--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Tue, 14 May 2002 13:34:59 -0400
From: "Etkin, Cynthia L." <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: DRAFT 2002 Recommended Specifications for Public Access
Workstati ons in Federal Depository Libraries
Sender: "Etkin, Cynthia L." <[log in to unmask]>
This message is cross-posted. Please excuse any duplication.
Below is "DRAFT 2002 Recommended Specifications for Public Access
Workstations in Federal Depository Libraries." The final Recommended
Specifications will be issued in the June 15, 2002 Administrative Notes and
be available through the FDLP Desktop at:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/computers/ . Any comments and/or
suggestions you have may be submitted to [log in to unmask] To be considered
for inclusion in the final version, all comments must be received by Friday,
May 24, 2002.
Cynthia Etkin
Program Analyst
Library Programs Service (SL)
US Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20401
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
phone: 202-512-1114
fax: 202-512-1432
DRAFT
2002 Recommended Specifications for Public Access
Workstations in Federal Depository Libraries
These recommended specifications (RS) are intended to assist depository
librarians who are planning purchases of new personal computers (PCs) for
public use in Federal depository libraries. This document supersedes the
Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) "Recommended Specifications for
Public Access Workstations in Federal Depository Libraries" (Administrative
Notes, v. 22, no. 9, June 15, 2001).
In accordance with Depository Library Council action at its Spring 2000
meeting, these RS will become requirements October 1, 2003.
Recommended New Workstation Configuration
COMPUTER
Processor
Intel chip, 1 GHz Pentium 4 or AMD Athalon
processor minimum.
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: 1.5 GHz processor minimum
Memory (DDRRAM - Double Data Rate)
256 MB (expandable) minimum.
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: 512 MB DDRRAM
Ports
One (1) Serial
Two (2) Universal Serial Bus (USB)
One (1) Parallel
One (1) P/S-2 Mouse
One (1) SVGA Video (If video is built into system board.)
One (1) IEE1394 Firewire port
I/O bus
PCI. Should have at least four available
PCI or shared PCI/ISA slots after system is configured for delivery.
Video
64 or 128 bit PCI interface SVGA controller.
Should come with 16MB Windows RAM (WRAM) or Video RAM (VRAM), and be
expandable. Recommend the selected device provide MPEG hardware
acceleration.
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: 64 or 128 bit PCI interface SVGA
controller with 32 MB WRAM or VRAM.
Audio
Sound Blaster PCI64 sound card or compatible
Drive Bays
One (1) 3.5" half-height (HH).
Two (2) 3.5" HH Internal.
See Related Issues and Considerations below
for information on 5.24 drives.
DISK DRIVES AND STORAGE
Hard Disk Drive
40 gigabytes (GB) capacity or greater,
partitioned into smaller drives for quicker access time. EIDE (enhanced
integrated drive electronics) interface that conforms to the ATA/100
specification. Rotational speed of 7,200 rpm. 4MB cache memory. Consider
additional hard drive space (60GB) for online video use, to increase the
number of CDs that can be installed or to allow for electronic files to be
stored.
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: 60.0 GB or greater capacity, or network
connectivity that provides the same.
Removable/External Storage
3.5" 1.44 MB drive. Use an older system for 5.25" floppy
conversion.
Also, if system does not have internal
CD-R/RW drive, strongly recommend additional external and/or exchangeable
drives, especially drives such as CD-R/RW, Zip or Jaz drives for downloading
files too large to fit on a regular floppy disk or for large scale back-up.
DVD Drive
6x speed minimum, 8x recommended. Ensure
compatibility with CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-Rs. Must have a MPEG-2
decoder card for video.
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: 8x DVD. Single platter or changer
design. Should support all available standard CD formats. Avoid proprietary
I/O designs.
CD-R/RW Drive
Most new systems now come equipped with a
CD-R/RW drive. Look for rotational speeds of 20x10x40 (read/write/rewrite)
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: 20x10x40x.
PERIPHERALS
Monitor
17" Super VGA (SVGA) Multimedia monitor,
0.25 dpi or smaller. Look for a high refresh rate of at least 60MHz.
Consider flat panel (15" or larger) for staff or in public areas with
limited space. LCD monitors do not have the dpi measure and designed to be
flicker-free, but should have a viewing angle of at least 140 degrees.
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: 21" monitor, Super VGA (SVGA), with at
least 85 MHz vertical refresh rate at 1024x768 resolution non-interlaced,
0.28 or smaller dot pitch; display card which supports 1024x768 resolution
at 70 MHz or faster.
Printer
Ink Jet or laser printer. Must support
PostScript. 10MB Memory, minimum. More recommended if using PostScript or
color. Consider purchasing a color printer for clearer output of color maps
and graphical representations.
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: Color ink jet printer, 36", 600 dpi, 80
MB or more memory, or access to a comparable networked printer
Keyboard and Pointing Device
Microsoft-compatible keyboard, plus mouse or
other compatible device. Strongly recommend ergonomically-designed products.
Internet Connectivity
Local Area Network with TCP/IP. 10/100 MB
Ethernet network interface card (Strongly Recommended)
or
Broadband connections such as Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
or Cable
SOFTWARE
Operating System
Most new computers with a Windows-based
operating system come preinstalled with either Windows NT, 2000 or Windows
XP. XP Home and XP Professional have security and virus protection features
well suited for public access workstations.
Client Software
World Wide Web graphical browser with forms
support. Java-enabled browsers such as Internet Explorer 4 or Netscape
Navigator 4 or greater are required for use of some online databases. IE
5.5 or Netscape 6.2 are recommended.
It is recommended that workstations have
virus protection software installed and regular updates scheduled.
Viewers
WWW graphical browser (see above) that
handles both GIF and JPEG graphics. Viewers for other formats such as tiff,
wpd, doc, xls, dbf, mdb, and pdf should also be available. Later versions
of pdf viewers have a search capability. Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 supports
assistive screen readers. A multimedia player(s) to access rm, mpeg, avi
and mov formats.
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: GEOTIFF file viewer. Viewing software
for raster data, such as Photo Shop Pro or Print Shop.
Applications Software
If the library offers services that require
applications software, consider an integrated "office suite" product such as
Microsoft Office, Corel WordPerfect Office or Lotus SmartSuite. Otherwise:
Database
dBASE file format compatible or dBASE and
ASCII comma delimited file importing database management software; useful to
have fixed field format (SDF) importability.
Spreadsheet
Lotus .WK1 file format compatible software;
support for other formats such as Excel and Quattro Pro.
Word Processing
Software (Microsoft Word, WordPerfect,
WordPro, etc.) capable of importing major text file formats, e.g., ASCII
text and RTF files.
Mapping Software
* FOR CARTOGRAPHIC DATA USE: Data manipulation package, such as
ArcView 3.1 or higher, Landview, MapInfo 4.5 or higher, or other similar
package.
Related Issues and Considerations
These specifications are intended to assist depository staff in making
informed purchases which will best achieve the goal of providing public
access to Federal Government information in a variety of electronic formats.
These guidelines are aimed at providing reasonably robust workstations which
should provide years of service before they become obsolete, but LPS
encourages the purchase of equipment that exceeds these specifications if at
all economically feasible. The speed at which computer capabilities are
evolving indicates that the higher the initial outlay, the longer the useful
life for the equipment. If a higher end system is not affordable, look for
flexibility and expandability in the system that will allow for enhancements
and upgrades at a later date. As these guidelines address minimums, ensure
compatibility among chosen components before purchasing.
Depository libraries must have computer equipment sufficient to allow timely
and equitable public access to Government electronic information products
and should allow printing or downloading information selected by the user.
During a depository library inspection LPS will use a functional approach to
determine compliance with this requirement.
5.25 floppy drives: If your library still has depository materials on 5.25"
floppy disks, you must have the equipment for patrons to access these
products. Finding a new computer with a 5.25 drive will be difficult.
Consider keeping an older computer or converting the disks to 3.5"
LPS works with the Cartographic Users Advisory Council (CUAC) to develop any
additional specifications which support GIS applications. These are
included in the recommendations with the indicator ? FOR CARTOGRAPHIC
DATA USE. All depositories are not required to meet the cartographic
specifications. They are meant to assist with planning purchases for those
libraries that support and provide data services using spatial data and GIS
applications. The "regular" specifications will allow for basic mapping
applications. Census maps will be available in multiple formats, including
PDF, so large-scale equipment will not be necessary, though consideration
should be given to purchasing a color printer.
Viewers versus full working versions of applications software: If viewers
are available on computers to allow access to Government information in the
various formats this is acceptable and the library will meet the minimum
technical requirements. While providing applications software and/or staff
support to help patrons manipulate data or create reports is desirable, it
is optional. This position is consistent with Depository Library Public
Service Guidelines For Government Information in Electronic Formats at:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/mgt/pseguide.html.
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (August 7, 1998) amended §508 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require "individuals with disabilities, who
are members of the public seeking information or services from a Federal
department or agency, have access to and use of information and data that is
comparable to that provided to the public who are not individuals with
disabilities." Federal depository libraries must provide hardware and
software to allow this or accommodate users in some other manner.
Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Standards; Final Rule
was published in the December 21, 2000 (pp. 80499-80528) issue of the
Federal Register and became effective June 21, 2001. Further guidance on
these issues is available from:
http://www.access-board.gov/508.htm
http://www.usability.gov/accessibility
http://www.section508.gov
Libraries should determine if they have a need to duplicate depository
CD-ROMs for preserving data or to create circulating copies. If the need is
there, the library should consider purchasing a CD-R (compact disc
recordable) or a CD-RW (compact disc rewritable) drive. These can be
purchased as either internal or external drives. With a CD-RW the discs can
be reused, unlike those of the CD-R that can only be used once. The other
major difference between CD-Rs and CD-RWs is that CDs created from a CD-R
can sometimes be read in older CD-ROM drives while those created from a
CD-RW can only be read from MultiRead drives. This is something to consider
particularly if you are creating circulating copies and want to meet the
needs of most of your users. Be sure to check compatibility with your
operating system.
LPS cannot anticipate or address every possible depository library computer
scenario, and depository libraries are encouraged to adapt this menu of
specifications to fit their local situations. Depositories may require
multi-purpose single workstations, electronic access in networked
environments, or a combination of both. Given the large variation in the
size of Federal depository libraries and the numbers of users served, LPS
cannot recommend a universal standard for the number of public access
workstations in any given library. However, when assessing workstation
needs, librarians should consider such local factors as:
* the amount of information provided over the Internet compared with
the amount from CD-ROM
* whether and how the workstations are networked
* to what extent users are permitted to perform additional information
processing at the public access workstations
* whether users are experiencing extended waiting times at library
peak service hours, etc.
When configuring workstations bear in mind that some government CD-ROM
products now link to the web to update information on the CD-ROM. This means
that for the user to get the newer information and the full benefit of the
product at least one workstation must have both CD-ROM capability and
Internet accessibility with a graphical browser.
Additional or different capabilities may be desirable for workstations used
by library staff. Some libraries may elect to add applications software,
such as spreadsheet, word processing, or data base software, to their public
access workstations, but this is a local resource management decision.
Many depository libraries have existing computer equipment that is no longer
"state of the art." These specifications should not be applied
retrospectively to existing equipment, although they may assist in
determining the appropriate time for replacement or upgrading. Libraries
should also consider keeping this equipment in order to access electronic
products that cannot be read with newer hardware and software.
For additional information, or if you have any questions about these
specifications, please contact Cynthia Etkin, Program Analyst, at
[log in to unmask] or by voice at 202.512.1114.
Related guidelines:
* "Depository Library Public Service Guidelines for Government
Information in Electronic Formats," Administrative Notes v. 19, #11
(September 15, 1998).
<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/mgt/pseguide.html>
* "FDLP Internet Use Policy Guidelines," Administrative Notes v. 20,
#2 (January 15, 1999).
<http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/mgt/iupolicy.html>
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