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NetResearch: Finding Information Online

by Daniel J. Barrett, Songline/O'Reilly, 1997, paperback, 186 pages, $24.95

Reviewed by Jerry Lawson

Like many attorneys who have litigated more than a few cases, I believe more lawsuits are won or lost on the basis of good or bad factual research than clever legal theories. In many cases it doesn't matter how many hours you spend in the law library, on Westlaw, or searching for legal precedents. The most clever legal theory is worthless if it can't be factually supported.

The Internet is a gigantic repository of factual information that can be the deciding factor in many cases. The problem for the busy practitioner is how can you find what you need, among the overwhelming mass of information available?

NetResearch: Finding Information Online should be of assistance to many practicing attorneys. It does not assume much prior knowledge of the Internet. It concentrates on explaining how to conduct searches, instead of trying to provide a rapidly-outdated list of Internet addresses, or URLs, like too many other Internet books.

Chapters 1 through 4 are a general introduction to the Internet that may be skipped by experienced Internauts. Chapters 5 through 9 explain power searching techniques. Chapters are devoted to:

Chapter 10 explains the use of bookmarks, a topic that is particularly helpful for beginners. The final chapter discusses how to make information available to others using the Internet. There are quizzes at the end of each chapter to reinforce the reader's understanding.

Co-publisher O'Reilly is one of the world's most respected publishers of computer books. The physical production quality of this book is up to the usual high O'Reilly standards.

The biggest drawback to this book is one shared by its competitors. It relies too heavily on the reader's intuition. There is no systematic approach. Despite this, the book is useful.

This modestly priced book will be a welcome to the bookshelves of most attorneys, judges, law librarians, paralegals, law students and others who want to improve their Internet factual research skills. It will be particularly valuable for those without much prior Internet research experience.

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