Lister Hill Letter
Newsletter of the Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences at UAB

March/April 2000

VIRTUAL DESKTOP

Lister Hill Library has debuted its new Virtual Desktop, a central point of access to the library's computer-based resources, at http://www.lhl.uab.edu.   Now you can reach a variety of applications from any computer using a Web browser and your UAB ID number.  In addition to web-based resources such as OVID, the Virtual Desktop provides access to other applications such as Computer Select, Scientific American Medicine and Atlas of Human Anatomy which were previously available only in the library.

The use of your UAB ID number makes it possible, for the first time, to access resources from non-UAB computers.  The new site uses MetaFrame software to run programs on the library's server, while allowing printing and saving at your own workstation.  A list of frequently-asked questions about the Virtual Desktop and the MetaFrame software is available at http://www.lhl.uab.edu/faq.html.  It is a good idea to read over the FAQ before you access the Virtual Desktop for the first time, as some configuration is necessary.  If you are using a fairly new version of Netscape or Internet Explorer, the software needed is downloaded automatically.  If you are accessing the system over a modem, the first time you run an application, it may take a few minutes to load.   You may ask questions of a librarian or send comments to the library from links on the site.

Beginning February 1st, users of OVID Web were directed to the Virtual Desktop to search OVID.  In the past, OVID Web access has been controlled with departmental login IDs and passwords.  However, this method is not optimal due to management, statistical, and security issues.  You will no longer need a departmental login and password to search OVID Web.  Any searches you save will be available through the Virtual Desktop access, grouped by department as they are now.  We can move any searches you have saved under your departmental login to your new account if you provide us with the following information:

* departmental login ID
* UAB ID number
* names of saved searches

A web-based form for submitting this information is available at http://www.lhl.uab.edu/sdimail.html.
Departmental passwords will still be in place to be used with applications such as the OVID Windows and telnet versions.
Prior to availability of the Virtual Desktop, compliance with licensing was provided through IP restriction, which limits use of many resources to computers on the UAB campus.  If you have any questions about OVID Web or the Virtual Desktop, please contact the library at 934-2230.