Technical Help

If you review this information and it doesn't solve your problem, please contact Bartle Reference or the Science Information Services Desk for technical assistance, except where otherwise noted.

Please describe the problem in as much detail as possible and note what error message you are getting, if any.

Using Computers in the Libraries

How do I log on to a computer in the library?

Students should use their BU e-mail user ID (the part before the @ sign) and their POD password. You can use BUSI to verify your user ID and initial POD password. Please contact the Computing Services Help Desk for assistance.

Faculty and staff should use their BU e-mail user ID (the part before the @ sign). Your password is the first letter of your first name and the first letter of your last name followed by the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Please contact the Computing Services Help Desk for assistance.

All other library patrons should see the Circulation staff for log on information.

Can I use wireless access in the Libraries?

Students, faculty, and staff have access to BU's wireless network. Look for the "Wireless Hotspot" signs. For more information see the Binghamton University Wireless website.

How can I save documents I'm working on in the Libraries?

Students, faculty, and staff have 50 MB of storage space on the Bingsuns H drive. You can see and use this drive from any computer in the library or PODs once you have logged in (see above) and you can access it from any web browser anywhere using FTP. For more help with your Bingsuns account please contact the Computing Services Help Desk.

To access your Bingsuns account using FTP:

Point your browser to ftp://username@bingsuns.binghamton.edu (substitute your actual username):
Enter your Bingsuns password when prompted:
You will see a window into which you can drag and drop or copy and past files and folders:

For more help with your Bingsuns account please contact the Computing Services Help Desk.

The Library Website

What browser or other software do I need to use the library website?

The minimum recommended browsers for the library website, and especially infoLINK, are Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher (download) or Netscape Navigator 6.2 or higher (download). If you are using other browsers or older versions of Internet Explorer and Netscape, you may not have full functionality.

A Unicode font will allow you to see special characters and non-Roman alphabets in infoLINK. Download Bitstream Cyberbit Unicode font | More information about Unicode

How do I use the library website from off campus?

Much of the information on the library website is accessible off campus without any special login or authentication. However, to get full access to metaLINK and to use library resources marked , you may need to log in.

The Libraries now use PODS accounts for off campus access. Read more.

To access restricted resources from off campus:

Be sure that your browser is set to accept cookies. Help
Click on the resource you want to use.
- If you connect through the Binghamton University Network you do not need any further instructions. The resource you selected should be displayed in a few moments. More about the BU network
- If you connect through an Internet Service Provider such as AOL or Road Runner you will need to log in.
Log in.
- Your login and password are your BU userID and PODS password. Your userID is the part of your e-mail address to the left of the @ sign.
- If you forget your PODS password contact the Computing Services Help Desk at CC-102, (607) 777-6420, helpdesk@binghamton.edu, or check the BUSI system. More about BU userIDs and PODS passwords
- See instructions on accessing or changing your PODS password.
- The resource you selected should be displayed in a few moments.
If you have difficulty connecting:
1. Did you type in the correct userID and password? Remember that your password is case sensitive.
2. Are cookies enabled in your browser? Help
3. Is your Internet Service Provider working fine otherwise?

If I am an alumnus/a, but not a current faculty member, staff member, or student with the University, can I access "BU only" resources?

Unfortunately, subscription licensing agreements typically allow access to electronic resources only by members of the University community and persons who are actually on campus. Alumni, even those with courtesy borrowing privileges are not permitted to access these resources from off campus. For your convenience, we have assembled links to freely available research-quality databases, journals and other materials that may be of use.

Why can't I connect to a "BU only" resource?

Please see the information above about logging in to "BU only" resources from off campus.

I got to a "BU only" resource but it isn't working properly. What should I do?

Try accessing another website to make sure your internet connection is working.
Check your browser version. Many "BU only" resources require a recent version of Internet Explorer or Netscape. If you are using an older browser version and cannot upgrade, you may need to access BU Only resources from another computer. If you are using a different browser, such as Opera or the AOL browser, you may not have full functionality.
- Download the latest version of IE
- Download the latest version of Netscape
Make sure JavaScript is enabled. This is required by many products. Instructions for enabling JavaScript in common browsers are available here.
Make sure cookies are enabled. Help

What are acceptable uses of "BU only" resources?

All "BU only" resources are library subscriptions that are accessible only from the Binghamton University network or from an Internet Service Provider using the library proxy server. Access and use is restricted by license agreements to purposes of research, teaching, and private study by current BU faculty, staff, and students. The following are strictly prohibited: all commercial use; copying or tampering with any software or code used to display and/or run the resources; the systematic downloading, copying or distributing of information (including for use in course packs); and removing or altering copyright notices. Misuse of these resources violates the terms of BU's license agreements. Violation of a licensing agreement could result in termination of the resource to the entire campus community. See also Binghamton University Copyright Policy

How do I open documents on the website?

Many documents on the web, including online journal articles, documents from the ILL department, and our research guides, are in a format called PDF. To open and read these files you need a free piece of software called Adobe Reader. Download Adobe Reader

Journal Articles

I am trying to open an article but I get a blank screen. What should I do?

We have found that this problem is often solved by upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Reader. Download Adobe Reader. If that doesn't work, please go to Adobe Reader Preferences (under the Edit menu) and go to the Internet preferences. Uncheck the box to "Display PDF in browser."

I get a funny error message when I try to view an article.

Like this?

To allow /login?url=http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jors/journal/yearlist.html to work, your EZproxy administrator must first authorize this within the ezproxy.cfg file.
Within this database's section of the file, the following line must be added:

Host www.palgrave-journals.com

The EZproxy server must then be restarted to make this change take effect.

Please copy and paste the message and send it to us. We apologize for the inconvenience and we'll fix it ASAP.

I'm having trouble viewing and/or printing JSTOR articles.

Viewing: Try right clicking (PC) or CTRL-clicking (Mac) on the format that you would like to download and saving it directly to your computer. Then use Adobe Reader or another PDF reader (such as Apple's Preview application) to open the document.

Printing: JSTOR offers two ways to print: through PDF files or through JSTOR's own JPRINT function. Please do not use your web browser's print function to print JSTOR articles. For complete JSTOR printing information please see JSTOR's Answers to Common Printing Questions.

If you continue to have problems viewing or printing in JSTOR, please consider using JSTOR's "Contact JSTOR" links to report the problem in addition to contacting us. Their feedback form will capture information about your computer that may help solve the problem.

How do I open documents on the website?

infoLINK (Library Catalog)

Do I have to sign in to use infoLINK?

No, signing in is optional. If you sign in you will be able to view your library account information, such as items checked out, and renew items, place holds, and more.

How do I sign in to infoLINK?

infoLINK now supports PODS accounts for sign in. Your login and password are your BU userID and PODS password. Your userID is the part of your e-mail address to the left of the @ sign. See instructions on accessing or changing your PODS password.

To sign in with your library barcode you need your Binghamton University ID card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Your User ID is your library barcode, on the back of your ID card, without the leading "29091" prefix and leading zeros. See a picture. Your Password is the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Community borrowers will need to use this method to sign in.

Why do I see funny characters when I use infoLINK?

You need a Unicode font to allow you to see special characters and non-Roman alphabets (such as Polish "I", musical flat, Arabic, Cyrillic, and Hebrew), which non-Unicode fonts cannot display. You can use infoLINK without a Unicode font, but these special characters and alphabets will not display correctly.

Arial Unicode MS by Microsoft is the most complete Unicode font. It is available with Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Publisher 2002. We recommend using it if you have access to it. Cyberbit is an acceptable alternative to Arial Unicode MS.

Download Bitstream Cyberbit Unicode font

Installing the Cyberbit font
After downloading and extracting the Cyberbit Font you must install it using your Fonts Control Panel. Go to your Start Menu -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Fonts. Once in the Fonts Control Panel, select Install New Font from the File menu at the top left.

If you use IE you must manually change the browser font to Arial Unicode MS or Bitstream Cyberbit after you install it:

Go to the Tools drop down menu and choose "Internet Options..."
Click on "Fonts..." near the bottom of the dialog box
On the left side of the Fonts dialog box, change "Web page font" to Arial Unicode MS
Click "OK" to close both dialog boxes
If you use Netscape you do not need to do anything after you install an Unicode font; your browser will automatically use the font when needed.

Can I use Z39.50 to connect to infoLINK?

Yes. See our connection and configuration information.

Can I use EndNote with infoLINK?

Yes. See our connection and configuration information.

How can I report a problem with infoLINK?

Report infoLINK problems with our infoLINK Problems Form.

ILLiad: Interlibrary Loan

How do I log in to ILLiad for Interlibrary Loan?

ILLiad now uses PODS accounts. Your login and password are your BU userID and PODS password. Your userID is the part of your e-mail address to the left of the @ sign. See instructions on accessing or changing your PODS password.

Once new users complete a short user profile they may make requests in ILLiad.

If you have further questions please contact the ILL Office at (607) 777-4985 or e-mail mainill.

Course Reserves

How do I log in to Course Reserves?

Electronic course reserves are now available through your instructor’s course page on Blackboard after logging in. Log in instructions and help with Blackboard are available through the Technology Training Center Blackboard Student Help page. More information about Course Reserves.