The Faculty Blog is one of the University of Chicago School of Law?s blog sites, with content on all kinds of law news, issues, and cases. Posts come from faculty, alumni, students, and other University affiliates. The blog targets to be a forum for open discussion on anything regarding law. As such, it is open to comments. It has been up and running since September 2008.
The ups and downs
Dialogue through comments and feedback on The Faculty Blog has a very academic atmosphere. Posts on a variety of law topics are accommodated, from debates to critiques and book reviews. Although all posts are in text format, some link to sites with video or audio clips.
The layout is very simple and easy to navigate. The site is split in two columns, the left for blog posts and the right for other navigation options: outside links, categories, archives, recent posts and comments. The site?s colors are also simple — just plain white for background and red and black for the text.
The simplicity, however, is also a downside. Being an academic blog, it is understandable for the site to have a formal appearance, but it does border on becoming a bit boring. Since it is just a two-column layout, there is no dynamics in navigating through the site, just a whole lot of scrolling down, down, and down — not exactly friendly for the non-academic readers. But for its target audience, the layout can be quite acceptable.
There is also no doubt that the content of The Faculty Law Blog is very extensive, which is why its categorization of posts could use a revamp. Posts are mostly classified under authors? names, which is disadvantageous for readers who are not familiar with the posts? authors. Perhaps a separate category list could be made — this time according to subjects of blog posts.
Prawfsblawg contains blogs on law issues, news, and other matters from law professors. These professors are from a mix of universities in the United States. The site is operated by PrawfsBlawg LLC, a limited liability corporation based in Florida. The site has been up and running since December 2008, and has the tagline: “Where Intellectual Honesty Has (Almost Always) Trumped Partisanship?Albeit in a Kind of Boring Way Until Recently?Since 2005.”
What makes it a good read
The site has a three-column layout, and its color of choice is in the shades of purple. Listed on its leftmost panel are links to recent comments and posts, blog categories, archives, a search bar and a space for advertisements. The middle panel contains blog posts, while the rightmost portion of the site lists the authors (the site?s regular Prawfs, guests and alumni). It also contains a list of links to sites recommended by PrawfsBlawg.
Posts on PrawfsBlawg concentrate on law, but although written by professors, the tone of the entries is not too academic. They are still an easy and practical read for non-law folk, like one regarding child obesity or another on video surveillance. Then there are posts that link law to unlikely topics, such as music or film.
A bit of disappointment
One off-putting factor in PrawfsBlawg, however, is the shift of layout when opening a category link. From three columns, the layout becomes two columns, and the color also changes. Although variety is welcome in a site, a constant look should also be kept to create an identity for the blog.
There are also the long lists on the left and rightmost frames. Both exceed the length of the blogs resulting in a lot of scrolling down by readers, which can ultimately become boring. It would be better if all frames ended on the same point, and any extra links, which can?t be fitted into the page, just be referred through other links.
Plan B is part of the network of blogs of MostStronglySupported.com, a site devoted to issues, news, and other information regarding the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Bloggers on the site are teachers of LSAT classes, but Dixie Tananbaum, who runs Plan B, has just recently stopped teaching to take up law. She calls her blog Plan B as reference to her blogging, which she calls her second career.
What makes it a fun read
Aspiring law students will definitely find Plan B an easy read. Dixie writes in a simple yet engaging manner, keeping her readers focused. Her blogs are also of reasonable length — meaning, you don?t have to scroll down forever before hitting rock bottom. She writes humorous, concise, and straight-to-the-point articles.
Most of her posts are personal, such as her memories on going back to school or her experiences as an unoccupied unemployed. There are also informative posts for newbie law school students, such as one on law school myths or a two-part post on how to defer from entering law school.
What are the glitches
What is noticeable about Plan B is that it?s a relatively young blog. Its archives only date back to July 2009, giving a grand total of nine posts. Compared to other blogs, information in Plan B is definitely not as extensive. It also lacks information on the author herself, presenting only vague information in her “About” page. The author also fails to utilize a “Categories” list, but this could be attributed to the site?s relatively few posts.
This is not to say that Plan B has nothing to offer. In fact, there is a noticeable effort from the author when it comes to updating her page. The articles are current and relevant to the author?s life, and she is always able to concentrate it on her main topic, which is law school. Plan B is certainly one blog worth keeping tabs on.
The Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog contains posts on issues and news regarding law and public policy. Its authors include the Marquette faculty, alumni, students, and others associated with the university. The site has been running since September 2008.
The plus points and the downside
Although the blog offers a wide range of categories, it is noticeable that the concentration is law be it criminal, family, or environmental law. The discussion is academic, and posts and comments go through editors of the site to make sure that civility and decency are maintained in the site.
While the site is an educational outlet, posts are written in a reader-friendly manner. Photos are also attached to some posts, usually just one placed at the beginning. This breaks the monotony of the blocks of text on each page.
The site has a three-column layout. The leftmost panel contains links to the categories, archives, comments and other outside links related to the blog. The central panel contains blog posts, while the rightmost frame contains names of blog editors and faculty, student and alumni contributors. Profiles of the editors and contributors are provided, as well as a link to each contributor?s posts. A faculty, student, and alumni “Blogger of the Month” is chosen and posted in the same panel.
The main page automatically shows 11 blog posts, resulting to a long downward scroll for the reader. Posts on the main page could have been cut shorter and a link could be made for continuations. Links for comments are posted at the top of each article; it could work better if the comments link be placed at the end of the post, letting the reader digest the information first before generating his or her opinion.
Layout- and content-wise, Marquette University Law School Faculty Blog is already quite easy to navigate and browse through — save for a few minor kinks that need tweaking.
Chuck Newton Rides the Third Wave Blog> is the blog of licensed lawyer Chuck Newton and his virtual law firm. It is an actual law firm, except that it has no office. Chuck works from home or wherever work catches up with him. He stays connected with clients through phone, e-mail, fax, or even snail mail. This unconventional form of running a law firm is part of Chuck?s belief in the Third Wave Theory of Alvin Toffler, which also refers to the “post-industrial society” or the “information age.” In this kind of society, technology has bridged the gap between producers and consumers, giving people the means to fulfill their own needs. In short, when it comes to legal services, Chuck Newton is a freelancer.
What the blog is all about
His blog is basically a compilation of his personal thoughts and opinions on law, with added tidbits on other topics such as music, film, education, fashion, etc. His audience is also people involved in law (students, professors, practitioners), but the site is also useful for people looking for legal advice. There is, however, a disclaimer on the lower right portion of the site that Chuck Newton doesn?t consider his posts as legal advice.
This isn?t to say, however, that the posts aren?t useful for legal help. Articles such as The Automatic Stay Violation Law Niche is a timely resource for those experiencing bankruptcy. For aspiring law students, posts like 5 Tips for Entering Law School Students can also be a useful guide.
A few suggestions
While it is clear who this site?s audience is, it could use some improvement in the layout department. At present, it is a two-column blog: recent posts on the left side and everything else (links to related sites and law schools, contact and site information, blog categories) on the right. It could create a third column to the left of the main frame containing the blog posts, and that column could carry the list of blog categories, links to recent posts, and comments, etc., just to decongest the rightmost column. A footer could also be used just so the site doesn?t appear too linear.
Content-wise, however, the blog is quite informative and also has useful outside links that support its content. Just take note that it is still a personal blog and, therefore, contains opinion and not legitimate legal advice.
