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Off-Campus Access FAQ

• What browsers can be used with the proxy server?
  • PCs: the proxy server can be used with Netscape, version 4.x or version 7.x; Internet Explorer, version 5.x and higher; Firefox or Mozilla.
  • Macs: requires Netscape 4.x or higher; Safari or Firefox.
  
  
• How does the proxy server provide access to other Web sites?

  The library must sign a license agreement for some of the electronic resources it subscribes to, such as the database Anthropological Literature or the electronic journal American Jewish History. These license agreements include a clause that requires us to limit access to these resources to current students, faculty and staff. The proxy server gives us the ability to authenticate, or verify, a user as a current student, faculty, or staff.
  

  Access to these types of resources are usually controlled by IP address. All computers on the UO campus share a common IP address, 128.223.x.x. The x's are more specific addresses on the Internet, getting to a specific computer rather than a network address for a building. .uoregon.edu is equivalent to 128.223.x.x. After you ID yourself, the proxy server sends your request to the remote site showing the address of the proxy server itself, which has a UO IP address. The database or electronic journal sees the UO IP address, processes your request for information, and passes the information back to you through the proxy server.
  

  In setting up the proxy server, the library specifies a list of URLs which require authentication. If you try to contact a URL which is in our list, you will be asked to identify yourself. If you try to contact a URL which is not in our list, such as www.yahoo.com, you are able to connect directly.

  
  
• Will I need to re-enter my name and university ID every time I connect to a database or electronic journal? 

  The proxy server can remember an ID for 10 minutes. It sets a ten-minute timer when the connection is initialized. This timer is set back to ten minutes whenever you request data from the remote server. As long as you continue to request data within each ten-minute timeout period, the proxy server will not ask for reverification.
  

  For example, if you connect to WorldCat, for example, through the proxy server, you will need to ID yourself. If after searching in WorldCat, you decide to connect to PsycINFO, you will be automatically connected when clicking on the PsycINFO lin, if less than 10 minutes has passed sinced you connected to WorldCat. If more than 10 minutes have passed since you last sent a request to WorldCat, you will be asked to ID yourself when you select the PsycINFO link.

  
  
• Are there time limits on a connection to a database through the proxy server?

  No. Once you are connected to a database or electronic journal, you can do searches, read abstracts or articles for as long as you need as long as you do not leave the electronic resources's Web site. If you leave the database and more than 10 minutes have elapased, you will need to ID yourself again. Some databases, such as those offered through the FirstSearch interface, i.e., WorldCat, have a timeout in the search software. This timeout is not related to use of the proxy server.

  
  
• Where can I get help configuring my browser to use the proxy server?

  For help using the proxy server, try our Need Help? Web page. You can also send an email message to libsys@uoregon.edu. Email messages are answered within one working day, Monday - Friday. Assistance is also available by calling the Reference Desk at 541/346-1818 .

  
  
• I'm trying to access library resources from a computer at work. Why won't the browser accept the proxy server configuration?

  Some company networks may already have a proxy server in place to restrict Internet access or may have a firewall in place for security purposes. In these cases, you may not be able to configure your browser to use the library's proxy server. Check with your company's technical support staff to see if they can allow you access to the library's proxy server.

  
  
• Why can't I use the proxy server with AOL?

  The library's proxy server will work with full versions of current browsers. However, the AOL browser is a limited version of Internet Explorer which will not allow you to modify your proxy settings. If you use AOL as your Internet Service Provider, you can install another browser, such as Netscape, for use when connected to AOL. This will allow you to use the library's proxy server.

  
  
• My username and UO ID aren't working. Who do I contact?

  If you get an error message after entering your name and university ID, such as "Sorry, cannot locate patron record", contact library circulation staff at 541/346-3065 or by sending an email message to the Checkout staff. They can check your patron record and resolve any problems.

  
  
• Do I need to use the proxy server whenever I'm connected to the Internet?

  You only need to use the proxy server when you are using licensed library resources, such as databases and electronic journals. To improve browser performance and insure optimum response time, you may want to set your browser back to direct Internet connection when you are not attempting to access the library's electronic journals and databases.

  
  
• Why do I need to use Javascript and accept cookies for the proxy server?

  The software running the library's proxy server requires that browsers be Javascript enabled and be set to accept all cookies. If you prefer not to use Javascript or not to accept cookies, these preferences can be turned on only when you need to use the proxy server.

  
  
• With cookies, is the library tracking the research that I do?

  NO, cookies are used only to remember who you are so that you can be connected to another resource if you make the request in less than 10 minutes.

  
  
• When I use your proxy server, are you recording a log of my web accesses?

  No, the library's proxy server provides statistics on the number of times a URL has been selected. It does not record the links selected by an individual patron. Thus we will know that in the second week of April, Academic Universe was selected for authentication x times, but we do not know which of our patrons selected the Academic Universe link or what topics were researched.