Not All Web Browsers Are Created Equal

Legal research is an extension of online research, a professional undertaking that is quicker and more effective because of the convenience the Internet provides. In fact, the majority of legal information ' including case materials, judicial filings, court rulings, debates over precedent, law review articles, legislative findings and political exchanges ' is now available online. Gone are the days when only a handful of large law firms could access this content, supported by in-house personnel and librarians who had the expertise to sift through these materials. This shift, in both business and technology, represents the ongoing democratization of knowledge. Think of this movement as part of the rise of specialized research, complemented by the Web and delivered to attorneys worldwide. And yet, accessing this data depends on using the right browser; there must not be any attempt to sacrifice quality for some illusory promise. The bottom line: An excellent browser is essential for doing any kind of legal research.

Select Your Features

Attorneys need to educate themselves about this rule ' and the same principle applies to law students, professors, judicial clerks and other administrators ' because every browser is not necessarily suitable for attorneys. The good news is that most browsers are free to download, so the more important issue ' the topic worthy of consideration within the legal profession ' involves the features available for doing specific tasks online. In other words, due diligence is essential when selecting a browser. Put aside various marketing messages or the name recognition of this or that product, and focus on the key features that distinguish a great browser from a merely adequate one.

Starting with speed, the ideal browser must be able to handle the expectations of various users. And, while speed is an important factor for nearly all people, this feature is particularly critical for attorneys who must account for their billable hours and manage their time wisely. The issue of speed for legal use raises a related question: What is wrong with the browser that is a preloaded accessory on most PC laptop, desktop and tablet computers? Answer: A lot! These browsers are acceptable for ordinary projects, but they are not always a smart choice for lawyers who place a premium (as they should) on speed and ease of use. For, if time is money, then these browsers are far too expensive; they are, in short, an indulgence an attorney can neither afford nor seek to explore.

Lawyers are prolific note takers, jotting down commentary while performing research. Rather than switching between the screen and a physical notepad, which can quickly become indecipherable and easy to misplace, a browser used for legal research should have a built-in feature for this very purpose. Imagine researching a case or memorandum, which further involves safeguarding confidential information, and then wanting to record an idea or comment or question; it is easier ' and faster ' to do this within the browser itself than scrambling for pen and paper. Indeed, the Internet is a green attempt to bring us closer to the goal of establishing a paperless office. This mission may forever elude us, but there is no reason not to reduce paper flow and free attorneys (and staff) from pushing more and more documents.

Next, the ideal legal research browser is always portable. Which is to say, a lawyer should be able to automatically ' and safely ' save his or her research in the cloud. Consider the following scenario: If an attorney uses a laptop, desktop, Android phone or tablet, then it is vital for him or her to easily resume their previous research. The alternative, which is neither practical nor affordable, leaves a lawyer with no way to quickly continue research performed on one computer and transfer that work to another computer or mobile device. All the while, billable hours accrue; and the client suffers because of this mismanagement of time. (A similar concept applies to screen grabs, where, with one mouse click, a lawyer can capture a crucial image or other form of content.)

There was a time when one had to use multiple browsers to access all parts of the Internet. One worked on certain types of HTML, another on other HTML standards. Fortunately, one can now select and use one Web browser exclusively to experience the entire Web. This is the better route for organizational and security reasons. Using different browsers divides your research, search terms, cookies and browsing history, making review of past work anything but efficient.

Additionally, online research is, for attorneys and general users alike, an exercise in reading. From collecting blog posts to book chapters to industry publications to individual websites, there is one thing uniting all these disparate sources: the patient, methodical and thorough analysis of words. The best way to prevent eyestrain and read in comfort is with innovative technology, strengthened by the features of a browser. Picture the transformation of minute text into an elegant, book-like display ' free of annoying advertisements, flashing banners and other distractions. (Sidebar: A “night mode” feature can be very useful, since many attorneys find themselves reading while traveling or in situations, late into the evening, where there is not a lot of natural or artificial light.)

Security Concerns

Let us also be mindful of security, the ultimate priority for anyone in the legal profession. This union of privacy between a lawyer and his or her client means that technology must uphold this bond without exception. Alas, many browsers fail this test; they are, therefore, not suitable for anything more than casual Web surfing and other basic projects.

A more valuable point about security: A browser must be a symbol of the pioneering use of sandbox processing. This procedure involves rules and processes in the software's architecture, which only allow an application to run within a restricted environment. If something malicious tries to attack a computer, sandboxing will impede or isolate the HTML and JavaScript code responsible for this problem. (Lawyers must use a browser with sandbox processing because this feature is the only way to fight the many threats that can destroy valuable data or ruin volumes of essential research.)

Conclusion

For attorneys, the Internet is an infinite resource of news and discussion. Locating that material should start with a browser that is fast, secure and reliable. Sadly, too many browsers fail these basic requirements by sacrificing one or all of these principles for short-term gain. In contrast, the right browser is an asset an attorney can enjoy for personal projects or professional responsibilities. With these factors as a guide, lawyers should be better aware that options exist apart from the preloaded browser, and should have a better idea of how and why to access the benefits of this new online universe.

Legal research is an extension of online research, a professional undertaking that is quicker and more effective because of the convenience the Internet provides. In fact, the majority of legal information ' including case materials, judicial filings, court rulings, debates over precedent, law review articles, legislative findings and political exchanges ' is now available online. Gone are the days when only a handful of large law firms could access this content, supported by in-house personnel and librarians who had the expertise to sift through these materials. This shift, in both business and technology, represents the ongoing democratization of knowledge. Think of this movement as part of the rise of specialized research, complemented by the Web and delivered to attorneys worldwide. And yet, accessing this data depends on using the right browser; there must not be any attempt to sacrifice quality for some illusory promise. The bottom line: An excellent browser is essential for doing any kind of legal research.

Select Your Features

Attorneys need to educate themselves about this rule ' and the same principle applies to law students, professors, judicial clerks and other administrators ' because every browser is not necessarily suitable for attorneys. The good news is that most browsers are free to download, so the more important issue ' the topic worthy of consideration within the legal profession ' involves the features available for doing specific tasks online. In other words, due diligence is essential when selecting a browser. Put aside various marketing messages or the name recognition of this or that product, and focus on the key features that distinguish a great browser from a merely adequate one.

Starting with speed, the ideal browser must be able to handle the expectations of various users. And, while speed is an important factor for nearly all people, this feature is particularly critical for attorneys who must account for their billable hours and manage their time wisely. The issue of speed for legal use raises a related question: What is wrong with the browser that is a preloaded accessory on most PC laptop, desktop and tablet computers? Answer: A lot! These browsers are acceptable for ordinary projects, but they are not always a smart choice for lawyers who place a premium (as they should) on speed and ease of use. For, if time is money, then these browsers are far too expensive; they are, in short, an indulgence an attorney can neither afford nor seek to explore.

Lawyers are prolific note takers, jotting down commentary while performing research. Rather than switching between the screen and a physical notepad, which can quickly become indecipherable and easy to misplace, a browser used for legal research should have a built-in feature for this very purpose. Imagine researching a case or memorandum, which further involves safeguarding confidential information, and then wanting to record an idea or comment or question; it is easier ' and faster ' to do this within the browser itself than scrambling for pen and paper. Indeed, the Internet is a green attempt to bring us closer to the goal of establishing a paperless office. This mission may forever elude us, but there is no reason not to reduce paper flow and free attorneys (and staff) from pushing more and more documents.

Next, the ideal legal research browser is always portable. Which is to say, a lawyer should be able to automatically ' and safely ' save his or her research in the cloud. Consider the following scenario: If an attorney uses a laptop, desktop, Android phone or tablet, then it is vital for him or her to easily resume their previous research. The alternative, which is neither practical nor affordable, leaves a lawyer with no way to quickly continue research performed on one computer and transfer that work to another computer or mobile device. All the while, billable hours accrue; and the client suffers because of this mismanagement of time. (A similar concept applies to screen grabs, where, with one mouse click, a lawyer can capture a crucial image or other form of content.)

There was a time when one had to use multiple browsers to access all parts of the Internet. One worked on certain types of HTML, another on other HTML standards. Fortunately, one can now select and use one Web browser exclusively to experience the entire Web. This is the better route for organizational and security reasons. Using different browsers divides your research, search terms, cookies and browsing history, making review of past work anything but efficient.

Additionally, online research is, for attorneys and general users alike, an exercise in reading. From collecting blog posts to book chapters to industry publications to individual websites, there is one thing uniting all these disparate sources: the patient, methodical and thorough analysis of words. The best way to prevent eyestrain and read in comfort is with innovative technology, strengthened by the features of a browser. Picture the transformation of minute text into an elegant, book-like display ' free of annoying advertisements, flashing banners and other distractions. (Sidebar: A “night mode” feature can be very useful, since many attorneys find themselves reading while traveling or in situations, late into the evening, where there is not a lot of natural or artificial light.)

Security Concerns

Let us also be mindful of security, the ultimate priority for anyone in the legal profession. This union of privacy between a lawyer and his or her client means that technology must uphold this bond without exception. Alas, many browsers fail this test; they are, therefore, not suitable for anything more than casual Web surfing and other basic projects.

A more valuable point about security: A browser must be a symbol of the pioneering use of sandbox processing. This procedure involves rules and processes in the software's architecture, which only allow an application to run within a restricted environment. If something malicious tries to attack a computer, sandboxing will impede or isolate the HTML and JavaScript code responsible for this problem. (Lawyers must use a browser with sandbox processing because this feature is the only way to fight the many threats that can destroy valuable data or ruin volumes of essential research.)

Conclusion

For attorneys, the Internet is an infinite resource of news and discussion. Locating that material should start with a browser that is fast, secure and reliable. Sadly, too many browsers fail these basic requirements by sacrificing one or all of these principles for short-term gain. In contrast, the right browser is an asset an attorney can enjoy for personal projects or professional responsibilities. With these factors as a guide, lawyers should be better aware that options exist apart from the preloaded browser, and should have a better idea of how and why to access the benefits of this new online universe.