CD-ROM technology, Personal Library Software, and the law of the land. The second is in the public domain. The availability of State and federal statutory, judicial, and regulatory law explains why the CD-ROM market for primary law is the most competitive it has ever been. These publishers have long published state codes and other primary-law materials. Today there is no reason for any attorney in Washington state to perform legal research using books.
Books are wonderful.
Books are essential. And books are often the most elegant information technology available. But today, in Washington state, the attorney who does not at least take a look at the CD Law series is in jeopardy of diminishing the productivity of his or her practice. But if you're at all computer literate, consider for starters the multiple ways the product can be searched. Not only are these at your fingertips but the web of ways in which they can be accessed and used brings to mind the terms heuristic and serendipitous.