Take the Library With You on the Web: A Mozilla Firefox Toolbar

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Take the LibraryWith You on the Web A Mozilla
Firefox Toolbar

• Scott Rice
• Networked Information Services Librarian
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• November 3, 2006

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Toolbar Features

• Different database/catalog searches
• Library web pages
• University web pages
• Blackboard
• Find a
• Journal
• Definition
• Synonym

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Why a toolbar? Why Firefox?

• Accessing library resources faster/easier
• Easier to implement

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Skills/Programs Required

• Javascript
• XUL/XML
• Text editor (Notepad)
• Zip (Winzip)
• Image editor (GIMP)

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Issues

• Tech skills required
• Experimentation
• Browser updates
• Publicity

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Resources for help

• Firefox Toolbar Tutorial
• http//www.borngeek.com/firefox/tutorial/
• Mozillazine
• Other toolbars
• http//library.uncg.edu/de/uncgbar.xpi

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Future Improvements

• Fill in OpenURL links for databases
• Work with Ezproxy
• Rewrite URLs
• Notify when not proxied
• Allow user configuration
• Pick databases
• Skins

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Impact

• Who is using it?
• Feedback?

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How to Make a Toolbar

• Create files
• Zip
• Install
• Test

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How to Make a Toolbar - Files

• Install.rdf
• Unique ID
• Contents.rdf
• For contents and skin folders
• uncgbar.xul
• Structure of toolbar
• uncgbar.js
• Functionality of toolbar

Replaced by Content Manifest
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How to Make a Toolbar file structure

• Uncgbar
• Chrome
• Uncgbar.jar
• Contents
• Contents.rdf
• Uncgbar.js
• Uncgbar.xul
• Skin
• Contents.rdf
• graphics

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Other Toolbars

• Fast Jack
• http//www.gsb.stanford.edu/library/toolbar/index.
  html
• Appalachian State Law School
• http//www.asl.edu/library/halbar/
• LibX
• http//www.libx.org/

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• Questions?