Effective April 4, OCLC will begin enforcing the parameters that apply to Options 1 and 2 of its TCP/IP product, Flat Fee Internet access (FFI). OCLC began enrollment for FFI in July 1998. FFI allows libraries to connect to OCLC's Cataloging and Resource Sharing Services using their own Internet facilities, yet still maintain predictable monthly pricing. Libraries can purchase subscriptions for simultaneous connections to OCLC. Users who enroll are asked to choose one of two options:
- Option 1: Block access to additional users (Default)
If the maximum number of simultaneous users accessing OCLC is reached, an additional user who attempts to log on will not be able to until someone else logs off. The new user will receive an error message similar to the one below:
"Maximum number of simultaneous users logged on. Please try later."
- Option 2: Additional overflow logons billed at connect time rate ($.08 per
minute)
If the maximum number of simultaneous users has been reached, an additional user who attempts to log on will be connected at the current connect time rate. The following message will display on the screen at logon:
Although libraries were required to choose the FFI option they wanted applied to their access, OCLC has not enforced the blocking feature or charged libraries for overflow connect time they incurred. This situation is soon to change. As of April 4, OCLC will implement internal software changes that will enforce Option 1, preventing additional users from logging on to OCLC, and Option 2, charging additional users the standard connect-minute rate of $.08 per minute."Maximum number of simultaneous users logged on. This session will be charged connect hour pricing."
This enforcement may have an impact on a library's access to OCLC services. For example, for a library that chose Option 1, if all simultaneous connections are in use, additional attempts to log on to OCLC Cataloging or Resource Sharing would be denied until someone logs off. A user in a library that signed up under Option 2 would not be denied access to OCLC services, but the library would see additional charges for connect time on its monthly bill.
OCLC has been tracking usage for FFI libraries since December 1998 and has supplied this information to BCR. If your library has enrolled in FFI access and you would like more information regarding your institution's usage for December and January, please contact Regan W. Harper (rharper@bcr.org) at BCR. If you would like more information about FFI, or would like to enroll, see the BCR website at the following URL: www.bcr.org/~bss/flafee.htm.
