[WEB4LIB] Hogging the Internet Terminals

[Brian Williams]

I expect we do what most libraries do, which is have a combination of two
"interfaces", one with internet/web available, and one without and some
machines which are set as short use of 15 minutes and others set for 30
minutes. With manual signup that no one is happy with.

We are planing to load the Pharos product next week. And test beginning
the 14th. We hope that gives us computerized signup, authentication, and
automatic timeout.

I'll post results.

On Fri, 4 Sep 1998, Ray Serebrin wrote:

> Hello.  My name is Ray Serebrin and I am Acting Director of Neighborhood
> Library Services at Seattle Public Library.  I am new to this group and this
> is my first posting.
> 
> I am exploring innovative solutions to the age-new dilemma of users hogging
> the terminals.  SPL is installing the Dynix graphical interface and is
> experiencing the problem that occurs when users hog the terminals for
> internet and email use and then catalog users can't get on.  The current
> installations are in medium sized branches of about 12 terminals each.
> Internet and the PAC are on each terminal.  We have a 60 minute limit that
> is human enforced and not working very well.  We have lots of experience
> with this phenomenon with text terminals - but through a technical fix which
> enabled us to time people out after 60 minutes.  To our knowledge no timer
> fix is yet available though we are aware of some that are being developed.
> 
> Until the timer fix is here, we have toyed with and in some cases
> implemented, the following ideas:
> 1.	voluntary sign up
> 2.	express terminals
> 3.	taking internet off some terminals
> 4.	proliferating dumb text terminals
> 5.	designating some email only terminals
> 6.	designating some web only terminals
> 7.	reduce time limits
> 8.	remove telnet connection on some terminals
> 9.	mechanical timers
> 10.	etc. etc
> 
> Good ideas we have lots of.  Do you have any experience with fixes in
> similar situations that have WORKED?  If so I'd be very grateful.
> 
> ray
> 

Brian Williams			Automation Administrator
Multnomah County Library  	801 SW 10th  Portland, OR 97205
(503)248-5227 (v) (503)248-5226 (f) brianw at nethost.multnomah.lib.or.us