[WEB4LIB] RE: Testimony re: flash pens

[LibraryWebmaster]

My library opened October 2003.  We offer disk drives, CD Burners, and access via a front "flip" panel to 2 USB ports and a headphone jack.  (These are Dell Machines)

The only problem I have run into is that, if a person is using something pretty standard (big name digital camera, brand name flash memory stick) it works just great.  However, I did have a person come in with some very odd Pen/Digital Camera of totally unknown brand (think spy stuff).  This we could not make work at all, because our security will not let you install drivers and such.  

Overall, I would say that having the USB ports open is excellent.  And I really believe that students are going to be carrying a combo Flash Memory/MP3 players rather than disks. (I have one of these and love it! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000CD0F4/ ) 

We do use deepfreeze and antivirus, so if someone did try to put something on our computer it would not last through a restart.  Also, if a person has access to the internet or their email, they could just as easily try to install something yucky.  

Catherine E. Ingram



=================================
Catherine E. Ingram, M.L.S.
Assistant Head of Adult Services
www.ElmhurstPublicLibrary.org
125 S. Prospect - Elmhurst, IL  60126
Catherine.Ingram at elmhurst.org
Ph:630-279-8696   Fx:630-516-1364

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." Derek Bok 

>>> "Susan Glickman" <susang at williston.lib.vt.us> 08/30/04 11:48AM >>>
I have a question about the flash drives for those of you in public
libraries...are you allowing your patrons to use them on your public access
computers? What are you doing about security and viruses?
Susan Glickman

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org 
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of John Creech
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2004 12:39 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] Testimony re: flash pens


So to start off a new week, one of my techs just came in with a sheepish
grin on his face.  We got some new Flash Drives while he was on vacation
and he took one home last Friday to check it out on his home machine.
This is a ScanDisk Cruzer Mini 1.0 GB pen.  He was looking everywhere for
it frantically at home yesterday.  His wife got out the clean laundry from
the dryer ... and lo and behold, there it was freshly washed and dried.
And it still works.  File this under innovative ways to freshen your data.

John Creech, Electronic Resources & Systems Librarian
Brooks Library
Central Washington University