BGI Reference Desk

Outside patrons unable to access MNCAT

In case any patrons call our desk about this problem here is the note from Janet Arth's e-mail of 3/4/08.

"Off campus users coming from behind a firewall may not be able to access the public catalogs at all. We are now quite sure this is a port issue and continue to work for a permanent fix. In the meantime, if the users can request that their local IT staff open port 8991 on prime6.oit.umn.edu, we believe this will resolve the problem."

-Daniel

Netfiles client installed on GPL refdesk computer

I installed the Netfiles client on the GPL refdesk computer. I tried to login using the govref ID, but apparently dept. accounts aren't eligible for Netfiles. I've set it to save my x500 and password instead so that the desktop client will always be available. - Amy

Web site Access on GPL computers

I thought you should know that we need to be careful about directing our users to the computers on the GPL side. The computers in GPL are denying access to the Human Development Reports even if the user goes through MNCAT. The computers also will not allow them into Google to search for government publications. Certain searches can only be done on the Business side.

Lynne

Desktop Calendar on GP ref computer

I've installed a calendar that sits on the desktop of the GP refdesk. It is intended as a possible replacement for the print one that goes under the monitor. See how you like having it there over the coming semester so we can decide whether to buy another paper one for next year or not...FYI, I already prefer the one on the desktop, so that's my vote... --Amy

More on Spyware

Argh. Spyware. Argh. ITS *just* came down, ran Spybot, appeared to get the spyware out. However, just now, after I logged back in as x-govref and opened Firefox to look at my calendar, out of nowhere a window advertising porn came up. No really vile images, but there's no doubt of the nature of the ad either. I've emailed ITS again, but until they get this straightened out:

Be very careful when the computer is turned so the patron can see. You may even want to warn them in advance; I don't know. -- Amy

IE/Spyware/Why You should Move to Firefox

This afternoon I discovered a whole raft of spyware that came to the GPL Refdesk computer through IE. I've removed some of it, but the rest is going to require to ITS coming down and doing some delicate work for us.

Unlike IE, Firefox is explicitly built to fight this kind of software and keeps the computer safer. I know not every resource works in Firefox, but any reduction in our use of IE will be an improvement. To that end, I'm taking IE out of the Start-Up on the Refdesk computer and putting Firefox in. IE will still be available on the desktop, in the Start Menu and on the Task Bar when absolutely necessary. Thanks -- Amy

Firefox Browser Now on GPLRef Computer

After an enthusiastic recommendation from Shane a few weeks ago, I downloaded Firefox to my office computer. It's as good as advertised, so I've added it to the GPLRef computer.

It's the funky little icon on the Quick Launch Menu - .

It's all the good parts of Netscape without the annoying parts. I haven't hit a site yet that it won't display properly.

Try it out - if we all like, I'll make it the default browser. -- Amy

Note for Amy about Icons/Shortcuts

Icons: Go to Control Panel -> Display -> Appearance
Set Icon Font Size to 10
Set Horizontal and Vertical Spacing to 70

On MR: Make shortcut from another shortcut link on desktop; save to All Users/Desktop. Exit to public login. Disable Fortres; mess with icons as above; rearrange as needed.

Mergent Quirks

If Mergent behaves weirdly with respect to printing, try this:
Save the pdf file to the Temp directory and then open up the user's email and attach the pdf file:
1. Click on the Save Icon on the Adobe toolbar .
2. Navigate to the Temp directory (shouldn't take long; most dirs on public computers are hidden anyway) & Save.
3. In a new window (don't want to lose the document in case things go wrong), go to www.mail.umn.edu, unless the user has another account they'd prefer to use that can be reached via the web.
4. Have them log in and set up a message to themselves. Then use the browse button to get to the temp directory and select the file just saved.
5. Once you're back at the message screen, click on the Attach button and you're done.

NOTE: You do *not* have to check the boxes next to the message recipient's name or the attached file for them to be sent (I just verified this). -- Amy

-- Amy

USB drives in Lumina Terminals

A patron put a jump drive in the back USB port of a lumina terminal. She couldn't get the dialog for the "safe to remove". She said that she heard removing a drive improperly could damage the computer it's attached to as well as the jump drive itself. -- Amy

From Sally in ITS:

I've asked around about this USB safe to eject w/out dialogue box, and it is a known issue. Even though patrons don't get the "safe to remove" box, it is in fact safe to do so.

BPP: Note on installing / Virtual CD

When new editions of the BPP index are installed on the GPL public machines, make sure to add to the VCD icon the following:
Start Directory: C:\NewsBank\NEWSBANK.EXE*
Working Directory: C:\NewsBank*

Desktop icon should then work without further changes.

*Except Jefferson: there the path is C:\bppindex\NewsBank...

Updated IFS & British Parliamentary Papers Index

I've now updated IFS to 10/04 and put the latest BPP disk on Mt. Rushmore and Fillmore.

At the beginning of the semester I made WDI visible on all of Mt. Rushmore for a class. At the time I said I'd do it for 2 weeks. Now, those links are gone again as it's been closer to four weeks. If more than one patron needs WDI at a time, they can use Lincoln and Fillmore (during ref hours). -- Amy

Restarting BusRef CDROM workstations

I notice many problems displaying pdf files and using MediaMark on the Bus Ref CDROM workstations after the weekend and in the morning. The XP machines generally have trouble and like being restarted.

If you open in the morning, consider restarting all BusRef machines, including the Dells. They have Temp folders that need to be deleted, which will happen once a machine gets restarted.

Van

Uniprint now re-enabled on Fillmore

We lost our Uniprint on Fillmore sometime back, so Jaime has now re-installed it and users can print directly to it.

Also, that side printer's toner cartridge is apparently low, so Sara's ordered a new one. --Amy

Telnet

Had a patron in the other day who wanted to use telnet to check her mail. Patrons can do so from Fillmore (or any computer whose Start Menu has not been partially or wholly disabled). You go to the Start menu and click on Run.

In the dialog box that appears type "telnet username.email.domain.domain". For example, a main UMN email address would be username.email.umn.edu and a SocSci address would be username.socsci.umn.edu. This will bring up a telnet window and the patron can check her mail. --Amy

MNCAT on Mount Rushmore

You can use Mount Rushmore computers to search in MNCAT. However, in some cases, Public Browser will give a "this site is restricted" message in the middle of a search. I'm not totally sure why, but I'm working on it. The instance I've seen so far was when there were no results for a search. Despite this, if you need a computer, it's still worth a try on one of the MRs; you should usually be able to do a successful search. --Amy

Switching GPL Dells to Log-in Only on Weekends II

Turns out the method for switching profiles on these computers is difficult to reproduce with the new image. I talked to Kay and, barring objections from the GPL/BR staff, we're just going to let them remain open.

Van commented that he thought we should only have 1 public terminal, but I think that discussion should have its own thread and this one should stick to the question of leaving the terminals as open access, which we're doing by default right now... --Amy

Switching GPL Dells to Log-in Only on Weekends

We have gotten out of the habit of doing this, but I think there's still a need to turn the two GPL Open Access Dells to Login Access on the weekends. However, all of the Dells in Wilson were reimaged recently and the username/password combo we used has disappeared. Jaime will be recreating it for us asap, soooo remember to flip them on Friday afternoons and Monday mornings! I will walk anyone who desires it through the procedure again. --Amy

Investext and Multexnet

While using any Dells, users are able to display the pdf security analysis reports found in Investext and Multexnet, the only reliable BusRef workstation for working with pdf documents is busref6.

The problem involves security and the XP operating system on the BusRef computers. Jamie plans on bringing some Dells into BusRef soon to help with reliability on the security analysis reports. The Dells run on a different operating systems with less conficts between security and access.

Reporting Technical Problems

Before reporting anything—
1. Check plugs and switches – is everything plugged in and turned on?
2. Try rebooting – problem may go away

To report—
1. e-mail autosys@umn.edu, if GPL workstations, also westx045@umn.edu
2. provide as much detail as possible, including which terminal, program and/or browser involved.
3. write down and include in e-mail any error messages
4. If the problem will last past your desk time, please note the problem in the blog and send a notification of the new entry to GPL/BR staff
5. See also http://staff.lib.umn.edu/ap/pubws.phtml for details on other kinds of problems.