10Meters News Report
May 24, 2001 – Wireless technology is going on trial at Stanford University's Law School during the next six months.
The trial program, part of an initiative sponsored by Palm and legal solutions firm West Group, will allow law students to communicate, do research and manage their studies remotely. The brainchild of Mitch Davis, chief information officer and associate dean for the Information Systems at the law school, the 50-person trial program is part of the school's overall wireless initiative.
"The legal profession as a whole is embracing wireless technology because access to the latest legal information anytime is such an obvious advantage," said Davis. "This initiative is an excellent opportunity to help students become conversant with the technology, use it in school and carry it forward in their professional lives."
As part of the program, West Group is providing wireless access to legal research services Westlaw and six eBook titles that give students remote access to frequently used legal information. West Group also is providing training and additional funding for the program, the companies said in a release. Additionally, West Group and five other software companies – PDA Verticals, Ury Fischer, NearSpace, Town Compass and Elite.com – are providing legal, Stanford-specific and time-and-billing software.
Students and faculty chosen to participate in the program paid $100 (for the cost of the keyboard) and received a Palm VIIx wireless handheld, a portable keyboard, downloadable software, and six months' worth of wireless access. Upon completion of the program, participants will be allowed to keep the products.
The program is part of Palm's strategy to bring the power and convenience of handheld computing to colleges and universities – especially those offering research-intensive programs such as law, said Mike Lorion, Palm's vice president of education markets.
West Group is extending its reach into the legal community through wireless technology, said Rick Dow, West Group's vice president of strategic marketing. Shortly after the program launch, the software will be made available to all Stanford Law School students who own Palm OS handhelds.
