Before you start...

...make sure you have the following:

• An active library (barcode) number: It is on your Kettering picture Id on the bottom under the barcode you need to enter the whole 14 digits.  If you do not have a picture Id or know your whole 14 digit number please contact the library at 810-762-9598 or 810-762-7814.
• An up-to-date Internet browser: Internet Explorer (IE) version 5.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox, or Netscape (version 5 or higher)
• The computer clock showing the correct local time.
• Personal firewall or internet security settings changed or these services disabled (if you have them)
• The RealDownload program uninstalled (if you have it)

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Computer & browser settings

Enable JavaScript and cookies

• Internet Explorer 5.x: Tools -- Internet Options -- Security -- Custom Level -- Cookies -- Enable (both categories) -- Scripting -- Enable (all 3 categories) -- OK.
• Internet Explorer 6.x: Tools -- Internet Options -- Privacy -- Under "Move slide to select a privacy setting for the Internet Zone", move slider to the Medium High position: 3rd position from the top -- Security Tab -- Custom Level -- Scroll down until you get to Scripting -- Enable (all 3 categories) -- OK -- OK
• Mozilla Firefox 1.0.x: By default, cookies are accepted in Mozilla Firefox. Enable JavaScript: Tools -- Options -- Web Features -- check the Enable JavaScript option -- OK.
• Netscape 5.x: Edit -- Preferences -- Advanced -- Allow cookies -- OK.
• Netscape 6.x - 7.2: Enable cookies:Edit -- Preferences -- Privacy and Security -- Cookies -- Enable All Cookies -- OK.Enable JavaScript: Edit -- Preferences -- Advanced -- Check the Navigator box and select other options as needed.
• Netscape 8: Enable cookies: Tools -- Options -- Privacy -- Site Controls -- under Master Settings, select I trust this site. For specific sites (listed), you can uncheck the Allow cookies option. Enable JavaScript: Tools -- Options -- Site Controls -- Web Features -- check the Enable JavaScript / VBScript option -- OK.

In order to set your browser not to accept cookies, enable before and disable after using the resources.

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Cache setting

• Internet Explorer: Tools -- Internet Options -- Temporary Internet Files -- Settings -- Check for the newer version of pages -- Select "Every visit to the page" -- OK -- OK.
• Mozilla Firefox 1.0.x: Tools -- Options -- Cache (no comparable options).
• Netscape 6.x - 7.2: Edit -- Preferences -- Advanced -- Cache --   Compare the page in the Cache to the page on Network --   Select “Every time I view the page” -- OK.
• Netscape 8: Tools -- Options -- Privacy -- Cache -- check the Clear Cache on browser exit.

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Clear cookies and delete temporary Internet files (cache)

• IE 6.x: Tools -- Internet Options -- Temporary Internet Files -- Delete Cookies AND also Delete Files -- OK
• IE 6.x (alternate method): Tools -- Internet Options -- Temporary Internet Files -- Settings -- View Files -- Edit (from the menu bar) -- Select All (or Ctrl+A) -- Press Delete Key on your keyboard.
• Mozilla Firefox 1.0.x: Tools -- Options -- Privacy -- Cookies -- Clear -- Scroll down to Cache -- Clear.
• Netscape 6.x - 7.2: Clear Cookies: Edit -- Preferences -- Privacy and Security -- Cookies -- View Stored Cookies -- Remove All Cookies -- OK. Clear Cache: Edit -- Preferences -- Advanced -- Cache -- click the Clear Cache button.
• Netscape 8: Tools -- Options -- Privacy -- Cookies -- Clear -- Scroll down to Cache -- Clear.
• Windows Explorer or Desktop (clear cache and cookies in one step): My Computer -- Local Disk (C) -- Documents and Settings -- [Owner] -- Local Settings -- Temporary Internet Files -- Edit (from the menu bar) -- Select All (or Ctrl+A) -- Press Delete Key on your keyboard.

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Pop-up blocker settings

The firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 2 provides additional security without interfering with the databases. Changing some of the browser settings, however, may be necessary. The firewall is part of the latest update, which is free to download from theMicrosoft Windows Update Web site. (From the Windows Desktop: START -- Windows Update)

• Internet Explorer: Tools -- Internet Option -- Privacy -- Slider to Medium High -- Check Block pop-ups -- Settings --Address of Web sites to allow -- type kettering.edu -- Add -- type falcon.edu -- Add -- Filter level -- set to Medium: Block most automatic pop-ups -- Close.
• Mozilla Firefox 1.0.x: Tools -- Options -- Web Features -- Check the Block Popup Windows option -- Allowed Sites -- -- type kettering.edu -- Allow -- type falcon.edu -- Allow -- OK.
• Netscape 6.x - 7.2: Edit -- Preferences -- Privacy & Security -- Popup Windows -- Check Block unrequested popup windows -- Allowed Sites -- Allow popups from the following web sites -- type kettering.edu -- Add -- typefalcon.edu -- Add -- Close.
• Netscape 8: Tools -- Options -- Site Control -- under Web Features uncheck the Allow unrequested pop-up windowsoption if checked -- check the option to Open requested pop-ups in new tab. Add sites by opening the desired web page (e.g., www.kettering.edu) in your browser -- click on the Site Contol icon in the tab area -- check the I trust this siteoption -- click the Advanced tab -- select pop-up blocker and other options for this site only -- repeat these steps for the sites listed below.

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Security Settings

These instructions are for more commonly used Norton (Symantec) products. Instructions for other software may be similar.

• Norton Personal Firewall: Norton Personal Firewall -- Open -- Options -- Personal Firewall -- Advanced Options -- Web -- Add Site -- add sites one by one (see the list below) -- set Cookies and Referrer (under Browsing Privacy) to Permit as a default rule for the www.kettering.edu and www.falcon.edu domains -- OK -- OK.
• Norton Internet Security: Norton Internet Security -- Status and Settings -- Privacy Control -- Configure -- Advanced -- Add Site -- add sites one by one (see the list below) -- OK -- Global Settings -- uncheck the default settings -- selectPermit in all 5 areas -- OK.

Sites to be added:

www.kettering.edu
proquest.umi.com
newfirstsearch.oclc.org
www.gale.com
rpa.falcon.edu
ezproxy.falcon.edu

Some programs allow adding domains (e.g., kettering.edu) for a range of websites instead of specific URLs. This list is subject to change.

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During a database session...

• The Online Resources page opens in a new window and remains open in the background throughout your session. Closing this window will end your session in all the open databases.
• Each database opens in a separate window. This is to help you search multiple databases simultaneously. Some will log you out after long periods of inactivity.
• End individual database sessions: Instructions like EXIT, Return to Kettering Library, Library Home, Kettering Library or Log off mean that the selected database sessions MUST be ended properly. When a session is not ended properly, you may have problems the next time you want to search the same database. 
• The all-important "FINISHED" button: The Online Resources page will remain open until you click Finished to close the session. This also means that your barcode will stay authenticated until you click Finished here. Without ending your authentication, you will experience future access problems if you close this window during a session.
• DO NOT bookmark the database link pages. The databases cannot be accessed directly. You have to be an authorized Kettering user for every session of your access. always start from the RPA page,  type your barcode number, and access the databases.
• AOL browser users: Use Netscape or Internet Explorer (versions 5 or later). Netscape, Internet Explorer, or Mozilla Firefox.  Connect using your AOL account, minimize the browser, and open Netscape, Internet Explorer, or Mozilla Firefox to access the databases.
  
• Download programs:
  -- RealDownload program seems to create problems with the Online Resources access.
  -- SmartDownload works okay. After downloading SmartDownload, the first time when you access the resources you would be suggested to download the "webauth.exe" file. OK to "save". Select Kettering University from the list of libraries, enter your barcode, and login.
• Setting the clock in your computer to show the correct local time is very important, since this determines how long the cookies stay alive. Use the World Clock to determine your time zone and local time.
• FirstSearch will give you an alert message after a long period of inactivity. If the session ends abruptly Do Not Attempt To Restart. Open the window with the Online Resources page- remember, this is still open - and click the FirstSearch link to start a new session.

Myths and realities

Myth:

Online Resources are available 24/7/365

Reality:

Not completely true. There are some downtimes: software upgrade, server maintenance, server backup, server outage. For example, the PALnet server runs a backup Sundays 2am-3am EST. Resources will NOT be available at that time.

Myth:

Reality:

Not always. Publishers, authors, and copyright laws may restrict full-text availability of electronic articles.

Myth:

Reality:

You have access only if you're a current student.

Myth:

Reality:

Technically yes. But you may not be able to access these sites from your workplace because of their firewall.

Error messages, problems, questions, answers, and solutions

If you have any comments or questions please contact the Library at 810-762-9598 or send an email to library@kettering.edu.