HomeE-Competencies Tier I

1. Computers 101
2. An understanding of GPO's Minimum Technical Guidelines.
3. Competency with Windows operating system.
4. Competency with web browsers and file formats.
5. Competency with e-mail.
6. Competency with electronic catalogs.
7. Competency with web URLs.
8. Awareness of user ability and experience.

1. Computers 101: Have a basic knowledge of the following terms:

hardware
software
the 'Web'
CPU
monitor
peripherals (drives: 3.5 floppy, legacy 5.25 floppy, CD-ROM, DVD, Zip)
keyboard
mouse or other mouse-like device
printer
electrical surge protection

Resources
FOLDOC: Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing
Google
TechEncyclopedia
Webopedia
Yahoo

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2. An understanding of the rationale behind (and function of) GPO's Minimum Technical Guidelines and an ability to communicate this to one's local Systems Office or administration (have a basic knowledge of these terms from the latest Minimum Technical Guidelines Public Access Workstations in Federal Depository Libraries):

Processor
Memory (RAM)
Ports
Video
Audio
Hard Disk Drive
DVD Drive
Internet Connectivity
Operating System
Communications
Software

Web Browser
Database
Spreadsheet
Word Processer
Mapping Software
.pdf file viewer

Resources
Minimum Technical Requirements - FDLP Desktop
Webopedia
FOLDOC: Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

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3. Competency with Windows operating system

Understanding of Windows directory structures, file formats, and basic operations such as finding programs, printing, rebooting a computer, etc.

Resources:
Basic Windows Tutorials

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4. Competency with web browsers and common web file formats

Ability to navigate web pages; competency with Adobe Acrobat software (files in .pdf format, such as tax forms) and TIFF (tagged image file format); competency in recognizing and dealing with other common file types, including spreadsheet/excel, images (.gif, .jpg, .tif), etc.  Awareness of the various ways in which documents can be placed on the web and what the differences will mean (e.g., .pdf will take longer to load). Awareness of other multimedia file formats, such as multimedia plugins such as RealPlayer, Quicktime, and Windows Media, and the ability to recognize a media file.

Resources:
Google Directory > Computers > Data Formats
Google Directory > Computers > Data Formats > Document > Publishing > PDF
Google Directory > Computers > Data Formats > Graphics > Pixmap > TIFF
Google Directory > Computers > Software > Spreadsheets
Google Directory > Computers > Data Formats > Audio

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5. Competency with e-mail

Ability to send, receive, forward mail and attachments.

Resources:
Copying & E-mailing Web Pages
Google Directory > Computers > Internet > E-mail > Help and Tutorials
How Stuff Works: E-mail
What is spam?

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6. Competency with electronic catalogs

Ability to use the Catalog of United States Government Publications and the databases of GPO Access; and other catalogs, public or private, which may be helpful for government information, such as the Library of Congress Catalog, OCLC Worldcat, or commercially enhanced products featuring GPO Cataloging.

Resources:
GPO Access Help Page
How to do a search with OCLC FirstSearch {for WorldCat}
Library of Congress Online Catalog Help Pages
MarciveWeb Docs

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7. Competency with web URLs

Ability to readily find an agency home page. Competency with web search engine strategies, especially those relating to Government information (ability to search Firstgov, Google and Google Uncle Sam, Searchgov, etc.)

Resources:
Countries and Their Domain Extensions - Webopedia
Google Help
Yahoo Help
Firstgov.gov
GPO Access CGP

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8. Awareness of user ability and experience

Many users have limited access to or experience with computer resources.  Depository library professionals, including local technical or systems staff, should be prepared to assist users with navigation and software troubleshooting by phone, e-mail, or personal contact.

Resources:
Success at the reference desk: helping patrons overcome computer anxiety.
Author: Miner, Suzanne.
Source: Legal Reference Services Quarterly v. 19 no3/4 (2001) p. 95-103

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