Contents
[hidetoc]- Intro to UW-Stout Library's Restricted Resources
- Connection Problems? Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. After I enter my username and password, nothing happens.
- 2. I've checked my browser settings. What else could be the problem?
- 3. I cannot access the Stout Library's e-resources from home, work or school.
- 4. I still can't connect to the databases. Is there an alternative?
- 5. I get through remote access login but the database also requires a login.
- 6. Why don't some features function when using remote access?
- 7. I use a Mac and can't save PDF files from EbscoHost.
- Reporting a Problem to the Library
Introduction to UW-Stout Library's Restricted Resources
The
University Library offers web access to a number of information resources,
most of them available to everyone through a web browser. However, some
of these resources, marked with Stout Users Only icon are restricted
to use by the UW-Stout Community.
To verify that you are a member of the UW-Stout Community, you may be prompted for a password. Use your UW-Stout e-mail username and password.
Access to these restricted library resources is transparent if you are on a direct campus network hookup, such as in the library or some of the computer labs. However, if you are in an office or lab that does not have a direct connection, or you are not on campus at all, you will need to establish remote access.
Follow these steps to register for remote access:
Step #1: Activate your UW-Stout E-mail account
- The first step in establishing any type of remote access is to activate your UW-Stout web-based e-mail account. Consult the E-mail FAQ for assistance. Once you know your username, point your browser to https://webmail.uwstout.edu and type in your Stout e-mail username and password. Your initial password is your social security number. You may change your password; consult the E-mail FAQ.
- Students taking courses off-campus (such as at Ft. McCoy) and those who are only signing up for a short term weekend course often do not have Stout e-mail accounts established automatically. You can establish an account by contacting the ASK5000 Help Desk (telephone 715-232-5000 or e-mail: ask5000@uwstout.edu).
- Faculty, staff and students will automatically have a remote access account when they activate their e-mail account.
Step #2: Remote Access Options
For assistance, contact the Library's Reference desk (715-232-1353) or e-mail: Ask a Librarian
The following screen will appear when accessing databases remotely:
Step #3: Connection Points to Library Resources
If you have not activated your UW-Stout e-mail account, read the above instructions. A proxy server is used to connect authorized Stout users to the restricted databases, e.g. EBSCO.
Be Sure to Select the Correct Link to Access the Restricted Databases:
There are three library Web pages that let you connect.
Page 1. Indexes and Databases
- If you know the database vendor, click on the vendor name in the left column; e.g. EBSCOHost.
- To view available databases by subject, click on Subject List.
- To browse a title list, click on Alphabetical List of Databases.
Page 2. Library Home Page/Stout Library Catalog Click on "Catalog from off-campus" to access the Stout Library Catalog.
There are a number of restricted resources that can be accessed through the library's catalog.
Page 3. Periodicals/Full Text Periodicals
- Click "Periodicals Holdings" to access a list of ALL periodical titles available to the Stout Community - full text, print, microfiche, microfilm.
- A link following the periodical title will connect you to the appropriate database.
Connection Problems? Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. After I enter my username and password to get into a database, nothing happens.
Vendor connection problem.
Try to connect to a different database to see if another one is working. If that one works, then there is a probably a problem at the vendor's end with connectivity. Contact the library reference desk with the Ask a Librarian form or call (715)-232-1353 so that librarians can work with the vendor to solve the problem.]
If you have followed the steps above to get your e-mail set up, most problems are not with authentication, but with the computer that you are using. Check these:
Browser Settings
You may need to change your browser settings by clearing the cache, history, and temporary files:
- Internet Explorer (Path: Tools/Internet Options/Temporary Files/Delete Files)
- Netscape (Path: Edit/Preferences/Advanced Cache/Memory Cache or Clear Memory Cache)
There are some browsers, i.e. Juno, that will not access the databases.
It is recommended that for PC's versions of Internet Explorer 5.x or 6.0, or Netscape 6.x or 7.x are used. Internet Explorer (IE) sometimes is not very compatible for remote access and other browsers such as Firefox or Netscape will connect when IE does not. In IE set the Privacy setting to Low (Path: Tools/Internet Options/Privacy).
You will need to enable the Cookies, Java, Java Script, and Pop-Ups as many online resources require these features to work correctly.
Cookies
Cookies are used to store information about your search session on your hard drive. If you have privacy concerns about cookies, you may want to disable cookies or delete the cookies.txt file from your hard drive after you have finished using the library's databases.
Java or Java Script
Java is a programming language that adds to a site's functionality. JavaScript can be a security risk if you happen to encounter a malicious web site. For that reason some users choose to turn the JavaScript functions off in their browser.
If you have difficulty accessing certain features, you will need to enable JavaScript on your browser to access our databases.
Pop Up Blockers
Pop up blockers are good for blocking annoying pop up ads, but can also block legitimate windows.
Some databases use pop up windows to display search results or extra options.
If a pop up blocker seems to be affecting your searching, turn the blocker off. If the search then works properly, turn the blocker back on and configure it to allow pop ups on that specific site.
- Internet Explorer (Path: Tools/Internet Options/Security Tab/Custom Level [Java] and Privacy Tab [Cookies: low])
- Netscape (Path: Edit/Preferences/Advanced/Enable Java or Security Icon/Accept All Cookies)
- Safari (Path: Safari Menu/Preferences/Safari Menu/Enable Java Box or Security Icon [near top of window] accept Cookies Always or Only
Q2. I've checked my browser settings. What else could be the problem with getting into a database?
Internet Service Providers
Internet service providers such as AOL, Compuserve, or Prodigy use proprietary versions of browsers that can cause problems for remote access to Stout library e-resources. An easy way to work around this is to use the ISP to connect to the Internet, but once connected, minimize the session and use a copy of Internet Explorer or Netscape.
Cable Modem, Internet Accelerator or Broadband Manager
Charter, NetZero, Netscape Web Accelerator, etc. connectivity can cause problems in accessing the library’s databases. You will either need to disable the service or by-pass it by connecting directly to the Internet.
Using Google Web Accelerator (GWA) can cause connectivity problems in that remote sites see access as coming from a Google IP address rather than the authenticated UW-Stout network. We suggest that GWA be turned off while using library databases. For instructions on how to temporarily disable GWA go to http://webaccelerator.google.com/support.html#off.
Personal Firewalls or Filters
Firewalls work by blocking traffic moving in and out or your home network. Depending upon the firewall you use, the default settings may be very restrictive or permissive. If you install or upgrade a firewall you may suddenly notice that a web resource is unavailable. Fortunately most firewalls allow you to specify what can pass through to your network. Consult the documentation that came with your firewall software.
Note: Windows XP comes with its own firewall, and Microsoft recommends that you activate this feature to secure your computer, however this may conflict with your access (look in the set up manual).
Call Waiting
Call waiting may interfere with your connectivity when using your telephone service. You will need to disable call waiting as it will bounce you from the database as a call comes in.
Q3. I cannot access the Stout Library from home, my place of work or school. When I try to access the Stout Library's e-sources I am not prompted for a Stout username or password.
- This may be a firewall issue and certain ports may need to be opened on the user's side.
- Many corporations and schools use firewalls and/or proxy servers for network security reasons.
- Some companies have employee's browsers configured to use their own proxy server (or not enable acceptance of cookies or some other security setting) that may interfere with the Stout Library's proxy server.
Many problems using remote access from home, work or school may need to be resolved with your ISP, company's or school's Information Technology staff. Your ISP, school or company IT staff will need to contact the library about opening certain ports so that you can have access to the library's electronic resources.
Q4. I still can't connect-- is there any alternative?
Wisconsin Residents have the ability to connect to Badgerlink (http://www.badgerlink.net/), a state website that allows access to certain EbscoHost and ProQuest databases. So if you are having problems with connectivity with the Stout Library e-resources, try Badgerlink.
Q5. I get through remote access, but the database wants me to login too.
A login screen is an indication of an access error, likely requiring a change in the proxy server's configuration. Note the name of the resource you were trying to access and contact the library reference desk with the Ask a Librarian form or call (715)-232-1353.
Q6. Why don't some features or links in the database seem to function when I'm using remote access?
The various database vendors use a variety of programming methods on their database web sites. Some of these methods make it hard for the proxy server to keep passing information between you and the site. If certain links or other aspects of the site aren't functioning, there are a few primary possibilities:
- The proxy server's configuration for the database needs to be adjusted. If the features function when accessing the resource from on-campus (which doesn't use the proxy server), then the proxy server's configuration may have to be adjusted to adapt to the database's particular method.
- There are often problems on the vendor's end that lead to problems with the database. These problems are generally resolved fairly quickly once the vendor is aware of them.
- Certain content or features are not part of the library's subscription. i.e. Europa World Yearbook. In this case, you may get an error message or login screen - or what appear to be links to those features but are simply not active.
Q7. I use a Mac and can't save PDF articles from EbscoHost. What can I do?
Using the folder feature in EbscoHost, save the PDF article in a folder and e-mail it to your home computer. It should come as an attachment. This may not work if you are using a computer from work. Your work computer may have a firewall.
You could also try saving the file to the desktop and opening it from the desktop.
Reporting a Problem to the Library
If none of these solutions applies to your particular situation, contact the Reference Desk 715-232-1353 or use the Ask a Librarian form. Please include as much of the following information as possible:
- The precise problem you encountered;
- The database you were trying to use;
- The location from which you encountered the problem (home, work, etc.);
- The operating system and version of your computer (Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 98, Mac, etc.);
- If you encountered the problem off campus, the name of your internet service or broadband provider;
- The name and version of your web browser (Internet Explorer 6.0, Safari, Netscape 6.x, etc.);
- Whether you are using any form of internet accelerator or broadband manager (Netzero, Netscape Web Accelerator, etc.);
- Whether you are using a personal firewall program.
Last Updated: 06/13/2008 and Last Revised: 05/23/2007
Contact Ask a Librarian 715-232-1353 for more information or help on this topic.