[Web4lib] Outside disk usage

[Thomas Edelblute]

I encourage people to bring in USB flash drives.  They are more reliable
than floppy disks and are easier to teach people how to use than
CD-R/CD-RW.

There is no problems accessing the port in the front of the computer. I
can lock down the group policy to deny them the ability to write to the
C drive and leave open them full control over their "removable device".
I like to change the CMOS so the first bootable device is the C: drive
so they cannot boot from a CD or flash drive.  Also with group policy,
you can create a list of allowable executable files to run thus reducing
the risk to your PCs.

I believe that those who are not allowing access to the flash drive are
doing a dis-service to their community.

Thomas Edelblute
Anaheim Public Library
Public Access Systems Coordinator

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Richard Wiggins
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 4:03 AM
To: Web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Outside disk usage

Somewhat related question: how often do people show up with pocket USB
flash drives and expect to plug them in?
 Many geeks such as myself always carry one -- I have for years now --
but I see these as offering so much value that I expect everyone who is
computer literate to carry one. Yet the penetration rate seems lower
than I would've expected.
 Do your patrons have any problems accessing the USB port? Many
computers now offer front USB ports, but they don't always work. At our
university, we have some models of Dell computers in our computer labs
that have the curved panel you have to raise in order to get to the USB
port. The USB port on the computer is at an awkward angle, not 90
degrees as it ought to be. And the space is constraned so that if you
have a bulky USB device, you cannot plug it in.
 Over time I would expect folks to use USB devices as a large data pail
to carry home oodles of useful content they find at the library. In fact
as prices for USB flash devices continue to fall, patrons may walk up to
the desk hoping to buy a flash drive. (Some universities are already
looking at distributing antivirus tookkits to students on flash drives
instead of CD. 
The student loads the software and then has a usable flash drive with
the IT department's logo and contact number imprinted on it.)  /rich  PS
-- I predict that mass-market USB flash drives will often double as MP3
players -- THEN they will be in everyone's pocket.
 On 8/16/05, Phillip Whitford <PWhitford at braswell-library.org> wrote: 
> 
> Like some of the others who have responded I think your policy against

> outside storage media may be to restrictive. But to answer your 
> question we treat left behind storage media just like any other 
> personal property left in the library. We hold on to it for at least 
> 30 days in case they return for it. After 30 days it is disposed of.
> 
> For the record we allow patrons to bring in their own floppy disks, 
> flash drives, zip disks, and blank CDs. They can buy disks and CDs 
> from us if they don't have their own. It hasn't caused any security or

> virus problems.
> 
> Phillip B. Whitford
> Manager Information Technology
> Braswell Memorial Library
> Rocky Mount, NC 27804
> Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of my organization.
>
_______________________________________________
Web4lib mailing list
Web4lib at webjunction.org
http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAWS. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, forwarding, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail or telephone, and delete the original message immediately. Thank you.