database authentication script

[Glen Davies]

Hi

As a follow up to the discussion recently on web4lib about 
methods of providing offsite access to licensed databases I have 
set up a script, after seeing the way that Dan Lester is handling 
this, that will authenticate various different databases using a 
delimited user id and password file. In our case I just generate a file 
that contains 
barcode,pin 
barcode,pin
barcode,pin
straight from our library system. I know it is not the most secure 
method of authentication but it will do in the short term while I work 
out a PERL odbc link into our patron file.

The script checks the barcode and pin entered, and if valid returns 
a form with a hidden generic userid and password for the database 
that has been selected.
This way I can just get one generic id and password from each 
vendor, but our users use their exisiting barcodes and pins to login.

Clear as mud! Have a look at the script at
http://lib.cce.ac.nz/misc/logonscript.html
and it might make more sense. There is a sample for ebscohost, 
webspirs (this was a tricky one as it allocates a unique id before 
you even log in) and dialog @site.

Any feedback on improvement, especially in the PERL coding 
would be much appreciated.

Regards
Glen
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Glen Davies
IT Librarian
Christchurch College of Education
Dovedale Ave
Christchurch
Ph. 64-3-343 7737
glen at rimu.cce.ac.nz
http://lib.cce.ac.nz
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A man's life consisteth not in the abundance
of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15)
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