|
Need Tech Support???
You've come to the right place --- please check these pages and the FAQ's for possible answers to
any issues you may be having. Should these pages not have the answers you're looking for, we ask that you use progress through this list
for assistance:
Current Upgrade Information
Setting Union Communication Levels
Accessing Exclusive Mode for Backups
Cannot Read from Socket Error Message
Changing Sublocation:
Remove a prefix:
Obtain a list of existing sublocations:
Global Update using Dolphin:
Splitting Your Collection
Combining collections
Setting up a pc to act as a self-checkout station
Setting up a receipt printer
Moving scans on the PHD Dolphin
I'm an AVNA member and can't see availabity codes of another AVNA member. What's wrong?
Upgrade Information
Click HERE for a list of upgrades, including the current upgrade.
It looks like the Nexus member sites can upgrade their Follett applications to version 6.0 with the exception of WebCollection. If you are currently connected to Nexus and have WebCollection 5.0 you will need to stay at the version until the Nexus WebCollection has been upgraded. I hope to have Nexus upgraded to 6.0 by the end of July (2004!) but there is a snag with the z39.50 connection to ACLIN that I need to work around. If you are not yet connected to Nexus or are already at WebCollection 5.1 you can go ahead and upgrade your WebCollection too.
Follett software is made up of several pieces: Faircom database, Applications (Circulation Plus, Catalog Plus, OPAC, WebCollection Plus), and Data Exchange Server (Data Exchange only applies to Nexus members).
The update only applies to the applications. The Faircom database and the Data Exchange Server hasn't changed. Attached is a listing of the new features.
There are two ways to update your software. You can use the Service Pack that you can download from Follett Care or you can install the new version from a CD over top of your existing installation.
I recommend that you run the 6.0 installation from the CD and install it over your existing 5.x software. If you run the Service Pack the old version of 5.x is listed in the Add/Remove programs and the System Setup Information even though you are actually running 6.0. Installing software instead of the Service Pack takes a little longer and requires your Key Codes but this will eliminate any confusion as to what version is actually installed.
Please contact me for a copy of the 6.0 CD.
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. See also What's New in 6.0.
Randy Oles - Xpertech, Inc.
Colorado Nexus Technology Consultant
Setting Union Communication Levels
In these pages you will see the seven (7) different ways your local server can communicate with
the central Union server. Please navigate the site with the text links
listed below and review all seven communications levels. Once you decide
on your appropriate level, email Nexus Technology Support and send your
information. REMEMBER this choice is not set in stone and can be changed at any time by notifying
Nexus Technology Support.
Level1...
Level2...
Level3...
Level4...
Level5...
Level6...
Level7
Accessing Exclusive Mode for Backups
Logon to the server using the following:
User name: nexus-support
Password: (assigned --contact Nexus Technology Support for your individual password)
Log on to: your library code
Once logged on, double-click the ResetDX. It will indicate when it is ok to run your Follett backup. After the backup is complete,
go back to the DOS screen of ResetDX and press enter to restart the Follett services. You will need to press enter once more to
have the DOS screen go away.
Let me know if you run into any problems. Good for you for running backups.
Some people do not realize the importance until after they lose data.
Cannot Read from Socket Error Message while cataloging
There should be a "Reset DX" icon on the desktop that you use before you run a backup.
That will also solve the Socket Error message most of the time.
Changing Sublocation:
I found in vers 6.0 a Global Update in Catalog Plus that would change a sublocation from one thing to another but it would not allow me to change a blank location into something or change an existing location into blank.
Remove a prefix:
Same thing with a prefix. Global Update would let me change one prefix to another but would not let me add a prefix if there was not one or set a prefix to a blank.
Obtain a list of existing sublocations:
I did not find a report that specific to sublocations and I tried other reports to see if the sublocation was even listed in the results and I couldn't find one. Nexus has the ODBC driver that would allow me to connect to your database and create customized reports. I haven't messed with it for over a year but I'll try it next week. It is a Read-Only driver and won't let me update your database. MARC Magician will do that but I think its expensive.
Global Update using Dolphin:
The only options that I found for Globally updating with the Dolphin were to update the Category, Circulation Type, or Copy Status. You might be able to get creative with the Category field to mark items designated for the public library but I don't see a way to modify the prefix or sublocation
Combining Collections (such as an elementary school collection into an high school collection)
The basic process would be to export your elementary records (Export MARC
21/852 Holdings format) and then import them into the high school database.
Some things to consider before exporting your elementary records:
- you can use the Sub Location field to indicate whether the book in the elem school or high school. If your Sub Location field for the elementary school is currently blank you can globally update that field when you import them into the high school database. In the Import Mark 21/852 Holdings format you can assign a Default Value for Sub Location under the "Options"
button. This only works if the Sub Location is blank. If you are currently using the Sub Location field at the elem school and want to change it you can use the Global Update under Edit in Cataloging.
- you will need to be careful if you are using Categories. Only the category number is stored with the Copy record, not the description. So if Category 3 for the elem school is "Purch 2002" and Category 3 for the high school is "Rare item", all of the elem books with Cat. 3 will become "Rare item" when imported.
- you can play with Call Number Prefix to designate location also and can use the Global Update to change those. Global update will only change an existing value to something else. It won't change a blank value to a given value.
Setting up a pc to act as a self-checkout station
Answer #1
We may have a snag with using self-checkout and Follett.
Apparently there is a communication standard called SIP2 that self-checkout
equipment uses to communicate with library software. I spoke with a tech person at
Vernon Library Supplies about their VECO self-checkout system and he indicated that
Follett does not support SIP2 so it will not work with most self-checkup products.
If there is one that does work with Follett, I assume that John Findlay will have info on that. --Randy
Answer #2
There is security that can be configured on the Circulation Plus setup (refer to pages 152-154 in the fscuser.pdf file on your Follett 5.0 CD under \extras\Manual). I could not find any recommended settings for self check out but here are some ideas.
- setup a hard-to-guess password for Circulation Desk and Circulation Desk Override in System Setup
- setup the computer to automatically logon and load Circulation Plus when booted (staff would have to put in the password)
- lock down the computer so that it can only run Circulation Plus (can setup group policies or use third-party software like Fortres)
- encourage the patron to press ESC after their transaction in order to clear their patron and title info
(this would protect the patron info from being displayed to the next patron)
- setup the inactivity time-out option to clear all patron and title info after a specified period (page 122 of fscuser.pdf)
(just incase they don't manually clear their info)
- configure the Limit Circulation Desk Access with the following in order to force the patron to use the barcode of their library card and the library item
- do not allow Check-in (un-checked)
- allow Check-out only (checked)
- do not allow Find Patron (un-checked)
- do not allow Find Title
- you may also want the following settings in Limit Circulation Desk Access
- Show Important Messages
- Show Circulation Notes
- I would recommend a receipt printer in order for them to show that they did check out the item properly (allows for the Sam's Club method where someone checks the patron at the door)
- There are tones that can be setup for Successful Barcode Entry, Block Condition, Check-out of non-standard circ type, and Fines or overdues
(the tones could alert staff whenever a patron has an issue)
Setting up a receipt printer
The instructions for setting up a printer are on the Follett CD under Extras\Manual\fscinst.pdf.
You have to install the receipt printer first p39 and then install the Epson driver (p46).
A keycode is required to properly setup all receipt printers. Use of a non-Follett receipt may result
in technical issues regarding acquision of keycodes.
I'm an AVNA member and can't see availabity codes of another AVNA member. What's wrong?
Due to the nature of the AVNA network, certain firewall protection does not recognize partner AVNA sites within the network. To see
an AVNA, partner Nexus library's availability status, link directly to the Union Catalog .
|
