Transcript Slide 1

Getting Started!
NIMAC Basics for AUs
November 2008
What we’ll cover today …
• A brief overview and update of NIMAC
• Getting set up as an AU
• Searching and downloading in the portal
• Assigning files to AMPs
• How to get additional help!
What is the NIMAC?
• NIMAC is a central repository for source
files in the NIMAS format.
• NIMAS file sets can be used to produce
accessible, student-ready specialized
formats, such as Braille and audio, for
students in K-12 with qualifying disabilities.
What does the NIMAC do?
• Receives and catalogs NIMAS files from
publishers
• Provides quality control through an
automated file validation process and
manual QC process for all files
• Provides the searchable web-based
database
What does the NIMAC do?
• Establishes and maintains accounts for
publishers, State Coordinators, Authorized
Users, and Accessible Media Producers
• Contracts with OverDrive, Inc., (located in
Cleveland) to provide our database
system, user portals, and file storage
• Provides outreach, training, and support to
NIMAC users on how to work with us
A quick aside: NIMAS training
• Providing training, resources and support
for creating NIMAS file sets and for
converting NIMAS into accessible formats
is essential to the success of NIMAS.
• However, this aspect of NIMAS is outside
the purview of the NIMAC repository.
• The NIMAS Technical Assistance Center
at CAST is responsible for this training and
outreach: http://nimas.cast.org/
How does the NIMAC get files?
• SEAs and LEAs require publishers to
produce and submit files to the NIMAC by
adding this language into new purchase
agreements or adoption contracts.
• This is a key provision of the legislation as
publishers are not obligated to provide a
NIMAS file set if the customer did not
request NIMAS at the point of purchasing
the print book.
How does the NIMAC get files?
• In addition, the NIMAS legislation is not
retroactive and does not require publishers
to convert materials sold prior to the
effective date of NIMAS--July 19, 2006.
• If files were not required as a part of the
purchase agreement or adoption contract,
customers cannot contact the publisher
and require file submission later on.
How does the NIMAC get files?
• However, if the book you need is a
national edition, it’s possible that the
publisher has submitted or will submit the
file to comply with a requirement from
another customer. (So go ahead and
check the database.)
• AUs may only download files for print
books that they have purchased; however
you can download a file regardless of who
requested it be submitted.
How does the NIMAC get files?
• The NIMAC does not have any authority
per IDEA 2004 to require publishers to
submit files.
• However, we are happy to follow up with
publishers regarding files that have been
required by their customers but which
have not yet been received by the NIMAC.
• Just email us at [email protected].
What file formats do we have?
• The NIMAC contains only NIMAS files. No
other file formats can be accepted by us.
• NIMAC also does not perform any
conversion services and does not
distribute any student-ready formats.
• For this reason, we do not work directly
with individual students, parents, teachers
or schools.
What is a NIMAS file set?
A NIMAS zip file contains:
• An XML file of the textual portion of the
book
• A folder containing all of the images (in
JPG, PNG or SVG format)
• A package file containing metadata and a
list of image files included in the file set
• A PDF of the title page/copyright page of
the print book
What does “source file” mean?
• NIMAS file sets are not intended to be a
“student ready” format. They are intended
to help expedite conversion into a variety
of formats.
• File sets for textbooks can be 1-3 GB in
size or larger, due to the presence of up to
thousands of images included.
What does “source file” mean?
• The NIMAS specification does not
currently require alt text or description
of images.
• While many devices can read an XML file,
in most cases, some value-added work
must be done to turn NIMAS into a fullyaccessible version for a print disabled
student.
Which students qualify?
IDEA 2004, PART D, SEC. 674. (e)
(3)(A) BLIND OR OTHER PERSONS WITH PRINT
DISABILITIES—The term 'blind or other persons
with print disabilities' means children served
under this Act and who may qualify in
accordance with the Act entitled 'An Act to
provide books for the adult blind', approved
March 3, 1931 (2 U.S.C. 135a; 46 Stat. 1487) to
receive books and other publications produced
in specialized formats.
• NIMAC does not determine student eligibility.
This task belongs to the state.
What types of materials does
NIMAC contain?
(3)(C) PRINT INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS—
The term 'print instructional materials' means
printed textbooks and related printed core
materials that are written and published
primarily for use in elementary school and
secondary school instruction and are required
by a State educational agency or local
educational agency for use by students in the
classroom.
What cannot be accepted?
• NIMAC does not currently reject student
material based on whether it meets a
definition of “core.”
• However, we cannot accept:
– Teacher’s editions
– Material not published in a print version
– “Advance copy” versions of texts
What cannot be accepted?
• Teacher’s editions
– Per IDEA 2004, NIMAC is to serve as a
repository for student materials only. We can
only accept material that is “required for use
by students in the classroom.”
– Print disabled teachers who need accessible
teachers’ materials must work directly with
publishers to obtain those materials.
What cannot be accepted?
• Material not published in print
– IDEA 2004 states that the NIMAC is to house
NIMAS file sets for “textbooks and related
printed core materials.”
– Instructional materials published originally
only in a digital format—such as
supplementary CDs, DVDs or educational
web sites—do not meet the guidelines for
NIMAS.
What cannot be accepted?
• “Advance” copy versions
– NIMAC cannot accept NIMAS file sets created
from an uncorrected, preliminary version of
the textbook.
– Deadlines made to publishers for submitting
NIMAS should be based on when the final
version of the textbook will be ready.
2008: Building Capacity
• The response from publishers in
submitting files, either required by new
adoptions or “voluntarily,” in anticipation of
new contracts, has been phenomenal.
• In the NIMAC’s first 21 months, we
received over 12,000 file sets—the
number of files we expected to receive in
all five years of the original grant!
2008: Building Capacity
• A major focus for NIMAC for the second
half of 2008 has been on building capacity.
• OverDrive has added staff and new
hardware to help keep up with the
workflow.
• OverDrive is also in the process of rewriting the entire system code for a new
release that will “go live” in early 2009.
The Numbers!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Files Accepted into the NIMAC: 12,183
Publishers working with NIMAC: 74
States & Outlying Areas Coordinating: 54
Authorized Users: 99
Accessible Media Producers (AMPs): 99
Unique downloads by AU: 708
Unique downloads by AMP: 366
Statistics as of November 14, 2008
How do I become an AU?
• AUs are designated by a State
Coordinator.
• The State Coordinator logs into the system
and enters the AU’s contact information
into a web form and submits the form.
• The system then emails the AU the
NIMAC Limitation of Use Agreement.
Then what happens?
• The AU prints out the LUA, initials each
page, fills out the signature section, and
mails it to us.
• On receiving the LUA, we activate the
account.
• AU receives a user ID and password in
two separate automated emails.
That’s it!
• Your login ID and password are all you
need to access the NIMAC, search and
download files, or assign files to an
Accessible Media Producer (AMP).
An Important Reminder:
• It is not necessary to be an Authorized
User (AU) to search the NIMAC.
• Anyone with web access is welcome to
search for items in the NIMAC database.
On the NIMAC welcome screen, just
choose the first option: Search the
NIMAC.
• But only AUs can download files or
assign them to an AMP.
Hardware and Networking
For downloading file sets, you will need:
•
•
•
•
•
Windows 98 or above
Internet Explorer 5.5 or above
512 RAM (minimum)
1 GHz processor (minimum)
A high-speed internet connection and
network permission to download large files
Hardware and Networking
• The current system is not compatible with
Mac computers or non-IE browsers.
• Although you may be able to access the
portal and log in, you cannot make use of
all functionality.
• Using an incompatible OS or browser is
the most common reason that users
experience portal problems.
Getting Started: Logging In
• Go to the NIMAC web site:
www.nimac.us
• Click on the blue box that says, “Enter
the NIMAC Repository.”
• Choose the link, “If you have a login and
password, click here to enter the
NIMAC.”
At the login screen...
• Enter your user ID and password, then
click the “login” button.
• You will be directed to a screen that asks
you to choose a security question.
• Choose a question and enter the answer.
• This information will be used should you
ever need to request your password
information.
Now you'
Changing your password ...
• For security on your account, your first
task at this point is to change the
automated password you received to a
new password.
• Choose the menu option “Manage Your
User Account” to do this.
Change your password
• The information for your account will
appear, including your default password.
• Just delete the existing password “dots”
and enter a new password in both boxes.
• After you click “submit,” the screen will
show that your information has been
updated.
Hint on Navigating ...
• At any point, you can choose the “Home”
tab at the top of the screen to return to the
main menu.
• Or, just click the tab for the menu option
you want at the top of the screen.
Congratulations!
• You have now successfully set up your
NIMAC account and are now ready to
begin searching and working with files!
• We will now spend some time exploring
the search screen and download options.
Search Options
There are two types of search options:
1. Users may enter free text searches in
“Search” fields. This means you just type
in the search term you want.
2. “Limit By” fields are pick list options. This
means you can select a term from an
existing list of terms. These searches
can be used as stand-alone searches or
to modify a free text search.
Search Hints
• Search by the ISBN if you have it. This is
always your first choice. You may use the
10-digit or 13-digit ISBN.
• If you do not have the correct ISBN or are
uncertain, use the other search options.
Search Hints
• Start with a very basic search, for
example, a keyword from the title and/or
the author’s last name.
• If your search retrieves too many items,
use a few more options to narrow your
search, such as publisher name, copyright
date or grade level.
More Search Hints…
• AND, OR and NOT cannot be used to
combine search terms within a search box.
• If you enter information in more than one
search field, the system will only retrieve
items that match ALL terms.
• The more you choose, the fewer results
you’ll get.
More Search Hints…
• When searching by author, it is
recommended that you search last name
only.
• When searching by title, use either one
distinct word or an exact phrase from
the title.
• If you experience any difficulties in the
search portal, please contact NIMAC and
let us know.
Notice: Title Search Glitch
• OverDrive is currently resolving a system
bug that is causing title searches that
contain punctuation to fail.
• To make sure your title search works,
please leave out any punctuation in title
searching.
• (Remember that ISBN searching is usually
the preferred search if you have that
information.)
Title Search Examples
• Print book:
Search:
Liftoff!
liftoff
• Print book:
Search:
Airships: Sailors of the Skies
airships sailors
• Print book:
Search:
Adios, Coyote
adios coyote
• Print book:
Search:
A Hamster’s Tale
hamsters tale
At the brief display . . .
• You can select a download option or
assign the file to an AMP at this point;
• Or, you can click either the title or “Click
Here to See Full Record Display” to see
the complete title information.
Options
Download Options
• There are two download options available:
• The “Full” download includes the images
folder in the zip file. These files may be
several GB in size.
• The “XML” download does not include the
images. These files are small and
download very quickly.
Helpful hint . . .
• Whether you choose the XML-only
download option or the full NIMAS file
download, please be aware that the
default zip file name will be the same.
• Zip file names are the ISBN for the title,
plus “NIMAS”—regardless of which option
you choose. (For example:
032813368XNIMAS.zip)
Helpful hint . . .
• However, at the point of downloading the
zip file, you can rename the zip file
anything you want.
• Example 1:
032813368XNIMAS_XML_only.zip
• Example 2:
Chemistry.zip
Assigning Files to AMPs
• As a convenience to Authorized Users, the
NIMAC offers accounts for AMPs so they
can directly download files assigned to
them by AUs.
• Signing up as an AMP does not constitute
an endorsement by APH or the NIMAC.
• Any negotiations for conversion work by
an AMP, including cost, timelines, etc.,
happen outside the NIMAC.
Assigning a file to an AMP
1. From the search results display, click on
the option “Assign title to accessible
media producer.”
2. Select the AMP you want from the list of
registered AMPs. Then click “Assign
Media Producer” at the bottom of screen.
3. Select the format you want produced.
Then click “Assign Format.”
Assigning a file to an AMP
•
That’s it! The screen will display a
confirmation message that the file has
been assigned.
•
The AMP will also receive an email from
the system notifying them of the file
assignment.
•
You can then select another AMP for the
file, or begin a new search.
From the brief display…
• You can now see the AMP assignment
you entered.
• You can assign to assign the file another
AMP.
• You have the option to “Unassign” the file
if you have chosen either the wrong AMP
or wrong format and want to start over.
From the AMP perspective…
• Next, we’ll look at a series of screen shots
showing the notification email that the
AMP receives, and the AMP portal!
More on the AMP Portal
• There is no “expiration date” on download
queue items or limit to the number of times
the AMP can download a file in the queue.
• However, we have asked our system
vendor to develop an expiration date and
archiving feature in order to help AMPs
more easily manage their work queues.
If you experience a technical
problem in the portal…
•
•
Please contact the NIMAC at:
[email protected] or 877-526-4622
If we are unable to resolve the issue, we
will refer you to the support team at
OverDrive:
[email protected]
If you find a problem in a file …
• The NIMAC and the NIMAS Technical
Assistance Center also want your
feedback regarding file quality and tagging
issues.
• Thursday’s training includes detailed
information on how to report problems.
• If you are unable to join us for that
meeting, please contact us at
[email protected] for more information.
Coming Soon!
• OverDrive is currently working on a new
release of the NIMAC system.
• We hope to go live with “NIMAC 2.0” in
January 2009.
NIMAC 2.0
• New features will include:
– Publisher contact list for questions &
feedback on XML quality
– AMP contact list in the AU portal
(outside of Assign to AMP function)
– “Previously downloaded by” information
in the AU portal brief results display
NIMAC 2.0
• New features will include:
– Additional search interface functionality
(such as state edition search)
– Reports in the AU portal
– Mac compatibility
– Compatibility for browsers other than IE
Wrapping Up . . .
• Congratulations! You have learned how to:
– Log in to the NIMAC Repository
– Choose a security question and change your
password
– Do a basic search to locate titles
– Download a title page PDF, XML-only file, or
full NIMAS file
– Assign files to AMPs
– Report file problems & get further help!
Future trainings . . .
• Join us Thursday for the “Advanced”
training for information on additional portal
features.
• This presentation and PowerPoint will also
be archived at the NIMAC web site:
www.nimac.us
For more help . . .
• For searching help or other questions,
contact us Mon-Fri, 8 AM – 4:30 PM ET:
502-899-2230 or
1-877-526-4622 (1-877-52-NIMAC)
• Visit our web site: www.nimac.us
• Email us at: [email protected]