Texas 2013 Forum

[soonergirl]

New topic to consider.

With the emergence of the Kindle, ereader, and iPAD, when will we begin to see more digital books? Is this something we can start looking into already? Even if we can just get our reference materials (Blacks, etc.) on one it would be a serious space/weight saver.

I know Westlaw is already an online source but I'm not sure what other reference sources we will use as 1Ls.

ooh! Digital publishing! This is one of my favorite topics. (nerd alert.)

As far as your closing remark goes, in law school you use the Westlaw and Lexis databases most often. Obviously, the code itself is also available online independently of those resources. But textbooks aren't digital and won't be anytime soon.

Textbook publishers are INCREDIBLY resistant to the idea of digital academic texts, on account of fears of copyright abuses. (Really they're just afraid they'll have to charge less for virtual editions.) Unfortunately for the publishers, they may not have a choice. The state of California has already passed a law that by 2020 (not that this helps us any) textbook publishers have to provide digital alternatives to print editions. And there's a group of law professors that are tired of waiting around for the publishers - they've already started a digital "press" for law textbooks.

Pardon my overzealous interest in this subject. I'm a librarian.

[philosoraptor]

New topic to consider.

With the emergence of the Kindle, ereader, and iPAD, when will we begin to see more digital books? Is this something we can start looking into already? Even if we can just get our reference materials (Blacks, etc.) on one it would be a serious space/weight saver.

I know Westlaw is already an online source but I'm not sure what other reference sources we will use as 1Ls.

Interesting question. I've been thinking about this a bit with regard to my Kindle, as it saves me a lot of money on books (while slyly enticing me to buy more books than I would otherwise) and a lot of shelf space. It's great for normal, everyday reading, but right now don't see it being an efficient tool for poring over academic materials. It's too weird to take notes in it (though I can't say I've spent much time getting the hang of it), and it's strange that all notes and even bookmarks are saved in a single text file, not on a per-book basis. Not to mention you have to think in terms of "locations" rather than page numbers when you're referencing stuff you've already read.

I'm sure it's possible to use it effectively in an academic setting, but that's clearly not what it's designed for. I could see, however, experimenting with putting cases and outlines on it for convenient study -- I think it's just a matter of converting a text to basic HTML and uploading to Amazon. Maybe if there were a sizable enough Kindle community, people could each upload a few cases or outlines and build up a portable Kindle library. Getting Black's on it is another interesting idea -- probably wouldn't be tough to replace the built-in dictionary for that awesome lookup function.

This is a bit off topic, but it really sucks that Amazon caved on the $15 digital-edition price for certain publishers. The fact that almost all new releases were $10 was a huge plus for the Kindle. Now prices are probably going to shoot up across the board.

[Esc]

New topic to consider.

With the emergence of the Kindle, ereader, and iPAD, when will we begin to see more digital books? Is this something we can start looking into already? Even if we can just get our reference materials (Blacks, etc.) on one it would be a serious space/weight saver.

I know Westlaw is already an online source but I'm not sure what other reference sources we will use as 1Ls.

ooh! Digital publishing! This is one of my favorite topics. (nerd alert.)

As far as your closing remark goes, in law school you use the Westlaw and Lexis databases most often. Obviously, the code itself is also available online independently of those resources. But textbooks aren't digital and won't be anytime soon.

Textbook publishers are INCREDIBLY resistant to the idea of digital academic texts, on account of fears of copyright abuses. (Really they're just afraid they'll have to charge less for virtual editions.) Unfortunately for the publishers, they may not have a choice. The state of California has already passed a law that by 2020 (not that this helps us any) textbook publishers have to provide digital alternatives to print editions. And there's a group of law professors that are tired of waiting around for the publishers - they've already started a digital "press" for law textbooks.

Pardon my overzealous interest in this subject. I'm a librarian.

Westlaw and Lexis become available to all 1Ls after the first week or so. As far as digital books, I'm not sure how that would work with professor's teaching styles. Most of them expect you to have your book in front of you in class so you can refer to the text during class, and more and more professors are banning laptops and electronics in class (which is a good idea IMO). I don't think printed books will go out anytime soon, not for law students, anyway.

As far as Black's goes, Westlaw has the online version, so I just use that to look up words that confuse my little head.

[Jericwithers]

So is the consensus that everyone lives in Hyde Park? If so, would I be able to afford living alone?

They budget ALOT of money for housing in my opinion. I live in an efficiency (pretty much sucks lol) but it is 2008 renovated and is very very nice. I pay $750 including Time Warner cable and internet. Water is $25ish and electricity is $30ish ($0.05 a kwhour is amazing). UT budgets $850 for 12 months, so I come under that. There are cheaper and nicer places, but I suck at leasing so good luck finding them. Craigslist is your friend.

Also, to those coming to UT from OU--you better find Bevo now and convert over to our side of the Red River. Alum network might look down on an OU degree, so you better get your horns up and tell them that you finally realized that the only reason Texas doesn't float into the gulf is because Oklahoma sucks. Or I might be wrong, but still think about learning how to fake orange blood.

Finally, my opinion is that ebook technology is unfortunately incompetent for academic use at this point in time.

[soonergirl]

I don't think printed books will go out anytime soon, not for law students, anyway.

totally agree. States like California can wishfully mandate whatever they want, but digital editions will be the exception rather than the rule for a long time yet.

[soonergirl]

Also, to those coming to UT from OU--you better find Bevo now and convert over to our side of the Red River. Alum network might look down on an OU degree, so you better get your horns up and tell them that you finally realized that the only reason Texas doesn't float into the gulf is because Oklahoma sucks. Or I might be wrong, but still think about learning how to fake orange blood.

crimson envy. So sad.

Peary person, I've been looking into Hyde Park, and I can't believe how high rent is. Of course I'm coming from the part of the country that even the Indians didn't want, so it's quite possible I lack perspective on the matter.

[Esc]

Also, to those coming to UT from OU--you better find Bevo now and convert over to our side of the Red River. Alum network might look down on an OU degree, so you better get your horns up and tell them that you finally realized that the only reason Texas doesn't float into the gulf is because Oklahoma sucks. Or I might be wrong, but still think about learning how to fake orange blood.

crimson envy. So sad.

Peary person, I've been looking into Hyde Park, and I can't believe how high rent is. Of course I'm coming from the part of the country that even the Indians didn't want, so it's quite possible I lack perspective on the matter.

Be glad you're not apartment hunting in NYC, DC, or the Bay Area

[soonergirl]

Be glad you're not apartment hunting in NYC, DC, or the Bay Area

well, granted, there are reasons why I'm forswearing all that's good and holy and going the way of the hornéd beast.

[Jericwithers]

Also, to those coming to UT from OU--you better find Bevo now and convert over to our side of the Red River. Alum network might look down on an OU degree, so you better get your horns up and tell them that you finally realized that the only reason Texas doesn't float into the gulf is because Oklahoma sucks. Or I might be wrong, but still think about learning how to fake orange blood.

crimson envy. So sad.

Peary person, I've been looking into Hyde Park, and I can't believe how high rent is. Of course I'm coming from the part of the country that even the Indians didn't want, so it's quite possible I lack perspective on the matter.

Lol just trying to be helpful. Save the OU gear for the week after OCI.

[Pearalegal]

Also, to those coming to UT from OU--you better find Bevo now and convert over to our side of the Red River. Alum network might look down on an OU degree, so you better get your horns up and tell them that you finally realized that the only reason Texas doesn't float into the gulf is because Oklahoma sucks. Or I might be wrong, but still think about learning how to fake orange blood.

crimson envy. So sad.

Peary person, I've been looking into Hyde Park, and I can't believe how high rent is. Of course I'm coming from the part of the country that even the Indians didn't want, so it's quite possible I lack perspective on the matter.

Be glad you're not apartment hunting in NYC, DC, or the Bay Area

Haha, I guess I'm lucky that the last three places I looked for housing were NYC, London and finally...DC. The rent doesn't scare me, though some areas look like they have some more interesting options. I wonder if I'd be the odd duck as a single chick living alone. Can't imagine I would be.

...?

[soonergirl]

Haha, I guess I'm lucky that the last three places I looked for housing were NYC, London and finally...DC. The rent doesn't scare me, though some areas look like they have some more interesting options. I wonder if I'd be the odd duck as a single chick living alone. Can't imagine I would be.

...?

Not at all. I don't know how close to Hyde Park you're wanting to be, but if you just want to be on the north side of campus in general, I saw some really nice condos that are two or three blocks from the law school.

I also saw quite a few houses in Hyde Park that have over-garage apartments or little bungalows in back that the homeowners rent out at pretty good rates. Those would be perfect for a single.

[Pearalegal]

Haha, I guess I'm lucky that the last three places I looked for housing were NYC, London and finally...DC. The rent doesn't scare me, though some areas look like they have some more interesting options. I wonder if I'd be the odd duck as a single chick living alone. Can't imagine I would be.

...?

Not at all. I don't know how close to Hyde Park you're wanting to be, but if you just want to be on the north side of campus in general, I saw some really nice condos that are two or three blocks from the law school.

I also saw quite a few houses in Hyde Park that have over-garage apartments or little bungalows in back that the homeowners rent out at pretty good rates. Those would be perfect for a single.

Thanks for the tip, I'm going down in about two weeks for my apartment search. I'm open to other locations, but I've gotten this...Hyde Park or perish vibe that I'm buying into. I guess I'll get a better sense once I visit.

Things I am: Super excited.

[soonergirl]

Lol just trying to be helpful. Save the OU gear for the week after OCI.

ha!! They'll have to double my scholarship offer if they expect me to wear burnt orange or do that weird hand thing. I do promise to cheer for the Longhorns when they play BYU or anyone from the SEC, though.

Thanks for the tip, I'm going down in about two weeks for my apartment search. I'm open to other locations, but I've gotten this...Hyde Park or perish vibe that I'm buying into. I guess I'll get a better sense once I visit.

Things I am: Super excited.

Yeah, Hyde Park is a big area. There's so much to choose from that you're sure to find something you'll like!
Me, my search is being greatly constrained by school districts.

[Pearalegal]

Yeah, Hyde Park is a big area. There's so much to choose from that you're sure to find something you'll like!
Me, my search is being greatly constrained by school districts.

Oh man, that is so much more stressful than my biggest worry which is that I won't make any friends and will be so bored I'll start eating the paint on my walls. I'm moving from DC and have never been to Texas (or anywhere close, actually). Can't wait.

Good luck to you too.

[UTaylor526]

Yeah, Hyde Park is a big area. There's so much to choose from that you're sure to find something you'll like!
Me, my search is being greatly constrained by school districts.

Oh man, that is so much more stressful than my biggest worry which is that I won't make any friends and will be so bored I'll start eating the paint on my walls. I'm moving from DC and have never been to Texas (or anywhere close, actually). Can't wait.

Good luck to you too.

Paralegal -if you want to meet up with anyone and meet some of the 1'Ls, there are a couple of us living in Austin already. If not, I understand. Not trying to be creepy, just helpful.

[UTaylor526]

I don't think printed books will go out anytime soon, not for law students, anyway.

totally agree. States like California can wishfully mandate whatever they want, but digital editions will be the exception rather than the rule for a long time yet.

I'm sad to say this but it looks like the general opinion is it would be better money spent to skip the kindle and put the money into a better laptop. Eventually we will have our own little "what is the best laptop for LS" discussion (in addition to the countless already across TLS) but I am saving my money to purchase this summer and talking about it now will just make me antsy.

[Pearalegal]

Yeah, Hyde Park is a big area. There's so much to choose from that you're sure to find something you'll like!
Me, my search is being greatly constrained by school districts.

Oh man, that is so much more stressful than my biggest worry which is that I won't make any friends and will be so bored I'll start eating the paint on my walls. I'm moving from DC and have never been to Texas (or anywhere close, actually). Can't wait.

Good luck to you too.

Paralegal -if you want to meet up with anyone and meet some of the 1'Ls, there are a couple of us living in Austin already. If not, I understand. Not trying to be creepy, just helpful.

No, haha, I really appreciate it. I'll be in town for about 5 days (and I'm trying to figure out the exact dates), so I'll let you know!

[entrechatsix]

Thanks for the tip, I'm going down in about two weeks for my apartment search. I'm open to other locations, but I've gotten this...Hyde Park or perish vibe that I'm buying into. I guess I'll get a better sense once I visit.

Things I am: Super excited.

i missed the point in which you decided on ut... so you're for sure? YAY!
and also, i am a single chick who will be living alone, so i'd guess/hope that it's not odd haha

[Pearalegal]

Thanks for the tip, I'm going down in about two weeks for my apartment search. I'm open to other locations, but I've gotten this...Hyde Park or perish vibe that I'm buying into. I guess I'll get a better sense once I visit.

Things I am: Super excited.

i missed the point in which you decided on ut... so you're for sure? YAY!
and also, i am a single chick who will be living alone, so i'd guess/hope that it's not odd haha

Yeah! They more than matched my biggest scholarship to a school ranked a little under 20 within 24 hours and then called me to let me know...incredibly nice.

UT then became the highest ranked school I got into, and also the school that gave me the most money. I'm visiting to make sure in about two weeks, but I sort of feel its like some diety walked up, slapped me over the head and yelled, "hook em!"

[entrechatsix]

Thanks for the tip, I'm going down in about two weeks for my apartment search. I'm open to other locations, but I've gotten this...Hyde Park or perish vibe that I'm buying into. I guess I'll get a better sense once I visit.

Things I am: Super excited.

i missed the point in which you decided on ut... so you're for sure? YAY!
and also, i am a single chick who will be living alone, so i'd guess/hope that it's not odd haha

Yeah! They more than matched my biggest scholarship to a school ranked a little under 20 within 24 hours and then called me to let me know...incredibly nice.

UT then became the highest ranked school I got into, and also the school that gave me the most money. I'm visiting to make sure in about two weeks, but I sort of feel its like some diety walked up, slapped me over the head and yelled, "hook em!"

wow, awesome! i'm sure you'll love it... i had an AWESOME time at ASD.

[Pearalegal]

wow, awesome! i'm sure you'll love it... i had an AWESOME time at ASD.

I wish I could have gone...I got in just a week before the ASD (this has been all happening very fast), so couldn't get off work. Whoo! I'm excited.

[UTaylor526]

Thanks for the tip, I'm going down in about two weeks for my apartment search. I'm open to other locations, but I've gotten this...Hyde Park or perish vibe that I'm buying into. I guess I'll get a better sense once I visit.

Things I am: Super excited.

i missed the point in which you decided on ut... so you're for sure? YAY!
and also, i am a single chick who will be living alone, so i'd guess/hope that it's not odd haha

Yeah! They more than matched my biggest scholarship to a school ranked a little under 20 within 24 hours and then called me to let me know...incredibly nice.

UT then became the highest ranked school I got into, and also the school that gave me the most money. I'm visiting to make sure in about two weeks, but I sort of feel its like some diety walked up, slapped me over the head and yelled, "hook em!"

His name was Mack.

[Pearalegal]

His name was Mack.

I got that reference!

[mcflooter06]

wow, awesome! i'm sure you'll love it... i had an AWESOME time at ASD.

I wish I could have gone...I got in just a week before the ASD (this has been all happening very fast), so couldn't get off work. Whoo! I'm excited.

I think I read in another thread that you're going to the OMV on the 9th? I'll be there.

[soonergirl]

I'm visiting to make sure in about two weeks, but I sort of feel its like some deity walked up, slapped me over the head and yelled, "hook em!"

His name was Mack.

I would have guessed Matthew McConaughey. Talk about divine!

UT then became the school that gave me the most money. I'm visiting to make sure in about two weeks, but I sort of feel its like some diety walked up, slapped me over the head and yelled, "hook em!"

That's what did it for me, too. I was floored with how generous Texas was. I think I might have even gotten carried away and done that little hook'em sign, but don't tell my parents.

Oh man, that is so much more stressful than my biggest worry which is that I won't make any friends and will be so bored I'll start eating the paint on my walls. I'm moving from DC and have never been to Texas (or anywhere close, actually). Can't wait.

no way! Austin's one of the hottest cities in the country for young adults, and you'll be living next door to one of the biggest universities in the world. You'll have more friends than you know what to do with!! Plus, haven't you heard the song? "...the friendliest people and the prettiest women you've ever seen..." (Obviously, that last part won't be true until *we* get there, but you've got to give them credit for planning ahead.)