Macro to micro hack (to locate content change):
For this technique of content comparison to work most easily, the two editions in question should have the same publisher (same editor, same typographer, same printer, and same book binder.) to ensure as many processes used to publish both editions are the same. Check.
Updating references: Rather than burden a law office with selectively replacing a volume or two periodically, whole editions are provided for replacement to ensure error prevention (by omission), consistency, and continuity. Inevitably, there will be changes to content and preservation of the law firm image depends on public perception (uniformity as an indicator of control, competence) as well as excellent jurisprudence performance.
For each publication volume, compare its updated version to see if changes are obvious before you begin to locate the minuscule changes that are inevitable. Here are steps in a flow chart working from the mechanical layout to locate specific content to compare:
- Are the total number of pages in both volumes the same?
No? Then, there have been changes made within the volume.
Yes? Then, there may have been changes to the updated volume.
Move to the next—more detailed micro-level examination.
- Are the number of pages in each chapter of both volumes the same?
No? Then there have been changes made within the chapter of the updated chapter.
Yes? Then there may have been changes made to the updated chapter.
Move to the next—more detailed micro-level examination.
- Are the number of paragraphs the same (quick count) in a spread of two pages?
No? Then, there have been changes made within the spread.
Yes? Then, there may have been changes made within the spread.
Move to the next—more detailed micro-level examination.
- Read and compare the content to isolate the specific change in the updated volume.
Recap: Whenever you find any anomaly between the different edition volumes (macro), you can begin to check more closely (micro) to determine the specific difference in the updated version.
Good luck.