Automation Liaisons Meeting -- September 22, 1998

1. WebSPIRS stress test

A stress test of OSUL installation of WebSPIRS version 4 was done prior to the meeting. The goal was to determine how WebSPIRS would perform if there were many simultaneous users in the various databases. Our goal was to open 72 sessions; we were able to open 56 before the OSUL ERL server crashed. Response time was unacceptably slow. Matt watched the network traffic on the Galaxy server (where the ERL server software and WebSPIRS software are loaded). As the amount of network traffic increased, he saw that frames were being dropped and that Galaxy could not handle the demand we were making it.

For Fall term we will continue to point to a URL in Boston for the web versions of our SilverPlatter databases. We will point to a different URL which will give us access to WebSPIRS version 4 and which SilverPlatter believes will not have the connection difficulties we've experienced in the past. SilverPlatter tests their WebSPIRS software with various browsers. They do not test Netscape 3.0, which we are using on our public and staff workstations. Based on other testing we've done, we don't anticipate problems.

As a results of this morning's test, the OSUL ERL server is down and Yuan Ma is working with SilverPlatter to restore it. The telnet versions of the SilverPlatter databases are run by the ERL server. [Note: the ERL server was restored by 9/25.]

2. Netscape 4.06

The III electronic reserves feature requires Netscape 4.06 or Netscape 4.04 with the JDK patch. Ken and Jelani have been looking at what is required to move our public and staff workstations to Netscape 4.06. Subsequent to this meeting, they learned that Netscape 4.06 does not support networked user accounts such as OSUL uses to deliver software from the server. This means that Netscape 4.06 cannot be loaded on staff workstations. If would be possible to load Netscape 4.06 on each public workstation and would require lengthy planning. Another issue to be investigated is how the Netscape 4.06 user account on the public workstation would interact with the user authentication feature to be required on public workstation and how that will impact the Netscape profile issues.

3. Electronic Reserves

One of the major stumbling blocks with implementing the III electronic reserves is the difficulty getting satisfactory printouts. Innovative Interfaces Inc. designed the software assuming that users would print to system printers and pick-up the copies. We want to allow users to print the electronic reserve article from any public workstation or remotely on their office/home workstation. Some changes were made in Innovative's Release 12 software, however the speed of printing (5 minutes per page) is a major problem which Sally Rogers is working with III to resolve.

4. Requests to libmicro

Susan Logan reported that requests to libmicro have increased and the Automation staff have not been able to keep current. They are handling requests in the following priority: those that don't require much time to fix, things that worked in the past and don't now, requests that are a high priority, and all other requests Automation Office is presently short staffed while David Gabriel is off (due to birth of their first child). Response to libmicro requests should improve when David returns on Sept. 28 and when more students are hired.

5. New members to Automation Liaisons group

Patti Dittoe (GEO) was introduced as the new member representing the non-Novell networked libraries. Sarah Woodson, new EHS staff member working with Leta Hendricks, attended the meeting and was introduced.

6. Microsoft Office vs. WordPerfect 7 or 8

Automation has been asked to provide MS Office to 10 people. Ken has been looking at it to identify the issues/problems related to networking it. A separate MS Office license must be purchased for each person who will be using it. The Libraries will be purchasing a limited number MS Office licenses. With WordPerfect, we do not need to purchase a user license for each person, but rather can purchase a limited number of licenses (we purchased 8) and that determines how many simultaneous users are possible.

Microsoft Office will be provided only to those persons who need it for a specific need. If WordPerfect can fill that need library employees will be expected to use WordPerfect.

Many library employees are having difficulty reading email attachments sent by someone who is using newer software. Automation Office is looking at ways to automatically save email attachments in lower versions so that these attachments can be opened.

Pat Visel mentioned the Arabic MS Office software and Arabic Windows. He will test for compatibility of these two programs.

See #13 below about MS Office and viruses.

7. Computer installations

Since the August meeting new computers have been installed in SEL. Installations for RAR and circulation desk Telex terminal replacements in Main, BPL, BUS, EHS and SEL are pending. Main Library Circulation Desk has insufficient space for the new computers; monitor mounts on arms will be installed. EHS circulation and reserve desks are ready. Network upgrades or construction are needed in at all other circulations desks.

8. Bar code scanners

Main Library Circulation Department would like better scanners. Susan reported that the optics go out of alignment frequently. Best to replace the scanner in it's cradle after each use to avoid unnecessary bumping, dropping, etc. which might effect the optics. It's cheaper for the Libraries to return the scanners for repair than purchase new ones. Other scanner models are too expensive:

-- scanners embedded in the desk (such as those used at groceries) when last checked

cost $20,000;

-- elevated scanners (which are fixed) cost $1500.

Moving scanners from workstation to workstation becomes an inventory control difficult and can damage the computer.

DO NOT remove a scanner until you have turned off the workstation. Someone did recently and ruined the mother board. It is ALWAYS best to turn off the workstation before unplugging or plugging in any peripheral equipment.

9. New software and new CD-ROM databases.

Ken reported that it takes about 40 hours of staff time to investigate any non-networked software and 2-3 times as much time for networked software. Every new CD-ROM database requires testing on security holes, compatibility with other software and hardware.

10. Eudora versions 2, 3, and 4

Automation has not installed Eudora version 3 because of a bug which impacted people who were doing their email on a floppy. All the Eudora settings of the first user were overwritten by the second Eudora user's settings. Version 4 will be out soon. The new features it supports are graphics, sound, quicktime and html mail. To upgrade to version 4, every library staff members' user account will have to be reconfigured. Ken does not know what this involves nor how long it might take. For the time being we will continue to user Eudora version 2.0.

11. Student user accounts

Presently student user accounts do not include access to Netscape. Automation has not created individual user accounts for each student because student workers come and go so quickly. Automation is barely able to keep up with changing full- and part-time civil service, faculty and A&P changes.

In the future Automation hopes to create generic student user accounts requires authentication as is planned with the public computers. An account could be assigned to one student; when that student worker leaves the same account could be reassigned to another student worker. Approximately 1 hour is needed to set-up each user account. There is no delivery date at the moment.

12. Innovative Interfaces Inc. (III) Project Millennium

III is developing web versions of all their modules. The WebPAC is the web version of the public catalog. They are presently working on the web version of the circulation module. Web versions of acquisitions, serials and cataloging are planned. Purchasing Project Millennium will cost OSUL approximately $100,000. We acquired the WebPAC module as part of OhioLINK development.

13. Virus detection software

Recently some OSUL personnel received an email message from OhioLINK which had a virus in the attachment. Ken reported that we are not fully configured for virus protection. MS Office is very vulnerable to viruses. Ken got software from UTS which works as a buffer for files with MS Office extensions and automatically cleans the file. It also checks the executable files. Automation also needs to install this on each workstation so that files saved to the hard drive are protected.

14. Back-up files

There are not zip or jazz drives available to back-up files saved on the hard drive. Users of computers on the Novell server are encouraged to save documents to the u: drive which is backed up every night.

15. Network traffic

Matt Jewett is working on the network traffic in Main Library, where there are two subnets. The goal is to move all public workstations to one subnet and all staff workstations to the other subnet. This requires reconfiguring the network backbone, changing IPs, gateways and DNS files. These changes will help Matt diagnose network problems.

We are currently using the Novell server to route our network traffic and need to change our physical set-up so that we no longer user the Novell server in this way.

Matt purchased new network equipment and reconfigured the network in EHS several months ago and it greatly improved their network reliability and ease of diagnosing problems. Matt is currently working to improve the network situation in Main Library. Eventually these changes will be made in other locations.

16. Novell server upgrade

On two recent Sunday mornings, Ken upgraded the Novell network. He redid the partitions on the RAID assembly to make more space for software applications.

And he upgraded the firmware, i.e. basic computer software which must be updated periodically.

17. New staff position for Automation Office

An additional staff position to help with microcomputer support has been approved.