Night or Weekend Tech Troubles

We arrived this morning to a line of students and no way to print because Pharos had a problem with JCard authentication.  We found out by talking with  Clarkston that the problem began over the weekend.  So sorry you had to cope with that.  Clarkston uses a tech trouble log to communicate all the computer/printer/copier trouble, but we'd rather opt for direct communication. When such trouble arises on the weekend or in the evening, please send email to Tamika, Carmel and Pat so that one of us can deal with it ASAP the next morning.  Please also remember that in an emergency, you can allow students to use the classroom as long as a librarian is in there at the podium to supervise.

Printing A-OK and Superstitious Behavior

My superstitious post from yesterday worked.  All is well for Dunwoody student printing, thanks (in reality) to Aviva's persistence and Neil's computer skills!

Beth Welch and I got curious about the origins of superstitious behavior like knocking on wood, crossing fingers, etc.  Turns out there are many theories about knocking on wood.  One is that in the children's game of tag, a tree is often designated "home" or a "safe" place.  Another possible origin has Biblical roots, equating wood with the cross.  A third idea is that in even more ancient times folks knocked on trees to ask the help of the spirits they believed dwelled within. (Hendrickson, Robert. Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins, Fourth Edition, New York: Fact on File. 2008, 480-81)

The origin of "keep your fingers crossed" is also not definitive, but probably related to the "sign of the cross" as protection from evil or hope for success.  Some sources (Wikipedia) attribute it to a secret code of Christian identification during persecution.  Others suggest it began among African Americans in the 17th century. Tradition indicates that little fibbers also think that crossed fingers make a lie "not count." (Hendrickson, 471).

Isn't being a reference librarian fun? 

Printing...Argh!

No doubt you're aware of our printing woes.  Both printers on the main floor are dysfunctional. One has been out for over 3 weeks.  Because this is a prime time of semester for printing, the students are understandably confused and anxious when they can't print in their customary way.

They don't know there is a printer downstairs that networks to all the computers on campus.  Many don't know there even is a downstairs in this building.  (No kidding.) They definitely do not know where room 1540 is. Thank you for being patient with them, reassuring them their work will be on the system downstairs, and showing them the revised maps of where to find the room.

This has been routine for those of you who have been on the desk in the last week.  I'm hoping that writing this post will (magically) make the repair parts arrive, and that I'll need to write an update later today.  :-) Seriously, we have no estimated date on the repair. Let's all keep our fingers crossed (though it's hard to type that way-LOL)

Printing with a Dunwoody Biz Card

Just FYI, I have had two students ask about printing with a Dunwoody Biz Card. These cards are issued temporarily while students are waiting for their Jcard. The students add money to the biz card, but the only place they can use the card for printing is in the ID office.

Too good to not pass along

There was a wonderful post on ProfHacker yesterday about how to improve your day with 4 easy tips.

 http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/four-simple-ways-to-improve-your-day/52551?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en

 I especially like the last one, though I think you can do it by any form of "making yourself big," ie. straighten up, lift your head, expand your chest.  (BTW, in my book we are all SUPER!)

(Picture Approved for Free Cultural Works from the Flickr stream of James Vaughn.)

GPC Forums

After working here for almost three years, I discovered something new--and potentially helpful to you and to our students.  The college hosts informal communication forums, some open to the public and some for GPC affiliates only. Check them out here: http://eapps.gpc.edu/elounge/

As would be expected the open forums are the most active.  (You must log in with your GPC credentials to see the restricted ones or to post to any of them.)  The most active seems to be a Book Exchange, where students can ask for and offer textbooks for sale.  Great idea, and one I'm happy to promote to you and to our students.  There is a small poster with tear-off tabs on the student information bulletin board for when students ask you if there's anyplace they can look for a price break on textbooks!

Trouble with GPC Databases

Hi Friends,

Because of a switch in IP range by OIT over the weekend, we have lost access to some of the databases provided by GPC.  Tech folk are trying to fix this, but it requires contacting vendors with new IP range info.  One of the affected databases is Ancient and Medieval History Online--just when we need it for the World History assignment.  Please remember that the students can use the Fordham University site to find Primary Documents and the print version of Milestone Documents in World History  in the Reference Collection as well as looking through other resources mentioned on this guide: http://guides.gpc.edu/content.php?pid=503657&sid=4144836

Sorry for the inconvenience.  Hopefully all will be well soon.

Pat