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Filters
How good is Internet Filtering software? Not very, according to Christopher Hunter. Hunter
tested the default filtering settings for the four most popular commercial filtering
products NetNanny, SurfWatch, CyberPatrol and CYBERSitter. His results, on average filters
"overblocked" useful information 21% of the time and failed to block
"objectionable" material 25% of the time. While libraries can slightly lower
these numbers by applying some degree of selection to filtered content Hunter's research
certainly points out that filtering software still requires significant development.
Read more: http://www.ljdigital.com/articles/news/thisweek/20000207_13454.asp
Patrons and the Net
Ever notice that some of your patrons just don't understand computers. You know who I'm
talking about, the patron that thinks they have broken the law when Windows tells them
that they have preformed an illegal operation. Most technology-impaired patrons certainly
try to make the darn things work, but it just seems that technology befuddles them. The
current issue of American Libraries contains a humorous discussion of patron/technology
interactions that is sure to put a smile on the face of
the computer-minded librarian.
Get "The rest of the story" - http://www.ala.org/alonline/netlib/il200.html
Items submitted by:
Brad Stephens - Email
NOLA Regional Library System
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| From the Field - Brad
Stephens |
Microsoft Agreement Update
A Large Account Reseller (LAR) has been selected by the regional library system technology
coordinators and directors to serve as the primary supplier of Microsoft software and
press materials for Ohio public libraries. The objectives of the program are to streamline
software procurement and to provide significant cost savings for libraries through volume
licensing.
Representatives from the systems and the company will meet in
Columbus on February 15 to finalize an agreement. With a target date of March 1 for
program implementation, each participating library will be receiving a packet of
information from the company sometime in the next month or so. A total of 176 public
libraries, with a base of approximately 6,000 PCs in their offices, public service areas
and labs, and 11 other library organizations expressed interest in the program.
Submitted by: Allan Grey, Director - NORWELD
Denial of Service Attacks 101
Making headlines this week has been the rash of Denial of Service (DOS) attacks
against major internet sites, such as Yahoo and Ebay. The common questions - what is a DOS
attack and should my school or library worry? DOS attacks have one goal - deny service or
access to a computer or computers. While they are relatively simple attacks they are
nearly impossible to defend as there are hundreds of possible ways to execute a DOS
attack. The recent attacks have been accomplished by bombarding the target sites with
enormous amounts of data, resulting in the interruption of network services. While no data
has been stolen or systems compromised, related business losses have been significant.
Want to learn more about Denial of Service attacks and other network security issues?
Contact Brad Stephens in the NOLA office.
More information:
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,34230,00.html
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20000210/wr/hackers_europe_1.html
Items submitted by:
Brad Stephens - Email
NOLA Regional Library System
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| Education Station - Lori
Putt/CE Consultant |
Edutest.com - Providing FREE Proficiency Test Samples
Edutest.com is a free state proficiency testing service that allows teacher, parents, and
libraries the opportunity to provide a sample test to their children. The tests provide
immediate feedback on the child's strengths and needs in relation to Ohio's state
standards for proficiency.
These tests are available for FREE during one week only: February 21st-26th (for
Ohio) They will be accessible from 7:30 a.m. on Monday, February 21st through 11:00 p.m.
on Friday, February 26th.
To use the Free State Practice Test, simply follow these directions:
Step 1: Go to http://home.edutest.com
Step 2: Enter your client ID (you will choose) in the client login box and click
"login"
Step 3: Click on the desired subject (Math or English)
Step 4: Click on the desired grade level under the "State Practice" menu
Step 5: Enter your password (you will choose)
Step 6: Select a test part from the drop-down menu
Step 7: Click "Take Test"
Step 8: Wait for the test to load on your screen and complete the test by clicking on the
appropriate answer
Step 9: Grade the test by clicking ONCE on the "Grade the Test" button at the
bottom
Step 10: Review and print (if desired) the test results
Please note: Once a student has taken a test part, they are not able to re-take the same
part until the following day using the same Client ID. Be sure to register each child
separately.
In addition to these practice tests, you will also have access to the skill sets and
grade-level assessments. These will be good resources to have on-hand for parents looking
for proficiency testing help in the coming months.
Don't forget about NOLA's upcoming program:
School/Library
Cooperation.. Become Proficient on the Proficiency Tests! on
Wednesday, February 16th from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. This workshop will prepare library
personnel to better serve student patrons who are studying for the 4th, 6th, and 9th grade
Ohio Proficiency Tests. You'll learn when and why the proficiency tests were created by
the Ohio Legislature and what the future holds for these tests. The workshop facilitators
will describe a model program to attract students and their parents into the library so
that these patrons may utilize the library's proficiency test materials. There will be a
review of methods to develop partnerships with other groups (PTA's, Library Friends
groups) in working on a library's proficiency program. A review of the more popular
proficiency-oriented materials will be provided as well. Please register for the program
by Monday, February 14th!!!
Items submitted by:
Lori Putt - Email
NOLA Regional Library System
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An excellent resource to explore during Black
History month is The
African American Mosaic: A Library of Congress Resource Guide for the Study of Black
History and Culture located at Reflinks 973. This
site covers 500 years of black history and culture covering the areas of Colonization,
Abolition, Migration and the WPA.
Other sites on Black History at RefLinks 973 are:
AFRO-Americ@: Black
Resistance... Slavery in the U.S.
From the Black History Museum, a look at slavery and the revolts and resistance
against it.
African American
Women Writers of the 19th Century
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture of the New York Public Library
created a digital collection of published works by 19th century African American women.
Here, you can read the full-text of 52 different works ..fiction and non-fiction...written
during the 1800's.
Harlem 1900-1940 An African American
Community
This site is an exhibition created by the Educational Programs Unit of the
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the New York Public Library. The exhibit
covers major personalities and events involved in the educational, business, religious,
sports, and arts movements during this time period.
Images of African American
from the 19th Century
A great site to browse through photographs and other images of African Americans
in the 19th century.
Items submitted by:
Reflinks Members [email protected]
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