Internet Explorer

The collaboration software we use for virtual reference works best in an Internet Explorer Browser (5.0 and above) on a Windows-based computer.

It may help to have Java installed on your computer. If you cannot use Java, it may be simplest to submit a question to be answered later.

America Online

If you are using AOL, we recommend that after connecting, you use an Internet Explorer browser for the session, instead of the AOL browser.

MSN

If you connect to the internet through MSN, we recommend that after connecting, you use an Internet Explorer browser for the session, instead of the MSN browser.

Macintosh computers and other browsers

If you are using a Macintosh computer or a browser other than Internet Explorer, your session may use a more basic interaction than one that could be achieved with a Windows-based computer; however, you will still be able to chat and collaborate with a librarian.

Firewalls and filters

If your computer is protected by a firewall or internet filter, make sure you are allowing regular http connections to and from oclc.org and questionpoint.org over port 80.

If your network uses a cache or proxy to store frequently-accessed pages, please exempt the domains oclc.org and questionpoint.org from being cached. Our chat service will not work correctly if pages are cached.

Detailed instructions for some onfiguring some firewalls is presented by our partner, OCLC.