[OPLINTECH] New WiFi connection stats reporting / captured portals

Tue Feb 24 15:27:48 EST 2015

At the IMLS link you provided, I found that exact same verbiage (minus the
Note) for the 2014 definitions:  "#652  Wireless Sessions*  Report the
number of wireless sessions provided by the library wireless service
annually." The asterisk indicated that it was a new/revised (new) data
element for 2014. 2015 isn't posted.

So, without any better clarification, I guess it's up to us to decide how
to define that? So, I guess if you want to report really high numbers, go
with "device initiated" sessions. If you want to report relatively lower
numbers, go with "human initiated" sessions.

Suddenly, the usefulness of that stat across libraries just went through
the floor.

______________________________
*Chad Neeper*
Senior Systems Engineer

*Level 9 Networks*
740-548-8070 (voice)
866-214-6607 (fax)

*Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and
schools*

On Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 3:01 PM, Stephen Hedges <hedgesst at oplin.org> wrote:

> I don't think the feds have written their definition yet. They post those
> at http://www.imls.gov/research/pls_definitions.aspx.
>
> You've probably already seen the instructions for the State Library
> survey: "Report the number of wireless sessions provided by
> the library wireless service annually. Note: This includes services used
> in the parking lot, etc." That's all.
>
> It's worth mentioning, since Chad has raised the money question a couple
> of times now, that managed Wi-Fi services are eligible for E-rate this
> year. See the 2015 Eligible Services List linked at
> http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/beforeyoubegin/eligible-services-list.aspx.
> (Skip to the 18th page)
>
> Stephen
> --
> Stephen Hedges, Director
> Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
> 2323 W. Fifth Ave., Suite 130, Columbus, OH 43204
> 614-728-5250  ::  hedgesst at oplin.org
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Chad Neeper" <cneeper at level9networks.com>
> > To: "OPLINTECH" <OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org>
> > Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 2:42:13 PM
> > Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] New WiFi connection stats reporting / captured
>      portals
> >
> > Certainly a useful stat to have, but unfortunately, it appears to put yet
> > another financial burden on small libraries that don't have a capable IT
> > person on staff to devise a method to reliably collect it. (Well, that
> could
> > be a good thing for me, I suppose!)
> >
> > So if collecting this stat is really a Thing, does anyone (Steve?) know
> where
> > I can go to get a little more official information on it? If it's going
> to
> > be a federal requirement, then it would be nice to see the line-item that
> > mentions it to try to discern what info is to be reported: ie.
> > "human-initiated" or "device-initiated" connections. It would probably
> have
> > an impact on the methods we use to collect the stat.
> >
> > Chad
> > ______________________________
> > Chad Neeper
> > Senior Systems Engineer
> >
> > Level 9 Networks
> > 740-548-8070 (voice)
> > 866-214-6607 (fax)
> >
> > Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and
> schools
> >
> > On Tue, Feb 24, 2015 at 9:30 AM, Stephen Hedges < hedgesst at oplin.org >
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > OPLIN making Wi-Fi stats mandatory?
> >
> > Nah, this is part of the stats the State Library collects every year.
> > Although I'll admit, that will be an extremely useful stat to have.
> >
> > As I understand it, this stat will be a federal requirement next year
> (most
> > of the stats the State Library collects fulfill federal requirements),
> and
> > SLO is asking for the stat this year to work out some kinks before the
> > federal requirement kicks in. If that's correct, it sounds like a wise
> plan
> > to me.
> >
> > Stephen
> > --
> > Stephen Hedges, Director
> > Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN)
> > 2323 W. Fifth Ave., Suite 130, Columbus, OH 43204
> > 614-728-5250 :: hedgesst at oplin.org
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Ruchie Rice" < rrice at fcdlibrary.org >
> > > To: "OPLINTECH" < OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org >
> > > Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2015 9:15:17 AM
> > > Subject: Re: [OPLINTECH] New WiFi connection stats reporting / captured
> > > portals
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I hadn’t heard of OPLIN making wi-fi stats mandatory. We used to use
> > > Bluesocket which used to give us stats but we did away with it a
> couple of
> > > years ago because the splash page was not working well with some
> devices.
> > > We’d like to keep it that way. Also, we have nine wireless APs among 5
> > > locations and would hate to have to spend money to get stats. If we
> could
> > > use a DHCP solution that would work better for us.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Also, since it is library using resources I agree that human and
> non-human
> > > connections should count.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Ruchie
> > >
> > > Information Technology Coordinator
> > >
> > > Fairfield County District Library
> > >
> > > 219 N. Broad St.
> > >
> > > Lancaster, OH 43130
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > https://helpdesk.clcohio.org/
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working
> > > together is success” – Henry Ford
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > From: oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org
> > > [mailto: oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org ] On Behalf Of Chad Neeper
> > > Sent: Monday, February 23, 2015 3:52 PM
> > > To: OPLINTECH
> > > Subject: [OPLINTECH] New WiFi connection stats reporting / captured
> portals
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Hello, OPLINTECH:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I've been hearing from some of my libraries that they're now going to
> be
> > > required to annually report WiFi connection statistics starting with
> 2015.
> > > Presently, other than one rogue, none of my libraries collect those
> stats.
> > > Being small libraries with only one or two very simple access points,
> I'm
> > > pretty sure that most of the devices they're using simply don't provide
> > > stats on the number of individual network connections. One way to
> provide
> > > the statistic would be to implement captive portals and require a
> human to
> > > click "I accept" to an Acceptable Use Policy on a splash page whenever
> they
> > > try to initiate a browsing session. The captive portal would likely
> provide
> > > the required statistics. But it introduced some other questions:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > 1) The state wants the number of WiFi connections....Are those
> supposed to
> > > be
> > > Human-initiated connections? When I walk into a library, my phone
> > > automatically establishes a connection and refreshes itself with
> various
> > > content, downloading my latest podcasts, synching my e-mail, etc.
> That's
> > > the
> > > behavior I want my phone to do, but I often don't want to open a
> browser
> > > session and actually browse to a website on my phone. Sometimes I do,
> but
> > > more often, I don't. So should those automatic connections count in the
> > > stats? If so, then every single patron with a smart phone will likely
> get
> > > counted, even if they're just driving by the library and come into
> range
> > > for
> > > a few seconds.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > 2) If the state is only interested in the Human initiated connections,
> then
> > > that would pretty much mandate a captured portal and require the click
> on
> > > "I
> > > accept" before a session is permitted. Personally, I hate WiFi hotspots
> > > like
> > > that because it interferes with the normal operation of my wireless
> device.
> > > I also hate being forced to remember to open a browser and perform an
> > > action
> > > after I've tried to figure out for a few moments why my device isn't
> > > connected properly. In the past, I've even run into locations that for
> > > whatever reason the captive portal doesn't play nicely with my wireless
> > > device and I'm just SoL.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > 3) If I need to set up captive portals at each of my small libraries to
> > > report this stat, should I bill the state directly? My libraries are
> > > already
> > > pretty strapped. ;-)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > 4) Does anyone collect this stat using software that isn't built into
> their
> > > wireless access points and isn't a full "I accept" human-interaction
> > > required captive portal?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Ideally, I'd have something that's:
> > >
> > >
> > > - 3rd party software only solution independent of any particular
> vendor's
> > > access points
> > >
> > >
> > > - Open source
> > >
> > >
> > > - Simple/turn-key (translates to cheap to implement for my small
> libraries)
> > >
> > >
> > > - Doesn't prevent the normal background function of wifi devices when a
> > > human
> > > doesn't specifically want to use their browser
> > >
> > >
> > > - Collects the number of wifi connections that's either
> human-initiated or
> > > automatic, depending on which stat the state actually wants to know
> > > (assuming the state even knows the difference)
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I know people will probably reply with the names of their own captive
> > > portals
> > > or access point manufacturers/models that provide the stats. What are
> > > others
> > > planning to do now that this particular stat appears to be more
> required
> > > and
> > > what type of stats you're providing or plan to provide (all
> connections,
> > > human-only, whatever)? As much as that, I'm just kind of curious
> where/if
> > > this conversation thread goes.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Any comments or thoughts on this?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > >
> > > Chad
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ______________________________
> > > Chad Neeper
> > > Senior Systems Engineer
> > >
> > > Level 9 Networks
> > > 740-548-8070 (voice)
> > > 866-214-6607 (fax)
> > >
> > > Full IT/Computer consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and
> > > schools
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > OPLINTECH mailing list
> > > OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org
> > > http://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech
> > >
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > OPLINTECH mailing list
> > OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org
> > http://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > OPLINTECH mailing list
> > OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org
> > http://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
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>
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