City of Austin - APL: Wireless at the Library

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Wireless at APL: Austin Public Library expands access to information.

Free Wireless Internet access is available at all Austin Public Library locations and Wooldridge Square at 900 Guadalupe.

GET STARTED:

Bring your laptop or PDA with a IEEE 802.11b-compliant wireless networking card to the library.
Open your Internet browser. The wireless card should detect the signal immediately (some wireless card software may require additional procedures and/or setting changes).
Read the Library's Acceptable Use Policy for Wireless Access.
Click on Register in the left column.
Enter the required information.
Check your e-mail using your laptop within 10 minutes of registering to get the LESSnetworks message and complete the registration process.
Start surfing.

Network SSID: Austin Public Library

Printing is not available using the Library's wireless connection. Access a printer by using the Library's public Internet workstations.

Need Help?

Be sure your 802.11b wireless card is plugged in tightly to the correct slot. Look for the light on the card that indicates a signal lock.

Look for the SSID “Austin Public Library” in your wireless card's utility program or in Windows, go to Network Properties and try "Make New Connection."

If your utility cannot scan the SSID, you can enter Austin Public Library manually. You must have both a signal lock indicator on the card and a network connection using the SSID. If you don’t have these, the problem lies with your device and its wireless card operation.

You must resolve these issues for your device before moving on to the next step. Check your network card manual for information about your card.

TCP/IP configuration
In an MS DOS shell, try "ipconfig /all", "ipconfig /release", and then "ipconfig /renew" Make sure DHCP is enabled to obtain IP address automatically. Instead of a static DNS address, configure to obtain DNS automatically (dynamically). If you must manually configure DNS servers: Use 24.93.35.63 and 24.93.35.62

Outbound e-mail
Due to potential spamming through this wireless service, you must send e-mail through a Web-based e-mail interface such as Hotmail or Yahoo. Your home or office ISP may also offer a Web-based e-mail interface to you.

Other Troubleshooting Tips
Try moving to a different floor at the Central Library or to a different part of the library in a branch.

Ask the staff to check the wireless server status.

Check the wireless card manufacturer's Web support page by using a Library public Internet workstation or bring your wireless card manual with you the next time you come to the library.

To find links to product support sites, visit The Certified Product Listing provided by Wi-Fi Alliance.

If you continue to have trouble connecting, please write down the specifics—your e-mail address, the date, time, location, wireless card model information, etc.—of your problem and talk to the staff at reference desk or the circulation desk. The staff will forward the information to the automation office.

Find other wireless access sites in Austin at:
http://www.locfinder.com/unitedstates/tx/austin/
http://www.austinwireless.net/ (follow Nodes Around Austin link)

Thanks to WiFi-Texas and Schlotzsky's Deli
for sponsoring the Library's wireless access points.

Have problems, questions, or comments?
Ask a Librarian! Get the answers you need!

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Funded in whole or in part by a Loan Star Libraries Grant authorized by the Texas Legislature and awarded by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to the Austin Public Library.


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