Installs/Updates

We need to install these updates on all staff computers:

• IE 8 (software folder on Ydrive)
• Roxio (Y drive folder)
• Itunes (update on Y drive if already installed on local machine)
• Java (control panel)
• Google Earth (under Help menu, if already installed)
• Firefox (under Help menu if already installed)
• After installs, go to Start/Accessories/System Tools/Scheduled Tasks.  Delete Scheduled Tasks.

Ricoh scanning problem

The scanner function isn't working on either public copier.  The machines will not savefiles to a flash drive.  I've called for service; confirmation #'s are 8258584 and 8258600.  I also need to call 866-239-8494 to set up an account with Ricoh Direct Online.

Internet speed

Since several staff members and patrons reported a noticable slowdown in internet speed (and I experienced this myself), I submitted a helpstar.  Tony Wagner called about it this morning, but of course we could not reproduce the problem during the phone call.  Now, however, there's an independent means of testing web speed.  Just go to this website: http://speedtest.net/

Meanwhile, I had Susan empty her browser history and temp files, in the hope that this little measure will help with her web speed.

What it means when there's a spooler problem

Shawn reported a printing problem in the Childrens dept. this afternoon.  She had first jiggled all the cables attached to the printer and made an effort to resolve the problem herself.  However, there was a error message about the print spooler that appeared on the screen.  (A print spooler is software that temporarily stores print jobs on the computer hard disk or in memory until the printer is ready to print them.)

In this case, the problem was the network cable running from the printer had been unfastened at the other end.  So, although Shawn had checked the cables connected to the printer,  it would have been hard for her to spot the actual problem at the little network hub in the middle of the computer tables.

So, a print spooler error is usually a network connection error in our computing environment.  It really helps to report these problems as soon as you can.  When we got the printer reconnected, it spewed out print jobs going back for several days!  Patrons don't always report printing problems.  But if they do, please let me know.