We here at the commission have already been in contact with the six libraries that are affected by this problem, but in the interest of full disclosure, and to have a full record of the project I’m also posting this information here.
Google Analytics (GA) is a Google service that will give you statistical reports of visits to your Web site. In order for this service to work with WordPress-based sites, a plugin must be installed to connect the site to a GA account. We’ve been offering this plugin for about a year now without any problems.
Recently we updated our installation of PHP, the programming language that WordPress relies on to run. That upgrade caused the GA plugin we were using to fail, and in at least one case, cause errors to appear on the library’s page. Of course, this happened not just over a weekend, but a weekend between my being out of the state and then being sick for two days.
At this point, the only solution has been to disable the GA plugin that we were using. The next step will be to find a new one and test it before rolling it back out to participating sites. In the mean time, those of you that were using GA will receive reports of zero visits. There is nothing you need to do to your GA account. Just leave it as is.
Please accept my apologies for this and know that I’m working on it and hope to have something tested and ready to use ASAP.
If you’re getting comments from your patrons about certain books not being available in electronic format you could possibly use this video on your site to start a conversation, and get your patrons involved. Be sure to include a link to http://ebooksforlibraries.com/ along with the video for easy patron participation.
ILoveLibraries.org from ALA has a database of quotes about libraries from contemporary authors to historical figures. Search by keyword and/or quoted person over at www.libraryquotes.org. If you’re looking for an idea for a blog post how about picking a great quote to post?
Today I get the pleasure of announcing what is most likely out largest participant going live: North Platte Public Library. Please take a moment to visit their site and welcome them to the project. Be sure to refresh the home page a few times and take a look at the set of randomized custom banners they’re using at the top of their pages to promote the library’s various programs and service populations.
It has come to my attention that part of the Nebraska Library Commissions computer security protocols could have a serious effect on someone’s ability to access sites hosted as part of the Nebraska Libraries on the Web project. Here is the official statement from our computer team who handles security:
The Internet presence of and online services offered by the Nebraska Library Commission continue to expand. In order to safeguard its computer equipment, network, and data from misuse, the agency blocks inbound access from ranges of IP addresses that have been the source of repeated malicious activity. The practical effect of this process over many years is that a large portion of the IP address space outside North America is blocked. Users in those areas are unable to view webpages and sites hosted on Nebraska Library Commission servers. This includes all libraries.ne.gov sites.
So far, this has not been a known problem for any of our participating libraries but in the interest of full disclosure, I wanted to make sure that you were all aware of this issue. I apologize to anyone who wish they’d known this prior to setting up their site with us. If because of this you wish to move your site to another server/service we’ll do what we can to help assist you with that process.
This information has been added to the Want to the Participate page so as to alert any new libraries wishing to join the program.
If you have any questions about this please feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to provide what answers I can.
It appears that a server patch done over the weekend caused the required \tmp folder to disappear. Two libraries reported they were unable to upload images to their blog. The folder was manually recreated, and everything works again.
If you do have continued problems with this issue please let me know ASAP.
Over the weekend two libraries reported that they’re receiving an error when they’re trying to upload content to the media library. The error looks something like this:
Warning: touch() [function.touch]: Unable to create file /tmp/dr.tmp because No such file or directory in D:\Inetpub_WPNElibraries\wp-admin\includes\file.php on line 177
Dismiss“dr. seuss.gif” has failed to upload due to an error
The uploaded file could not be moved to D:\Inetpub_WPNElibraries/wp-content/blogs.dir/46/files/2012/02.
At this point I can confirm that you’re not doing anything wrong and that it’s a problem with our servers. We’re looking into it and will report additional information as it becomes available.
Cindee Wagner of the Culbertson Library took the opportunity to tell the local paper about not only their new computers of also of their new Web site. How are you getting the word out?
We here at the commission have already been in contact with the six libraries that are affected by this problem, but in the interest of full disclosure, and to have a full record of the project I’m also posting this information here.
