[11630] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Plugging in with laptops in the library
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jim Morgan)
Mon Sep 8 20:03:06 1997
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 1997 16:31:07 -0500
From: Jim Morgan <morganj@iupui.edu>
In-Reply-To: <01IN9WH5SH1E8WXGKZ@cnsvax.albany.edu>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
1. Do other libraries provide such "plug-in" service for their patrons?
If so, ...
We had to set up some public lines in a hurry this summer because one
School on campus was requiring its students to purchase portables with
laptops, and belated asked if our library as well as their library could
provide connections. Our own school was also undertaking a small pilot
program to provide students with classroom connections, so we thought it
would be also useful for our students.
2. Which type of connection do you offer?
We provide the DHCP ethernet service to users. It's cheaper than phone
lines for us, although it limits service to users with PCMCIA ethernet
cards.
3. How do you handle user support? Who does it? How far do they go in
helping plug-in users?
Library general user support is limited to a list of instructions near
the outlets. We did provide a special session for incoming students with
laptops for one class that was issuing pcmcia ethernet cards to students
who had the approriate equipment. The instructions I have written so far
are also listed on a web page at
http://www.medlib.iupui.edu/techsupport/pubip.html
The instructions stress that the lines are NOT modem/phone lines, since we
expect this to be a point of confusion. The instructions are also limited
to win95 & mac users; we haven't been able to get DHCP to work reliably
with Windows 3.11.
The School that required its students to purchase portables provided a
great deal of support, purchasing and configuring the portables for the
students.
4. How do you handle the control/liability issue?
This is part of a general university-wide program, so our library has not
addressed this question. The university is undertaking a security audit
which may recommend some controls on these open lines.
5. Where are the available plug-in connections physically located
in the library, and how near/far are they from a staff service point?
The lines were set up quickly to meet the needs of another School
that required all of its students to purchase portables with
PCMCIA ethernet cards. One small set are near some public web stations;
the other are in an isolated area. We are getting an estimate for wiring
a much larger set of locations. Nearness to a staff service point was not
a factor in location, since we are not providing support.
6. Do you have any suggestions for what to do (or not do) in
setting up such a service?
We found it very difficulty to help the pilot program that was providing
PCMCIA cards to students with appropriate portables, since the students
came with all types of equipment and software. The School that purchased
and configured the portables for the students was easier to accomodate.
Jim Morgan
morganj@iupui.edu
