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Proceedings of the 8th Annual
Federal Depository Library Conference

April 12 - 15, 1999

Cover/Title Page  | Table of Contents  |  Agenda

How to Manipulate Federal Bulletin Board Files

James Mauldin
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC

Topics

About the System
Features
Statistics
Examples
Background & History
Users of the FBB
Helpful Hints & Plans
FBBS User Support

About the FBBS

  • Accessible via: Telnet, FTP, WWW, or Modem
  • Provides immediate, self-service access to Federal electronic information. Participating Federal agencies add files remotely ensuring that their latest official information is available.
  • Offers single files in a variety of formats
  • A component of GPO Access, it existed prior to the 1993 law (P.L. 103-40). Senate report 103-27 incorporated it into GPO Access.

Background & History
  • 1989 - Started under Project HERMES: Supreme Court opinions placed online
  • 1992 - Reworked to deliver files for fee via the Federal Bulletin Board. Files were priced based on file size. All users needed a password and account approval.
  • December 1995 - All GPO Access products were made free to the public. November 1995, Internet access offered.
  • May 1996 - FBBS made available via the Web

Features
  • Some agencies use it to meet Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements. (Example, MSPB Summaries)
  • Provides modem access to all levels - supports speeds of 300 - 33,600 BPS
  • Internet - FTP, Telnet, WWW
  • Supports GPO Access with source files, sample questions and helpful hints
  • Quick way to make information available via the Web; can also be a secure way

Alternative way to meet employee needs, e.g., forwarding e-mail; file sharing

Who uses the FBBS?

Organizations and/or individuals who:

  • Do not need (or do not have) real-time connectivity to the Internet (or a modem).
  • Need a quick, inexpensive way to deliver (or retrieve) a single, downloadable file
  • Want e-mail capability
  • Download files and exchange/or post messages.

FBBS Customers
  • General Public
  • Federal Depository Libraries
  • Shipping Lists, List of Classes, Profiles Database
  • GPO Internal Customers
  • Library Program Service (LPS)
  • Client Agencies:
    • Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
    • Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
    • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

    Top 20 Libraries, FY 1999


    LibraryTotal


    1. Shiplist987,318
    2. Shipl995,411
    5. Shipl973,834
    6. Mfiche983,734
    7. Class2,634
    10. Paper991,886
    12. Mfiche991,157
    18. Separate98 72

    FBBS Usage Statistics

    Downloads by Fiscal Year

    1st Qtr

    2nd Qtr

    3rd Qtr

    4th Qtr

    FY99

    35,660

    30,361

    0

    0

    FY98

    28,052

    43,033

    48,680

    44,560

    FY97

    23,397

    40,467

    52,200

    42,651

    FY96

    10,325

    12,954

    18,045

    19,196

     

     

     

     

    Helpful Hints
    • Contact the systems operator about problems with the system - connecting, downloading, etc.

    • Contact the agency representative or library operator with problems or questions about file content

    • Refer to available online guides about adding helpers, readers, etc. to Web browsers
    • New software version offers an online keyword search capability

    Access to the FBBS
  • Dial-up:
    		• (202) 512-1387 -- Settings: 8, N, 1
  • Telnet:
    		• fedbbs.access.gpo.gov
  • FTP:
    		• fedbbs.access.gpo.gov
  • WWW:
    		• http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov

    Main GPO Access Web Sites:

  • GPO:
    		• <www.access.gpo.gov>
  • SuDocs:
    		• <www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs >

    Telnet or Dial-up Screen

    Telnet Address: fedbbs.access.gpo.gov Modem Number: (202) 512-1387

     

    FBBS: FTP Screen

    FTP Address - ftp://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov

     

    FBBS Home Page

    URL -- http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov

    Federal Agency Files on the FBB

    URL -- http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov/agencies.htm

     

    FBB: Sample Agency Web Page

    URL -- http://fedbbs.access.gpo.gov/oge01.htm

    User Support

    GPO Access User Support Team

    Toll-free and local telephone:

    • Local: (202) 512-1530
    • Toll-free (888) 293-6498
    • Fax: (202) 512-1262
    • E-mail: gpoaccess@gpo.gov

    • Hours: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding all Federal holidays

    Summary
    • A component of GPO Access (Public Law 103-40)
    • Existed since 1990 (prior to GPO Access)
    • Systems Operator - Selene Dalecky,

    (202) 512-1608

    E-mail: sdalecky@gpo.gov
    • LPS Library Operator - James Mauldin, (202) 512-1698

    E-mail: jmauldin@gpo.gov
    • User Support - Provided by the GPO Access User Support Team via e-mail (gpoaccess@gpo.gov), phone toll-free at (888) 293-6498 or local at (202) 512-1530.

    Manipulating the Files

    Examples

    Hints

    Exporting/Importing Data

    Designing a database
    • Before you use any software to actually build the tables, forms, and other objects that will make up your database, it is important to take time and design your database. A good database design is the keystone to creating a database that does what you want it to do effectively.

     

     

    Hints for Database
    • Determine the purpose of your database
    • Determine the tables you need in the database
    • Determine the fields you need in the tables
    • Identify fields with unique values
    • Determine the relationship between tables
    • Refine your design
    • Add data and create other database objects

    Example - Creating a database

    Create field headings

    Headings for a List of Classes database

    Importing the List of Classes into your database

     

    Retrieve the downloaded file

    Import to newly created database

    List of Classes database

    Shipping list database

     

    Labels

    Select label format

    Select font & appearance

    Select fields to print out on label

    Enter name of label strategy

    Example of a shipping list label

    Summary

    • The files contained on the FBBS can be manipulated to provide local value added services to each library or individual who chooses to download these files.

    Questions/Contacts

    • James Mauldin (Publications Management Specialist)
    • Phone: (202) 512-1698
    • E-mail: jmauldin@gpo.gov

    Cover/Title Page  | Table of Contents  |  Agenda

    A service of the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office.
    Questions or comments: asklps@gpo.gov.
    Last updated: August 14, 2000 
    Page Name:  http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/pubs/proceedings/99pro38.html
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