Password post

So much has changed that I thought I should do a fresh password post.

There are now 3 ways to get into library resources from off campus:

1. You can log into the library catalog and databases using the same login as MySCSU, eLearning Vista, and the campus lab computers. Please see the Password Reset form, or a OIT Service Desk for help with your network login.

1. Use the login boxes on the LEFT at http://www.consuls.org/patroninfo, the Login or My Record link in the CONSULS Library Catalog, or the databases login screen.
2. Enter your Network Username and Password (MySCSU/Vista login).
3. Be sure to pick the correct campus!
4. Click the Submit button.
5. Problems with your Network Login need to be directed to the IT Helpdesk.

Note: If you have recently reset your password, the new password may take some time to "migrate" to the library login. Please try your old password, or use the Library PIN or Remote access in the meanwhile.

If you mistype and need to try again, the campus choice will reset to Central. Be sure to choose the correct campus on each attempt.

2. You can also use your University ID number and Library PIN to login.

1. Create your Library PIN at http://www.consuls.org/patroninfo, the Login or My Record link in the CONSULS Library Catalog, or the databases login screen.
2. Enter your ID number in the login boxes on the RIGHT.
3. Leave the PIN box blank and click the Submit button.
4. If you have a current library account and you do not have a PIN, you should get a form to create a PIN.
5. Your Library PIN should be at least 6 characters long, and use numbers, letters, or both. The library PIN is not case sensitive. DO NOT use "special" characters, such as *, #, or ! DO NOT use repeating patterns (such as 121212 -- dates are sometimes a problem, Jan 1, 1999 = 010199, for instance). You will need to enter the exact PN in both boxes.
6. Click Submit.
7. If you get an error message about your PIN being "not complex" enough, try a different PIN. Remember, do not use "special characters" or repeating patterns.
8. If you get an error message about "invalid" or "expired" entries, you may already have a PIN (possibly created by accident) or your library account may be blocked. For "invalid" entries, try the "Forgot your PIN" link below the PIN box. That will send a message to the email we have on file. If you do not get an email, or get a different error message, call the Circulation Desk at 203-392-5756 to check the status of your account and/or to delete an old or accidentally created PIN.

Video tutorial on creating a Library PIN (Flash plugin required).

3. An alternative route into the databases from offcampus is available through the campus Remote server. You will still need to log into CONSULS to view e-reserves, and request and renew books.

1. Log on to https://remote.southernct.edu/ using your Network username and password.
2. In the upper right, type library.southernct.edu into the Browse box and click the Go button.
3. Go to the databases and search without having to log in again!

Note: You will not be able to follow any links that go outside the databases or campus website. For outside links, open a new window or tab in your browser and copy the URL's into this new window/tab.

Accessing the Remote server on campus may provide different options than off campus access.

Passwords

Welcome back everyone, and welcome to the annual password post!

Passwords have gotten simpler, but with a few twists. Last year, MySCSU (with Banner), Vista, and the general computer logon were synchronized to a "Network ID". You can also download software (like MS Office with Windows and Mac), from the SCSU Software Share site, and log onto the wireless campus network. For those off campus, this will also get you into https://remote.southernct.edu/ (network file access and services--some access and services are only available off campus), and your southernct.edu webspace (you can also access your web files via the remote site from off campus).

Twist #1: The new student email, Owls Mail, is on the Microsoft Live system. That password is currently separate, but will be synchronized in a few weeks. In the meanwhile, be sure to 1) use a separate, non-identical password, and 2) add a separate (non-SCSU) email to your account so that you can get your password changes if needed. Until the synchronization happens, SCSU IT won't be able to help you with your Owls password.

If you need to change your Network password, you can visit an IT Service Desk, or use the online form. More help is available by phone (203-392-5123) or email (helpdesk@southernct.edu). Don't forget to identify yourself as an online student if you can't come to campus.


Library access (online databases and resources, library record viewing, online renewal, intra-campus requests, & online reserves) is still via your ID number (70xxxxxx), and a separate library PIN/password. If you don't know your ID number, log into MySCSU and look for Account Information and View SCSU ID Number under Settings on the main MySCSU page. You can set or check your library access via the CONSULS login page. The 'Forgot your PIN?' link on this page will send a link to the email address we have on file, which is whatever is in Banner. If you have not changed your Banner info, it's possible we still have whatever email address you first registered with (i.e. a non-SCSU address). You can change this in the library system by logging in to the CONSULS Library Catalog and selecting the Modify Personal Info button on the right. Email is the only thing you can update online (though, of course, you have to be able to log in in the first place.) You can also call the Circulation Desk at 203-392-5756 to wipe out an old PIN, so that you can set a new one. They can also help you update your contact information. This will not update your email address in Banner, so you might want to check that in MySCSU (Settings, View email address(es)). More on setting/resetting your Library PIN.

Twist #2: The new ILL system uses your network ID and password to login. There also seems to be a lag in the synchronization here, so if you have recently updated your Network password and can't get into ILL, try your old password.

Twist #3: You can use the Browse function in https://remote.southernct.edu (offcampus only) to access the library databases. This makes it look like you are on campus, so the databases will let you right in. Some materials may not be available, since there restrictions on web access; but it's a good backup if you are having PIN problems.

That's all I have for passwords this semester.

Not exactly the annual password post

Whoohooo! It's finally happening. We are going to a much reduced password system, making my annual password post almost unnecessary.

On Feb 17 (next Wed.) the Windows network and MySCSU passwords will finally merge. Everything to do with SCSU, except the library, will be accessible via a single sign-on. (And even the library is partly accessible this way.)

Unfortunately, it looks like it is the Windows password that will be the "real" one as of 6am next Wednesday. According to the IT announcement: "If you don’t remember your Windows password, you should reset it before February 17." So if you have not logged onto a campus computer, or your remote files (including your campus webpages) recently, you might want to contact the Helpdesk at 203-392-5123 or helpdesk@southernct.edu before 2/17.

However, once you have this straight, you will be able to log into campus computers, MySCSU, Vista, your webspace and network files, Banner (via MySCSU) using the same username and password. You will still need your ID number and LibraryPIN to log into the CONSULS library catalog and the databases (aside from the remote login detailed at the link above.)

New way of logging into the databases

Hi folks, long time no write. Sorry about that. Things have been extraordinarily busy and a lot of things are changing at the library. Retirements, budget cuts, redistribution of resources and responsibilities...it's been a challenge and will continue to be so for a while yet.

But anyway, the real reason for this post is that we just discovered a new way of logging into our databases from off campus. Very quietly implemented and improved over the last year or so are Remote services (VPN) from IT. When you log into the Remote server, it acts as if you are logged into a campus computer, no matter were in the world you are. You can view your network files (including web pages), use some campus resources, and browse the campus website. (From on campus you see different options.)

You log in using your username (as with MySCSU & Vista) and your Windows/network password. The network password is only used on campus, so most distance students will not have one. If you don't have one, or haven't logged into a campus computer (including Remote) for over 3 months, go to the Helpdesk website (http://helpdesk.southernct.edu/) and choose Accounts and Email. Then choose Windows, and then Password Reset. Complete the form, then got to the Remote site, https://remote.southernct.edu/ (watch the 's' in https -- this is a secure site). Log in using your username and the password you just set. Once logged in, you can change your password to match your MySCSU/Vista password. (IT tells me they are working on a single signon, so this multiple password thing will shortly get better.)

Once you are logged in all the way, you should see a list of services and sites, and, up in the upper right, a box labeled Browse. In this box, enter the library's web address, library.southernct.edu and enter. You should see the library web site underneath a banner with Southern, a URL address bar, and a small toolbar. At this point, you can use the databases as if you were on campus, without having to use your ID and Library PIN. The one catch is that you can't leave the databases or the campus website. Any outside web links within the databases will be blocked. (You can, of course, copy them and open another browser window to use them.)

This is brand new to us, and we aren't quite sure of the full limits of the service. Please let me know if you have trouble. I tested this last night on a Mac with Firefox, and didn't have any trouble. This won't completely replace the Library PIN, which will still be needed for e-reserves, and if you are using a database with lots of outgoing links, logging in the PIN way will be much easier. But at least you now have an alternative.

Have fun, and I promise to try and post more often!

CONSULS outage

Sorry there hasn't been anything more interesting than outages here recently.

Wednesday, Nov 12 at 6:30AM (Eastern), CONSULS will be down for about half an hour for some maintenance work. The catalog, staff functions, and login to the databases will be down. I'm pretty sure if you are already in a database you will be fine, since the needed cookies will be set, but you won't be able to log into the databases during the outage. I'm not sure about switching from one database to another--I suspect that changing within a vendor would be fine, but maybe not between vendors. (I.e. you could switch from Academic Search Premier to ERIC, both on EBSCO, but maybe not to Library Literature, on FirstSearch.)

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Resetting your Library PIN

Fantastic news!

You can now reset your library PIN without having to call or visit the library. On the CONSULS login page is a link "Forgot your PIN?" just under the Submit button. Click that, and enter your ID number*. You will get an automated email at the email address in your account (whatever is in Banner, unless you've changed it with the library this semester. Library only changes to your address(es) get overwritten every semester when we get new data from the Registrar.) Follow the instructions in the email to change your PIN.

The link showed up this fall, after a software update to the catalog, but wasn't working for a while. Now it works. Yay!

*If you don't know what your ID number is, and can log into MySCSU, your ID number is under Account Information on the left of the main MySCSU screen.

IDs, and passwords, and phishing, oh, my!

Yep, it's the beginning of the semester, and time for the annual password post!

Not much has changed from last year. We still have 2 ID's: username (lastname-first initial-number, such as hedreenr1) and ID number (70XXXXXX). Your username is used for MySCSU and the campus network log on. The ID number is used for BannerWeb and the Library. Each application has it's own password, meaning that each ID has 2 passwords associated with it.

MySCSU: Username and 8+ character password using letters, numbers, "special characters", and/or capitalization. Passwords expire every 90 days. This username/password combination is also used for the Vista elearning system (Blackboard Vista). Password Reset Instructions (faculty and online students, call the helpdesk)
Network log on: Username and 8+ character password using letters, numbers, "special characters", and/or capitalization. Passwords expire every 90 days. Password Reset
BannerWeb: ID number and 6 character password (I think the Banner upgrade this summer now allows more than 6 characters.) Passwords were expiring every semester, but I didn't notice it this time. The Banner password reset form is gone from the helpdesk website, so call the helpdesk.
Library: ID number and 4+ character password, usually refered to as the Library PIN, using only number and/or letters, no "special characters". Passwords/PINs do not expire. Call or visit the Circulation Desk to delete forgotten PINs. More help.

I was wondering if something like this image would help?

And finally, we got some obnoxious phishing emails this summer--remember that IT will NEVER ask you for your ID's and/or passwords via email. If you get such an email, discard it immediately. If you are uncertain, contact the Helpdesk directly (NOT via any link in the email--go to http://helpdesk.southernct.edu/ ) and ask if there is a problem. They might ask you to forward the email to them.

Have a good semester, folks!

Spring Break and an online orientation

This week (Spring Break) I'm working from home to create an online orientation to the library for online students. If you need to get in touch with me, email is the best bet for this week.

The orientation will have video, audio, screencasts, text explanations, handouts, and a help chat. The basic outline so far is as follows:

1. Introduction to the Orientation (with video)
2. Your Library PIN/Password
3. Video of creating your Library PIN
4. Finding Reference materials for background information
5. Finding books
6. Finding journal articles
7. Other resources in the online library
8. Getting Help

I'm trying out Zoho Notebook as a platform. The ease of adding materials (video, text documents, etc.) is what drew me to it. It's also exportable as a website.

If anyone has some suggestions for things that I absolutely shouldn't leave out, please put them in the comments, or email me.

"Security Error" in library logins

The CSU system just implemented a security measure for CONSULS logins (electronic reserves, requesting books from the other campuses, etc.) When you log into CONSULS, you should now go to an https page, rather than a plain http page. Unfortunately, in most browsers this is now causing a "security error". The security certificate is registered to ctstateu.edu (like the databases) but the library catalog is consuls.org. The mismatch causes the error.

You can safely click Continue, or OK, or Yes, I want to proceed, or Accept, or whatever similar message you get. It's not a browser hijacking attempt or a phisher.

Depending on your browser you may get this every time you log into the CONSULS catalog. There is a similar security error when logging into Refworks--in that case, the Refworks company needs to update their website. It's also OK to Continue, Accept, Proceed, etc. into Refworks. Update 11/16/07: It helps when you actually read the security messages. (By the way, Firefox produces much better messages than IE7.) The problem is not Refworks' security update anymore, but something else. It may be something about our link or our network. In any case, you can definitely click through, and, with any luck, we'll figure this out and eliminate the problem completely. Thanks, Christine at Refworks, for getting back to me so quickly!

(I hate telling people to ignore the security messages they are getting from their browsers, but in these two cases it really is OK to proceed. Generally, do NOT proceed on other sites, especially ones that you don't know anything about. These security systems are in place for a reason and there is a lot of bad stuff out there. So speaks someone who used to help clean out people's computers after they visited certain websites. A few extra clicks is definitely better than reformatting your hard drive.)

If it's September, the topic must be: Passwords!

Welcome, newcomers, and welcome back, everyone else! It's the beginning of the academic year, so it's time for a reiteration of the Password Post.

We are down to 1 username, 1 ID number, and 4 passwords.

Your SCSU username is your last name, first initial, and a number. Mine is hedreenr1 (I'm the first R. Hedreen on campus). If you have a more common last name-first initial combination, the number may get quite a bit higher. There is a limit on the length, so if you have a long last name, your username may be truncated. You can look up your (or other people's) usernames in the MySCSU email search. The username is used as the beginning of your SCSU email address (username@southernct.edu), and for logging into campus computers, MySCSU (email, calendar, course sites, etc.), and the WebCT/Vista courseware.

Your SCSU ID number is 8 digits, starting with a 7, and is on your HootLoot ID card, plus most of the registration materials. Your ID number is used for logging into Banner (registration, grades, etc.) and the Library.

Your MySCSU password is used, with your username, to log into the MySCSU "portal", which contains your email, calendar, course sites, campus news and announcements, etc. You also use this username/password combination to log into the WebCT/Vista courseware. Your MySCSU password must be at least 8 characters long and contain numbers, letters (lower and upper case), and "special" characters like * or ! You will be prompted to choose a new password on a regular basis, but it doesn't expire if you don't log in for a while. Your MySCSU password can only be changed with the assistance of IT staff, preferably by visiting a campus computer lab. (FYI: It is possible to forward your campus mail to an outside email address. Only email is forwarded, not announcements or news.)

Your Windows or Network password is used, with your username, to log into the campus computer network, either via on-campus computers (such as the ones in the computer labs or the library), the wireless network accessible in most of the buildings on campus, or through the ResNet system in the dorms. You can also use it to access your network file space via the https://remote.southernct.edu/ site. Like the MySCSU password, your network password must be at least 8 characters long and contain numbers, letters (lower and upper case), and "special" characters. While the requirements are not exactly the same, you can usually use the same password for your MySCSU and network accounts. However, the network password does expire, so you may need to reset the password at the Windows Password Reset form available from the Helpdesk webpage.

Your Banner password is used, with your ID number, only for accessing the BannerWeb system for registration and grades. You can reset it on the Helpdesk webpage. You can also access Banner through the MySCSU portal, without having to log in separately.

The Library PIN/password is the last one. This is used, with your ID number, for accessing the library online systems and subscriptions, including the library databases from off campus, electronic reserves, and for requesting books from the other CSU campus libraries in the CONSULS library catalog. The Library PIN/password must be at least 6 characters long and can use numbers, letters (it's not case sensitive), or both. You cannot use "special" characters. You can set your PIN/password for the first time at the My Record screen in the CONSULS catalog. My Record is available on the right hand side of any CONSULS webpage. Your password will never expire, but you can change it after logging into the catalog, or by calling or visiting the Circulation desk in the library (203-392-5756). We can delete your password, allowing you to set a new one.

There are a few other passwords/usernames you may need to deal with. Refworks, the library's citation management software, requires you to set up an account, but you get to choose your username and password. Your SCSU username would be an obvious choice, but you will not have to change your Refworks password, so you may want something easier to remember than your MySCSU or network password (which you will have to change). Refworks uses a Group Code for off campus access (as well as your personal username and password). Your initial email confirmation will have the SCSU Group Code, or you can contact the Reference Desk (203-392-5732 or eref@southernct.edu).

A few of our databases have separate usernames and passwords. Contact the Reference Desk if you need access to one of these as indicated on the database list.

One final word on passwords: the Southern email system will be changing sometime in the next year. Your email address should not change, but it is possible that a new password will be required or that the requirements (length, etc.) will be different.

Enjoy the semester!

Passwords

Hi folks, it's the semi-annual password post!

Things are a little simpler on the password front this semester. OnlineCSU is gone, so all online courses are accessed through campus systems. That means one less set of credentials to worry about. Here is what we have left:

Usernames/ID's:
Southern username: your last name, first initial, and a number, your Southern username is used to log into MySCSU (email and courses), WebCT/Vista, and is your email name. You also use this for network access on campus computers. Mine is hedreenr1, as an example. As you can see, this is public information, being part of your email address, and can be searched at the MySCSU email search. This is also used to identify your campus web space, as in my campus home page, http://home.southernct.edu/~hedreenr1/.

Southern ID number: your campus ID number appears on your ID (HootLoot) card and is the number you use to log into Banner and the Library. DO NOT give this out to people, as it can allow access to all sorts of official information about you and your educational record.

Passwords (of course, don't give out your passwords):
MySCSU password: For MySCSU email and course sites, and the WebCT/Vista courseware. If you need to reset your password, you'll need to contact the HelpDesk. MySCSU passwords need to be at least 8 characters long and use a combination of lowercase or capital letters, numbers, and "special characters" like punctuation. MySCSU passwords expire every 90 days.

Windows/Network password: This is used only on campus, for logging into computers in the campus labs (Windows and Mac), accessing the wireless network, and the ResNet dorm network. You can reset it to a temporary password, then create a new password by logging on to a computer in a campus lab or the library. You can set your network password to match your MySCSU password, and they have the same requirements and expiration periods.

Library PIN: This is used only for library access, which includes databases from off campus, requesting books from the other CSU libraries, checking circulation records (fines, due dates, etc.), renewing books online, and viewing electronic reserves. Create or check your PIN by logging into CONSULS, the library catalog. If you can't log in, call the Circulation Desk at 203-392-5756 (or 888-500-SCSU, ext 25756), or contact me. Library PIN's should be at least 6 characters long and use numbers and/or letters, no "special characters" or capitalization. They do not expire. (You library account can expire, however, if you are not registered for classes when we receive updates from the registrar. Once you are updated in the system, you will still have the same PIN.) More info at the Off Campus Access page.


A final note: if you register for classes, on or off line, at one of the other CSU campuses, you will receive another set of campus usernames and passwords, including library access. The resources you have access to may be different, depending on which set of credentials you use.