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Tools for Easier Use

For those of you who like to use bookmarks, favorites, or your own list of links, there are several ways to do that with the proxy server.

Off-Campus Access Bookmark Tool

This tool allows you to connect to databases and journals without going through the library web site. It is a "must have" for anyone who starts their research somewhere other than the library home page.

Instead of going to the library's homepage and logging in, then retracing your steps to return to the page in question, try this bookmark tool and save all of those steps. When you use the bookmark tool, you will be redirected to the log-in screen and then back through the proxy server to the page you are currently viewing. In some cases you may need to use the browser's "Back" button or "refresh" to return to the resource URL, not the vendor's login/error page.

Directions:

Netscape and Firefox Users:

Internet Explorer Users & Other Browsers Without a Bookmarks Toolbar:
  • Right-click on the Off Campus Access link and choose "Bookmark this link..." or "Add to Favorites".
  • When you are on a Web page you'd like to run through the proxy server, simply use the "Off-Campus Access" bookmark from your favorites list or bookmarks menu.

Bookmarking Through the Proxy Server

  • The easiest way to use bookmarks is to go through the proxy server log-in before you bookmark a resource.
  • Be sure that you click through the library's links on the Log-in Success page to get through to the resource.
  • Before bookmarking, check the browser's address box and make sure that you see "proxy.library.ucsb.edu:2048" included in the site URL.
  • When you use the bookmark later, your browser will route you through the proxy log-in page first, and then redirect you to the bookmarked site after you sign in.
  • Note: Bookmarks will not work if they do not have the proxy information in the URL. If you don't want to redo your bookmarks, you can use the Off-Campus Access Bookmarklet. See the instructions below.

Maintaining Proxied Web Page Links to Library E-resources

You'll need to change the links to your licensed resources to go through the proxy server. Do this by prefixing your URL with the proxy server URL (http://proxy.library.ucsb.edu:2048/login?url=). So, if you have a link in your page to: http://a.library.licensed.product You must change it to: http://proxy.library.ucsb.edu:2048/login?url=http://a.library.licensed.product. The link to the restricted resource must be absolute (starting http://); it cannot be a relative URL.

Using Google Scholar with UC-eLinks from Off-Campus

You'll need to run your Google Scholar search through the proxy server. Use the following link to connect to Google Scholar: http://proxy.library.ucsb.edu:2048/login?url=http://scholar.google.com. Now you can bookmark the site and use Google Scholar with UC-eLinks from off-campus.

Questions? Contact library web master.
Last modified: April 19, 2007

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