Comments Off on Reference Computers Update

By Scott Pfitzinger, May 1, 2008 10:47 am

Here’s a brief update on the public-access computers, just to keep everyone in the loop.

Right now, the 18 PCs and 6 iMacs in the main Reference area are the only ones that are receiving the “lab image,” which gives them the formatting that is appropriate to lab-type computers. This includes Windows XP and admin rights for me to access the C: drive. The next time all the computers are reimaged, that lab image will be applied to every public-access computer in the library, including the upstairs computers and Room 119.

Part of that image will give each of those computers Windows XP. Another major part is that I.R. will have configured them all to reboot every night. Say, about 4:00am when we’re always closed. That configuration will include removing profiles as part of the restart process.

Note: every time someone logs onto a computer, it creates a profile for them on that machine, which contains their cookies, browsing history, My Documents, etc. When there are more than 10 profiles or so, that starts affecting the computer and making it slow down, especially during the login process. Many of our machines were not having profiles removed and I’ve manually removed 300-400 of them from some of the machines. That would DEFINITELY be affecting those PCs’ performance. Once profiles are being removed every night automatically, computer performance should stay higher more consistently. (That also means that people will HAVE to use BUFiles, since the computers will basically be getting wiped every night.

Another update to the new image will be Write-N-Cite III, a new version of the MS-Word plugin that connects with RefWorks (click the link for a demo of the new Write-N-Cite). Probably some other things that are being updated campus-wide in the labs.

I will also be asking for the Reference Desk PC to be upgraded to Windows XP this summer, so that we can more easily support the lab computers with a consistent interface.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Scott

Comments Off on LibGuides Statistics

By Scott Pfitzinger, April 23, 2008 5:34 pm

LibGuide Statistics
Guide Hits 2008 (Jan. 1 – Apr. 23)

Comments Off on Butler Computer System Going Down

By Scott Pfitzinger, March 25, 2008 11:13 am

Before you get alarmed, this will be happening on a weekend after Commencement.

On Friday, May 16, at 6:00pm, Information Resources will be taking down most of the on-campus systems so they can relocate to their new server room (part of the construction projects over there). This means moving the air conditioners, the UPS systems, and all the servers to a new location.

On-campus computers should still be able to access the internet, but it will be much slower. Most other services will be unavailable during this time, which should last from 24 to 30 hours. PALNI services should be unaffected, especially from off campus.

Comments Off on State of the Printers Address

By Scott Pfitzinger, November 26, 2007 2:02 pm

To all frustrated librarians and staff who have begun pulling their hair out over the Reference Computers, greetings.

As was mentioned last week, the printer testing that was going on in Reference is finished and we are back to the configuration we had at the beginning of the year. That means two smaller desktop printers and EVERYTHING in the Library, both lab-type computers and student laptops, will be printing on IL_120_K.

We do know that these printers are jamming more than we’re used to and are occasionally having other problems as well. When you are working at the Reference Desk (or even when you’re not but happen to encounter a problem), please document ALL printer problems in the spreadsheet whose shortcut is on the Desktop of the RefDesk computer. If you are getting more frustrated with these printers, please document problems all the more diligently, so we can more accurately raise a stink that will surely reach even the nostrils of the Chief Information Officer.

Comments Off on New Printers in Reference

By Scott Pfitzinger, November 19, 2007 2:53 pm

As of this afternoon we have new printers in the Reference Department. They are the same model of Kyocera printers that we had at the beginning of the semester and which sit on the table there. These are newer than those, and so have less wear and tear.

These printers have been installed with HP drivers, so computers will think they’re HPs and print to them that way. This should greatly reduce the number of printer jams and print queue delays that occur. In fact, if either of those things happens, please let me know so I can track their occurrence.

Laptops MAY experience problems printing to these printers if they’ve already got the printers installed on the laptops, because the laptop will think it’s a Kyocera printer but the network will be treating it like an HP printer, resulting in “gobbledygook” printing out. If this happens, the laptop simply needs to uninstall the printer and reinstall it.

There are no current plans to change these printers, test anything new, or otherwise break continuity with these printers and how they work, so things should be stable for quite a while now.

Scott