User lost file on public workstation
If a user says they cannot find their document on our workstation and Jeff is not available, please contact the the Information Commons "Icicle" technical support staff at: 416-978-0429.
The staff at Icicle need 3 things:
1. The workstation number (e.g GEW001)
2. The document type (e.g Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
3. Part or all of the title the document was saved as (e.g myessay.docx)
If the user has already logged out of the desktop of the workstation, the document may not be recoverable. So it is very important they do not do this if they haven't already.
If they have closed the program they were working with (e.g Word) it is okay.
It may take Icicle staff 10 minutes to do this.
If they are successful they will place the document in the "My Documents" folder or on the desktop or the workstation where the file was lost.
Signs are posted in the Wallace Room about this, as well as warnings that automatically appear in the computer.
This occurs because the Information Commons cannot control how Internet Explorer saves temporary documents. The area they are saved in must be locked for network security reasons.
When opening these types of files from email attachments, users must choose a folder to save the file by going "save as". It cannot be the folder that opens when first saving. It should either be the "My Documents" folder or perhaps their own usb flash drive.
Messages and news about public equipment at Gerstein Science Information Centre.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
A new network from the Information Commons
As of June 20th, along with eduroam and UTORwin networks, there is now the UofT network.
When students attempt to log on to our wireless network now, they will see all 3 of these options when in range. (whether using a cable, or wireless)
UTORwin and UofT networks are the same except the new UofT network is a one-time login. It is cumbersome to login a few times a day on ones handheld. This one-time login makes that easier.
The downside to that is it is not designed to be logged off, and is therefore not advisable to use on a computer that is shared between different users. (e.g staff laptops)
It is the better network for students to use as it includes a newer "range" (802.11n), as well as making logging in simpler. (UTORwin uses "g" and "b" ranges, UofT uses "g", "b", and "n")
As of summer 2011, there are some issues on the new UofT network with handhelds using older versions of the Android operating system. There's no timeline on resolving this. (this does not include iPods, iPads, or Blackberry's)
There is another issue with all users having to verify their UTORid before their first use of the new UofT network. InfoCommons hopes to have this resolved by September 2011.
A reminder that the Information Commons is no longer publishing paper help documents on wireless. I continue to print some out, but those will not include any information on the new "UofT" network.
More information is available here: http://help.ic.utoronto.ca/category/20/wireless-access-utorcwn.html
Jeff Heeney
July 13, 2011
As of June 20th, along with eduroam and UTORwin networks, there is now the UofT network.
When students attempt to log on to our wireless network now, they will see all 3 of these options when in range. (whether using a cable, or wireless)
UTORwin and UofT networks are the same except the new UofT network is a one-time login. It is cumbersome to login a few times a day on ones handheld. This one-time login makes that easier.
The downside to that is it is not designed to be logged off, and is therefore not advisable to use on a computer that is shared between different users. (e.g staff laptops)
It is the better network for students to use as it includes a newer "range" (802.11n), as well as making logging in simpler. (UTORwin uses "g" and "b" ranges, UofT uses "g", "b", and "n")
As of summer 2011, there are some issues on the new UofT network with handhelds using older versions of the Android operating system. There's no timeline on resolving this. (this does not include iPods, iPads, or Blackberry's)
There is another issue with all users having to verify their UTORid before their first use of the new UofT network. InfoCommons hopes to have this resolved by September 2011.
A reminder that the Information Commons is no longer publishing paper help documents on wireless. I continue to print some out, but those will not include any information on the new "UofT" network.
More information is available here: http://help.ic.utoronto.ca/category/20/wireless-access-utorcwn.html
Jeff Heeney
July 13, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
TCards getting stuck in readers
Occasionally those of us at the service desks experience issues with students' tcards getting stuck in the card reader boxes.
Jeff has spoken with Mark L. and this problem is occurring due to a combination of two issues:
1. some user cards are slightly problematic
2. some card readers are slightly problematic. Put those two together and you have some cards getting stuck in some units.
The user card still works in most units...most of the time. The card reader still works for most cards...most of the time. Replacing the unit will not solve the problem as it will still 'grab' a small number of user cards that have minor defects.
TIPS for dealing with this problem
-If a patron's card gets stuck in a machine, unplug the machine, remove the card, plug the reader back in and REINSERT the card. This will allow the balance to be written so that the card doesn't get 'flagged.'
-If you unplug the card reader at the printer in the Wallace Room, make sure that when you plug it back in you don't use the outlet marked with an X, as this outlet is not working.
-Advise the user to try another printer if their card has gotten stuck repeatedly
-If there are a large number of cards getting stuck in one machine in a short period of time, let Jeff know. He regularly cleans the units, so he will know if it needs cleaning, or if it is in fact a problem with the reader itself.
-You can always try the 'shirt-tail' solution for a card that gets stuck or is unable to be read. Gently rub the metal 'chip' with a cotton shirt tail or white eraser. This sometimes helps.
Allison Bell
March 8, 2010
Occasionally those of us at the service desks experience issues with students' tcards getting stuck in the card reader boxes.
Jeff has spoken with Mark L. and this problem is occurring due to a combination of two issues:
1. some user cards are slightly problematic
2. some card readers are slightly problematic. Put those two together and you have some cards getting stuck in some units.
The user card still works in most units...most of the time. The card reader still works for most cards...most of the time. Replacing the unit will not solve the problem as it will still 'grab' a small number of user cards that have minor defects.
TIPS for dealing with this problem
-If a patron's card gets stuck in a machine, unplug the machine, remove the card, plug the reader back in and REINSERT the card. This will allow the balance to be written so that the card doesn't get 'flagged.'
-If you unplug the card reader at the printer in the Wallace Room, make sure that when you plug it back in you don't use the outlet marked with an X, as this outlet is not working.
-Advise the user to try another printer if their card has gotten stuck repeatedly
-If there are a large number of cards getting stuck in one machine in a short period of time, let Jeff know. He regularly cleans the units, so he will know if it needs cleaning, or if it is in fact a problem with the reader itself.
-You can always try the 'shirt-tail' solution for a card that gets stuck or is unable to be read. Gently rub the metal 'chip' with a cotton shirt tail or white eraser. This sometimes helps.
Allison Bell
March 8, 2010
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