The Collier County Public Library has the facility to allow home computer users to dial into our catalog. Patrons can use their home computer to access the online catalog almost 24 hours a day.

System Settings: 2400 baud rate, data bits set to '8', parity set to 'none', stop bits set to '1' and use a VT-100 terminal emulation.

- -settings note: Most leading communication software packages will give you VT-100, but please note that many, although not all, of the software packages that come with your modems may not contain a 'true' VT-100 emulator. This means that your computer will not fully 'shake hands' or emulate the library computer. This can cause problems such as improper keyboard mapping, or it can even cause our computer to sever the connection if the Library computer does not recognize your computer as a VT-100.- -

Library System Background: the Library computer is a Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) VAX . This means that our computer's operation system is not the same as a PC or Mac.

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1. check to make sure your settings are correct: then command your modem to dial 263-8246.
2. when the library computer answers, Press Return and let our computer know that you are there. You may want to press return a few more times. There is a built-in 15-30 second wait for a response and pressing return once or twice ensures that our computer knows you are there.
3. after a short wait, a welcome screen appears. At the bottom of the screen it asks for Username> which is Public>, to be entered at the prompt.
4. another menu will open up to you at this point with numerous options available to you. Among these options are the "Online Catalog", which you can access in two ways -- via the standard method and via the "Information Gateway" which is a windows-like environment. Also available are various information options: "Library News", an electronic "Suggestion Box" and "Text Files with information on the Internet, Florida, etc.

To Log-off the System: Choose the 'logout" option from the main menu. Try to avoid disconnecting from the service while in the midst of any of the options. If you get stuck, try using the "Control" key combined with the letter *Z* (Control Z) or possibly ControlY or ControlC.

Troubleshooting:

• terminal emulation: Patrons have noted an error sometimes occurs which severs their connection with the message that they either have an unknown terminal type or that the terminal type they are using is invalid.
• MNP error checking: Error checking and data-compression, two of the features found in many of the newer modems, are hardware based protocols which are NOT supported by the VAX modems. You must turn MNP off (usually through a software switch). Feedback from users has shown us that you can usually turn off the MNP with a simple addition to your initialization string. Check your manual on how to do this as it varies from modem to modem.

You are the visitor since Rashaad Smith, a dedicated library employee, donated the use of his counter.

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