Good Morning & thanks to all who responded to my CD-ROM question. I can see I'm going to have to be more agressive in moving attorneys to Internet access. My expectations of the publishers simplifying this process are nonexistent.
Mariann Storck
G&K
Milwaukee
1.) We had problems too and have basically junked our CDs for internet and
online access. For instance, we arranged a special Lexis nonbillable
library to replace our West state and federal primary law material. West
wouldn't play, so there goes the theory that they're trying to force us
online. I think a big cost factor that is overlooked for CDs is the time
required for the MIS staff to maintain the things. CD technology is
definitely on the way out, at least in a networked environment.
2.) I think they are trying to price them so that people will use
Westlaw (in case of LawDesk) or go to Internet (everyone
else). Certainly, I am trying my hardest to move to the Net!
CDs are a pain in the neck for our MIS folx (for the reasons
you stated) and remote access is very slow. Internet is
everywhere.
3.) The answer to your questions is yes, yes. We also must install all networked CDs except Premise based West CDs at individual workstations. It is a hassle, plus we don't do it unless the attorney asks for it. Therefore, the CDs are used less often than they should be. I understand when we go to a new NT server this year, we will eliminate this problem. I hope so.
4.) We also are on a Novell network. We do not have a great number of CDs on
the network (N.M. Law on Disk (LLP), Shepard's, Martindale-Hubbell, BNA Tax
Portfolios and some other tax stuff), but when I asked our MIS whether he
had experienced similar problems, here is what he replied:
"One thing I find irritating is when they change the volume name of the CD.
This is usually built in to the shortcut on your desktop, so it creates the
"update every user's desktop" situation. Martindale Hubbell's new CDs are
going to require every workstation to be updated, for example.
"Folio Views based programs usually require software to be installed on each
workstation, besides the shortcuts being updated.
Since a lot of CD stuff comes in Views format, and a lot of the publishers
are switching to version 4.0 from 3.0, it is probably a bigger problem
recently. I think Folio (now called Open Market) changed their publisher
royalty fees to some ridiculous amount to upgrade to version 4, then backed
off when they saw no one was upgrading .
As for your second question, I think the answer is probably "yes" and plenty
of us need to stick our heads out the window and yell, "I'm mad as hell, and
I'm not going to take it anymore!"
5.) I found that some CD products are not "concurrent" users, but for
concurrent, but specific users. In other words, only four can use it at the
same time, but we have to register how many potential users there might
be (15, 20). Then, the software has to be loaded on the individual pcs
that will be accessing the information. So, if an attorney has the
software on his pc and is in the library and wants to do research on that
CD and we didn't buy a license for all the pcs in the library, the attorney
has to go back to their office to do the research. Those require MIS to
make housecalls. We also found that for those attorneys who got
network access before MIS was able to do a universal "install" from the
server, have to have visits to update the specific CDs. Very confusing
and aggravating.
6.) I agree with you 1000% on your observations, we've experienced that here as well. I don't think we've ever had anything just drop in the towers and
run without some desktop installation. Even when our MIS folks create batch files for some of our CDs, those still must be run at each desk and unle
ss the attorneys are into do-it-yourself maintenance, I or our systems administrator must go to each workstation.
I haven't figured out why these CDs are designed this way either, and I doubt they'll change much since there's no real incentive to do so. But, it
is very nice to know that there is some company in this misery.
7.) We are also on a Novell Network and I have been in charge of integrating the CD Rom library for about 15 months. I know the hassles of upgrading the workstation with new installs first hand! Unfortunately, we never had the capability you speak of re: not having to go to each pc to upgrade a program. Was your MIS department using Novell's Application Launcher?
I have experienced dual-fold problems. Either the software upgrades on the CD Rom and the workstation needs to be upgraded or the CD Rom server software needs to be upgraded! Can you tell me what CD Server software/hardware your firm uses? We are using Ornetix CDVision.
I recently tried to upgrade the BNA Portfolios program which is now available in 2-disc format. The upgrade doesn't run properly without a "severe error" and I can't see/read anything on the second volume, ie tax forms!. BNA says it's the server software by Ornetix and Ornetix says it's not a problem for them on their Novell Network/Win95 machines! As you can see, the situation is very frustrating.
The most appalling part to me is the fact that CD Rom sales people have zero technical knowledge when working with networking CDs and go wide-eyed when I try to explain the technical problems with their products.
I believe your last theory is probably true. We are looking at internet access for part of our CD collection due to the hassle of workstation upgrades. The problems arise when the publisher has strict licensing issues, as BNA does on their Porfolios product.
I believe the situation will probably get worse before it gets better! But now that the books are gone, we have to live with the electronic versions!
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