the network printers. About half of the computers have attached printers. While these printers are slower, they do have the capability to print on non-standard paper, e.g., letterhead, bond, and legal length.

Students should retrieve print requests from the network printers as soon as possible. Print requests left on or near these printers will be thrown away without notice.

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WESTLAW &
LEXIS-NEXIS

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The library's contracts with Westlaw and Lexis-Nexis specify who may or may not use these services. Westlaw and Lexis-Nexis can be used ONLY for academic purposes.

Westlaw and Lexis-Nexis print jobs from the stand-alone printers are filed alphabetically by client ID in a hanging file near those printers. These printouts may be discarded after 24 hours.

Westlaw has set limits on the number of pages that a student can print per semester. These limits are:

	Stand-alone printer:	1,250 pages
	Attached printer:	1,500 pages
	Download:	2,000 pages
	E-Mail:	2,000 pages

Students who are unfamiliar with Westlaw and Lexis-Nexis should be careful when transmitting print requests to the laser printers. Lengthy print requests tie up the laser printers for hours, thus preventing others from receiving their documents. In some instances, such requests are canceled by either the online system or library staff members.

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CALI Exercises

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Each Windows-compatible computer in the lab contains exercises prepared by the Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI). This collection of more than 90 different exercises covers more than 22 legal education topics. The exercises, which largely consist of multiple-choice questions, have all been prepared by law faculty and are reviewed and revised frequently.

The CALI exercises can also be accessed at home through the Internet. You will need a password in order to do so. Contact David Lowe, Blake Beals, or Robert Marshall for more information about this service.

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Paper for Printers/Printing

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Paper is provided for the local and networked printers for use by law school students only; DO NOT use Westlaw or Lexis paper for word processing documents.

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Internet
Searching Lessons

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Lessons in Internet searching are provided at the beginning of the fall semester and as needed throughout the academic year. Announcements concerning the scheduling of these classes are posted on the School of Law's bulletin board as well as on the Computer Lab's bulletin board.

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E-mail Access

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Law school students with appropriate authorization can access E-mail through the Computer Lab's IBM-compatible computers. All E-mail passwords will be canceled after a student's graduation. The Computer Lab supports the Pegasus E-mail system. Other E-mail packages are not fully supported by library staff.

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Signing off the Network

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If you fail to sign off the network, the next person to use the computer will have access to your e-mail, etc. Simply turning the computer off doesn't disconnect the computer from a network account.

In order to sign-off, follow these steps:

• For students using one of the Windows 95 computers:
  
  
  1. Click on the Windows START icon in the lower left-hand corner of the monitor screen;
     
  2. Click on SHUT DOWN;
     
  3. Click on CLOSE ALL PROGRAMS;
     
  4. Click on OK.
     
     
• The Windows 98 computers have a log-off icon that is displayed after following step one above. The instructions that follow are self-explanatory.

If you have questions about signing off, please contact David Lowe.

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Food and Drink in the Lab

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Food and drink in any container are strictly prohibited in the lab.

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Copyright Law
and Software

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Library patrons should remember that copyright laws of the United States govern the reproduction of copyrighted software. Patrons of computer equipment and software are liable for any infringement.

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Closing Time

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The lab closes fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled closing time for the library. (See Library Hours).

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Priority of Use

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Law students with academic purposes have priority in terms of usage of the computer equipment. When lab usage is heavy, students who want to check their E-mail, play solitaire, etc., should use the older computers.