Prospero Version 1.36 Released

[Eric Schnell]

Sorry for duplicate messages.....




  Prospero is a Web-based document delivery system designed as a complement 
to the Ariel ® software system. Ariel is a product of the Research 
Libraries Group (RLG) which allows libraries to use the Internet to 
exchange documents through interlibrary loan.

  Prospero contains two modules. The first is a staff module runs on any 
Windows 2000/NT/ME/98/95 and captures and converts Ariel files (TIFF 
images) to Web accessible documents (PDF files). It also allows the import 
of existing TIFF files and the direct scanning of new documents. The PDF 
files are then posted on a Web server. This module also manages user 
information and generates email to  the patron.

  The second module is a server-side / user interface which allows patrons 
to retrieve their documents using any Web browser.



Changes in Ver 1.36:

Modified server side scripts
      - login.pl and getdoc.pl file merged
      - now uses session cookies to keep track of authentication
      - fixed some problems with IE not being able to view documents
      - Fixed a problem with conversion of Ariel documents that don't 
include the NMPG GEDI tag. (ie. CISTI documents)


Download the new version at:

http://bones.med.ohio-state.edu/prospero/



FEATURES

- Can be "detached" from Ariel. Eliminates Ariel "tabs"  Built-in support 
for TWAIN. Allows for scanning directly into Prospero

  - Converts a single page number or a range of page numbers from an Ariel 
document to individual PDFs. This is useful for removing the invoice that 
sometimes comes with an Ariel document or when several documents come in a 
single Ariel  transmission

- Allows imported PDF/TIFF's to be placed on the Web server. TIFFS must be 
monochrome in format and either must be uncompressed or compressed using a 
CCITT Group 3/4 Fax compression scheme

- Utilizes a built-in custom Ariel TIFF-PDF converter

- Automatically generates a patron PIN number for secure access

- Automatically sends an auto alert email to the requesting patron

- Email addresses can be selected from a user database or entered manually

  - Patron interface lists each document by a textual link, number 
of  pages, file size, date posted, and the number of time viewed

- Queuing and batch processing of conversion and posting  processes



SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

-   Any Windows machine configured for Ariel
-   Staff module takes up about 700k disc space
-   Uses 5-15 Mb memory to run
-   The amount of server disc space required depends on the number of 
documents your service processes.



Eric Schnell
Assistant Professor
Head, Information Technology Services
Prior Health Sciences Library
The Ohio State University
schnell.9 at osu.edu / 614-292-4870
http://bones.med.ohio-state.edu/eric.html