BarnardRefDesk

It would be helpful if the person working the 9-11am desk shift would make sure room 201 is open. After you log in and get the phones turned on, please unlock room 201 (key #1 in the drawer) if necessary.

Jenna

Labels: 201, ref desk

Please remember not to leave anything on the reference desk computer desk top. Everyone, including the student workers can/should have access to a shared drive.

Labels: ref desk

Could you all try to notice when desk consumables like golf pencils and paperclips are running low and replace them?

Labels: officesupplies, ref desk

I've added shortcuts to the student timesheets and to Heidi's folder on the shared drive. (Ali and Shoshannah, I'll tell you more about the timesheets once your contracts are processed and you're added to the file.)

I recommend that the librarians, other than Heidi, continue to remote into their own computers, though, rather than accessing the shared drive from the reference desk computer. (Heidi, ask me to show you how to log out.)

When you click on the shortcut, you should be prompted to log in via Novell. If you are not prompted to log in, that means that someone else is already logged in, and you should instead log in by right clicking the red N on the task bar.

Labels: ref desk, students, timesheets

Our new reference desk chair has arrived. You'll notice that just about every part of it moves and adjusts. I've left the card that shows you how to make the adjustments on the chair itself, but in case it doesn't last there, you can check out the printable, interactive, and flash user guides.

Labels: equipment, ref desk

The wireless keyboard needs new batteries, which Anna ordered today. I put it in the locked reference desk cabinet for now.

Labels: equipment, ref desk

Somehow the active desktop on the reference computer keeps getting lost. Here is how to reset it.

1. Right click on the desktop
   
2. Click properties
3. Click desktop
4. Click customize desktop
5. Click web
   
6. Click box next to the link for http://barnardrefdesk.blogspot.com

As always, if the page on the desktop is wonky, you can refresh it by right clicking the F5 key.

Labels: active desktop, computers, ref desk, stupid microsoft

Using Lois's instructions, I removed some data hogs from the reference desk computer's start up functions.

For future reference, here are the highlights of Lois's handout:

1. Set a system restore point: Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> System Restore. Create a restore point.
   
2. Start --> Run --> Type <> (without the brackets). Click the Startup tab.
   
3. Deselect programs you don't want to run on Startup (e.g. Adobe, Real, QuickTime, Google Toolbar Notifier, iTunes, etc.)
4. If you're not sure if it's safe to delete something, you can do a search for it using your favorite search engine. (e.g. nwtray.exe turns out to be Novell, so you do want to run it at Startup. Don't delete it!) Particularly useful sites for researching the necessity of functions are Neuber and BleepingComputer. In general, leave alone anything in the windows\system32 folder and anything related to Symantec.
   
5. Reboot. Don't be frightened by the warning message that will pop up once you've rebooted, "The System Configuration Utility..." Just check the box. It's okay.
   
6. Nota bene: it's really better to disable Startup in each application. Normally the control is in Options or Preferences.
   

Thanks, Lois!

Labels: computers, lois, ref desk

I just installed the new version of Symantec (anti-virus, and now pest detection, too) onto the references desk computer.

You might want to put it on your own computer(s), as well.

http://www.columbia.edu/acis/software/nav

Labels: AT, computers, CUIT, ref desk, software

Hi All,

I've often come to the desk to find the reference desk printer flashing its little orange error light or with a paper marked "out of order" (no useful information for troubleshooting) on it.

Here's one tip that has worked on 90% of the problems I've encountered with the reference desk printer:

• open and shut the top (as if you were going to remove/install toner)

That's it.

If it's still acting wonky,

• make sure you've removed any possible paper jams
• cancel print jobs (start --> Printers and Faxes --> HP LaserJet 1020 --> Printer --> Cancel all documents. This path may be different if you are remoted into your own machine.)
• turn the printer off for 30 seconds (off button is in the back on the left, if you're facing it)

If none of the above works, please at leave a note that explains to the best of your ability what the problem is or how it was caused.

And try not to leave massive print jobs hanging for someone else to deal with.

Labels: printer, ref desk, troubleshooting

The replacement keyboard and mouse Michael ordered have arrived and are standing by in the reference desk cabinet for some nice help desker to install.

UPDATE: It has been installed. The mouse will take a few hours to charge. If it's not working over the weekend, please alert the help desk.

Labels: AT, equipment, ref desk

Per discussion held in staff and reference meetings, we are at long last implementing the suggestion book that Lois suggested last spring, having seen something like it used successfully at Swarthmore.

It is stored next to the reference desk, where the suggestion box used to be (The box is now in the ref desk cabinet.) with a sign indicating its purpose.

All librarians are welcome to respond to comments, but are not obliged to do so. Jenna will take primary responsibility for that.

Labels: ref desk, suggestions