[OPLINTECH] New WiFi connection stats reporting / captured portals

Tue Feb 24 16:47:24 EST 2015

Going with the device-initiated sessions might actually make things a
little easier for data collection for us IT types. For small libraries,
this one stat may still be a disproportionately large burden compared to
other stats, but on the plus side, if we all report device-initiated
sessions, the numbers are going to look *REALLY* impressive for people that
don't know any better! Make a note to splash this stat all over your next
local levy.  LOL!

______________________________
*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 4:20 PM, Knapp, Mandy <aknapp at library.ohio.gov>
wrote:

>  Hello all,
>
>
>
> Thank you for bringing this up, Chad. It’s an important distinction to
> make. While we’re still waiting for clear guidance from IMLS on this point,
> I’ve discussed it with the State Data Coordinator and we both agree that
> everyone should go with the “device initiated” sessions when counting this
> statistic. Someone earlier in this message string mentioned that these
> connections are still using library resources. We agree with this point,
> and think it’s fair to count all connections to the wireless.
>
>
>
> I think the resource from Colorado State Library that Joe shared is
> probably the most comprehensive one I’ve seen (this one:
> http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/public-libraries/strategies-tracking-reporting-wifi-usage/
> ) but there is also this one from Michigan
> http://tln.lib.mi.us/dept/technology-services/wifi/files/techcomm/Best_Practices_for_Wireless_Statistics.pdf
> if you’d like other ideas or points of view.
>
>
>
> Please know that if you do have any other questions about the statewide
> statistics,  I and the rest of the State Library team are happy to help.
> That being said, we’re unable to change many of the definitions as they are
> set by the federal government. Bless their hearts, as they say in the South.
>
>
>
> Also, I hate splash pages too J.
>
>
>
> Take care,
>
>  Mandy Knapp
>
> Library Consultant
>
> 274 E. 1st Avenue
>
> Columbus, OH 43201
>
> Tel: 614-466-1710
>
> Toll Free:800-686-1532 (Ohio Only)
>
> Fax: 614-466-3584
>
> library.ohio.gov
>
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>
>
>
>
> *From:* oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org [mailto:
> oplintech-bounces at lists.oplin.org] *On Behalf Of *Chad Neeper
> *Sent:* Tuesday, February 24, 2015 3:28 PM
> *To:* OPLINTECH
> *Subject:* Re: [OPLINTECH] New WiFi connection stats reporting / captured
> portals
>
>
>
> 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
> >
> >
> _______________________________________________
> OPLINTECH mailing list
> OPLINTECH at lists.oplin.org
> http://lists.oplin.org/mailman/listinfo/oplintech
>
>
>
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