[Web4lib] Restricting OPAC to just catalog and databases?

[Riesner, Giles]

 We've got several PCs that are Catalog Only - no databases that we set up using IE with a junk string under the http proxy
and put only the library catalog address in the exceptions list then run a reg file to set restrictions  (we actually have 2 reg files
one to restrict and the other to unrestrict so that we can make changes) so they can't even open Internet Options. If they try going 
elsewhere they simply get the 404 page.

In our "research cluster" we have access to most sites though originally we limited them to the databases with a similar
system.  It got a bit clumsy though with all the addresses you need to add.

By the way, we've found two programs very useful for limiting access: Proxomitron  (www.proxomitron.info), no longer being developed as
the developer died and Proximodo  (http://proximodo.sourceforge.net) that's basically an open source attempt to replicate and improve
upon Proxomitron. They can be installed on a network and managed from there using the killfile and bypass lists without having to worry
too much about creating filters.  Nice programs and both are freeware.


Giles W. Riesner Jr., Library Tech Support
Community College of Balto. Co. - Catonsville
800 S. Rolling Rd., Baltimore MD 21228  USA
Tel/V-Mail 1-410-455-4245
Fax          1-410-455-6106
Email:       griesner at ccbcmd.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Dale E. Goodell
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 4:44 PM
To: Stacey McKim
Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Restricting OPAC to just catalog and databases?

For our Library WebOPAC Stations, I configured a "fake proxy" to accomplish this.  

In IE, go into Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings > Proxy Server.  The address of the fake proxy is 127.0.0.1.  Next, establish a "white list" of allowed sites; add your catalog's IP address and DNS entry to this list, as well as those for your databases.

This configuration will allow access only to the white list; attempts to go to any other site will give the user a "404" error.  We downloaded a free application, Xitami, several years ago, to use as a local web server for the 127.0.0.1 local IP; you can create your own customized 404 page and Xitami will display this for you rather than the usual 404 error.

----- Original Message -----
From: Stacey McKim <stacey at marshalltown.lib.ia.us>
Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2007 1:22 pm
Subject: [Web4lib] Restricting OPAC to just catalog and databases?
To: web4lib at webjunction.org

> (Hi!  I'm sorry if this has already been covered, but I didn't have 
> any luck searching the archives...)
> 
> How do people restrict their OPACs to just their online catalog and 
> subscription databases?  It's my understanding that there's software 
> that does this... what do people recommend?
> 
> More information about my situation, in case it matters: 
> this fall, we are finally upgrading from  dumb-terminal OPACs (with no 
> online access).  We'll be installing Unicorn, with them hosting us 
> remotely.  So, our in-house OPACs will essentially be free-standing 
> internet stations.
> 
> Thank you so much! 
> 
> Novice ILS-installer,
> Stacey
> 
> Stacey McKim
> Reference Librarian
> Marshalltown Public Library
> 36 North Center Street
> Marshalltown, IA 50158
> (641)754-5738
> _______________________________________________
> Web4lib mailing list
> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> 

*******************************************************
Dale E. Goodell
Analyst Programmer
University Computing Services
Western Oregon University
345 N. Monmouth Avenue
Monmouth, OR 97361

Phone: 503-838-8122
Email: goodeld at wou.edu
Blog: http://www.wou.edu/~goodeld/blogs
*******************************************************


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