[WEB4LIB] MicroTest

[TMGB]

This is long:
Below is a previous reply that I sent to the list describing a scripting
program that allows links to launch programs that can normally be launched
from the command line, or in Win95 from the run box.  I am also using two
Merridian CD Towers holding 14 CD ROMs each and accessing them with NT Scripts
through Merridian's proprietary software which is used normally for DOS or
Windows access.  Although the name says NT it works with Win95, in fact all of
our library workstations access all information via a web interface in which a
few links do call a telnet client, DOS database, or Windows database.  My web
server is a Digital Alpha running NT and Netscape Enterprise server and I am
using Netscape Navigator on all workstations as a client.  The Merridian CD
Tower offers options to run as a stand alone server over ipx/spx or configure
software to run the CD Server from a Novell or NT server.  The advantage in
using an NT or Novell server is that the CDs can be Metered and Balanced, but
not as a stand alone server.  Metering is probably the only tool in this
package that would help with licensing use of databases.  If anyone has any
other questions regarding any combination of these pieces please email me and
I will try to respond swiftly.

Thomas

-----------------------------------------------previous reply
Subject:
       [WEB4LIB] Re: Launching apps from Netscape
   Date:
       Tue, 1 Sep 1998 13:41:46 -0700 (PDT)
  From:
       TMGB <bennettt at am.appstate.edu>
    To:
       Multiple recipients of list <web4lib at webjunction.org>

Subject:
        Re: Shortcuts to DOS programs
   Date:
        Thu, 25 Jun 1998 11:26:40 -0700
   From:
        TMGB <bennettt at am.appstate.edu>
     To:
        Multiple recipients of list <web4lib at library.berkeley.edu>

The solution I found last Fall which enabled us to go to a
single Web interface for our menu is NTScript (info below).  Set up NT Script
as a helper file in netscape and you can test the notepad link from:

http://www.library.appstate.edu/Admin/Tower_Test/index.html

and if you don't feel safe about whats really in the prg file you can download

it on netscape by holding shift when you click on it and open it up in notepad

to see what it says.  NT Script allows me to run anything that is locally
executable including connecting to our CD Tower and using QVT Term with
pre configured login and passwords.  I found NT Script originally at

http://www.bhs.com

Beverly Hills Software = a good repository for demo, shareware, and freeware
NT and Win 95 software.

How I set up ntscript for Navigator as follows:
Description of type: NT Script File
File Extension:       prg
Mime Type:           application/x-ntscript
Application to use:  c:\path2ntscript\ntscript.exe

The application has much more powerful uses than what I have done with it
especially network uses.  I also had to setup the Mime type on the server as
well so I'm not sure how it will react to just run it locally.


Thomas

--- Program Info --------------------------------------------------

NTScript                                  Jason Simotas
                                          jsimotas at rethinkit.com
                                          Rethinkit Software
                                          www.rethinkit.com
                                          (c) 1996,97
--- Pricing -------------------------------------------------------

NTScript is not free but it's not crippled in any way.  If you use
this program, you must register it.
NTscript   ............................   $40
10 pack     ............................  $300
100 pack    ............................ $2500

Send payment to:
Rethinkit Software
POB 157
New York, NY  10113-0157
Make check to: Jason Simotas
Include e-mail address for registration
code and update notifications.

--- Description -----------------------------------------------------
ver 2.47
A 32 bit scripting language for Windows 95 and NT.

- Use notepad to create script files (.prg)
- Perform common administrative functions
- Useable in login scripts or as standalone scripting tool
- Read / Write registry settings or .ini file settings
- Copy and Synchronize files / direcotories
- Read / Write text files
- Call other programs based on date and time



Barbara A Parker wrote:

> We are in the process of replacing our cd rom server.  What we want to
> offer our users is point-and-click access from our Web page to our
> networked cd products.  We also want a user interface that will collect
> statistics and work with licensing restrictions, etc.
>
> While we are testing several hardware and software products in conjunction
> with our computer services, we haven't met with resounding success just
> yet.  We are very interested in the hardware, and particularly the
> software, configurations that other libraries are using to provide their
> cd-roms over campus networks in a Web environment.  We need something
> pretty seamless.  We have about 30 products that we provide.
>
> Any information you can provide would be much appreciated.
>
> --Barbara Parker
> Web Systems Management Librarian
> Nimitz Library
> U. S. Naval Academy
> Annapolis, MD 21402-5029