MINITEX Library Information Network

Every time I try to log on to CatExpress, the system crashes or my computer shuts down.

Every time I try to log on to CatExpress, the system crashes or my computer shuts down.

If you are a new user, make sure you conform to OCLC's recommendations in the CatExpress User Guide.

If you are not a new user and have not had system problems in the past, there may have been changes within your computer network that you are unaware of. Check with your IT or system administrator and ask them if there have been any changes in firewall and/or security settings. If the answer is "yes" to these questions, give them the following information:

"If your site uses a firewall to isolate internal systems from the Internet, you must provide a port that allows OCLC to access your local system through the firewall. Your site's firewall system must recognize and accept export data sent by the server from any numeric IP address within the following address range: 132.174.2.0/24 (all numeric addresses from 132.174.2.1 through 132.174.2.253).

There is a small possibility that the virus protection is too strict. Ask IT to re-set it at a more moderate level.

It could be that the computer does not have enough RAM. Increase RAM to at least 64 MB. Newer operating systems such as Windows 2000 or Windows XP run more efficiently with 128 MB or more.

It could be that other programs running in the background are interfering. Shut down all non-essential processing.

When searching, WorldCat returns the same results from the initial search

When searching, WorldCat returns the same results from the initial search

You may find that you conduct the first search of a session without problem, but the second search returns the same results as the first. You may need to clear out your cache (A cache is a temporary storage area where frequently accessed data is stored to speed up the time it takes to access a resource). To clear your cache, take the following steps:

• Close Catexpress.
• Open a new Internet Explorer browser session.
• In the "Tools" Menu, select "Delete Browsing History."
• Under "Delete Browsing History," click "Delete All", and then "yes."

If clearing your cache doesn't solve the problem, take these steps:

• Close Catexpress
• Open a new Internet Explorer browser session.
• In the "Tools" Menu, select "Internet Options."
• Under "Browing history," click "Settings."
• You may want to write down current settings.
• Under "Check for newer versions of stored pages," click "Automatically."
• Set amount of disk space to use to 10.
• Click OK.

If there are problems working under the above settings, try making the following adjustments:

• Close Catexpress
• Open Internet Explorer
• In the "Tools" Menu, select "Internet Options."
• Under "Browsing history," click on "Settings."
• You may want to write down current settings.
• Under "Check for newer versions of stored pages," click "Every time I visit the webpage."
• Click OK.

What are the best practices for downloading and installing Connexion client?

What are the best practices for downloading and installing Connexion client?

The sections below bring together many of the questions library staff have when installing or upgrading to a new version of Connexion client. This section does not apply to users of the web based Connexion browser.

Where to Get the Connexion Client Software

The latest supported version(s) of the OCLC Connexion Client are available from the OCLC Product Services Web site. You will need a valid OCLC authorization number and password to download the OCLC Connexion Client. If you have any questions about downloading the software or do not have ready access to an OCLC authorization number, please contact the MINTEX Bibliographic and Technical Services (BATS) unit.

• Go to the Product Services Web site to download Connexion client
• Contact the MINITEX BATS unit

Which Version to Download?

Connexion client comes in two different flavors. If you are installing Connexion client on a brand new machine, you’ll need to install the full version with the .Net framework and MDAC. These files are necessary for Connexion client to run and only need to be installed once per machine. If you are updating the client on a machine that already has a version of the Connexion Client, choose the "client only" version to download and save to your desktop. The "client only" version will be a smaller file, download faster from the Product Services Web site, and will install faster than the new full size version.

Local Privileges

In order to install the OCLC Connexion Client, you must have power user or Administrative rights on your computer. If you don’t have the proper level of permissions or don’t know what level of permissions you have on your computer, contact your local computer technical support person to arrange for the install. Some organizations only allow certain staff to install or upgrade computer software. Talk with your technical support staff to get their local polices regarding the installation of new software or updating your current programs.

Firewalls and Anti-Virus

Most institutions on a local computer network have some kind of firewall protection to guard their computers from harmful viruses and malicious software. Firewalls help institutions maintain a level of protection by limiting access to the Internet or allowing only certain applications and processes access to the Internet. Check with your IT professionals and ask if any new software that you install on your computer, like the OCLC Connexion client, would be impeded from accessing the Internet.

Most computers have anti-virus software operating at some level to protect the machines from malicious programs and computer viruses. Sometimes anti-virus software can be a bit overzealous in protecting a computer so that it impedes the installation process, resulting in a Connexion client that is not properly installed (and does not work properly). We suggest asking your IT professional if the anti-virus program can be temporarily disabled while installing new software or updating software on the machine. In many cases, disabling the anti-virus software is not necessary - the majority of anti-virus programs will allow software installation and updating of programs. It is a good idea to ask, just in case you happen to have anti-virus software that could break the installation and/or updating routine of Connexion client. If your institution is concerned about security and you think there may be an issue with your firewall or anti-virus, have your IT folks contact the MINITEX BATS unit.

If you are updating your current version of Connexion client to a new version, it is recommended that you first uninstall any previous versions of the client. Then, all you really need to do is download the Connexion client from the OCLC Product Services Web to your desktop, then run the installer.

• Download Connexion client from Product Services Web

The client will retain your previous settings and customizations and you will be able to use the new functionality.

Installing on a Network

A word about updating and installing on multiple machines in a network: if your institution needs to install or update multiple Connexion clients, you will need to insure that each workstation has a local install, installed from the local hard disk. Many IT departments "clone" installations by installing software on a single computer. This is perfectly fine for some software but not for Connexion client – because it results in an incomplete installation. When Connexion client is installed or updated on a computer, the installer adds information to the computer’s registry so that it can run properly. If the installation is cloned, these settings are not added to the registry and that results in a broken and non-functioning Client.

Likewise, all Connexion client installs need to be done from the local hard disk. Tell your IT staff that the install needs to be done from the local hard drive of the machine, and not "cloned" or from a network hard drive. If they have any questions, they can contact the MINITEX BATS unit for further information.

Backing Up Your Settings

Note that when you update your current version of Connexion client, you will not need to update any settings or create new local files. Your current local files and settings are retained though the updating process. Updated machines will have retained all the customized toolbar buttons, local save file settings, all authorizations, constant data records and settings, export settings, label settings, my status settings, macros, and text strings.

However, there are a couple of just in case best practices that you can follow if you are either upgrading your Connexion client software or want to retain your current settings during a fresh install:

• Copy all the setting files from Connexion client to a disk or somewhere on a local network that is safe. Connexion setting files are located by default on your computer hard disk. The default location is C:\Documents and Settings\your logon\Application Data\OCLC\Connex, where your logon is the ID that you use to logon to your computer. Copy everything in the Connex directory to a safe location and when you are finished with the install or upgrade, copy and overwrite the files to the fresh/updated install. This will make getting started again a much more painless process!
• Make sure your computer is backed up! Sometimes upgrades go bad, and a backup will at least get your machine back to the state it was in before changes were made.
• Schedule the upgrade at a convenient time for you and your IT staff. It’s usually a good idea to make these kinds of changes when you are at a convenient breaking point in your workflow.
• Ask questions if you’re not sure about how to do something. Updating your workstation, even if it’s just a version change for Connexion client, can be a bit daunting if you’ve never done it before. If you have concerns or something is not clear, ask.

If you have any questions or problems with installing or updating the OCLC Connexion Client, please call the MINITEX BATS unit and we would be happy to help.

Why can't I access my local save file record?

Why can't I access my local save file record?

There are two types of error messages you may see. The most common one is "record in use by another user." Most likely the record is not in use by another person. You can unlock the file by following these steps:

• Go to the File menu and select Local File Manager
• Choose the local file that is having the problem
• Click on the Compact/Repair button.
• Answer "yes" to the confirmation prompt
• Close and reopen your local save file.

You may see a message "local file access denied." After responding "yes" to the message, you may see another message that says: "Open of default of bibliographic local file failed. Please go to local file manager to choose a different default local file." Try each of the following solutions in turn.

• Compact/Repair—In the File Menu, select Local File Manager
• Choose the local file that is having the problem
• Click on the Compact/Repair button.
• Answer "yes" to the confirmation prompt

If this fails, the message will be "Unable to open file in exclusive mode. Make sure no one else is using file." Reboot the computer and re-try these procedures. If this doesn't work, contact us.

Where have all my toolbar customizations gone?

Where have all my toolbar customizations gone?

If you notice that when you open up Connexion client that some of your customizations are missing, you may have a corrupt file (all your customizations are stored as .xml files in a folder on your computer). Follow the steps below to troubleshoot.

Option 1: Ask your IT to get a backup copy in the settings folder of the file from the workstation backup. Copy the backed up file onto your computer so that it copies over the corrupt copy.

Option 2: Delete your options.xml file (located on your hard drive C:\Documents and Settings\your user name\Application Data\OCLC\Connex\Profiles\MyProfile), then re-enter your settings and customizations in Connexion client. Make a back-up copy of the new options.xml file and store it someplace else on your computer.

Where can I find examples of how libraries are using CONTENTdm for their digital collections?

Where can I find examples of how libraries are using CONTENTdm for their digital collections?

Potential and new CONTENTdm users are always looking at how other institutions have used CONTENTdm to organize their digital collections. There is an online resource called "Customer Collections" you may find helpful. You can browse by organization type to find out how different types of institutions have used CONTENTdm. For example, you could browse by consortia to see how a group of libraries have distinguished their uniquie digital collections from one another. You could browse by media type to find out how libraries are digitizing and describing their audio, video, maps, or newspapers.

• Browse CONTENTdm Customer Collections

Additionally, sometimes we refer potential or new CONTENTdm users to other libraries and cultural heritage institutions in the MINITEX region to share best practices with one another.

• View a list of other libraries in the MINITEX region using CONTENTdm

How do I add/delete/change holding libraries in my library's OCLC Profile?

How do I add/delete/change holding libraries in my library's OCLC Profile?

Short Answer: You tell MINITEX what you want done to the profile and we submit the changes to OCLC on your behalf.

When a library needs to change its OCLC Profile, a Profile Change Request (PCR) is submitted to OCLC by the library's Regional Network. If you need to make changes, contact someone in the BATS unit of the MINITEX office (see the link to contact information below) to discuss what kind of changes you want to make to your OCLC profile. After this initial discussion, you will need to send MINITEX a list of changes you want to make in writing via email, fax or the mail. Include the name and symbol of any new, deleted or modified holding libraries. If your library needs cards produced for any records cataloged under the relevant holding libraries, you need to tell us what kind of cards you want produced, what changes you may need to make for the cards and if there are any automatic card stamps that need to be added or changed.

MINITEX will then fill out the PCR paperwork and submit it to OCLC. The PCR can take them up to 21 working days to make changes, but usually it's a much shorter period of time before the changes take effect. How soon the PCR is completed depends on the complexity of the changes that are requested. Once OCLC completes the PCR they will notify us, and in turn MINITEX staff will contact you and any changes made to the profile will be reflected on any activities with the related holding libraries. About a week after the PCR has been completed the MINITEX office will receive an updated print copy of your OCLC profile, and we will in turn send you a copy for your records. If you have any questions about how to change your profile on OCLC or the process, please contact the MINITEX Bibliographic and Technical Services unit.

How do I change my OCLC log on greeting or password?

How do I change my OCLC log on greeting or password?

Chances are you have more than one OCLC authorization and password that you use to access different OCLC products and services. When you have staff turnover, you may want to update your list of OCLC authorizations. If you would like a complete list of all your OCLC authorization and passwords, contact any staff member in the Bibliographic and Technical Service (BATS) Unit. To make changes to your list, you can either send us an email or fax and we can make these changes for you, or choose to fill out the online form on OCLC's Web site called "OCLC Access and Authorization Form."

• Contact the MINITEX BATS Unit
• View the OCLC Access and Authorization Form

Why do I have to type in my OCLC ILL authorization and password every time I log on to the system?

Why do I have to type in my OCLC ILL authorization and password every time I log on to the system?

You can set your Internet browser to remember your OCLC authorization and password. This way, you will not have to type in your authorization and password each time you log on to WorldCat Resource Sharing (WCRS) staff view. To do this, follow the steps below:

• Open up Internet Explorer, select Tools and scroll down to Internet Options
• Select the Content Tab.
• Next to the term "AutoComplete" select Settings.
• Under the phrase "Use AutoComplete for", make sure the box next to Usernames and passwords on forms is checked, and that the box next to Prompt me to save passwords is checked.
• Click OK, close and open a new Internet Explorer session, and log on to WCRS staff view.

When you type in your OCLC authorization and password, your browser should now prompt you to remember it. The next time you log on and start to type the first part of your authorization, a mini drop down menu will appear and allow you to select your saved authorization.