Historic Computer Experiences

Those studying for the Bar exam need a break, and it's summer for everyone, so enjoy this slide show revealing the dramatic changes in web design since nine of the most popular websites--including Google, Facebook, and the New York Times--were first introduced.  Brought to you by Mashable.com, "What the World's Biggest Websites Looked Like at Launch" also has some brief information about each home page's initial design.

And, long before they were mobile, Lexis and Westlaw were truly stationary--usable only at the dedicated computer terminals of the 1980's in law libraries and offices. Experience a brief close encounter with the first computer-assisted legal research terminal, introduced by Lexis-Nexis in 1980 and now on display in the Computer History Museum, Mountain View, California.  

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New U.S. Courts Website

The federal judiciary has a new, redesigned website. It is much easier to use than the old U.S. courts website, however you will find that the websites for the individual courts have not changed (although the Supreme Court did recently update its website).

The separation of powers apparently does not extend to web design. The new U.S. Courts website looks very similar to the White House website, which is very similar to the website used for President Obama's 2008 campaign, which took a number of its cues from Facebook.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat