Happy New Year Everyone!

Bob the Ikon Man! Again...he just told me that the paper in the printer stations (Library side) must not be loaded past this blue line...if you open the drawer, look on the left...you'll see these 3 arrows...and a line...load the paper just under that line.

BETTER LESS THAN MORE WHEN LOADING THE PRINTER STATIONS WITH PAPER.

When a computer breaks down...

Please fill out an out-of-order sign and tape it onto the monitor; fill it out completely with what's wrong with the computer, date, and your name (these can be found in the file cabinet). Let your supervisor know so that it can be properly reported. The people who fix these computers would like to know exactly what was happening when the computer broke down (if possible). This helps them in repairing the computer...so ask the user what they were doing at the time the computer malfunctioned.

Thanks.

Are you the recipient of complaints, comments, suggestions and more from people who use the LC? Do folks try to vent their frustrations on you???!!!!

Then direct them to the LC page http://www.umass.edu/learningcommons/ where they can express themselves by submitting feedback. I know for a fact that someone does read these comments. These comments are taken into serious consideration in the development of the LC policies.

Good luck on your exams!

Bob the Ikon Man!

Said that when loading paper into any of the copiers/printers, to not overload them as this causes problems. Leave some space at the top of the bin and this will ensure smoother copying.

Addendum: Did you you know?? It makes a difference which side of the paper faces up in the paper bin...when opening a new ream, the side facing up towards the seam of the wrapper is the side that should face up in the bin...there's an illustration on the package. Sounds pointless but Bob says that it will ensure less misfeeds.

Change is here...

We are experiencing policy changes so please read list:

• Food will now be allowed in the LC. Beverages must be in spillproof containers and, get this, they must be non-alchoholic! We will encourage users to clean up after themselves and a campaign is in the making to get people educated about keeping the LC clean.
• During peak periods, please assist users in finding empty computers.
• Mary, our troublesome patron, has been banned for two years from the library. If you see her (some of us never have), call the building monitor.
• Office vending machine: do not put an out-of-order sign on this machine unless the whole thing goes down. Please do put a note on it designating what isn't working.
• Enforce the clothing policy which is that shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.
• Please clean the dry erase boards and all of the table tops once each shift. While roving, look for spills and clean as needed. It's okay to encourage users who are eating messy food to clean up.
• Under no circumstances are we to hand out ethernet cables. The ethernet cables that we have are for the printers, copiers, or workstations. OIT also does not hand out ethernet cables.
• Students from other schools cannot use our wireless network.
• If a machine goes down, please check the power and ethernet cables. We should have 3 extra ethernet cables. As stated above, do not give these out.
• Don't worry, be happy.

Microsoft Word switching and staying set to a foreign language....

This happens a lot! Maybe you already know how to fix this...but anyway, look for an "en" at the bottom of the screen and click on it...then set it back to English. If that doesn't work, do a control-a and then click the "en" and set the language to English. That seems to do the trick...or if anyone has another way, please comment here.

Ammendment: do alt-shift and keep cycling through the languages to get to english.

Personal documents on the LC desk computers...

Starting in January you will no longer be able to save your documents to the LC desk computers. If you have stuff on them now that is important to you, please be sure to get it before you leave...

Thanks!

SNOW DAY TOMORROW!



Just kidding! But if it ever is a snow day, how would you know? You'd call
545-3630 which is the UMass snow hotline...or they post it on the
UMass home page.

Even if a snow day is declared, it's still possible that if you are scheduled to work at midnight, you would need to report to work (as the snow day is declared only up to midnight; after midnight, it's a new day).

Library/Systems computers to the left of the LC desk:

According to Alan K. of systems, many problems experienced with these computers can be resolved by restarting them. We resolved a printing issue (computer wouldn't print) by doing this today. Alan said that these computers have special software on them that eradicates bad stuff when they are shut down and restarted. So, if all else fails, restart.

Escort Service-Not What You Think!

Jim Meade, manager of Residence Hall Security, recently made this announcement:

"I want to confirm that my student staff WILL be available until 3:00 AM, 7 nights a week until December 21 to walk people home from the library. The student will probably be available right at the Learning Commons to reduce the response time. If the escort isn't immediately present, service will be dispatched by calling 545-2123. If you have any questions, fell free to contact me."

Jim Meade can be reached at 545-3959.

It's almost over....

Good luck to all of you in finishing up this semester. The LC is going to be kind of crazy for the next two weeks; we'll all try to get through it the best we can. We know that you are all stressed and need to do your school stuff; just remember, it's your responsibility to do your shifts, or get someone else to do your time for you. We are all doing our best to fill empty shifts; supervisors are working extra uncovered hours (some are working really long hours and so won't be able to take on much more). Try to be considerate of all of us and not leave us with no coverage. Thanks a bunch! You're all doing great! Before you know it, you'll be home and with your families, and this will all be just a bad dream...

Logging in at LC desk

Please refrain from logging in using the Refdesk login...systems has been reporting numerous problems regarding this (something having to do with "exploding profiles"; I kid you not) so please use the techdesk login. Unfortunately, starting in January, the LC desk computers will be configured back to their original settings. This means that bookmarks, documents, etc. will not be saved upon logging off. This decision is so that we will not continue to have this "exploding profile" problem. Systems has enough to deal with already....

Calipari Room

As the schedule allows, we will be opening up the Calipari room as much as possible. Even though we have signs telling students that it's open, they still need to be reminded. So if you see long lines it's okay to walk back to Calipari, check to see if there are open computers, and then tell the waiting folks if there are open ones.

Best Seller! Do not miss this one!

It's easy to forget about the Learning Commons Desk Manual...but don't! It's still the most definitive and enlightening read today! It contains the famous Clipboard Messages as well as opening/closing procedures, contact information, and much, much more! Who says that everything is on the web??!!

New vending machine!


If anyone has problems with this machine, please notify Terry Warner right away (or her backup Sheryl Crowe). They are still trying to get the "bugs" out. The man responsible for the machine will come right over to fix it. If a person can't wait for a refund, take down their information so their money can be refunded to them. Did you know that the University Store is responsible for this machine?

Do you know which computers are the library systems folks' responsibility, and which are taken care of by OIT? OIT computers are all of the ones on the Northeast side of the library, in the Calipari room, and all the ones in the back of the courtyard. Library systems takes care of the computers between the ref desk and the LC desk along with the attached printers.

Welcome. Please check this blog each shift for the latest news regarding the Learning Commons.