computer lab updates

From Edward--

The computer labs have been scheduled for updating at HQ on Wed., Feb. 27th; at South and East on Thurs., Feb. 28th.  The updates will have Microsoft Office 2007 and address some performance issues.

wireless printing

Just a reminder--  Patrons can print from the library's laptops (follow the same steps as printing from computers in the lab).  We are not currently set up to allow wireless printing from personal laptops and devices.

file conversion

Ever had someone come in with an ".odt" file and can't open it?  These are files created in OpenOffice, a free program very similar to MS Word.  People who create files in OpenOffice have the option to Save As ".doc" files when they create the file, but many don't realize it and start to panic when the file won't open in MS Word.  Fear not...there is a solution!  I often use a free site called Zamzar to do file conversions.  You browse for the file, choose your conversion file type (.doc), put in a valid e-mail address, and Zamzar will e-mail you a link where you can download the converted file.  This is the fastest method I have found for converting files.

PC Res & LPT-One Print ADDED!

Viktoriya has added PC Res and LPT-One Print to both reference desk computers at HQ.  Ref staff will now be able to issue guest passes, make reservations, and release print jobs as needed.  (Can I get an amen?!)

printing queue at HQ

Thomas Goodman has extended the print queue timeout from 120 to 720 minutes (12 hours) for the public lab computers.  He still recommends that we encourage patrons to go ahead and release jobs if possible.

Viktoriya has added the LPT-One Print Release program to staff computer LB25W132 and LB25W155.  These will be a back-up in case Gardiner’s computer freezes, or if things get busy and ref staff need to jump in to help with releasing print jobs.  I am also trying to get PC Res added.

issuing guest passes when computers are down

The servers were down this past Monday which meant that none of our staff (with the exception of circ) could sign on to the computer.  Our labs were fully functioning, though, which created a problem.  We had people wanting to get guest passes and no way to issue them.  We did find a creative solution, which I'd like to share with you guys in case it happens again:

• There are three "dummy" cards in the top drawer of my (April's) desk that we used to sign on guests who needed to print (they needed a number associated with them to release print jobs)
• We signed on non-printing guests by overriding the PC Res on the computers.  To do this, you hold down the Ctrl key and click the computer icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.  In the bottom-center of the screen, you will be prompted to enter the override password (same as Print Release and Circ override codes).  Then you will confirm that you are logging on as a super user. 
• Super users do not have a time limit, so we recorded the patron's name, computer number, and the time we signed them on on the guest pass log.

Hopefully this won't happen again, but I don't think any of us are naive enough to believe that it won't!  :)

banning patrons

If you ban or restrict computer usage for a patron, be sure to make a note in his/her patron record AND let security and management know--that way we're all on the same page and we'll be consistent if the patron tries to go to another branch.

computer lab staff computer back-up

EXTREME COMPUTER LAB COMPUTER ISSUE EMERGENCY PLAN…

We found out from IS today that if the computer lab staff computer freezes and you’re dead in the water with no hope in sight, you can log on to another computer at the reference desk using the computer name.  This will gain you access to all of the programs on that computer including PC Res and LPT-One Print Release.  It’s inconvenient, but at least it’s a back-up plan so that we’re not completely unable to release print jobs and issue guest passes.