[WEB4LIB] Time outs for web based OPAC's?

[rich at richardwiggins.com]

Seems like this would depend hugely on whether staff terminals can be accessed by 1) random passersby or 2) disgruntled fellow staff -- and what havok either 1) or 2) might wreak.

Some places require staff who might have sensitive information on screen to use password-protected screen savers.   It's not just what data can be destroyed; it's also what private tidbits can be gleaned via surreptitious glance....  Those folks have to re-enter a password after 5 minutes, not 4 or 8 hours...

I don't think your instincts are obsolete.  I hope concern about privacy and data integrity is not obsolete.

/rich

On Fri, 03 August 2001, "Masters, Gary E" wrote:

> 
> My natural tendency is to want web based OPACS (staff mode) to time out when
> not used.  However, we just went through an upgrade of our Verso system and
> the time outs were set back from the eight hours that they were when I
> arrived.  The staff members do not want to log on if they don't use the
> system for a while and think my ideas about computer resources are dated.
> Perhaps they are.  
> 
> What do you do and what are your reasons?  Short answers are fine.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Gary 
> 
> Gary E. Masters
> Librarian (Systems)
> CDRH - FDA
> (301) 827-6893 

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Richard Wiggins
Writing, Speaking, and Consulting on the Internet
rich at richardwiggins.com  http://richardwiggins.com