Linked Open Data - Learn more about it

Have you heard about linked open data (LOD), but are really not sure about what it is?  Do you want to know more about LOD and the implications for libraries and library users?  The new issue of NISO's publication ISQ: Information Standards Quarterly is devoted to LOD. There are articles about linked data vocabulary, creating user interfaces that leverage LOD, and the state of affairs for LOD-LAM (linked open data in libraries, archives, and museums).

You can access the issue at http://www.niso.org/apps/group_public/download.php/9422/isqv24no2-3.pdf

Embrace LOD!

UK Mobile

Great news!  The newest version of the UK Mobile app now includes a library component that points to the Libraries' mobile site!  This gives mobile users access to high-use web pages within our site, and a mobile version of the catalog.  If you use the UK Mobile app, make sure you are running the most recent version.  Tell your friends!

Online Security with Michael Carr

Michael Carr, UK's Chief Information Security Officer, spoke to a group of about 30 UK Libraries faculty and staff this week about online security.  The presentation and discussion covered everything from protecting your computer from technology threats such as viruses to protecting yourself from identity theft.  A few helpful tips:

• Don't send sensitive information like SSNs and passwords via email.
• Think before you click - even if an email is apparently from someone you know.  If the email content is unexpected (why is Susie sending me a Viagra ad?), your friend's account may have been hacked!
• If someone comes to your Library with a USA PATRIOT Act request, contact your supervisor before complying.  The University can help you make sure the request is legitimate.
• Keep your computer patched and up-to-date to protect yourself from new threats.  (Here in the Libraries, Desktop Support does this for you.  That's the reason we ask that you not install updates on your own, so that we can use our system to keep all our machines on schedule.)
• See AnnualCreditReport.com to get a (really!) free annual credit report from all three agencies. Question anything in the report that doesn't look right.
• See download.uky.edu to get virus protection and other software for your home computer.  You can also download the VPN client now required for Remote Desktop access to your work computer.  Also run the VPN whenever you're working from an open wireless network, like a coffee shop or airport, for added protection!

Please comment on this post to add more tips you learned from this session (or anyplace else)!  For more information and online safety tips, see the CISO's "Security Matters" page.  Also contact Beth if you want additional copies of the handouts Michael provided on Identity Theft and other topics, or if you have feedback about this session.  Thanks to Michael and to everyone who attended!

SSL Certificates

SSL is a security technology for transmitting sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers.  Some of the systems we use in UK Libraries, e.g., EZProxy, take advantage of SSL.  Part of the SSL process includes a certification, which is periodically renewed.  If a certification has changed, you may see a warning message like this:

Depending on your browser, the message may say something like "Connection is untrusted" or "There's a problem with the website's security" or "Certificate is expired" and the error message will include the site URL, e.g., ezproxy.uky.edu.  If you recognize the URL, as you would with EZProxy, you can click through the error message and temporarily ignore the error.  But you'll continue to see this error each time you access the site.

There are steps you can take to update your browser so it recognizes the new certificate.  NC State Libraries have provided a helpful page with information on the steps to take to update a variety of browsers.  Follow the steps provided for your browser to update with the new ipsCA certificate.

Dropbox and Roaming Profiles

A few UK Libraries users have had trouble recently related to Dropbox, a free application you can use to store files in the "cloud" so can have access yourself from your own devices (work computer, home computer, laptop, smartphone, etc...) and so you can share files easily with others.  Some users who have the Dropbox client installed on work machines have had error messages indicating a problem with their roaming profile. This can disrupt syncing with our server, meaning some of your settings or files may not be backed-up.  So definitely a problem that needs to be addressed!

The problem seems to be related to installation of the Dropbox client.  If you use Dropbox via the web only, you don't need to read further - you should be fine.  But if you have installed the client, you need to make sure that the local Dropbox folder is located on your C:\ drive and not in your My Documents.  As we all know, anything on your C drive is not included in the sync process.  (So any files you create there need to be backed up by you manually!)

Here are the steps for viewing and changing (if necessary) the location of your local Dropbox folder:

1. Right-click on the Dropbox icon in your system tray (lower right)
   
   
2. Choose "Preferences" from the menu
   
   
3. Click on the "Advanced" tab and make sure your folder location doesn't start with C:\users\yourprofilename: 
   
   
   
   
4. Click the Move button if you need to move the folder.  A new folder named "Dropbox" will be created in the folder you select, and all your existing content will be moved to the new location.