Revision (& Evolution) May 31, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Exams, Fun Stuff.2 comments
End of another day’s revision – and missed all the sun must to my disappointment, having to endure the torture of watching those below me walking around in their shorts and t-shirts. My back hurts, from hunching at the desk and both my hands have seized up (whose stupid idea was it to make write-your-own-textbooks, oh wait that was mine).
Progress report: 2 more Commercial workshops, 5 Commercial Property and 1 Employment.
I’m going to sleep now (for 100 years) so I leave you with: – Legally Drawn’s latest illustration: Evolution – love this.
Microsoft’s Bing: I’m stuck in 2006 with MSN Search. May 29, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Online Tools.4 comments
Decided come take a break from revision retirement to have a quick blog about Microsoft’s Bing: the rebrand of Live (previously part of windows live) and even before that MSN Search.
For those of you who don’t know I worked for the them back when it was MSN Adcenter back when it was MSN Search (2006), which is why this story caught my eye over all the rest that have beena floating by on my screen these days.
In my opinion a rebrand is no good, simply due to the fact that everyone knows it is Microsoft, they are not offering anything better than Google. It has been said that:
The name is short and designed to give people the opportunity to say things like, “Just Bing it,” as they do with Google.
So once again Microsoft are trying to be Google, whether they have learned anything since the previous rebrands remains to be seen. The only thing they have appeared to come up with to challenge Google is more targeted searches and more comparison – possibly quite good for general consumers.
At MSN we were briefed in the need to increase Microsoft share of the search engine market. The market which as everyone knew was being heavily dominated by Google and even yahoo!. (Currently Google 64% and Microsoft 8.2% and it was something similar back then). As stupid as it sounds but we were also encouraged to use Google rather the MSN Search, during our days at work as it was more efficient – so it seems that they couldn’t even convert their own employees. That said we did get into the habit of using both, and for a lot of the searches we were doing (products/site we were advertising) as they were pretty mainstream (e.g. halfords, ebay, various banks) there wasn’t much difference.
It has always been the more targeted searches that have been difficult – law for example, nightmare to search for, even when you say UK only you still get jurisdictional clashes. With Bing it remains to be seen just how targeted they can get (although the review at ars techica (link at bottom of page) gives us a pretty good idea.
In my eyes no matter how much rebranding they do, Google has such a dominant stance, Microsoft are only ever going to be taking baby steps – unless the come up with something radical – which in all their previous efforts they have failed to do so. (Of course Microsoft will maintain it’s not trying to take on the Google, which they blatantly are). And while Microsoft may have thought that they were getting one over with hitting the gap in Google’s market, create more effective comparison searches, Google of course is upping the challenge with Google Wave.
However, I still enjoy a basic fluff free search. Which honestly, the basic MSN was good for. 
And I’ve got to say I’ve only used Google since the 2006 change to Windows Live (which I hated), will Bing make me take a stand back on the other side?
See also:
- Classic Search Engine Rap Battle MSN v GOOGLE
- Full Hands on Review of Bing (Ars Technica)
Try to do – cute UCLA squirrels video May 23, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Coffee Break, Fun Stuff.1 comment so far
In case you haven’t already seen it this is adorable – just wanted to pass it on – suitable for another coffee break.
And we’re STILL going on about the Skills exams May 22, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Deafness/HOH, Exams, Legal Practice Course (LPC).add a comment
(I apologise in advance for the rant)
Those SMART students are still banging on about how the failure of a skill shouldn’t deprive them of the ability to get a distinction on the LPC. I’m sure if I had failed one I would feel the same – but at the same time I can’t help scream at these poor folks that skills are no less important – if you can’t do these things how are you supposed to make a good lawyer as it is not all about the academics from here on out.
I’ve never been strong in the academic department – but I’ve always known that despite the fact I get case names muddled up I know the content and have the ability to make a good lawyer. A measure of a good lawyer isn’t the number of cases you can round off. A friend of mine who is an undergraduate Business Student had a module which *touched* upon the law and she and her friends were comparing how many case names they got down in that exam on facebook. They have no intention of entering into the law.
This is not to say that the skills exams did not strike fear in my heart tackling the skills of Advocacy and Interviewing as a half deaf student is probably my most terrifying experience on the LPC. But if nothing else it has increased my confidence in my ability to do such essential skills and enter the profession as a half deaf student. Still secretly hoping I can stay clear of advocacy though professionally. In the exam they tried to solve my “problem” by putting me as the prosecution as I wouldn’t have to “respond” and essentially wouldn’t have to hear what anyone else said and simple make my submission. Taking the bull by the horns I asked to be defence. The offended person in me always wants to show I do everything just as well as everyone else, if not better.
In practice though, unlike interviewing if you don’t hear something, you can’t exactly ask someone mid submission to repeat what they said. Also standing side by side I lack the ability to be able to lip read. In the exam it all came down to being prepared and second guessing what the other side was going to say – I went into that exam with no notes – hoping to prove once and for all that no one can say that I lack ability. I succeeded.
For this reason it irritates me that others put up complaints about failing skills and therefore not getting a distinction – sure it may have come down to a simple mistake, but they probably went in there thinking they couldn’t fail and there are those of us who are prejudged and fighting that all the way.
Advanced Cat Yodeling May 19, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Coffee Break, Fun Stuff.2 comments
In case you haven’t seen it yet… something to keep you amused on your next coffee break:
Study Ball: To make sure we study… May 17, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Fun Stuff.3 comments
Study Ball (with timer) to keep you chained to the desk.
(Curiosite).
Tips: Improve your writing May 17, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Exams.2 comments
I may soon been following Michael at Law Actually and taking a temporary leave due to stress of exam revision. I plan to implement this at the end of the week. Until then I shall be gracing your computer screens with a few little Exam / Study tips before I go.
#1 Loosen writing grip to banish pain (lifehacker)
As very appropriately posted earlier this week – lifehacker writes about writing with a light hand. My hands always get bent out of shape during exam period (I’m not kidding) due to excessive writing (I have to write to learn) and my long nails meaning that it is impossible to hold a pen the same way as everyone else (and no its worse if I cut my nails as I then can’t write due to the fact that i’ve been writing with long nails since I was 8 and anything else seems abnormal).
But I will say that writing better improves study, enables you to last longer in the 3 hour exam before you want to start crying and generally means that your hands don’t come out bent out of shape and you are swearing off pens forever – they are actually not that bad.
#2 Try to keep your writing readable in an exam
If the markers can read it, you are more likely to get the marks, and if you’re borderline, maybe your appreciation for their eyes will swing it, maybe not – but if the idea is down on paper, don’t risk not getting the mark because no-one can read what it says.
#3 Open book exam? Make sure YOU understand it.
This is where preparatory work is essential – open book exam and you get to take in the notes – ensure that your notes are readable and clear, so you don’t waste time reading some scrawl that turns out to be off topic anyway. You should know the material well enough anyway to know what’s important – but clear structured notes can be a god send when time is running out, and you can’t think straight.
Revision – and exam feedback May 15, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Exams.add a comment
So I’m behind by four days, hopefully I will catch up soon enough (before the exams if I’m lucky).
Everyone is still all about the results, end of “term” is approaching and no one can be bothered about the work – even the teacher – but if the compulsory exams are anything to go by the last few workshops are just as important as the earlier meatier ones.
A friend and I were talking about wanting to actually know HOW we did in the compulsory exams – after all the best way to learn is to learn from your mistakes. Was it stupid mistakes? Lack of technique? Not reading the question? forgetting the obvious things in fear? I’ve always found it important to get proper feedback. However, besides the skills we don’t seem to be getting any constructive criticism. The tutors have said their doors are open for those who have concerns. This is for people who failed or are borderline I’m assuming, and not for the likes of me who likes to pick at everything?
Been going back over the exams, Property I know my failing was failing to read the question on one, lack of review of a topic I was going to read but I decided to celebrate my birthday instead, and thirdly confusion over one question in which all students were arguing over the right answer (who was right we’ll probably never know). Business I was happy enough with I wasn’t expecting to get the mark I did. and Litigation I know that a good number of the marks in Criminal was because the teacher hadn’t taught us the information that was required for a 25 mark question. But I don’t feel that what I have deduced from the vague memory of the exams will help me prepare for the electives any better.
Has anyone gotten feedback on the LPC regarding compulsories? or is this such an LLB thing I’m wishing for?
Non Legal Job – Response from my tutor May 13, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Job hunting, Life After the LPC.2 comments
As I posted earlier – I’ve been thinking of applying for a non legal job this year (in amongst all my other applications) – maybe I won’t hear anything – but it has been sent.
My tutor, who has been in charge of the exam results and rushing around trying to get them out in time finally got back to me with his views:
I don’t think this would damage your TC chances, & non-legal jobs can help develop your transferable skills which employers are keen on
Perhaps a paralegal job might make your CV/applications stronger, but if you want to do something different (or something which is a more attainable & realistic way of earning some cash) then go for it!
Past LPC students have spend a year travelling before coming back & securing a TC, so it didn’t do them any harm!
His response was pretty much as I expected. I’ve also noticed that this week’s Letter of the Week on LawCareers is entitled “Where have all the paralegal jobs gone?” and it suggests if you can’t get one though applications or speculative CVs the solution is… apply for a role in a different profession to gain commercial experience. So sorted then.
Next hurdle to overcome – getting an interview…
A friend in need of cash to pay her mortgage as her TC start date has been deferred – is constantly being told that she is “overqualified” so not being offered interviews – so she is now getting very frustrated. It’s straightforward to explain your situation in a interview context – much harder on paper. So maybe they won’t even consider interviewing me if this is the case.
Results Day: May 12, 2009
Posted by travisthetrout in Exams.4 comments
Let out of class early – everyone hurried out the door to join the HUGE queue for our brown envelopes.
I am relieved and very happy to say the exams went well, my stupid mistake in property that had me wailing luckily didn’t cost me much and business was like 10x better than my mock.
Skills exams went okay too, nice commentary – such a relief. Unfortunately a lot of people weren’t so lucky with their skills which resulted in the tears of many hopefuls wishing for a distinction.
Thankfully we seemed to lack the over-analysis of results like we had at undergrad – but the rumours of being “ranked” at graduation has suddenly seemed to put on the extra pressure I neither want or care about. The only pressure I have is, keeping up the standard in these upcoming electives.
