[13020] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: Serving CD-ROMS Over the Web
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Public-Access Computer Systems For)
Mon Jul 12 20:04:59 1999
Date: Mon, 12 Jul 1999 15:25:50 -0600
From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.UH.EDU>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
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3 Messages; 100 Lines
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From: "Scott P. Muir" <ag1648@wayne.edu>
>
>The original question, still quoted below, was about serving the CDROMs
>over the web. After reading each of the above cited pages twice, it
>appears that these are products that will share the CDROMs under NT4
>shares, but will not serve the CDROMs to web browsers over the internet.
>
>dan
>
There are a number of commercial products which do this.
One is Citrix WinFrame. The last place I worked implemented this. There
were a number of changes and mergers with this system and I cannot tell you
who is the appropriate vendor for this product in your area. We needed a
solution that would work with both MACs and the PC environment. Basically,
we bought a new server as a front end to our existing CD ROM tower. The
server was running a proprietary version of Windows NT 3.5.1. It would not
work with any higher versions Windows NT. Once again, I believe there are
some changes going on there with this product to enable more recent
versions of NT. Essentially everything worked on the server and it sent
screen images to the browser window on the local workstation via a
web-browser.
This was working quite well for us with two exceptions. These may have
since been resolved. The problems were one) we could not get a full screen
display, and two) we could not get printing to work from all CDs. I
believe the DOS based CDs were the problem on the printing. The CD was
expecting a local printer, and local was actually the server, so it could
not find the right printer.
Please note that my information is now over six months old, so check with
the vendor for more up-to-date information.
Another company that does similar work is Interface Electronics located in
Duluth, Georgia. I dealt with this company through yet another job. I
found them to be very reliable and provide good service. However, I did
not actually work with their CD Web Product. At ALA they demonstrated to
me that they have resolved the full screen problem. I am not sure about the
printing problem.
Scott P. Muir
DALNET Horizon Project Leader
7th Floor Science and Engineering Library
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-9341 voice
(313) 577-3615 fax
mailto:ag1648@wayne.edu
*-----
From: Dan Lester <dan@84.com>
At 03:03 PM 7/9/99 -0600, Public-Access Computer Systems Forum wrote:
>If the goal is to serve CDs to web users _without_ user desktop
>installs, WinFrame is still, IMHO, an excellent way to go. It is not
>cheap, but when positioned as a way to provide Internet/remote access to
>CDs _and_ web-subscribed databases, I am seeing more academic/public
>sites secure funding related to Internet access.
OK. That makes sense. And I certainly do NOT want to try to support
remote users trying to install software on their home or office computers,
no matter what. It does mean that with such unenlightened outfits as APA
charging ridiculous prices for web access (as opposed to CDROM access), our
users will have to come into the library for PsychLit//PsychInfo instead of
getting it over the web.
We are moving almost all of our CDROM databases to the web so that we can
support both local and distant remote users, and I'll expect to see this
trend continue for the forseeable future.
cheers
dan (I still own CDROMLAN@listserv.boisestate.edu, but it has been really
quiet lately, perhaps for this same reason)
--
Good, Fast, and Cheap: Which two of the three would you like?
Dan Lester, 3577 East Pecan, Boise, ID 83716 USA 208-383-0165
dan@84.com http://www.84.com/ http://www.postcard.org/
*-----
From: Minna Sellers <Sellers_m@FORTLEWIS.EDU>
We use Meridian Data's "Slingshot" product (sold with their CD-Net) for web
access to our CD-ROM's.
--
Minna Sellers e-mail: sellers_m@fortlewis.edu
Coord. Ref/Electronic Services voice : 970.247.7424
John F. Reed Library fax: 970.247.7149
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO 81301
