[WEB4LIB] Patron Internet Machines

[Kinsmith, Sharon]

Tasmin,
	Are your computers locking up, or is Netscape crashing?  At
Minneapolis Public Library, we use Compaq computers with 64MB of RAM and
Netscape Navigator has been our browser for public and staff machines.  In
the last 6 months or so it became obvious that even the latest version of
Navigator was crashing too frequently for us to continue to use it, and we
have decided to migrate to Internet Explorer because of that.  It seems
Navigator has lots of trouble with sites using some particular kinds of
javascripting.  Hotmail is one of the sites that regularly crashes Navigator
on our public machines, but there are others.

Sharon Kinsmith
Manager, Systems & Telecommunications
Minneapolis Public Library
300 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN  55401
voice: 612-630-6401
fax: 612-630-6435
email: SKinsmith at mpls.lib.mn.us


-----Original Message-----
From: Tasmin R. Nyaforh [mailto:tnyaforh at lawrence.lib.ks.us]
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 11:36 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Patron Internet Machines


I want to find out if any libraries are having consistent problems with
their patron Internet machines.  It seems as if the stations are constantly
locking up and we hear many grumbles from patrons and staff about the
Internet being down.

We are currently using Compaq computers with 128 MB of RAM.  The only
program we are allowing access to is Netscape Navigator.  We also use Full
Control or Winselect on the Internet stations for security.    I know that
the security software creates an extra burden on memory, but it would be
nice to have up time to be consistent. We are thinking about migrating to a
thin client environment to contain the problem. 

I am wondering if anyone else is having problems with keeping Internet
Stations up and running and what solutions have you found to rectify the
problem.

Thanks!
trn

.......
Tasmin R. Nyaforh
Technology Coordinator
Lawrence Public Library
707 Vermont Street
Lawrence, KS 66044

785-843-3833, ext. 106
785-843-3833, ext. 124 (voice)