Controlling access to resources depending on who wants to access them is called "user-level security." This kind of security can be used to regulate access to networked or stand-alone systems

Maintaining control over what users can do to a public access computer's operating system is one of the primary goals of a library computer administrator. For instance, patrons must not be able to use certain desktop icons such as Network Neighborhood or My Computer. They should have only limited access to Start Menu items, including applets in the Control Panel and Taskbar features. They should have heavily restricted access to the C drive. One of the primary ways to secure these features and others is by modifying the registry.

Chris Peters describes and compares two tools for securing shared or public access computers running Microsoft Windows operating systems, the new Microsoft Shared Computer Toolkit and the old Public Access Computer Security Tool.

Presented by Don Yarman & Jim Mann. Online at www.oplin.org/presentations/tenthings.ppt This was a nice “how to” discussion which had matter-of-fact advice about keeping your Windows machines current. It’s rare to see these go smoothly without a lot of “Why is Microsoft so BAD?!” talk, this was very value neutral and very well-received.

How a librarian from a town of 700 (Union, CT) manages to buy the hardware and software she needs--and still have some money left over for books!

Anyway… here’s a list of links to some great articles on different aspects of techies and non-techies getting along: * How to help someone use a computer - Great ideas for techies on how to be nice, includes a good list of “things to tell yourself” when helping a non-techie with a problem. * 13 Tips on How to Tech-talk to Non-techies - tips on how to write for non-techies * Seven Tips for Talking with Nontechnical People - How to get your ideas understood by non-techies * Don’t explain an idea to a deer in headlights - provides some advice on communicating complex technical concepts to nontechnical folks * Getting Technical - Tips for librarian non-techies on getting a little more technical

The 2006 national study presents findings from both a national survey and case sites. The national survey provides provides longitudinal data regarding public library Internet connectivity and public access computing services and resources, but also explores the impacts and benefits that communities derive from public library connectivity. The case sites focused primarily on successfully networked public libraries and the issues, solutions, and approaches that these libraries faced and resolved in order to develop sustainable and high quality public access computing and Internet services.

Here's how Mike Christenson, Systems Administrator for the City of Kerrville, Texas configures his library's public access computers:

On the final day of the 2006 LITA National Forum, Helene Gold, electronic services librarian at Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, Florida) described how thin clients are being integrated into the computing environment in the college’s new library. The 25 people who braved Forum-fatigue to attend were not disappointed by Helene’s engaging and accessible presentation.

In this issue of LTR, numerous detailed examples of what libraries are already doing—including public, school, and academic libraries—provide Levine the springboard to illustrate how librarians can reap positive gains by proactively, creatively, and (above all) affordably integrating gaming into the services and programs already offered at your library. The case studies reveal that gaming programs often turn out to be among the most popular a library can offer. “I have yet to hear about a library of any type offering gaming that has received negative feedback from patrons,” Jenny notes.