I ask them to search the Indiana statutes datebase. Everyone searches and comes back with the default number of documents each service allows and everyone is extremely pleased with the results. No connectors, no worries, no hassle. The only problem is that none of the documents are relevant. There is no statutory provision for what I have asked them to find.
Students are shocked and then perplexed.
Being friendly, they will give results no matter what. The average attorney, using these friendly engines will no doubt be quite satisfied with the results, until he or she appears in court someday and finds out that they have completely missed the point. This is what we need to educate our students about. Yes, you can just use the simple, friendly methods, but do you really want to and if you do, is this adequate for the needs of your client. I don't think so.