[WEB4LIB] WEB4LIB digest 1948

[Eric Tull]

In addition to EZProxy, rewriting proxies have been developed
independently by Brown University (see recent posting by Richard
Goerwitz with a chance to test), by University of Calgary and possibly
by others.  

The University of Calgary's webrelay program was described in Dr. Dobb's
Journal (February 2000) and I will be talking about it at the upcoming
Access2000 conference in St. John's.  We have it working for about 2000
electronic products from some 70 different publishers/vendors.  It is a
mainstay of our electronic library services.

For your criteria, 
1. no changes to browser setting - it meets this most of the time but
requires in the case of the proxy server for one ISP.
2. transparent to user - it meets this
3. works for firewall - it works for some, but a few may have problems,
as does the proxy server above
4. logins secure - logins are not encrypted - it uses SIRSI patron
database, and is as secure as renewing books on catalogue
5. setup and tweaking - it is fairly easy to set up, but it requires
frequent complex tweaking and retesting as new databases are added and
as vendors change their already working databases.
  
Eric Tull
Public Services Systems Librarian
University of Calgary Library


> Topic No. 7
> 
> Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2000 09:05:13 -0700
> From: Stacy Magedanz <magedanz at csusb.edu>
> To: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Subject: Remote access solutions?
> Message-ID: <39ABDF39.54126590 at csusb.edu>
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> 
> I am trying to research available alternatives to using a proxy server
> for remote patron access. We currently use a traditional proxy server
> arrangement which requires off-campus users to configure their browsers
> to access the proxy server. This process poses difficulties for some
> users, either because they are not computer-proficient, because they are
> using computers in public settings where they cannot (or should not)
> change the browser settings, or because they are using computers behind
> firewalls which block access to our proxy server.
> 
> Does there exist an alternative for off-site users which meets these
> criteria:
> 
> 1. Requires absolutely no changes to the browser settings. I am aware
> that one can write scripts to automatically change the settings for the
> user, but this does not solve the problem of public workstations where
> the browser settings should be left alone.
> 
> 2. Is transparent to the user, i.e., they see a web page which asks them
> to login; they do not have to launch a special application, change
> settings, etc.
> 
> 3. Works if the patron is using a computer protected by a firewall, such
> as in their work environment.
> 
> 4. Keeps login information secure.
> 
> 5. Does not require complex setup or continuous tweaking on the
> library's part, since we do not have enough staff time to reinvent the
> wheel programming-wise.
> 
> The only solution I can find which meets most of these criteria is
> EZproxy, which I've researched pretty extensively. However, EZproxy
> doesn't seem to work if the patron uses a computer protected by a
> firewall. Are there any viable alternatives?
> 
> --
> Stacy Magedanz
> Reference Librarian, Pfau Library
> California State University San Bernardino
> San Bernardino, CA 92407
> 909 880 5103
> magedanz at csusb.edu
>