| The WVU College
of Law does not require a computer for law school. This guide is intended
to assist incoming law students with their decision to purchase a computer
for use during law school. Legal writing and legal research place different
demands on computers than undergraduate courses. The WVU College of Law
Library, in conjunction with the law school, offers the following recommendations
and guidelines for purchasing a computer for law school.
Top Ten Questions Law Students Frequently
Ask About Buying A Computer:
1. What do I need a computer for?
2. What kind of a computer should I buy?
3. What are the minimum hardware configurations
I will need?
If you already own a computer:
- Windows 2000 or higher
- 300 MHz processor
- 128 MB RAM
- 4 Gig of hard disk space
- CD-ROM Drive
If you are planning to purchase a new
Desktop computer, we recommend:
- Windows XP Professional
- Pentium 4 - 2.8 Ghz processor
or above
- 1 GB RAM or above
- 40 GB of hard disk space
or above
- CD-R/RW Drive and DVD Drive
- 64 MB Video Memory or above
- Soundblaster or Compatible Sound
Card and Speakers
- V.90 56K Modem
If you are planning to purchase a new Laptop computer, we recommend:
- Windows XP Professional
- Pentium M - 1.7 Ghz processor or above
- 512 MB to 1 GB RAM
- 40 GB of hard disk space or above
- CD-R/RW Drive or CD-R/RW/DVD Combo Drive
- 64 MB Video Memory or above
- Soundblaster or Compatible Sound Card and Speakers
- V.90 56K Modem
- Both an Ethernet Adapter and Wireless Network card (For laptop computers only for Internet Access within the Law School)
4. Should I buy a laptop or desktop model?
- Desktop models are typically less expensive
than laptop models.
- Desktop models will typically have
larger monitors and keyboards.
- Laptop computers are portable (obviously),
which will allow you to take notes in class, conduct legal research
AND writing in the library, and may provide more flexibility for studying.
- If you decide to purchase a laptop
computer, you may also want to consider purchasing computer insurance.
Find out how much coverage you have on your homeowners or renters policy
for your personal possessions away from home, or look into policies
specifically for laptop computers, such as Safeware.
- Computers are designed for either home
or business use. Business computers will cost more money. Look at the
cost and determine if you need the extras of a business computer, or
if the home computer configuration will suit your needs.
5. Where can I buy a computer?
Neeed help?
- Go to the WVU's
Technology Support Center (TSC) site or contact them by phone at
304-293-4972. The TSC helps students determine
the hardware and software needed for law school and negotiates discounts
with computer vendors for WVU students. For Selected Computer Companies with educational discounts, go to WVU's Technology Support Center (TSC) site.
To purchase locally:
- Office Depot, 733 Chestnut Ridge Road (304) 598-7899
- Office Max, Morgantown Commons (304) 983-6955
- Premier Computer Services, 1212 Van Voorhis Road Street (304) 599-1515
6. What software/additional hardware do I need?
7. What type of printer will I need?
8. Where will I get the money?
- First of all, consult your budget.
WVU College of Law does not require a computer for law school. The Law
Library provides access to forty-three networked personal computers
(PCs) throughout the library, each connected to a network laser printer. Click here for more information on law library
computer resources.
- As an alternative, many law students
save money by buying a computer but not purchasing a printer. Printers are available in the Law
Library and printing can be done at a cost of 6 cents per page. PLEASE NOTE: The Law Library is not responsible if
a deadline is not met because the student is waiting for an available
printer - please plan accordingly!
- Determine how much you can reasonably
spend on a computer given all the other monetary demands of law school
before you begin shopping.
- Computers designed for business use
are more expensive than computers designed for home use. Determine what
you need and buy accordingly.
- Computer vendors typically offer an
educational discount - ASK FOR IT.
- Financial Aid guidelines have recently
changed to allow for the purchase of a computer. The amount WVU
allows is no more than $1500. For more information, contact the WVU College
of Law Financial Aid Advisor,
Joanna Hastings, at (304) 293-5302 or via e-mail
joanna.hastings@mail.wvu.edu.
- The cost of a computer does not necessarily
end with the hardware. Add the amount of money you plan to spend on
software, Internet access, insurancem etc. to your total computer costs.
Also, many computer packages offer free Internet access for one year.
Will you still be able to afford the monthly payments after the promotion
is over?
- For more help, Go to the WVU's Technology Support Center (TSC) site or contact them by phone at 304-293-4972. The TSC helps students determine
the hardware and software needed for law school and negotiates discounts
with computer vendors for WVU students.
9. Where can I get Internet access? Browse
through the Definitive
ISPs Buyer's Guide.
Local Internet Service Providers
(ISPs):
Free ISPs:
10. Do I need an e-mail account?
Any Additional Questions?
Contact the WVU College of Law and speak to Keith Walton at (304) 293-8556 or Kevin Fredette at (304) 293-7640.
Legal Writing
The College of Law has a demanding and
varied program in legal research and writing in order to assure that students
have mastered skills necessary for the study and practice of law. First-year
law students are required to take Legal Research & Writing during
the first year of law school. Every writing assignment in Legal Research
& Writing must conform to a strict format that is consistent with
the requirements of most law firms. Students are often required to submit
multiple drafts of graded assignments.
Word Processing Software
When you are purchasing a computer for
law school, it is important to consider whether the word-processing software
will support your needs for writing legal documents in law school. We
strongly recommend either:
-
Microsoft Word (version 97 or higher)
- Corel WordPerfect (version 8.0 or higher)
All Law Library computers provide access
to both Microsoft Office 2003 Suite and Corel WordPerfect Office 12 .
In our experience, students who only have access to Microsoft Works cannot
produce papers that meet the requirements of legal writing. Avoid future
stress (and reduced grades!) by purchasing either Microsoft Word or
Corel
WordPerfect.
Many computers come equipped with software
packages. The Microsoft
Office 2003 Suite is available in a variety of packages that can include any of the following: Microsoft Word 2003, Outlook 2003, Excel 2003, PowerPoint 2003 Access 2003, InfoPath 2003, and Publisher 2003.
The
Corel WordPerfect Office 12 is offered in packages that can include: WordPerfect 12, QuattroPro 12, Presentations 12, and/or Paradox 12.
Corel also produces a WordPerfect Law Office 2000 that includes WordPerfect,
a Lexicon from Black's Law Dictionary, and other bells and whistles
useful for practicing attorneys. While many of these features are
handy, they are not required for law school computing. Also keep
in mind that the computer (and software) you buy for law school
may need to be replaced by the time you begin practicing law in three years.
The Law Library has created Legal Writing tips
to assist law students and offers training sessions specifically focused on the formats required for your Legal Writing papers.
Legal Research
As a law student and as a lawyer, you will
spend a lot of time conducting legal research. Legal research is very
different from research performed at the undergraduate level. The first
year of law school will introduce legal research tools and you will learn
how to conduct legal research in both print and electronic formats.
Computers can be useful for conducting
legal research. For starters, to access online legal databases, such as
LexisNexis,
Westlaw, and
LOISLaw, you
will need a computer. Software is no longer necessary to access online
legal databases, but an Internet browser and access to the Internet are
required.
Internet Browsers
The two major Internet browsers are
Microsoft Internet Explorer and
Netscape Communicator. Most computers will come equipped with one
or the other, or you can download the most recent version from the repective web sites. All of the computers in the Law Library provide Internet access
via the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. In addition to the forty-three
computers in the Law Library, every seat in the Library provides access
to an electrical outlet and to the Internet for laptop computers.
Anti-Virus Software
According to
Webopedia, a virus is defined as: "A program or piece of code that
is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your
wishes. Most viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses
are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over
again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous
because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system
to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting
itself across networks and bypassing security systems."
Your computer may come equipped with anti-virus
software. If not, you may download a free copy of Symantec Norton Anti-Virus from the WVU's Technology Support Center (TSC) site.
The law school computing environment is
prone to spreading viruses. Students routinely share floppy disks for
group projects, open e-mail attachments, and work with a floppy disk on
more than one computer. Please take steps to protect your information!
Internet Access
If you decide to purchase a laptop computer,
you should have an Ethernet adapter and a wireless network card included. Although this is optional, it allows students
with laptops to connect to the Internet from classrooms and the Law Library.
Ethernet adapter cards are also available
locally:
- Office Depot, 733 Chestnut Ridge
Road (304) 598-7899
- Office Max, Morgantown Commons
(304) 983-6955
- Premier Computer Services, 1212
Van Voorhis Road (304) 599-1515
-
WVU Law Bookstore, Law Center Drive (304) 293-2492
If you have an Ethernet adapter and/or a wireless network card, it will need to be configured to work in the Law School. For an Ethernet Card configuration:
For a wireless network card configuration:
USB Drives
USB Drives are a portable storage product that lets you store, transfer, and carry your data securely anywhere. Pocket-sized and lightweight, USB Drives, can store your computer files, images, or music in a snap. Most USB Drives will work with any newer PC with an existing USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port with no drivers required. USB Drives vary in capacity from 16 MB to 4 GB, and most come with built-in password protection, partitioning capabilities, and a neck strap and/or key ring for easy transport.
Communicating
via E-mail
E-mail is quickly becoming the preferred
method of communication. Law students will use e-mail to communicate with
each other, with professors, and future employers. Some professors may
require students to e-mail assignments or participate in discussions via
e-mail.
Every student who attends WVU will be assigned
a West Virginia University MIX e-mail account. This account must be activated
before you can begin using it (usually during the first week of law school).
Click here for more
information on WVU MIX e-mail accounts. It is important that students know how to access their MIX accounts, as most, if not all, information communicated from the College of Law and its student organizations is via your MIX e-mail accounts.
Job Searching
The pursuit of a law degree is a means
to an end; the eventual goal is to obtain a job as a lawyer. The
Career Center will usually begin offering placement services for first-year
law students on November 1st. The American Bar Association (ABA) Standards
do not allow first-year law students or employers to initiate contact
with each other regarding summer employment until December 1st.
During Christmas break, first-year law students are encouraged to prepare
resumes for on-campus interviews that begin in January. Click here
for more information on
WVU College of Law Career Services.
Any Additional Questions?
Contact the WVU College of Law and speak to Keith Walton at (304) 293-8556. |
P.O. Box 6135