Librarian becomes Local Hero

While attending to his various duties at the reference desk, librarian Jerry Notaro discovered a problem with the internet proxy in the reference area. The internet proxy, which consists of a script which directs internet traffic to a proxy server, is used to lock public area users from using chat without a USF ID. The discovery could not have been more timely, as there had been several underage patrons monopolizing the public area machines. Jerry noticed that one of the sites they were visiting was a Yahoo chat site that ordinarily should be proxied. This prompted a troubleshooting session that ultimately led to a revamp of the entire proxy process, and a new script was written to correct the problem. The new script is very easy to edit, so please don’t hesitate to let a systems team member know if there is a chat site that needs to be proxied in the future.

Laptop Available for Library Staff Checkout

A Dell Latitude laptop has been made available for Staff checkout, which can be taken offsite for library related work. The laptop is a very current model with a slim profile (one inch!) and includes cd-rom and floppy drives, a Pentium II processor, as well as modem and Ethernet network connectivity built in. It has a handy carrying case that can also store accessories, notepads, etc., for travel. Use will be coordinated through the systems office, through an off-site equipment checkout form. Checkout periods may vary, but should be no longer than two weeks. See Berrie for demonstration of the equipment if you think you would like to take advantage of this great tool.

Pharos Software Upgraded for Public Area Printing

During spring break, we upgraded our Pharos UnipriNT software to accommodate printing from Windows 2000 desktops in the public use area. Thanks to Deb Henry for her help to accomplish the upgrade without a single hitch! Not only were new clients added to the new Windows 2000 desktops, but the older desktops were upgraded and re-imaged as well to provide a fault tolerant fallback plan.

Update on Migration to Windows 2000

The benefits of MS 2000 Professional will soon become a reality, as 98% of all library computers have both been upgraded to 2000 and have migrated to UNIX-base email. We are now managing our own Domain Name service through 2000 Server, and all public area machines in reference are being secured through W2k technologies. The next step in the process will be migrating the computer lab, Pharos printing and adding all staff to our new domain, aptly named “NELSON”.

Calendar & Email Migration Issues

After sending out an email asking for how to handle the creating and editing of lists such as LIBRARY and LIBRARIANS, it has been decided that each user will edit their own list. The process is a painless one, open your addressbook by clicking on TOOLS, ADDRESSBOOK and create a new group under FILE, NEW GROUP. Add the members, and save it. If you prefer for a systems team member to guide you in the process, just give one of us a buzz and we will help you set it up. Our calendar will remain through MS Exchange, and will be available as a read-only file that will be distributed to each person’s “P” drive and refreshed daily. Access to the calendar will be available by this Wednesday (7/17/02) so please give Berrie a call or an email letting him know that you would like to access it so arrangements can be made to set it up. Also, please note that the following email addresses have changed:

• Charlotte Barber has become: cbarbour@nelson.usf.edu
• Cynthia Brown has become: cjbrown7@nelson.usf.edu
• Lois Bryce has become: lbryce@nelson.usf.edu
• Mika (Tamica) Slaughter has become: tslaught@nelson.usf.edu

Please change the addresses to match those above. If you need help, just give a call. The old addresses will work for a limited time, but please make the transition ASAP.

Training Session Scheduled, More Suggestions Needed

Two training sessions will be available to demonstrate the use of the Visually Impaired Equipment on the first floor. They will be held at 2PM on Tuesday, July 23rd and Thursday, July 25th. All librarians should plan to attend one session to become familiar with the equipment and it’s use, and also it’s limitations. An overview of the Zoomtext software and it’s screen reading abilities will be the primary focus of the sessions, as well as use of the Voyager magnification tool. The systems team is also seeking recommendations for topics that can be taught in future training sessions, please give us your suggestions, and we create training sessions for those topic of the most interest to library staff.

Multimedia Station Moved

The multimedia station that we have been using to scan documents has moved to a new location, POY 136. This is one door to the right of the old room, just a few steps way. Many of us have been exploring the Adobe software available on the media machine, including Photoshop and Pagemaker. The move will end the battle over the Ethernet connection that had been ongoing between the multimedia machine and the VIP station, which had been sharing a room. The multimedia machine will continue to be connected to the library LAN, so that your “P” drive will be available to save and retrieve files.

New server Arrives

A new Poweredge 2500 series server has arrived, a replacement for our current tired web server. The older server was a bare Pentium server given by Campus Computing over a year ago, which allowed us to migrate our web site to NT. The new server will have a much faster response time due to RAID drive architecture, and will be scalable to handle other web projects later on.