REFERENCE USA - HELP
A Note From ReferenceUSA
This correspondence was designed to assist you in answering some of the basic questions regarding www.ReferenceUSA.com. The paragraphs below detail some of the more common remote access issues experienced by users, and describes the methods used to resolve those issues.
Why can't I log in to ReferenceUSA.com remotely?
ReferenceUSA is a premier subscription database available to libraries, educational institutions, government agencies, etc. ReferenceUSA subscribing customers have the option of purchasing the remote access function for offsite users. (Remote access is any access from home or another location offsite where ReferenceUSA is presented as a link on the subscribing organization's Web site.)
If you are experiencing technical difficulties accessing ReferenceUSA (i.e. username/password challenge page), it is very likely that you or your organization does not have a current subscription to ReferenceUSA.com. If you feel that this is in error, please contact the person responsible for your organization's online subscription resources.
If the organization that subscribes to ReferenceUSA.com DOES offer remote access and you are still receiving the username/password challenge page, it is possible that this is being caused by some factor on or related to your pc. Please see the scenarios in the following paragraphs below to determine the cause of this issue, and suggestions to resolve the situation.
Proprietary Internet browser disclaimer (i.e. America On Line [AOL], CompuServe [CS], etc.)
If you are using a proprietary browser such as CompuServe [CS], America On Line [AOL], etc, you may experience sporadic errors and/or access issues with ReferenceUSA.com.
Example: If you are attempting to access ReferenceUSA.com remotely and are receiving a username/password challenge page when you should not be, it is very likely that the proprietary browser is causing this.
It is highly recommended that users accessing ReferenceUSA via a proprietary browsers use a new, unmodified browser (i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer) obtained directly from the manufacturer free of charge. The necessary steps for accomplishing this are outlined below:
1. *If the only Internet browser installed on your pc is the proprietary browser that accompanied your Internet service (i.e. CompuServe [CS], America On Line [AOL], etc), you will need to download an unmodified browser directly from the manufacturer (*these browsers are offered free of charge).
Example: Microsoft Internet Explorer. The Microsoft Internet Explorer download page is: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp
2. Once the browser is downloaded and installed, it is recommended that you retain the default manufacturers configuration settings, which will be enabled upon installation.
3. Log onto the Internet using your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
4. Once you have logged onto the Internet, open another new browser window (*with the recently installed Microsoft Internet Explorer if applicable).
a. To accomplish this, Click on the Start menu.
b. Scroll up to and select Programs.
c. Scroll over and select (*by left mouse clicking on) the Internet Explorer icon.
d. A new Internet browser session/window will now be established in the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser window.
5. Direct your browser to the appropriate address/web page of the subscribing organization and select the link to ReferenceUSA.com.
6. You should now be able to access ReferenceUSA.com successfully.
Cable modem users deploying firewalls and/or Internet security software disclaimer
As we see the rise in popularity of cable modems and high-speed Internet connections, remote (home) users are becoming more aware of the security factor associated with such. Subsequently, remote (home) users are deploying a variety of personal firewalls and/or Internet security software packages to counter this threat (i.e. LynkSys Firewall, Norton Internet Security Software, etc).
Remote (home) users can easily overcome any access issue involving this scenario and ReferenceUSA.com by reconfiguring the device and/or software. Although ReferenceUSA and its staff are not qualified to troubleshoot and support remote (home) users personal firewalls and/or security software, most vendors of these devices/software packages offer free technical assistance for customers.
If you are connected to the Internet via a cable modem and are receiving the username/password challenge page from ReferenceUSA.com, it is possible that reconfiguring the device/software will correct this issue. Please refer to the device/software users manual and/or the vendor for additional technical assistance.
Why can't I download or print records remotely?
If you receive an error message when attempting to either download or print records remotely from ReferenceUSA.com, it is possible that the maximum number of periodical records per Internet session that are allotted for you organizations account have been exceeded.
Each organization subscribing to ReferenceUSA.com has a predetermined number of downloadable/printable records available per search, per Internet session due to security and licensing issues. Once this limit has been reached, an error message will display notifying the user that this limit has been reached. To circumnavigate this issue, you will need to close the current Internet session and establish a new one (Internet session) to print or download additional records.
This document was designed to answer the most common issues experienced by ReferenceUSA.com remote users. Please refer to our help pages (http://www.referenceusa.com/help/help.asp) for additional information on these and other related issues.
Thank you,
ReferenceUSA - infoUSA
5711 South 86th Circle
P. O. Box 27347
Omaha, NE 68127-4116
Tel: 800-808-1113
Fax: 402-596-7688
