Until now free internet access to the US Library Services’ subscription based electronic resources were managed by a setting in users’ browsers.

This setting, known as the PAC file, consists of a list of the electronic resources the library provides free internet access to. It mainly consists of agent and subscription e-resources, although, in some cases, exceptions were made to make subject specific resources available for free. Due to the ongoing decrease in internet costs this privilege will be suspended from 1 July 2012.

Due to the increase of e-resources on the internet, as well as the recent upgrade of the campus firewall and SANReN connection, the browser setting is no longer a practical method to gain access to free internet. In future free access to e-resources will only be available on the library’s website. Users can create new bookmarks from the Library’s e-database list  in their browsers if they still need access.

This new method is applicable to desktop computers, as well as laptops on and off campus. From July 2012 users no longer have to change the configuration of their browser on their laptops when they switch between working at home or the office.

Take note that you do need to use your Inetkey at all times for access to these free e-resources when working on the campus network.

These changes will be applicable from 1 July 2012.

Article supplied by Wouter Klapwijk, Information Technology, Library and Information Service

Tot op hede word gratis Internet toegang tot die US Biblioteekdiens se subskripsie gebaseerde elektroniese bronne deur ‘n verstelling in die gebruiker se webleser bewerkstellig.

Hierdie verstelling, bekend as die PAC lêer, bevat ‘n lys van al die elektroniese bronne waartoe die Biblioteekdiens gratis Internet toegang verskaf.  Dit behels hoofsaaklik agente- en subskripsie e-bronne, alhoewel daar in spesiale gevalle al aan departemente vergunning gegee was om ander vakspesifike e-bronne ook so gratis toeganklik te maak.  Weens die voortgesette afname in Internet kostes word hierdie vergunning vanaf 1 Julie 2012 gestaak.

Met die toename in e-bronne op die Internet, asook die onlangse opgradering van die kampus vuurmuur (“firewall”) en SANReN koppeling, is die webleser verstelling nie meer ‘n praktiese metode om gratis Internet toegang te bewerkstellig nie.  Voortaan sal gratis toegang tot e-bronne vir gebruikers slegs beskikbaar wees deur die Biblioteekdiens se webtuiste.  Gebruikers kan nuwe plekhouers (“bookmarks”) in hul weblesers skep vanaf die Biblioteek se e-databasis lys, indien hulle nog steeds op so ‘n wyse toegang wil verkry.

Hierdie reëling geld vir tafel- en skootrekenaars, hetsy op of af van kampus.  Gebruikers hoef dus van ingang Julie 2012 nie meer hul skootrekenaars se webleser konfigurasie te verander na mate hulle tussen die huis en kantooromgewing werk nie.

Die gebruik van Inetkey is egter ten alle tye nodig vir toegang tot die Biblioteekdiens se e-bronne vanaf die kampusnetwerk.

Hierdie verandering tree in werking vanaf 1 Julie 2012.

Artikel verskaf deur Wouter Klapwijk, Informasietegnologie, Biblioteek- en Inligtingsdienste