Topics Map > Library Technology Group (LTG)

How Things Work: Glossary - Library Technology Group (LTG)

Dictionary definitions of LTG terminology

Table of Contents

Alma

The web-based interface used by staff to access and change the library catalog; this replaced the Voyager circulation system.


C:\ Drive

This is your local computer hard drive. While applications are loaded here, we strongly discourage saving any data files that you wish to retain here (word processing documents, spreadsheets, images, html, etc., etc.). Any files on the C: drive will be lost if your computer hard drive fails or we need to reload your computer with a fresh image and operating system.


Desktop

In Windows you have a desktop available to you when you have logged into your workstation. This is the window or screen where the Recycle Bin icon and other shortcut icons appear, and which appears when you have all applications minimized or nothing else open. You should not store documents and other files on your desktop. Use the Q:/ drive or R:/ drives instead. Should you store files on your desktop, you will slow down the amount of time it takes to log in and out of the workstation, and you risk losing the files if the workstation is reloaded. Your Desktop is tied to your Profile and a different login will have a different Desktop.


Email Client

This is simply the software used to read your email.  We currently use either Outlook client which must be installed and configured on individual PCs to access mail on a server.

In addition to locally installed email clients such as those mentioned above, most mail systems provide a web-based email client that can be used to access mail on a server as well. These web-based clients are run on the mail server itself and thus require no local installation or configuration. You simply use your web browser to access the client and read your mail through it. We use Outlook web at http://wiscmail.wisc.edu.  You can do this from any computer on the internet.


Email Server

This is where all of our mail is stored.


Forward (Library Catalog)

Forward is the locally developed software which is the official public interface for UW Madison libraries online catalog. When Forward was launched as the production catalog in May 2012, the name "Forward" was dropped and now is simply called the "Library Catalog".


Network Drive

A network drive is space your computer can use on a server. Rather than store important documents on your local drives (drives on your individual workstation, for instance the c:\ drive), LTG recommends you store them on your Q:\ or R:\ drives. These drives are accessible from any Tier 2 workstation and are backed up each night.


Profile

Windows use profiles to save your preferences, such as background choice for your Desktop, your font choices (other than your choice of large or small fonts), and which screensaver you have chosen to use.


Q:\ Drive

The Q: drive is the personal, network, storage area for Tier 2 users. Nobody else has access to files stored there and they are backed up nightly. We strongly encourage staff to save any files you wish to retain to this location.


R:\ Drive

The R: drive consists of "shared" folders. Typically folders are set up here for departments, working groups, etc. and if you're a member of that particular department you will have access to the folder. You should use the R: drive for storing files you wish to share with other members of your "share" group.


R:\Temp Drive

The Temp directory on the R:\ drive is temporary network storage space for sharing files among Tier 2 users.   Files stored in this directory are available to and can be modified by all Tier 2 users.   This directory will be emptied weekly early Monday morning.


Staff LAN

The LAN (local area network) for the General Library System. Used by Tier 2 workstations.


Tier 1

Tier 1  is used to describe library workstations that are used primarily by the public, but also includes some workstations used by library staff.   Their labels/names are as follows:

  • Public Kiosks:  Start with the letter K (for example KMEM7123) which stands for Kiosk.   These is the most common Tier 1.
  • Public Kiosks for teaching:  Start with the letter T (for example TCOL0111), a kiosk machine that has software specialized for teaching bibliographic software.
  • Public Kiosks with Zoomtext for accessibility:  Start with A for adaptive (for example AMEM8876).
  • Circulation Computers:   Start with C for Circulation (for example CPHY1121), a kiosk machine with Voyager Applications and OCLC Connexion.

A username and password are not needed to log in to this machine. Only the programs installed on these computers by LTG can be run for security reasons.    If a patron or staff member would like to request additional software, use this form.

Tier 1 workstations should remain turned on. We often run remote programs that need to communicate with these machines during the evening for reloading or updating software. The Tier 1 maintenance window is daily 5-7am.  If Tier 1 workstations are displaying error messages when you arrive in the morning, please reboot to refresh settings. Tier 1s have access to Temporary workspace (Local Storage icon on the desktop). Anything older than 7 days is cleared out of the E drive. All Tier 1s have the Microsoft Office suite and software for playing CDs and DVDs. These programs are available under Start, All Programs.

Tier 1 - D drive:  temporary storage space cleared out once a week (Saturday night)


Tier 2

Tier 2 is used to describe library workstations that are connected to the Libraries Staff LAN. Their label will start S, for example, SMEMxxxx. A username and password are needed to log in to this machine.

Unlike in the past, we are now asking all staff to leave their computers on at night. As always, logoff (and turn the monitor off if you wish) when you are not using your computer. We have a new policy in place that will turn your computer back on at 5:00 a.m. if you did turn off your computer (out of habit, or for whatever reason).  We push security and other program updates to your computer between 5:00 - 7:00 a.m.   


Tier 3

Tier 3 is used to describe library staff workstations that are connected to a library network other than the Libraries Staff LAN. What does this mean to you?

In short, since LTG has no control of Tier 3s, the special configurations and installations available on Tier 1s and 2s are not available on a Tier 3 computers. Instead, you need to contact your Tier 3 administrator for configuration and installation. Some examples of these programs are Voyager clients, Thunderbird or any windows-based client in use on the library website.



Keywordstier1 tier2 tier3 Email Client and Server Network drive Q:/ drive R:/ drive Staff LAN e drive temp e: drive   Doc ID12436
OwnerJay R.GroupLibraries
Created2009-10-15 18:00:00Updated2024-02-21 13:07:08
SitesUW-Madison Libraries
Feedback  0   1