Helping public library patrons with telnet

[Donna Schumann]

We have encountered this. What we have done is put a basic explanation of
what telnet is and why you need it, along with instructions on getting
telnet on the page with the link to our catalog. You can look at it at
http://www.timberland.lib.wa.us/dialcat.htm. Please feel free to copy any
of it that would be useful to you.

HTH, and good luck! Donna

--------------------------------------------------------------
Donna Schumann                  Application System Specialist 
Timberland Regional Library     360-704-4542 FAX: 360-586-6838 
Olympia, Washington             schumann at timberland.lib.wa.us 

On Wed, 4 Feb 1998, Sherie Brown wrote:

> I have been watching posts on this list for months, and find you all so
> able and willing to help each other, I'm hoping someone who's "been there"
> already can give me a hand.
> 
> Our online catalog just became accessible through our website, and patrons
> are calling for help because they don't have telnet on their home PC, or
> have managed to download telnet but haven't configured their browser to
> find it, or are using AOL and can't find telnet, etc etc.  
> 
> Have any of you developed a simple tutorial for these people, or links to
> them?  I have seen some that I find understandable, but imagine you have
> never heard the term "telnet" and don't know what I mean by "browser
> options?"  We do not have a Sys Op, and  these questions
> come to the Reference Desk.  Just how much "tech support" do we give and
> have time to help other patrons?  Yet, we want these people to be able to
> access the catalog without frustration. 
> 
> I'm sure some of you crossed this hurdle years ago...help!
> 
> ****************************************************************************
> Sherie Brown
> Head of Reference Services
> Massillon Public Library
> 
>