March/April 2001

GET ALL THE HELP YOU NEED

Make your Westlaw research more productive

You make lists, keep a calendar and write notes. Your entire day is organized so that you can work efficiently. You don’t want to waste time. When you have research projects, West Group wants to ensure you’re using Westlaw efficiently. Listed below are several suggestions to help you use Westlaw more productively.

The Westlaw Directory is an online index of Westlaw databases and services and their identifiers. There are several ways to access the Westlaw Directory:

• Choose Westlaw Directory from the Research menu.

• Click the Choose a Database button at the left of the Welcome to Westlaw window.

• Click the Westlaw Directory button on the toolbar.

Note: If you use westlaw.com, click Directory on the toolbar.

If you can’t find the database you want by browsing the Directory, use IDEN, which is a database you can search to find database names and identifiers. To access IDEN and search for a database, click IDEN at the Westlaw Directory. The Query Editor—IDEN dialog box is displayed. Type a description of the database or type of document for which you are looking and click Search. A list of the 20 databases that most closely match the concepts in your description is displayed. To access a database in the list, click its hypertext link.

Note: If you use westlaw.com, type iden in the Type database ID(s) text box at the Westlaw Directory page.

To quickly access the databases you use most frequently, create a personal Favorite Places list.

There are several ways to access Favorite Places:

• Right-click in the Welcome to Westlaw or Westlaw Directory window and choose Favorite Places from the pop-up menu.
• Choose Favorite Places from the Research menu.
• Click the Favorite Places button at the left of the Welcome to Westlaw window.
• Click the Favorite Places button on the toolbar.

Your Favorite Places list is displayed. If you haven’t specified any favorite places, a dialog box is displayed. From the dialog box, you can add a database identifier to the list; choose a Favorite Places list from a list of predefined state and practice-area templates; or return to the Westlaw Directory to browse for databases to add to your Favorite Places list.

Note: If you use westlaw.com, you can create a list of favorite databases by using the Favorite Databases feature, available from the tabbed Westlaw page, a database Search page or the Westlaw Directory page.

Choose helpful Westlaw reference materials right from your own computer

When you’re on the Web, take a few minutes to browse the West Group Reference Materials Catalog. You can quickly locate helpful Westlaw reference materials that will make your job easier.

To locate training and information tools such as user guides, fliers and Westlaw CD-ROM reference materials, enter the following URL: store.westgroup.com/documentation

Items can be ordered online free of charge or downloaded to your computer. The online store allows you to see new items added within the last month, locate pieces available for specific user groups and submit feedback about the site.

Right from your own office, using your own computer, you can focus on what you want to learn. Every session is tailored to meet your specific needs. Besides Westlaw training, you can also request training on a wide variety of other West Group® products, including LawDesk®, PREMISE®, WestCheck® and more.

To schedule a convenient telephone training session with a Westlaw expert, call 1-800-328-0109 anytime between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., central time, Monday through Friday. Most training sessions are free.

Note: If you use westlaw.com, you can click West Group Telephone Training Representatives at the tabbed Westlaw page to schedule a telephone training session.

The West Group Information Centers provide training to help you learn how to use Westlaw more efficiently. Call the center nearest you for a copy of its calendar, and sign up for the sessions that interest you. To locate information about the West Group Information Centers on the World Wide Web, enter the following URL: www.westlaw.com/training/infocent.wl

You can also call West Group Customer & Technical Services at 1-800-WESTLAW (1-800-937-8529), or choose What’s New and Customer Information at the Westlaw Directory. Then choose Customer Information.

If you have a question about formulating a query or choosing a database, call the West Group Reference Attorneys at 1-800-REF-ATTY (1-800-733-2889). They can help you efficiently use Westlaw and other West Group products.

Note: When you access Westlaw via westlaw.com, click West Group Reference Attorneys at the tabbed Westlaw page to send an e-mail message to the West Group Reference Attorneys.

If you have technical or general Westlaw questions, call West Group Customer & Technical Services at 1-800-WESTLAW (1-800-937-8529).

When you have general questions about Westlaw and West Group products, you can ask us via e-mail. The e-mail address for West Group Customer & Technical Services is support@westgroup.com.