Friday Tech Update #12 February 18, 2005
Posted by Rachel in Brown Bags & Webcasts, Computers, Databases, TTSC Meetings.add a comment
- Database Updates: Accounting & Tax: You can now go into the database and search just that database and not all the Proquest databases simultaneously. It works both on and off campus, and without a username. Waiting to hear back from Dale about access to EconLit from off campus, and the configuration of EconLibrary.com (formerly the Economic Literature Database on Public Workstation #9). He has been “out”.
- Rachel attended the Technology Support Coordinators (TSC) Meeting (February 8th).
- Acorn will be updated near the end of February LMC has approved the move for e-reserves from Prometheus to Blackboard/OAK There was a Firefox (web browser) deployment among library staff, and plans are being made for it to be added to public workstations as well.
- LITS created a wiki and has asked the TSC to “play” with it and see all that it does and doesn’t do.
- Rick Stringer-Hye is gathering info on the libraries to create a page for users looking for info on any computer lab/library workstations (such as software, # of computers, hours, etc.), which will be linked from the various ITS and computer lab pages.
The Heard Library System (or at least LITS) has now gotten involved in LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe), which works collaboratively around the world with other institutions and multiple servers to preserve and keep accessible online resources.
- Last week, Danny came across some problems with his boot disks, and the finishing up of the public workstations has come to a screeching halt until Danny figures out how to fix the problem. Cross your fingers.
- Mills came over here last week and configured Ariel. Rachel is in communication with Jim Toplin about training using Ariel. Rachel needs to know who all needs to have Ariel training so arrangements can be made. Please contact her by MONDAY afternoon if interested.
- Rachel did a 30 minute presentation to WML staff on Netfix on Thursday, February 17 for those people who expressed interest in learning how to report library-related technology problems (not Owen/hardware/network-related technology problems). There were 3 in attendance.
- Rachel will be attending the “midnight pizza party at LITS” Sunday night to observe (and satisfy her curious nature) the upgrade of Acorn and other server maintenance. Rumors have it that she’s a bit crazy to do this.
- Rachel attended on Friday, February 18, the weekly MetaLib meeting. Developing a usability test is in the progress, as well as determining what databases are going to be included in the test. The trial is probably going to take place in mid May.
- Rachel, Deb, and Amia attended a live Webcast today: Library Marketing: Tips & Techniques
More info: Friday, February 18, 2005 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Central Classroom, 612A. This will be a discussion on techniques being used by innovative librarians to promote their libraries and services. Listen to the success stories of fellow librarians as they share their personal experiences in finding interesting and effective ways to mass-communicate and promote the value of their libraries. Panelists: Buff Hirko, Statewide Virtual Reference Project Coordinator at Washington State Library; Howard McGinn, Dean of Libraries at Seton Hall University; Linda Wallace, Library Communication Strategies, Inc., formerly head of ALA’s Public Information Office.
Have a good weekend, everyone! Thanks for your attention and time!
Friday Tech Update #11 February 4, 2005
Posted by Rachel in Computers, GIS, Printers.add a comment
- Rachel attended MetaLib Task Force meetings on Fridays , January 21 and February 4. The group is reviewing the ExLibris demo site and the sites of at least some of the other MetaLib libraries so the group can discuss our experiences and better plan our trial. There is also a place on OAK (Blackboard) where the team can review and share information. They are also planning to do a usability test to see if MetaLib will meet the expectations of its users, including the library staff.
- About 20 people attended the GIS webcast last week. The Task Force met again to discuss future directions, and are working on an update report to present to Paul Gherman.
- Brent and Rachel would still be collaborating on logo development for the website and other resources if he had a computer. His hard drive died, and a new one has been reordered.
- Mills came over this week and aided in the Public Workstation /Deep Freeze Implementation. Danny has been swamped and is helping as much as his time permits.
- Mills is also working with Rachel and Laura on configuring Ariel correctly. Jim Toplin will also be involved with configuration, as well as training.
- Will from Expert Laser has visited WML several times this week. All the printers seem to be working correctly once again. The new printer, an OkiData printer, is fast and has stunning colors. Any help on operating it, fixing jams, changing toner, printing transparencies, etc., please see Marie or Rachel.
- As for the “old” color printer, it is now hooked up to one of the student workroom computers. It is no longer on the printer network. To print, make sure the file you want to print is somewhere on the network (your private or public folders), and when you sit down in front of the printer, just find the thing you want to print and select the HP 4500 color printer. Piece of cake.
- On Friday, January 28, Rachel attended the University’s Web Spiders Group meeting. Jim Parker, THE webmaster for Vanderbilt University, lead the meeting and talked about ways to increase communication among all the technologists and web developers across campus.
- As of today, all of the databases that we subscribe to are working correctly both on and off. Rachel is still in contact with Dale about finalizing some additional configurations.
Have a good weekend, everyone! Thanks for your attention and time!
